Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

Graduate School
1

<p>Just random questions regarding MFAs in Creative Writing:</p>

<li><p>What are the top programs in the country? In particular, links to rankings or guides would be very helpful…</p></li>
<li><p>Do MFA programs look for academically strong canidates (high gpa, gres etc) or strong creative writers (high amount of quality published works already) or a balanced combination of the two?</p></li>
<li><p>Any general advice? I’m going to UCB in the Fall but have no published works to my name. I’m trying to get an internship for the summer with one of my cc English professors where I would basically be doing a directed studies in fiction. Should I do anything else? I really want to get into a top MFA program upon graduation.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks in advance =)</p>

2

<p>I hear that UCI's MFA is particularly strong. So is Columbia's. </p>

<p>If there is a literary journal at your school, you should try to get your work published in it...</p>

3

<p>It depends on whether you want to focus on poetry or fiction -- I'm assuming from your internship that you're a fiction writer, so keep that in mind when you look at rankings. For example, my U has a strong program for poets with several superstar poets on the faculty -- but the fiction program is less exciting. So make sure you look at the ranking of fiction programs, and more importantly, look at the fiction faculty and decide who you want to work with.</p>

<p>Your GRE scores will probably not make a difference, especially your math scores. The director of the creative writing MFA program at my university once told me they happily accept students who have brilliant writing and horrible GRE scores -- the quality of the work is what matters.</p>

<p>I'm not saying don't try on the GRE, but from what I hear, low scores shouldn't limit your options. The creative writing professors I know focused almost entirely on the creative work submitted -- not necessarily whether it had been published. So make sure that the work you submit is your absolute best.</p>

<p>Your creative writing / English professors will be your best resource. They can tell you how to prepare for MFA admissions. If your professors don't help you, contact MFA programs and ask any questions that you have.</p>

<p>(I'm not an MFA student but I'm familiar with my U's creative writing program for other reasons.)</p>

4

<p>"It depends on whether you want to focus on poetry or fiction -- I'm assuming from your internship that you're a fiction writer, so keep that in mind when you look at rankings. For example, my U has a strong program for poets with several superstar poets on the faculty -- but the fiction program is less exciting. So make sure you look at the ranking of fiction programs, and more importantly, look at the fiction faculty and decide who you want to work with.</p>

<p>Your GRE scores will probably not make a difference, especially your math scores. The director of the creative writing MFA program at my university once told me they happily accept students who have brilliant writing and horrible GRE scores -- the quality of the work is what matters.</p>

<p>I'm not saying don't try on the GRE, but from what I hear, low scores shouldn't limit your options. The creative writing professors I know focused almost entirely on the creative work submitted -- not necessarily whether it had been published. So make sure that the work you submit is your absolute best.</p>

<p>Your creative writing / English professors will be your best resource. They can tell you how to prepare for MFA admissions. If your professors don't help you, contact MFA programs and ask any questions that you have.</p>

<p>(I'm not an MFA student but I'm familiar with my U's creative writing program for other reasons.)"</p>

<p>Wow, Thanks False Alarm. Yeah, I do want to pursue fiction writing over poetry and other genres so I guess I should pay close attention to the faculty as you said. May I ask what university you attend? The GRE thing is good so I don't have to prepare as much for the math section (since I'm not the most mathmatically inclined person)...that takes a load of my back.</p>

<p>The writing sample thing is a bit of interest as from what I've seen the portfolios have incredibly stringent word limits. I mean can MFA admissions boards really gauge your talent from like one or two short stories. Do you think it is kinda like high school admissions where they recommend two or three letters of recommendation but many send more...? Like could I send in additional short stories if they highlighted my ability even more? </p>

<p>About the professors thing, I'm hoping I can score the internship and gain a true mentor...because I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything at times, realizing how much needs to be done to get to where I want to go. Yet, I must start some where...</p>

<p>Thank you again for taking the time to respond...Your help is much appreciated =)</p>

5

<p>"I hear that UCI's MFA is particularly strong. So is Columbia's. </p>

<p>If there is a literary journal at your school, you should try to get your work published in it..."</p>

<p>I'll probably apply to both those schools when the time comes. As UCI is close to where I live and well Columbia is Columbia....</p>

<p>And I'm sure Cal has a literary journal so I'll look into that when I get up there this Fall. </p>

<p>Random note: I wonder why so few Ivies and other prestigious universities have MFA programs in creative writing. Is it not a respected academic field? </p>

<p>Thanks for your suggestions amyya03 =)</p>

6

<p>CardinalFocused, I sent you a "private message" since I don't want to talk about specific schools on the board. And I still think your best resource for admissions information is creative writing professors. If you have an MFA program at your school, have a long talk with the professors about how they make admissions decisions. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Only go where there are professors whose writing you like. Top schools for mfa in creative writing include uci, university of iowa (number 1 usually), texas michener center, cornell....</p>

<p>i went to a low ranked school for my mfa and loved it, it's what you put into your writing that matters, and the cost - you don't want to pay 60k for any creative writing program. if you look at your favorite writers, look at their lives, how many of them went to mfa programs? </p>

<p>my advice would be to look into local schools, see what they offer to their mfa students (michener is one fo the top progams because they give you money for 3 years just to write). My program offered teaching opportunities and they helped pay my way, and helped me get into phd programs too...</p>

<p>good luck</p>