University of Southern California Masters in Professional Writing

Reviewer's Name:

Jimbo

Review Date

March 17, 2009

Year of Graduation:

2008

Review Title:

A Mixed Bag

Full Review of the Program:

MPW is a mixed bag, but it's getting better. They're gradually taking out the coffee-flavored bits and replacing them with strawberry flavors.

This is an example of a metaphor.

That is an example of the level some of the classes are taught at.

There are some great teachers. There are some less great ones. You decide which classes to take, so you can have a pretty good experience if you ask around and choose wisely.

That said, the overall idea--that you wind up writing a full-length thesis (novel, screenplay, stage play or book of poems) under the guidance of a professional writer--is at best over-ambitious and at worst a lie and a sham. They don't pay the staff enough that they're willing to invest as much time in you as a project that length requires. You might get a few one-on-one meetings and some vague encouragement/advice, but it's likely you'll end up paying a few thousand to, essentially, write your book or screenplay alone. Which you could do for free.

Is it a plus, then, that the program doesn't give a fig about the quality of the work you hand in? They'll pass you on anything if it looks long enough and, as far as I can tell, they don't bother reading it. Good news if you think an "MPW" will impress prospective employers (ha!), disappointing if you value the craft.

Short version: some excellent teachers (and some of them really are very, very good), bit flawed overall. But getting better.

Advice to Prospective Students:

Never put socks in a toaster.