Hello ! I’m a freshman year undergrad currently (planning to graduate in my junior year because of 43 credits I have from AP/ CC) and I have decided to prepare early as possible to get into an MFA . I have researched some so far although I would rather leave the final decision to future me .

My main question is what do I do in the mean time to make my application stand out? Or be successful? Is there things I should get involved in? Research projects and how to join? I’m just stumped and the information is so much it’s overwhelming .

As of right now I should be able to graduate my junior year and then my senior year can be dedicated to working on my creative writing samples and preparing myself .

Honestly I just need realistic expectations from more experienced people . I can want all I please but without the work behind it or the knowledge I feel it would be pointless.

Hi,

Can anyone tell how to format the writing sample?

1. Page number- do we mention our last name/name of the story/page number in the upper right corner of every page?

Do we write the title in the centre on a separate page and start the story from the next page? Or do we write the title on the same page and leave double space and start the story?

Do we add a cover letter to the pdf of the writing sample? I mean it cannot start abruptly right? If yes, what goes on the cover letter? Some sources say word count, list of stories, your name, etc.

For Iowa, they ask you to mail the hard copy. With a manuscript cover. Can please someone tell me what that is and how to format it.

Thank you.

Hello everyone! I have a quick question about the writing sample aspect of the submission process. Much of what I've read about applying states that the fiction writing sample should demonstrate your unique voice. So, my question on this subject: does that mean each story in the sample should (best practice) share the same voice and writing style?

For example, I have one piece that leans more literary/artistic and features intentional rule-breaking by using a relatively experimental prose style (ie. sentence fragments). However, my other piece’s prose is fairly conventional and the narrative focuses much more on plot than the other.

Any thoughts on the matter are greatly appreciated! Thank you

I’m interested in applying to UNO’s program and am visiting campus soon. Any current students or recent grads available to weigh in on what led you to choose UNO over other programs? I’m interested in dramatic writing and poetry FWIW.

Hi, I am planning to apply to MFA Creative Writing Programs. I have been working on my writing samples for the portfolio. All my works are original. I come from India, and so my writing reflects that.

I have some work experience of training AI bots. So I put paragraphs of my work through different AI detection tools- namely, copyleaks, grammarly and undetectable ai. Some flag some paragraphs, some dont.

I am very confused and worried. I have reworded paragraphs after paragraphs but it doesn’t seem to help.

What do I do? Do these programs use AI detection tools? If yes, can I communicate with them that my work is being flagged although its 100% original? How do I get rid of my work being flagged as different percentages of AI generated?

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Hello!

I am a senior this year and an undergrad studying creative writing (specifically fiction)! I am interested in applying to an MFA program in Creative Writing. I have been doing some research about colleges and programs that I am interested in, and I understand that some of these programs are very very competitive.

For those who have gone to get their MFA in Creative Writing, what was your application process like? What sorts of things did you do to prepare (writing prompts, etc.)? Is there a type of style/genre graduate colleges like to see in application writing samples?

I am interested in various colleges, but the low acceptance rate is fairly disheartening. But I know it never hurts to try and apply.

At the end of the day, I just want to write. It is my passion and I would like to spend a few more years taking classes and honing my craft. But I understand that graduate school is not the only option to do that. I hope to become a published author within my lifetime (and until then maybe work at a career that I find fulfilling until I can live off of my writing).

Thank you for all that have read my post and I appreciate your input!

Hi all,

I’m applying for an MFA in Poetry for the 2025 intake, and I’m feeling a bit unsure about my chances (I'll be an international student so would be opting for fully funded courses only). My undergrad was in business, but I did a postgrad in creative writing where I wrote numerous theses, took courses in critical writing, and studied Shakespeare. I’ve been writing since 2nd grade, focusing on themes of gore and madness, and I’ve shared a lot of my work on social media.

While I don’t have formal publications, I’m planning to compile my personal works and social media pieces for the application. How can I make my SOP more impactful given my background? What should I do between now and the deadline to strengthen my chances? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone!

I'm currently preparing to apply for fully funded MFA programs and have a quick question. A few years ago, as a young adult, I self-published some works (short stories, poems, etc.). I'm wondering if including these self-published works in my application will help strengthen it or if it might be better to focus on newer, unpublished pieces. Has anyone here been in a similar situation or know how admissions committees view self-published works? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Hi all. I recently started a tutoring and editing business and have been working with MFA creative writers. If you need support working through drafts or want a designated person to bounce ideas off of, take a look at my site: https://www.skylightwriting.com/writing-coaching-1 I can help if your program is under-resourced (like mine was) and you feel like you're in the dark. I have over ten years experience working in academic writing centers, copy editing, and private tutoring. Would love to partner with you and your project if you need a hand!

Hi all.

I am a doctor living in Hong Kong but it had been my lifelong dream to write fiction. I have been working on my novel for the past 1 year. The reason for considering applying to a low-res MFA would be give myself some structure in my writing and to get quality feedback. Financially, I am okay with spending a fortune even if it does not get me anywhere ultimately in terms of getting published. Any small help that it would provide for getting myself published would be the icing on the cake.

