How to Apply to the MFA in Creative Writing

Before You Apply

Pre-application Procedure

Before you formally apply to the graduate MFA program in Creative Writing or pay any fees, we ask that you tell us a little about yourself so we can help you decide whether The W is the right program for you and you are right for us. We typically admit 10-15 students each year, possibly one or two more, and we want to find a the right mix of writers for our community. Of course we're looking for the best writers, and we are also looking for a diversity of writing styles and backgrounds. We also want to make sure The W's program is an affordable option for you.

Letter of Intent

Please send a brief, professional letter of intent (1-2 pages single-spaced) indicating why you are interested in our program, what your goals are for your writing, and who you are as a writer and as a person. In your letter, be sure to mention the relevant educational experiences you have had (degrees and/or classes), any publications you might have. Remember, you are required to have a bachelor's degree in hand by the time you enter our program. It isn't absolutely required that this be in English or Creative Writing, but some work in upper-level literature and writing classes can be beneficial. If you haven't studied much literature or writing, then you should account for that and discuss your background as a reader in your letter.

Writing Sample

Include a writing sample that includes 10-30 pages of your best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama. Poetry pages should be single-spaced. Fiction, nonfiction, and drama should be double-spaced. More pages aren't necessarily better. For a poetry sample, 10 pages should be sufficient. For other genres, one story, essay, or a short play should be plenty. If your stories, essays, or plays are under 15 pages, you might include a second example (or third if they're very short). Choose your best work that represents your writing and your goals for our program. A mixed-genre writing sample is allowed, but certainly is not required. Attach a cover sheet to your writing sample (do not include it in the page count) with your name and contact information: name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Each subsequent page of the writing sample should include your name and the page number in the upper right. 

Submit Your Packet

Email your pre-application packet (letter of intent and writing sample) to mfacreativewriting@muw.edu with the subject line "Creative Writing MFA Writing Sample" or mail a hard copy to:

Dr. Kendall Dunkelberg, Director of Creative Writing
Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy
Mississippi University for Women
1100 College St, W-1634
Columbus MS 39701

I will email you to confirm the receipt of your packet. If you don't hear from me within a few days (bear in mind that snail mail can take awhile to be delivered and I might not check email every day on the weekend, over holidays, Spring Break, etc.), please feel free to email a brief query to see if I received it. Call me at (662) 329-7169, if I don't respond to your email. Once I have confirmed receipt of your packet, please be patient. It may take a week or more to review your application and get back to you.

Apply to The W

Application Procedure

After reviewing pre-application packets, I will discuss with you whether the W's program seems right for you and whether you seem like a good fit for our program. As part of that discussion, you may be encouraged to apply formally to the MFA program. If we recommend against applying at this time, you are still welcome to apply if you feel the full application will better state your case.

Please note: The W's current application system is being discontinued as of Dec. 31, 2024. When we learned this would happen, we began transitioning our applications to Slate. Applications for Spring 2025 will still be on the current system, but applications for Summer and Fall 2025 will be on our new system and may not be available until later this fall. Watch here for updates. You can still email your writing sample and letter of intent, but wait to apply for Fall until the new system is open.

In order to apply, you will submit the following:

• A completed Graduate Application form
  • Application fee: $25 paid online with your application.
  • GRE scores are not required for the MFA in Creative Writing

Graduate Application

• Three letters of recommendation from faculty or other professionals who can assess your qualifications for graduate work in creative writing.
  • Letters of recommendation will be sent electronically through the Graduate Admissions application portal after you submit your part.

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from each institution attended, including any transcripts from MUW
  • Electronic Transcripts should be sent to Office of Graduate Studies
  • Hard copies transcripts should be mailed to Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 College Street W-1603, Columbus, MS 39701

• Proof of Immunization: Applicants are required to show evidence of 2 doses of MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella) vaccination. Submit all immunization records to the Campus Health Center:
  • mail to Campus Health Center, 1100 College Street MUW 330, Columbus, MS 39701
  • email to healthcenter@muw.edu
  • fax to (662) 241-7486

Immunization Form

See the Graduate Bulletin for a full description of current admissions requirements. A final admissions decision will be based on the writing sample, letter, and the full application packet. To be eligible for full admission to the program, students must have a 2.75 undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours. Graduate coursewoork will be considered in the last 60 hours, and students who have completed a graduate degree will be evaluated on the GPA of that degree. Students with a lower GPA may be considered for conditional admission. Students admitted conditionally are not eligible for financial aid until the condition has been lifted, usually after the first successful semester or at least 6 hours of graduate study with a B or higher in all classes.