The Seton Hill MFA in Creative Writing residency program has both spring and autumn terms. During the spring term, students reside in the same building as their advisor, Dr. Deborah Smith, and work closely with her and other professionals in the Creative Writing department. During the autumn term, students remain in the same building but live in other accommodation. Each term, students have the opportunity to socialise with other MFA students, as well as to network with potential future employers. Being in the same building but with different living arrangements is intended to be a transformative experience, allowing the students to further develop their creative and academic writing skills. We spoke to Dr. Smith about what sets the Creative Writing residency program at Seton Hill apart from other similar programmes.
A Residency That Is Nontraditional
The first thing that may attract prospective students to the Creative Writing residency at Seton Hill is the unusual structure of the program. The majority of MFA Creative Writing residencies take place over the winter months, with students spending a few hours a day, if not more, in classes, seminars, and individual mentoring sessions with their advisor. In contrast, Seton Hill’s Creative Writing residency is semester-based, with much of the work occurring during the day. Students are required to write a minimum amount each week, but they have the freedom to pursue additional writing projects throughout the semester.
This approach is intended to foster independence and creative exploration while also building students’ trust in their advisors. Trust is essential in any successful long-term working relationship, and the trust established between student and advisor is a significant part of the transformation that takes place during a Creative Writing residency. When students enter the program, they are required to choose an advisor and live with them for the duration of their stay. This shared residency model is quite rare, and it provides students with an opportunity to develop their interpersonal and communication skills, as well as gain valuable academic experience.
A Sense Of Community
Another thing that makes the Creative Writing residency at Seton Hill stand out from other similar programmes is the strong community that forms around the program. All the students, regardless of whether they are in the spring or autumn term, live in the same building during their time there. They eat lunch and dine together as a group, and they socialise with other students both in and outside of class. The shared living spaces and relaxed atmosphere contribute to the sense of community experienced by students in the programme. This sense of community is vital for all students to feel that they are not just there to study but can make a real contribution to society. It is also an excellent opportunity for students to socialise with professionals in the field, learning more about careers in creative writing and gaining valuable life and work experience.
A More Inclusive Education
Access to quality higher education is crucial for all students. The inclusive nature of the Creative Writing residency at Seton Hill ensures that all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, have the same opportunity to study and gain valuable experience. The strong relationships that develop between students and professionals in the field mean that students can continue to explore opportunities and network even after they graduate. Many of Seton Hill’s Creative Writing alumni have found employment in the field and have helped to establish connections with industry, allowing them to continue to develop their careers even after they graduated.
An Opportunity To Be Heard
Another advantage of the shared-residence Creative Writing residency at Seton Hill is that it provides students with an opportunity to be heard. As well as teaching students to write with honesty and integrity, the programme’s professional tutors, practitioners, and professors listen to and provide feedback on the students’ work. Students are encouraged to enter their work for publication in competitions and are offered regular feedback on their progress throughout their stay. This feedback is invaluable, and it gives students the opportunity to improve their work and gain valuable experience that they could never get from a single classroom. The programme’s strong tradition of publishing, both in the formal and the emerging digital realms, provides additional opportunities for students to be noticed and to develop their professional networks. Publishing gives students the opportunity to become established authors and, increasingly, to find paying work.
An Ambition To Help
Finally, the shared-residence Creative Writing residency at Seton Hill has a very strong and positive ambience. All the students come from a genuinely encouraging and supportive environment, and they want to help and make a difference. They want to be heard, and they want to help others to be heard too.
There is a real ethos of mutual aid and support in the Creative Writing residence at Seton Hill. Professional support is readily available to students, and they are encouraged to ask for help when they need it. They want to improve their writing and thinking, and they have the opportunity to do so in a safe and nurturing environment. All the students I have spoken to about their time at Seton Hill say that it has been a positive experience and that they would recommend it to others.