Graduate Programs How to Apply MFA How to Apply for English Graduate Studies

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

We will start accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year in September 2007. Applications and supplemental materials must be received by January 1, 2008 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 chose one or the other. 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.

The GRE is not required for MFA applicants. The "Worksheet for Computing Grade-Point Average" is not required for MFA applicants.

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 2008-2009, 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.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

MAIL TO THE RACKHAM GRADUATE SCHOOL:

• One set of official transcripts of courses taken and grades received at each post-secondary institution attended/attending and at any international institutions (if you have completed or are completing a degree program at an international institution).
  
  Mail to: Rackham Graduate School, 0120 Rackham Bldg., 915 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

MAIL TO THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:

• One set of official transcripts of courses taken and grades received at each post-secondary institution attended/attending and at any international institutions (if you have completed or are completing a degree program at an international institution).
  
  
• Writing sample of sufficient length to allow us to judge the applicant's work not to exceed 40 pages of fiction (part of a novel or several short stories), or 15 poems. No fax, email, or attachment will be considered.
  
  Mail to: Graduate English Department, 435 S. State Street, 3187 Angell Hall,
  Ann Arbor, MI 48109

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 TOEFL score accepted is 620 on paper, 260 on the computer or 106 internet. The test date must be within 2 years of the application deadline. We do not accept MELAB or TSE scores. Photocopies and/or faxed scores will not be accepted.

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLICATION:

• Clearly labeled academic & intellectual Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose should be a concise, up to two pages in length, single or double spaced, well-written statement about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how Michigan's graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
  
  
• Clearly labeled biographical Personal Statement: The Personal Statement should be a concise, up to two pages in length, single or double spaced, well-written statement 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Admissions 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: Be sure to register your recommenders when you fill out the online application if your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically. Please encourage your recommenders to submit letters by December 20, to make sure they arrive before the January 1st deadline.

  Ways to submit letters of recommendation:

• Electronically (via the online application) -- Recommenders will complete the recommendation form online and submit it electronically to the program of study. Do NOT send paper copies of recommendations to the program of study or to Rackham when recommendations are submitted electronically.
  
  
• By Mail (via paper) -- The letters of recommendation must be sent directly to the program of study. Do NOT send them to Rackham Graduate School Admissions. You will need to provide the recommender with an envelope addressed to your program of study.

If the letters of recommendation will be submitted by mail click here to access the Letter of Recommendation form. This form must accompany the letter of recommendation.

Please make it clear to all recommenders that your application processing will be held up if we do not receive your letters by the January 1st deadline.

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.

The English Department will be closed December 24th through January 1st, although the deadline is January 1st. Please submit supplemental application materials by December 17th to ensure a speedy processing of your application.

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

Click here to proceed to the online application
email us with questions (sec.eng.grd@umich.edu) or call 734.936.2710

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.