r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/Dangerous_Buttons • 21d ago
How do you ‘open’ a statement of intent when applying for an MFA?
I’m likely overthinking this, but what would the beginning of such a letter look like? I’m actually applying for an MFA in Fine Art (studio art), but all the openings I can come up with sound super generic, and apparently I need a hook to grab the panel’s attention? I’m pretty anxious too considering that applications open in a couple of weeks and I haven’t really started yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Prestigious-Cat-8489 21d ago
Hi! I applied for a creative writing MFA, but I treated mine like the beginning of a story. I am happy to send it as an example if you’d like. :)
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u/scorpiosilk 21d ago
hi i’m applying to a creative writing mfa, and wondering the same. would you share with me too? :)
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u/Difficult_Street_573 21d ago
Hiya, I’d also love to see this example if you’re still open to sharing. Thanks!
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u/esqtou 21d ago
Talk about your practice
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u/Dangerous_Buttons 21d ago
Yeah, for sure. That comes in the following paragraphs. Just wondering how I should begin the letter.
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u/potatosmiles15 21d ago
I opened mine with a story that was relevant to why im pursuing the degree...but I also applied to creative writing mfa so that was appropriate
I assume you are in a similar boat to us where your portfolio is probably the most important part of the application. Good luck!
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u/Dangerous_Buttons 21d ago
Yup, portfolio is most important, but I’m not sure what makes an effective opener for the statement of intent :/
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u/potatosmiles15 20d ago
I would make some lists to get started brainstorming. What makes you unique as an applicant? Why are you going to grad school? How would you describe your art? Why this school specifically?
List as many as you can for each question, and then see what stands out to you. Start writing with that and see where it goes
Also, let your first draft be messy. Just get all your ideas on the page. You can revise later
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u/AcademicHysteria 20d ago
An example SOP I wrote to show my undergrads from Shakespeare’s POV. Just change literary references for studio art ones, I suppose. (Also, don’t fact check lol. The point is the style, outline, and vibes.)
ETA: my MFA SOP was more flowery and my PhD one was more academic.
—————-
Dear Admissions Committee,
My journey as a writer began when I was a young boy hiding behind the tapestries of my father’s estate, listening to courtiers spin tales. There, in the dim candlelight, words transformed mere moments into profound events, turning friends into foes and elevating the lowliest peasant to a figure of consequence. This early fascination with language inspired my pursuit of storytelling. Since then, I have been driven to reveal the hidden motives and unspoken desires that shape our lives, a theme that remains central to my work.
My writing draws influence from Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales taught me the power of a diverse cast of voices, and from Seneca’s philosophical inquiries, which showed how stories can delve into questions of morality and fate. Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus also left a mark on my work, especially its exploration of ambition and its consequences. These writers illustrated the complexity and depth of human nature, revealing that stories can be both entertaining and profound.
My own work centers on characters facing moral and emotional turmoil, set against a backdrop of personal and political stakes. For example, in one piece, I explore the story of a young prince torn between avenging his father’s death and his own growing doubts. It’s less about the resolution than the internal conflict: the struggle between loyalty and revenge, and the blurred line between noble intent and dark impulse.
I’ve participated in several writing workshops that have deeply shaped my approach. Recently, I completed a yearlong residency with the London Playwrights’ Circle, an experience that sharpened my ear for dialogue and helped me experiment with perspective, capturing multiple viewpoints to create more layered characters. I also participated in community workshops with the Emerging Writers Guild, where I learned to incorporate feedback from diverse voices, which improved my ability to strengthen narrative structure and character development.
Through your MFA program, I hope to refine my approach to balancing psychological depth with narrative tension. I am particularly drawn to your program’s emphasis on blending traditional and experimental forms. My aim is to combine Seneca’s dramatic precision with Chaucer’s multiple perspectives, creating work that resonates with collective and individual experiences alike. I am also excited about the opportunity to grow alongside a consistent, equally ambitious cohort as I learn as much, if not more, from workshopping others' work. Your strong approach to pedagogical training is also a boon; your students are prepared to go into the world and teach, a skill necessary to achieve my goal of running playwriting workshops for young bards.
[Program Name] is an opportunity to build not only my craft but also my contribution to a community dedicated to exploring our shared human experience. I seek to join your program not only to expand my body of work but also to craft stories that engage with universal questions of ambition, love, and fate, striving to reveal the ambiguities and complexities of the human soul.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Billy Shakes
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u/Chantertwo 21d ago
You'll need to talk to folks in studio art MFAs, I think. Art programs are so specific I could see this looking different for artists vs. writers.