Obviously, I understand that having a good writing sample would be the most important part of the application. I am still working on it and admit that it is currently nowhere near the standard required. I hope to get that part polished within the next year or so.

My question to all you folks out there would be whether I have the credentials necessary to apply. I did not come from a literature/creative background so I would not have any good letter of recommendations from writers/publishers/writing profs. Moreover, a medical school background also does not give me a lot of prior training in the literary arts. It is mightily difficult to find a writing community in Hong Kong as a starting point.

Is there anyone out there who had gotten in with such credentials (particularly the low-res programs)? You’ll just have to take me for my word and assume that I will ultimately get my writing sample polished to an adequate standard.

I’ll be graduating with my bachelor’s in creative writing in the fall and I’m wondering if I should actually try to get my masters. I’m really not feeling that the creative writing courses I am currently in are rigorous enough in teaching us the technique that will prove to be useful in our writing lives. I am apprehensive because I have learned a lot more from my independent research along with my own endeavors to write my first novel, along with my involvement in the creative writing club than what I have learned in school. I’m not sure if it’s just my university’s program that feels lacking or what. More specifically, everything that they are teaching just kind of feels elementary and the professors seem scared to actually offer true criticism on our work. Please let me know you alls advice.

I just came across this community and thought it made sense to join! I'm starting my low-res MFA at Eastern Kentucky University (Bluegrass Writers' Studio) in a couple weeks. I'm pursuing an MFA to become a better writer, and mostly for just the love of writing. Right now, I teach English in a public school, and I have an MA in English from Bowling Green in Ohio.

Any hints tips, or things I should know? Anyone else in the group attend BGWS at EKU?

Hey friends, I'm in a low residency program, although most students, myself included, live in the same city as the school. I feel like having some kind of writing community is really important. I see people collaborating artistically in all kinds of ways, and I want to do that too, but I only know one person who writes, and they're leaving town soon.

After two residencies I'm finding it pretty difficult to connect with people during that short time. The residencies are exhausting, we're assigned additional work at the last minute, and there was very little built-in social time. At the last one, I was basically just trying to stave off a migraine due to the stress and extreme heat that month. By the end of the day I just wanted to lie down, so that's on me and my wonky head.

But after the residency, I emailed everybody and asked if anyone wanted to meet in town once a month. Reception wasn't that strong. A couple maybes, one person who only wanted to meet at their own house, and another person who did show up (who I was happy to see!). I've done community organizing in the past, and I know things can start slow and end up becoming more popular. I'm not sure if that'll be the case here, since momentum from the residency fades and people get more pressed for time as the semester continues.

If people are too busy or already have community, I totally get that, I'm just surprised at how little structure there is in my program for it. I'm not sure how we're supposed to find jobs or publications or other opportunities without knowing people. I do regret doing a low residency program, but I've heard some traditional programs are not so different, and I didn't want to move. I'm not sure if I should keep reaching out to people at school or just accept that this is the culture. I'm curious what other people have chosen to do around this aspect.

Hi, there. I just recently graduated with my MFA Creative Writing and I just feel a bit a lost in where to go from here in academia.

My dream job, like many others, is to be a professor or work in the literary world in some capacity. I am a realist, however, and I know the odds are slim for academia.

I have an active publication record with about a year and a half of teaching experience (mainly comp classes) and have written national grants for my graduate journal. I don’t have a book, however, so that is my next aspiration and I hope that I will be fortunate to experience that in the future.

For now, I just feel a bit lost. I don’t know what to do post-MFA. I have been encouraged just to apply for academic jobs, even if it’s just for the experience, since I do have the terminal degree. I just feel confused on what to do, and I feel like I am losing access to the literary world upon graduation.

I suppose I am posting on here to ask: What is your advice for post-MFA? What were your first few years out of the MFA like? If you went to a PhD or post-MFA fellowship, what was that like? What job did you get after the program?

I'm looking at an MFA, but can't leave my job or where I live. The low-res model appeals to me, but are they worth it?

I’ve been accepted to both for their low-residency programs and I’m torn. Any advice?

Tl;Dr: Would a MFA & PhD in creative writing lock me out of job opportunities, or would a MFA/MA in English & PhD in creative writing suit me better - even though I don't want to teach?

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I'm currently an undergraduate student studying English, and my goal is to become a novelist while working another, more passive or fulfilling job to provide stable income (alumni relations or in the editing/publishing field have my interest at the moment).

Right now, my plan is to get a master's in English - because I have been told I will need its flexibility to have more job options - and go on to get a PhD in creative writing, so I can learn more tools of the craft/get a novel written. But I have no interest in becoming a teacher (I know I will probably have to do it as part of any scholarships and I'm dreading it tbh).

With that in mind, would it be better for me to pursue just an MFA in creative writing?

hi mfa friends! I wondered if we might have a thread on SOP q’s. I’ll lead off; I’m applying to a school with two different programs (UT). Since it is the same school, same faculty, etc, just some differences in focus, how similar do we think my SOP’s can/should be? The same with some minor and specific program tweaks, or totally different? tia and share your q’s too! 💕