MFA or authentic sake?

I'm currently in my last year at the University of Kansas and, as many seniors do, I'm looking ahead to the future. As of right now, I'm working on two separate paths: Applying to MFA programs in playwriting, and applying to JET programme.

Both have pros and cons, of course. And both are very different. But the truth is... I'd be extraordinarily happy doing either. So, my method is that of the wide-thrown net. I'll apply to... well, a LOT of places... and we'll see what works. I'm trying to stay loose, stay open, and stay sane!

Below is a list of the Playwriting MFA Programs that I'm thinking of applying to. While I know that several of these are long, long, LOOONG shots... my philosophy is, "If you don't apply, you're signing your own rejection letter."


Playwriting MFA's under consideration, in no particular order:

-- University of Iowa.
-- University of Texas at Austin, Michener Center.
-- New York University, Tisch.
-- University of California, San Diego.
-- Yale University.
-- Brown University.
-- Rutgers University.
-- University of Hawaii at Manoa.
-- Carnegie Mellon University.
-- University of Nevada, Las Vegas.


Goals of the JET Programme, from their website:

"The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme aims to promote grass roots internationalisation at the local level by inviting young overseas graduates to assist in international exchange and foreign language education in local governments, boards of education and elementary, junior and senior high schools throughout Japan. It seeks to foster ties between Japanese citizens (mainly youth) and JET participants at the person-to-person level."


As the process moves forward, I'll try to keep posting. Cross your fingers for me!