What is the Best MFA Program for You?
The question of which MFA program in creative writing is nearly an impossible question to answer. Judgments of this kind can be nothing but subjective and thus any number of answers is possible. What is best for one person will not be best for another. Thus, in order to divine the answer to the question which is the best MFA program, the asker of the question must first consider what their definition of “best” is. As a writer, one can use the tool of imagination to imagine what you want to achieve from a writing program. Try this simple exercise and write your way to an answer.
Writing Samples for MFA Applications
Here are two questions that come up frequently: How important are writing samples to MFA program applications? And… If you go over or under on page or word count will it hurt your application?
The answer to the first question is simple. Writing samples are the single greatest factor in getting into a Creative Writing MFA program. There are other factors, obviously, but as far as key things an admission committee will weigh, the writing sample is far and away the most important part of an application.
The second question is a little harder to answer but the best advice is to go under but do not go over if at all possible.
MFA Deadlines Loom
Yes, it’s only January, but now is the time to start seriously thinking abut deadlines for creative writing programs. While every program around the country has different requirements and deadlines, all will require some form of the following:
- An error free application (This is not he place to misspell the program’s name… or your own.
- Letters of recommendation (These should address your potential as a writer.)
- A personal statement (Again, error free and a place to showcase your ability in a short form.)
- Your best writing samples (Probably the most important part of the application for an MFA.)