Selective MFA Program Admission

Admission to the MFA in Writing program is based upon approval of a creative writing sample and a statement of purpose. This selective acceptance process ensures that MFA students are at the point in their writing development where they are prepared for an intensive, graduate-level focus on their writing skills and growth, along with the ability to give thoughtful and productive feedback to the other writers in the program.

Rolling Admissions

The MFA Program has a rolling admissions policy, with applications accepted throughout the year. Accepted students will begin classes in the upcoming term that works best for them, after their university admissions process is complete. 

Program acceptance is not limited to a specific number of students each year. Each applicant is considered individually, and every creative writing sample is reviewed on its own merit. We are looking for students who clearly demonstrate strong writing skills, an understanding of the craft of creative writing, and a willingness to continue growing as a writer.

We do not require GRE scores or letters of recommendation; program acceptance is based on MFA faculty approval of the writing sample and statement.

Students must also meet university admission requirements. See the sections below for information on the writing sample, statement of purpose, and other requirements.

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WRITING SAMPLE GUIDELINES

• The writing sample should be 7 to 10 pages of creative writing.
• This sample can be an excerpt from a single longer work, or it can be a combination of various pieces and genres (fiction and/or poetry and/or creative nonfiction).
• Multiple pieces should be combined into a single Word document or pdf (for poetry, place no more than one poem per page).
• Double-space fiction and nonfiction; single-space poems.
• Include your name and email on the first page of the document.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE GUIDELINES

The Statement of Purpose should be approximately one to two double-spaced pages. Describe why you would like to pursue the MFA degree and the role writing has played in your life. Include your name and email on the document.

About our MFA in Writing program
What to expect in our online MFA classes