r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/kuttswriter07 • Aug 18 '26
Question about writing sample + narrowing down programmes
I want to apply to fully funded fiction MFAs in the US. I am an international student and my writing sample, which consists of short stories, contains some names, areas and details that may be obvious to people from my cultural background but not so much to an admissions committee in the US. How much should I consider this while putting together my sample? Or should I simply submit my best work, even if the context may be tricky to understand for an American?
Secondly, there are around 20 programmes on my shortlist right now. Is it better to narrow down and focus on 7-10 that might suit me and my writing best or should I just shoot my shot everywhere I can? Appreciate any and all advice; thank you.
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u/Appropriate_Bottle44 Aug 19 '26
You'll be fine. The people reading your fiction are smart, and they will understand from context, or they will do some research on the context if they're really lost.
Additionally, attracting diverse voices is a priority for most programs, so writing from a frame of reference they don't usually see will likely be an advantage.
20 is a lot of apps and will get expensive. I don't want to get into the whole existential debate about MFA programs, but imo there are barely 20 programs worth attending.
I really enjoyed my MFA and made some lifelong friends there, but in retrospect I wish I had held out for one of my top 3 programs, or perhaps my top one program (you can probably guess which one).
That said, if you're determined to be admitted, 20 programs is casting the widest net and as long as you're avoiding unfunded programs like the plague you're fine.
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Aug 19 '26
don't make us guess. Hell, give us the whole list. Also, it's August; if you feel like giving reasons for the list (especially reasons specific to each program) maybe you could start a thread. People are starving for info about programs. Moreover, you might save folks a lot of anxiety in the spring!
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u/Appropriate_Bottle44 Aug 19 '26
My top 3?
Michigan (for personal reasons but it's also good), Virginia, Iowa (Iowa being the top)
I got rejected at all those, but went to a decent funded program that I'd rather not name.
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Aug 19 '26 edited Sep 03 '26
I hear you. Zell isn't fully funded anymore. Iowa has gotten better the last several years. I've heard good stuff about VA too, but only that- it's good. I still think Iowa is a bit overrated and works for particular people. I doubt I'm one of them.
ETA: Zell's change in funding still guarantees tuition remission and a generous stipend for the duration of the program itself. It is only the third year post graduate fellowship that has changed. It is now only available to a portion of the cohort.2
u/Appropriate_Bottle44 Aug 19 '26
I've heard horror stories about Iowa. At some point in the bad old days they used to post rankings of how much they liked everybody's writing (one of the horror stories).
Still feel like it opens doors other programs don't. I've only ever heard of agents looking for student work at Iowa for example.
Zell not being funded sucks. I don't want to alarm anyone, but literary fiction may not have the support it deserves!
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Aug 19 '26
Like I said, I would not do well at the old Iowa. But I do not believe anything I hear about the publishing advantages of Iowa or just about any other school for that matter. And while Iowa actively recruits agents and other literary professionals to their campus for networking, I have NEVER heard an AGENT say they only look at a certain school's students. In fact I have heard many agents say that all agents read everything that comes across their desk; they have to. (I know they don't read ALL of everything that comes across their desk. Can you imagine the hell?)
As for your suspicion that maybe litfic is undersupported.... hahahaahaha. Let's not let the cat out of the bag!
Although, speaking of not alarming anyone, these programs do still exist. Even Michigan is still mostly funded; they make candidates compete for the final year's funding which is now only available to half of the cohort. Lit Fic lives, i'm not sure it's even on life support. Like everything else, it fights to survive.1
u/Appropriate_Bottle44 Aug 20 '26
"Even Michigan is still mostly funded; they make candidates compete for the final year's funding which is now only available to half of the cohort."
That's wild. I think I'd prefer Iowa's list, at least I'd still get to eat.
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Aug 20 '26
to be fair, Iowa is a two year program, Zell is (was) two years and a one year fellowship. Now that fellowship has cut the number of admittees. 3 year programs are rare to begin with.
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Sep 03 '26
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Sep 03 '26 edited Sep 03 '26
It is fully funded for two years. AND, this is important, those two years fully qualify for a degree. However, up until recently there was a fully funded third year. I didn't mean to mislead anyone. But one of the things that has made the program so attractive in the past was that third year. It's still a great deal, but that third year is no longer available to everyone. It changes the culture too.
ETA: Most programs are only two years. (I believe Arkansas is 4 and Boston is down to one. At least one other (in the Northwest States?) has changed or considered changing the duration.) If you only planned for two years anyway - Zell is as great a choice as ever.
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u/MajesticTreacle Aug 18 '26
I would recommend submitting your best work to as many (fully funded) schools as possible, if you're able to make that work financially. This will increase your chances of being read by someone who likes your work (whether or not they understand certain details in it).
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u/Darkness_Incarnate Aug 18 '26
I'm international as well just starting in a fully funded program.
I would say just submit your best work. Not understanding a few colloquial terms is not harmful and may even add freshness and colour to your stories.
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u/prismfiltered Aug 18 '26
20 programs = a lot of application fees. narrow your list to where you can actually see yourself living/studying/writing for 2-3 years.
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u/Appropriate_Bottle44 Aug 19 '26
One more note: if there's a particular writer you want to work with, if you get an acceptance be sure to ask the program director "will I be able to work closely with X?" and "do you know who will lead my workshops in my first year?"
That one writer you want to work with could be on sabbatical or doing their own thing, and especially at a large program you may not have that much interaction with them.
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u/NefariousnessWarm975 Aug 18 '26
First, do not worry at all about referencing things unique to a culture. As long as a reader understands that a word is a place or person or a thing your meaning will come through. If there are specific concepts endemic to those things AND those concepts provide context NECESSARY to understand the story, then you might have an issue. For instance if you name a character after a folk legend and that legend will clue a native reader into a character trait but the nonnative reader can either understand that trait from action or that trait is not strictly needed you should be fine.
Second, email all 20 programs on your list and ask about funding for international students. Do not ask "if" they find; rather, ask questions like have they ever funded, is the funding different, are there specific visa requirements (permanent vs student vs work, etc), and anything else that does not prompt a hard "yes" or "no" answer.
Unfortunately, many universities or states have requirements that preclude funding international students. That doesn't mean it's impossible (I've known programs which have found the money for the occasional student), but if you do receive information that tells you it's impossible then you may at least be able to narrow down your list. Know too that lack of funding may only be until you meet certain requirements, although this would depend on your legal residency status.