Admissions

Each year, the MFA program accepts 13-15 students in fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Application materials to the MFA program include a writing sample (25 pages maximum), Statement of Purpose, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores (if applicable) and the GPA cover sheet. For more information on how to apply, please go to the Department of English admissions page How to Apply. Please do not use the "Supplemental Information" upload page on the on-line application. Do not upload your writing sample or your letters of recommendation on the on-line application. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have additional questions, please email us at creawrit@umn.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I enroll in the MFA Program part-time? Answer: No. Ours is a three-year full-time program.
2. Is the GRE really necessary? Answer: GRE scores strengthen your application. Excellent GRE scores may qualify you to be nominated for additional funding in the form of a Graduate School Fellowship.
3. What if my GRE test date is late and my scores won't arrive until after the 20th? Answer: See number 4.
4. By the December 20th deadline, all of your materials to the Graduate School and to the Department of English must have arrived, including test scores and letters of recommendation. We cannot consider incomplete applications.
5. My GPA and/or GRE scores aren’t stellar. Will that ruin my chances for admission? Answer: Our main criterion for admission is the writing sample. Your Statement of Purpose can address academic or personal challenges that affected your record. Keep in mind that the Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 for admission.
6. I don’t have a BA in English. Will that affect my application? Answer: No. We accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds.
7. I don’t have an undergraduate degree. Will that affect my application? Answer: Yes. The Graduate School requires a BA for admission.
8. Who should write my letters of recommendation? Answer: Ideally, at least two letters should come from professors who know your writing well, and one letter should address your potential for graduate study. However, we do accept letters from employers or literary mentors. It is not a good idea to have friends or family write your letters of recommendation.
9. Can my TA write me a letter of recommendation? Answer: Yes.
10. What is the GPA cover sheet? Answer: The GPA cover sheet is a tabulation of literature courses you have completed. As an MFA student, you will be expected to take literature courses within the English department and in other departments. However, many of our students do not have backgrounds in English literature. If you have not taken literature courses, do not fill out the GPA cover sheet.
11. I won’t graduate until May, so my transcripts will be incomplete. Is that okay? Answer: Yes. Send your current transcripts, even if you will not complete a degree until late spring. At that time, the Graduate School will ask you for your complete transcripts, with evidence of degree completion.
12. What is the teaching assistantship? Answer: All MFA students receive teaching assistantships for three years. You will be assigned to teach literature, creative writing, and courses within Writing Studies. The teaching assistantship includes a stipend, health benefits, and tuition waiver.
13. How much is the tuition waiver? Answer: All MFAs receive a full tuition waiver, up to fourteen credits per semester, with in-state tuition rates.
14. Can I teach during the summer? Answer: The department has limited teaching opportunities during the summer months.
15. What if I want to apply in two separate genres (i.e., poetry and fiction)? Answer: You will need to submit two separate applications and thus separate materials (statements of purpose, writing samples, and letters of recommendation). In general, we recommend that you apply in the genre that represents your strongest work as a writer. If selected to be a MFA candidate, you can pursue work in other genres once in the program.
16. What is my statement of purpose? Answer: Your statement of purpose should be a brief, personal/literary essay that will give the admissions committee a sense of who you are and why you are applying to the program.
17. "Apply Yourself" seems to ask for more than one applicant statement. What do I do? Answer: The MFA program will pay close attention primarily to your "Statement of Purpose." This is the exact same statement (#1) that you will upload for the Graduate School. Questions #1, #2, and #3 on "Apply Yourself" are required; #4 is not. Questions #2 concerns diversity of views and experiences and may be used for Graduate School fellowship nominations. If it is not applicable to your circumstances, simply write "Not applicable" and upload. Question #3 concerns your desire for graduate study. Here you may simply write "See personal statement." Question #4 regards extenuating circumstances and is not required.
18. What are your program demographics? Answer: Our students range in age from 23-60. They come from a variety of academic backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.
19. I applied to the program before and am now reapplying. What is the process? Answer: We keep applications on file for two years: writing sample, GRE scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and transcripts (at the Graduate School). We recommend submitting a new writing sample and statement of purpose. You must reapply through the Graduate School and pay another fee. In your application, please note what previous materials you would like us to discard from your old application.
20. Can I meet with someone to discuss the program? Answer: Unfortunately, we are not able to meet individually with applicants. If you have additional questions about the program or about the application process, email us at creawrit@umn.edu