Admissions
Students who have earned a BA or equivalent degree may apply for admission to the MFA program in fiction or in poetry. Fiction writers and poets are admitted in alternating years. Poets should apply by December 15th of even numbered years for enrollment in the fall of odd numbered years. The next application deadline for poets is December 15, 2010 for admission in fall 2011. Fiction writers should apply by December 15th of odd numbered years for enrollment in the fall of even numbered years. The next application deadline for fiction writers is December 15, 2009 for admission in fall 2010. Twelve MFA students (six poets and six fiction writers) are in residence in any given two-year period.
Note that your online application and fee must be received by midnight December 15, while your supporting materials (writing samples, personal statement, transcripts, etc) must be postmarked by December 15.
Admissions FAQ:
Q: Do you offer an MFA in creative nonfiction?
A: While students may take creative nonfiction classes as electives, we do not offer an MFA in creative nonfiction.
Q: Do you offer a PhD in creative writing.
A: We do not.
Q: Must I have a BA in English to apply (or do you give preference to English majors)?
A: No and no.
Q: Are you looking for a particular kind of writing? How can I improve my chances of being admitted?
A: Selecting among writing samples is a subjective process in which personal taste plays a large role. Rather than restrict ourselves to a particular style of writing, we are interested in voices that strike us as fresh and compelling. Our students write in a wide range of styles, from the traditionally narrative to the experimental. We see our role as helping our students become the writers they want to be, as opposed to teaching them a "Wisconsin style." Applicants may wish to read the work of our MFA students, our Institute fellows, and the faculty to get an idea of the work we've been drawn to in the past--but we also love expanding our horizons or being surprised by an exciting new voice. We also suggest that, while you not give short shrift to the other material in your application package, the bulk of your energy should go to polishing your writing sample, which is the most important factor by far in our decision process.
Application Process
The application process consists of two steps.
Step One: Apply to the Graduate School by submitting an online application and application fee.
- The major code is 243. If you do not see a listing for creative writing, you are probably not in the fall semester application mode. Make sure you are in the fall semester application mode and try again.
- You will be asked to supply the names and email addresses of three recommenders. Each recommender will receive an email link to the online letter of recommendation form. NOTE: These three letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted electronically through the Graduate School's online letter of recommendation system. We understand, however, that a recommender sometimes does not wish to submit a letter electronically or that some of you may be using services that store and mail letters of recommendation on your behalf. In those cases, please complete the top portion of the first page of the form found at http://www.english.wisc.edu/graduate/pdf/MArecs.pdf, and ask your recommender to complete the rest of the page and send it to the address below along with the letter. (Please ignore the fact that the form refers to MA programs. We will understand you are applying to our MFA program.)
Step Two: Apply to the MFA program by submitting the following materials to the Department of English:
- Two official copies of your undergraduate transcript(s). You should provide transcripts from every post-secondary educational institution you attended even if transfer credits from one school appear on the transcripts of another. We cannot accept photocopies of transcripts.
- A 1-2 page statement explaining your reasons for pursuing this graduate degree. (You may submit this statement with your online application.)
- For poetry applicants, a writing sample consisting of up to 10 pages of poetry (single-spaced and stapled; start each new poem on a new page). For fiction applicants, a writing sample of up to 30 double-spaced, stapled pages of fiction consisting of up to two short stories or one novel excerpt. Your name SHOULD appear on the writing sample. With respect to fiction submissions, this page count is the maximum permissible length, not necessarily the length we expect to see. Fiction writers should not feel under pressure to reach the 30 page limit. Note also that we will discard any pages in excess of the stated maximum as well as any stories in excess of the two story limit. You may include a single paragraph synopsis of any novel excerpt you send.
- A single cover sheet listing your name, address, phone number, email address and the title(s) of your writing sample(s).
Send the transcripts, statement, writing sample, and cover sheet to the following address:
The MFA Program in Creative Writing
Department of English
Graduate Office
7195 Helen C. White Hall
600 North Park Street
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706
GRE scores are not required and will not be considered for admission.