How to Apply - MFA

Application Deadline: December 15th

The next appliction cycle will begin October 1st

To be considered for admission to the graduate program, you must complete the online application, including all supplemental materials, and mail a hard copy of your manuscript and a manuscript cover sheet directly to the Writers’ Workshop (102 Dey House). The manuscript must be postmarked by December 15.

Set Up Your Graduate Application

* Note: It can take up to 24 hours for the online application to be processed and for you to receive your HawkID.

• To begin your application, sign in or create a new account on the University of Iowa Office of Admissions page and provide the required basic information.
• Click through to the applications page and select the Graduate Application option. You must fill out and submit the complete application, including the application fee, before you can upload your Writers’ Workshop application documents.***
  *** In Section B: Admissions Information, enter the following:
  • “English: Creative Writing” on the Department or Program dropdown
  • enter the genre(s) (fiction, poetry, or both) in which you are applying in the “Area of interest or specialization” text box
  • select “MFA (thesis)” on the “Degree” dropdown menu

  Application Procedure

  Mail Your Manuscript

  To apply to the Writers’ Workshop, you must send, in hard copy, a printed, unbound manuscript of your best work, accompanied by a completed manuscript coversheet.

  For poetry: Please submit ten to twelve poems.

  For fiction: Please submit at least two short stories, or two or more sections of a novel, or a combination of novel excerpts and shorter work. Fiction manuscripts should be double-spaced and typically range in length from 30 to 80 pages (please do not send more than 80 pages). Send what you feel is your strongest work.

  The manuscript and manuscript coversheet CANNOT solely be submitted online. Please mail the manuscript and manuscript cover sheet to:

  Iowa Writers' Workshop
  102 Dey House
  University of Iowa
  507 N. Clinton St.
  Iowa City, IA 52242-1000

  If applying to both fiction and poetry, send both manuscripts in the same envelope and include ONE cover sheet with both genres selected.

  Please note that nonfiction prose, screenplays, or critical writings, though of some interest, are not acceptable as the basis for admissions decisions. Those interested in playwriting should not apply to the Creative Writing program, but directly to the Playwrights Workshop, Department of Theatre Arts; those with an interest in literary nonfiction should apply to the Nonfiction Writing Program. Those interested in screenwriting should apply to Cinematic Arts.

  ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • DO NOT email the manuscript. In order to evaluate your manuscript, we need to receive a physical copy. We also request a digital upload, via MyUI, as a backup (see below). The digital upload DOES NOT replace the mailed hard copy.
  • Please do not bind the manuscript (paperclip or staple is acceptable)
  • We cannot accept updated/revised manuscripts after your initial submission
  • Please allow up to four weeks for us to acknowledge your manuscript via your online admissions profile; if your manuscript has not been acknowledged by January 20th, please call the office to make sure it’s been received; please note: we cannot check on manuscript status before January 20
  • Due to the large number of submissions, we cannot provide feedback on your work.

  Additional Application Materials

  Once you've set up your Graduate Admissions application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to establish your HawkID and password (this can take up to 24 hours). Follow the instructions to set up your HawkID and password. If you cannot find the email, contact gradmail@uiowa.edu.

  Once you set up your HawkID and password, Sign in to your admissions profile on MyUI to upload all additional application documents.

  1. Upload Your Mailed Manuscript
     We are requesting that all applicants upload their manuscript on MyUIin addition to mailing the manuscript by the December 15 deadline.
     
  2. Statement of Purpose
     Include your purpose in pursuing graduate study, any research you wish to pursue, and your future vocational goals. No particular length is required. To be uploaded to MyUI.
     
  3. Graduate Funding Application
     Please fill out the Graduate Funding Application in your Admissions Profile on MyUI.
     
  4. Department Funding Application
     Please fill out the Department Funding Application in your Admissions Profile on MyUI.
     
  5. Letters of Recommendation
     Three letters should be written by instructors or colleagues who are best able to assess your potential for graduate study and teaching.

  The letters should be submitted by January 20.

  To Complete Your Application

  Your application is complete once you have uploaded all of the required documents to your admissions profile on MyUI, provided contact information for your recommenders, and mailed your manuscript to the Writers’ Workshop.

  Decisions will be made in March or early April.

  The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or any other classification that deprives the person of consideration as an individual. The university also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to university facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1316, 319-335-0705 (voice), 319-335-0697 (TDD), diversity@uiowa.edu. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in these programs, please contact the Writers' Workshop at (319) 335-0416.

  Admission to the Graduate College

  The current requirements for admission to the Graduate College are possession of an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university, and achievement of an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0, based on a 4.0 scale. Students who can present other substantial evidence of probable success in graduate work at the Writers' Workshop are sometimes admitted provisionally in spite of a lower grade-point average. Applications from students who have graduated from foreign universities are considered individually by the Graduate College. International Applicants: Please closely review the admissions requirements on the Graduate Admissions website, and contact the Graduate Admissions office if you have any questions.