By Claire Williams, Poetry Editor ∼
Penn State University’s English Department offers students interested in creative writing the unique opportunity to apply for an integrated undergraduate and graduate program in the spring of their third undergraduate year.
Through this program, called the BA/MA Graduate Program in Creative Writing, students are able to earn their bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in creative writing with just one additional year of study that is free of tuition. In their second year, students also have the opportunity to gain teaching experience as instructors of an English 15 course. Further, the program only admits only ten students each year, and those in their second year are required to work closely with a faculty advisor in their genre to complete a creative thesis before graduating.
I spoke with two current first-year BA/MA and fourth-year undergraduate students, Nikolai Korbich and Cynthia “Cindy” Rodi, about their experiences with the program so far, things they wish they had known before enrolling in it, and their interests outside of writing.
Korbich, who is primarily a poet, revealed to me that for him, the people within the program are the best part.
“The opportunity to build close relationships with other writers in workshop settings is a special one,” Korbich said.
Nikolai Korbich, fourth-year English major and first-year BA/MA student. Credit: PSU Creative Writing Blog.
Despite these great opportunities, Korbich said that the dual enrollment aspect of the whole program is a bit difficult for him. Specifically, he told me that it feels “really transitional.”
“I want to fully dedicate myself to the program, but also want to embrace the undergrad things I’ll never get the chance to do again,” Korbich said. “Finding a balance between the two can be difficult.”
When this semester is over, both Korbich and Rodi will be halfway through the program. About this fact, Korbich stated, “I wish I knew how fast it would all go.” For anyone thinking about applying to the program, it seems that the brevity of the experience is something significant to consider and appreciate if accepted.
In my conversation with Rodi, who mostly writes fiction, she also shared similar sentiments about her favorite part of being a BA/MA student. Talking about the same group of people as Korbich, Rodi said they are “a great group and they push me to both write stronger as well as want to be a better writer.”
What she finds the most challenging, however, is overcoming imposter syndrome.
“Pushing myself to constantly produce writing that I deem ‘good enough’ while also worrying about other classes has been a huge struggle, especially when trying to write in a genre I am unfamiliar with,” Rodi said. “I love writing, but it’s not easy, especially in a program with others who are so talented.”
In a similar vein, Rodi expressed that she wishes she had explored other genres she has less experience writing in prior to taking courses about them at the graduate level.
Cindy Rodi, fourth-year English major/music minor and first-year BA/MA student. Credit: PSU Creative Writing Blog.
Outside of their passion for creative writing, both Korbich and Rodi maintain investment in the arts. Korbich dedicates his free time to acting in plays through Penn State’s No Refund Theater and watching auto racing. He is also a peer advisor for the College of the Liberal Arts. Rodi is a committed member of the Blue Band and a peer writing tutor for Penn State Learning.
In addition to her English major, which is required for acceptance into the BA/MA program, Rodi is also a music minor.
“I’m always running from the music building to writing workshops to work at the writing center to band. I keep busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rodi said.
Clearly, the BA/MA program requires individuals with a strong sense of work ethic, passion for the arts and creative writing, and willingness to explore potentially unfamiliar genres and types of writing.
Those interested in applying should visit the program’s page on the English Department’s website. The deadline is March 15, 2023.
Claire Williams is a third-year Schreyer Honors Scholar studying English, and the KLIO 2023 Poetry Editor. For the past year, she has been working as a peer writing tutor with Penn State Learning. Claire began an ongoing Bednar internship with Penn State Libraries’ Open Publishing Program last fall, in which she does accessibility and online publishing work. Outside of academics, she has been a Penn State THON volunteer since her first year as a student. For the last two years, she has shaved her head in support of the cause.