Name

Brittany Petersen

School

DePaul University

Degree Program

Second-year Master of Arts student in Writing and Publishing

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Political Science from Northwestern University, 2009

Advisor

Janet Hickey

Hobbies

Playing trombone, singing, running, big ten football

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school or program?

I chose the masters program in writing and publishing at DePaul University because of its location and also because of the curriculum. After I earned my bachelors degree in journalism and political science, I began working as an executive assistant at a law firm in Chicago. Within a few months of working, I decided that I wanted to return to school to pursue a masters degree in something more craft-based than journalism, but my commitment to my job required me to stay in Chicago.

I researched several schools in Chicago, and I chose DePaul University because of its writing and publishing program. I looked at the online class list and discovered that the program included classes in screenwriting, editing, memoirs and fiction, which were all new to me. I was excited about the program because it seemed like it would push me in new directions. Besides the curriculum, the program was structured for working professionals and the classes met in the evenings or on weekends.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

The most important thing that I did to prepare myself for graduate school was meet with the head of the writing and publishing department at DePaul University. I gathered information about the school through an informational interview with him, and I also believe that my meeting with him helped my application stand out during the admissions process.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

No, I was not required to submit any standardized test scores when I applied to DePaul University.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I described my process for deciding on a career path. I explained how I had changed my mind several times until I chose writing, and I talked about what I wanted to achieve in the future with a graduate degree in writing and publishing.

In addition to a personal statement, I submitted writing samples with my application to DePaul University. I picked the best pieces from my undergraduate study that illustrated my writing skills and exhibited original thinking.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

For a letter of recommendation, I asked a professor from my undergraduate journalism program who knew me well. I had taken 2 upper-level courses with him, and while I was his student he offered to write me a recommendation letter if I ever needed one.

In addition to my journalism professor, I also asked my boss for a letter. I thought that it would be important to show that I was working and also that my boss was supportive of my educational goals.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in writing and publishing?

If you are considering applying to a graduate program in writing, I advise you to first think about your ultimate career goals. A writing degree is not specialized like a business degree or a law degree. It won’t funnel you directly into a specific type of career. So I recommend that you remember that and only apply because you have a genuine interest in studying writing.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My masters degree program in writing and publishing is 2 years long. The classes all meet in the evenings or on weekends, usually once a week for 3 hours at a time. Because there is no thesis component for my masters degree program, I have spent both years attending classes. During the first quarter I took required classes that introduced English prose, rhetoric and grammar. Beyond that, the bulk of my first-year coursework consisted of writing workshops. After that, I took electives on rhetoric discourse, literature, publishing and teaching. I also took electives in teaching writing, including a semester-long teaching assistant internship at a local community college.

What is the focus of your masters degree research?

My masters degree in writing and publishing is not research-based, so I am not required to compose a thesis or conduct research.

Does your program have an internship component?

Yes, but internships are optional. I decided to complete an internship at Harold Washington Community College as a teaching assistant after I completed an elective course on teaching writing. I had never considered teaching before, but my experience as a teaching assistant was quite valuable to my education. It made me think about why I was studying writing, and taught me that how we learn language and writing is important to understanding the process of writing.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor is there to answer my questions, usually online. I often enlist the help of my advisor for things like financial aid or questions about my program. However, my masters degree program is very self-directed, and I must take the initiative to find solutions to my problems or contact the appropriate people when I have questions. My advisor is not there to hold my hand or look over my shoulder along the way.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The biggest difference between my masters degree program and my undergraduate study is that, in my masters program, every class that I take is in the field I am studying. Although I enjoyed my undergraduate study, I also took a lot of required classes that did not pertain to my major. In my masters degree program, I have required classes, but they are all in my area of study and are all applicable to my degree.

Besides the curriculum, my masters program is also different from my undergraduate study in the social experience. As an undergraduate, I was part of a sorority and I also participated in a marching band and other extracurricular activities. As a graduate student, I don’t participate as much in the culture of my program or school. Graduate school is focused much more on academics than social experiences.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters degree program cost?

My masters degree program in writing and publishing costs around $2,000 per class, and there are 12 classes in total. In addition to tuition, I also pay for a student transit pass and occasional textbooks.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education completely with federal student loans. I wish I had looked for more funding opportunities, but when I was applying to school I was working full time and did not have the time to devote to searching for scholarships and grants.

It was not difficult to obtain my student loans. With the help of my school’s financial aid office, I applied for student loans online through the Department of Education website. The process was quite simple.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

Although I will have a good-sized chunk of debt when I graduate, I took out loans with the understanding that they would be a long-term commitment. I was 10 or 12 by the time my mother paid off her own student loans, so when I applied for loans I knew what I was getting into and I have accepted the burden.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters degree in writing and publishing?

As with anything, the time commitment for my masters program varies, but I get out of it what I invest in it. I spend 6 hours in classes each week, and an additional 10 hours outside of class on reading and homework. During my internship, I spent as many as 15 hours on work outside of class.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Because I am studying a subject that also is my passion, sometimes it is difficult to separate my work from my recreation. My life is also stressful because I hold a full-time job in addition to attending school. Balancing my personal life with graduate school and my job takes structure. For example, I refuse to do homework from Thursday night to Saturday night and devote those days to playing. I designate Sunday as my homework day and I focus on completing my assignments then. Trying to keep my time separate allows me to have an active social life while also devoting enough time to my studies.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I plan to be working in some capacity with communication and language. I may enter corporate communications, marketing or publicity, or I could pursue work in the publishing or journalism sectors as an editor. I also hope to have my first book published within the next 5 years

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in writing and publishing?

Once you have decided on the type of degree, I recommend that you research the curriculum and faculty of the programs you are considering. Not all writing programs cater to the same type of writing, so you should check the course list to see what kinds of classes you will be taking and who teaches them. Your graduate school experience is shaped by the faculty you work with, and there are countless of genres and types of writing, so if you want to study with the best historical fiction professors in the country, it is up to you to figure out who they are. If you want to get a taste of everything, find a program that offers that option.