MFA/Teaching Writing

This is less about the craft of writing, and more about working towards an MFA...if anyone has a specialty in this...

I'm working towards an MFA so I can eventually teach creative writing to students in high school or (hopefully, someday college), but I've been told given the intense competition, it's better to get published before getting an MFA--thus giving you a huge leg up.

Has anyone else heard this? I'd appreciate any advice.

Hi there!

I actually live in England so I don't know much about how your system works but fortunate for you, I have a friend in America who's doing an MFA. He isn't published yet and he said that the work he's produced during the course is getting him much closer to the goal so he'd suggest going for your MFA first. He said by all means to work hard and try to get published before you're at the age to start, but if it doesn't happen, it's not necessary and doesn't hinder your experience of or result from the course.