How to Apply for English Graduate Studies:
MFA Program in Creative Writing

We will start accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year in September 2011. Applications and supplemental materials must be received by January 1, 2012 to meet our deadline.

Application and Admissions:

Successful applicants will be admitted as writers of either poetry or fiction. Please note: applicants will not be able to apply to both poetry and prose; applicants must choose one genre. Applicants must have a Baccalaureate degree by the time of expected enrollment. Although the degree need not be with a concentration in English, the applicant should demonstrate sufficient skill in undergraduate language and literature courses to enable him or her to enroll in graduate English literature courses. We do not accept Non-Candidate for Degree status applicants to our program. We do not offer online courses, our program is a full-time residency program.

The GRE is not required for MFA applicants.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

1. MAIL TO THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:

One set of official transcripts from each college or university attended.
Prose applicants only: Writing sample of sufficient length to allow us to judge the applicant's work, not to exceed 40 pages, double spaced, of fiction (part of a novel or several short stories). Writing samples submitted with the online application will not be considered. No bound, CD, DVD, fax, email, or attachment will be considered.

Mail to: Graduate English Department, 435 S. State Street, 3187 Angell Hall,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

2. Mail to the rackham graduate school:

One set of official bachelors degree granting (or masters granting, if appropriate) transcripts to: Rackham Graduate School, 0120 Rackham Bldg., 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

3. SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY:

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Applicants are required to provide an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum accepted TOEFL score is 620 on paper, 260 on the computer or 106 on the internet. The test date must be within two years of the application deadline. We do not accept any test other than the TOEFL.

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLICATION:

One set of transcripts from each college or university attended. If you are admitted to the program, and you complete your current education after admission, you will need to submit an official hard copy of your final transcript to the Rackham Graduate School at: Rackham Graduate School, 0120 Rackham Bldg., 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Poetry applicants only should upload their writing samples along with their applications. Poetry applicants should submit 15 pages.

Clearly labeled academic Statement of Purpose: concise, up to two pages in length, single or double spaced, about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. Disregard the 500 word limit stated on the application.
Clearly labeled biographical Personal Statement: concise, up to two pages in length, single or double spaced, about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. Disregard the 500 word limit stated on the application.

A curriculum vitae/resume, no page limit. Your CV/resume must be either mailed or submitted online. No fax, email or attachment will be considered.

Admission Conduct Code: The Admission Conduct Code questions is part of the online application process. You will be prompted to provide the necessary information and your response will be submitted electronically. There is no need to follow-up with paper copies.

Three letters of recommendation: register your recommenders when filling out the online application. Recommenders are notified via email once you click "submit" on the application page where you listed the recommender information. Please do not send hard copies of letters. Please make it clear to all recommenders that your application will not be complete if we do not receive your letters by the January 1 deadline. Your recommenders will not be able to submit electronic letters after this date.

When completing your application please be sure to select a sub-plan, either poetry or prose.

Note: All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

TO RECAP THE TRANSCRIPT PROCESS:

1. Mail to the English Department one set of official transcripts from each college or university attended.

2. Mail to the Rackham Graduate School one set of official transcripts from your bachelor (and masters if appropriate) granting institution to: Rackham Graduate School, 0120 Rackham Bldg., 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

3. Submit electronically one set of transcripts from each college or university attended. If you are admitted to the program, accept, and you complete your current education after admission, you will need to submit an official hard copy of your final transcript to the English Department (see address at the bottom of this web page) and Rackham Graduate School at: Rackham Graduate School, 0120 Rackham Bldg., 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

The University of Michigan requires certain entering international students to be screened for tuberculosis (TB). This requirement is in response to recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Advisory Committee for Elimination of Tuberculosis to screen individuals from countries where TB is common. Screening will be offered free on campus and a TB infection would not jeopardize a student's visa status. Health care is completely confidential. For further information, see http://www.uhs.umich.edu/tbscreen.

For the academic year 2012-2013, students from the following countries (identified by the World Health Organization as together accounting for 80% of the world's TB cases) with an F-1 or J-1 visa type and a Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UM will be screened for TB: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China (includes Hong Kong SAR), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

The English Department will be closed December 24th through January 1st, although the deadline is January 1st.

Make sure you receive an electronic confirmation of your submitted application.

Click here to proceed to the online application
email us with questions (graduate.english@umich.edu ) or call 734.763.4139

All materials must be received in our office by January 1st. We adhere to a strict deadline. This is not a postmark date. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that all materials are received by the Graduate English Office. Applications that remain incomplete after this date will not be considered.