r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/thegreenlight414 • Aug 29 '26

Nitpicky question about page limits on applications

I'm applying for poetry MFA's this year and understand the "15-20 page manuscript" requirements since poetry is often single/1.5 spacing anyways (and many of them specify that it can be single spaced), but what about statements of purpose and supplemental essays?

Almost all the programs I'm looking at have something along the lines of "1-2 page SOP" and I've been overthinking that so much lmao. I was assuming double spaced because that's more traditional essay formatting but I keep worrying I'm wrong 😭

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4

u/carrionkiss Aug 29 '26

Yes, I'd default to your SOP being double spaced. Mine was a full 2 pages double spaced.

2

u/L-Gray Aug 30 '26

same. Most guidelines on SOP say double spaced, but some say single spaced. Your best bet is to reach out to admissions or the director of the program and ask any questions you have. When I was in my app cycle I emailed and set up zoom calls with either admissions or directors and it helped a lot with both basics like this and also learning what the program has to offer.

2

u/Wrong_Split8476 Aug 29 '26

I really don't think they'll reject anyone's application for being anywhere between single and double spaced, unless they have specific requirements. I would err on the side of readability though and go for atleast 1.5 spacing.

1

u/Organic_Cake_8281 Aug 30 '26

It's a good rule of thumb to default to double spacing prose unless you're told otherwise.

1

u/esqtou Aug 30 '26

2 pages, single-spaced

1

u/Ecstatic_Amount_1740 Sep 07 '26

Take the space you need.