How to Apply for English Graduate Studies:
Helen Zell Writers' Program
If you have not yet begun your application to the Helen Zell Writers' Program, or if you have begun it, but have not yet submitted the application, please be aware that we strongly recommend that you NOT wait until the last minute before the midnight deadline on January 1, 2014 to submit your application. The CollegeNet system can get overloaded with the potential of long delays or other problems, causing you to miss the deadline because you could not get your application submitted in time. Keep in mind that once the system shuts down, we are not able to reopen it so that you can submit your application. We are also not able to take paper applications. Please make certain that you submit your application well before the crunch time of the deadline.
We will start accepting applications for the 2014-2015 academic year in September 2013. Applications and supplemental materials must be received by January 1, 2014 to meet our deadline. The application fee for United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status is $65. The fee for non-U.S. citizens is $75. The application fee for current Rackham students, regardless of citizenship, is $10. This fee is non-refundable and subject to change.
Make sure you have every document uploaded before you submit your application, once you click on the submit button you will not be able to go back into your application to make any changes. To reiterate, we will not be able to accept hard copies of any documents.
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 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
2. 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 AS PDF DOCUMENTS 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
A writing samples along with their applications:
Poetry applicants should submit 15 pages. There is already a prompt in the Poetry application to upload the Poetry writing sample.
Prose applicants should submit a 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).
- Clearly labeled academic Statement of Purpose: concise, up to two pages in length, 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, 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.
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 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
2. Submit electronically in PDF format 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 on-line 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.
