<p>Hello all! I'm sure some on this forum have touched on this before. I would, nevertheless, like to inquire about the Iowa Writers' Workshop. I am going into my freshman year of college, so I have a lot of time to think about graduate studies, I know. I do well, however, with big, gigantic goals that seem over my head. It keeps me running and gives me perspective. I would like nothing more than to write books--for a living, perhaps, but I'm not sure it matters. I'd just like to write for the rest of my life, and if I'm good enough to earn a profit, then so be it. I strive to be a better writer on a daily basis. I have big ideas, but need to work on delivery. Hopefully, my undergraduate studies (at Barnard College) will aid me in doing just that. To continue after that, I feel that Iowa will offer me the most. Collaborating with the finest writers must make my work better. That is why I am already thinking about applying for the MFA in four years.</p>
<p>My question for all of you is: what is my first step? What do I need to keep in mind throughout college in order to have the best shot at getting into Iowa's MFA program for creative writing? I know that a manuscript is key, but what exactly are they looking for? Are they interested in the ideas or the writing? Will it help me if I've been published before or do they not look at that? What will place me in front of the rest? How do I get the adcom's attention? What about GPA? Should I worry too much about that? Would they accept a higher GPA over a lower one? How should I prepare?</p>
<p>Thank you all for reading this! I know I must seem like an overreacting mess, but I don't want to have any regrets coming out of college.</p>