pinot noir

!? a little confused with your question. they don't reequire and SoP, just a personal statement. It was not submitted at all. in place was my writing sample, but it's all getting fixed now

Thanks guys! I just got in contact with the admissions officer and was able to fix it. I'm just beating myself up because it seems so unprofessional, "Yeah, I'm applying to a professional program and I can't even upload the damn document correctly!" Oh well, these things happen. I'm sure it's not the worst they've seen...

so, I don't know if anyone can help me with this, but I just submitted to Columbia MFA for writing and to my chagrin, I realized that I accidently submitted my writing sample in place of my personal statement due to the fact that I don't have adobe acrobat reader. I have sent an email and left a message. thier website says to contact admissions officer to correct errors. does this mean that they will fix it for me? should I worry too much about this? thanks.

Hi, I am applying to Columbia's MFA program for creative writing... we'll see what happens in April...

Hi everyone, does anyone know if there is a list of MFA programs that offer an emphasis in nonfiction? I can't seem to find one anywhere... Thanks!

Anyone else applying to Columbia School of the Arts for writing?

Sounds like an elite class you've joined. Last time I checked there is a lot more to life than "relinquishing your entire mental and emotional state." I watched my dad go back to school at 48, get his Master's in mathematics and now he is tenured at one of the best community colleges and state universities. I understand that there is a lot of hard work involved and if I wasn't up for the challenge I wouldn't be putting time and effort into it. I do however think (and judging from some of the posts may be correct) that some people are just too invested and end up worrying and stressing over a process that is supposed to be enriching. I think the experience is what you make it and the ones who are depressed in their jobs are maybe too invested in "The Chronicle of Higher Education." I've had enough hardships in my life to know that I can make it through this one. P.S. Thanks for the reality check!

I would recommend contacting the admissions officer for the school you are applying to. I had the same question and asked if I could have my political science professor write one for me. She said it's Ok. They just need someone who can demonstrate what kind of student you will be. I offered to bring my professor some of my work so he could have a better idea of what I do before he recommends me to a creative writing program. Hope this helps.

We are identical twins. If you heard my story you would understand, but that doesn't matter because we didn't go anyway. We were lazy in the application process and only applied at the urging of professors and peers. I know the grad application process is MUCH different than undergrad, but I also believe that if you're not afraid to be yourself on paper the committee will see an application that stands out rather than run-of-the-mill generic prose that's trying too hard. I'm just sayin... we all make mistakes... ;( Also, all of the programs I am applying to do not require the GRE (MFA). They base the admissions purely on the writing, which is why I think it is so important.

Thanks for the insight. The school I am applying to does not require the subject test, but I will look into it

I'm only applying to three this year--UCI, UCD, & UCR. I narrowed down my choice based on the stout decision that I wanted to stay in California. Also, I'm finishing up my undergrad (I'm a returning student) and I don't have money to pay for more than three schools. I know it gives me less of a shot at getting in, but I soothed my nerves by telling myself that this is a practice run (even though I am desperately hoping that I do get in) & if I don't get in I'll take a year off, try my hand at something else related to my field and reapply next year. I hear you can reapply to the same school you were rejected from if that helps. I also hear it's good to apply to at least three--one choice, one secondary, & one fall back. Good luck!

Ok, to clear up the confusion, I am still in college, I have taken many creative writing courses/workshops and attended a few writing conferences. I was accepted to Berkeley (with full scholarship) once upon a time and declined. I know all this doesn't matter. I know my GPA isn't the best and I wouldn't be applying to an English program if it weren't for the emphasis in creative writing. In other words, given the choice I would be applying to only M.F.A. programs had I not found UC Davis' program. I love literature, but I am too fascinated with the art of storytelling to pursue it solely. Part of the reason the MA is attractive is because I would like to teach at the community college level once I graduate. So basically I am throwing myself into a field that may not be my strongest. Hence, the needed advice. Anyhow, thanks for the input/advice. I will be sure to consider if this is the field for me. I am applying to a few MFA programs and just one MA program in English. I am finishing up my undergrad in print journalism and have been working on other writing projects on the side. P.S. do advanced nonfiction writing classes count as creative writing courses? from what I hear we are in an era of nonfiction as opposed to fiction/short story.

zcn, were you accepted to the Ph.D. or MA program? I am applying to the Master's program for creative writing. This is a very stressful experience and I would like any and all information that you are willing to divulge. Congratulations and good luck! Who will you be working with, btw?

always, Always, ALWAYS double-space!!! Coming from a writing background, professors HATE anything less than double-space!

Hi everyone, Does anyone know if it's acceptable/admirable to use creativity in the SoP? i.e. as a writer telling a story using "show don't tell," characterization, description, and dialogue with a punchline and development that fully explains what you want to do, why you chose the school, who attracted you to the program, etc... I am applying to a creative writing program(s). Originally I wrote the piece as a prologue to my book so I've worked long and hard at it and the idea came to me to use the little anecdote (with slight revisions) as my Statement of Purpose. Any thoughts? appreciated

Decaf, I'm in the same boat as you. I have a 3.7 GPA and slightly lower than 1000 combined GRE score. I am applying mostly to M.F.A programs, which don't require the GRE, and one English program with an emphasis in creative writing that requires the GRE. I had a similar dilemma when I saw my scores, however I refuse to take it again, just because I don't believe in standardized testing (which is probably why I would fit in better at an M.F.A program). My advice would be to work on a stellar statement of purpose/writing sample, etc... as that would give them a better idea of who you are, not just how you performed on test day. A 3.7 is not a bad GPA at all. I learned the importance of the personal statement when I applied to Berkeley as an undergrad. A tour guide told us the story of a surfer who got in to Berkeley with a 2.7 GPA. His personal statement was about his love for surfing. Universities thrive on diversity. Above everything else they want someone who can contribute as a creative individual. I wrote the personal essay for both my twin sister and I and we both got in. Moral of the story: it's all about the writing. I spoke to the admissions officer for one of my choice schools (which is highly recommended) and she said, "writing sample, writing sample... it's all about the writing sample." The only thing I worry about is that a low GRE score might affect potential funding. If that's the case I may just have to go back to the M.F.A. where I belong. Hope this helps. Let me know if you find out anything on this perturbing subject (I learned that word from the GRE ).

Thanks for the encouragement Latte. I feel that I have a stellar 'research proposition' (I'm a writer so that means a novel idea--pun intended), my GPA is decent, but my GRE scores are horrible. My question is (and I've asking around this website) will the committee entirely overlook an application based on some number or are all applications looked at completely?

This is a great topic. Thanks for starting it. I am one of the lucky ones who thinks, "At least my GPA is above 3.5 so I'll be Ok." However, I recently took the GRE and utterly bombed it (the scores are so embarrassing that I refuse to post them here). For all you stressed out about your GPA and used the GRE to boost your application, do you have any advice for someone who has a decent GPA (Dean's list honor roll) but sub-standard GRE scores--slightly below 1000 (gulp!). I feel that the GRE can offset a poor GPA, but will a god-awful GRE work against decent grades? Thanks!

Hi my fellow literaris, This is my first post. I am a journalism/poli sci major applying to grad school for English. I want to write and my ambitions would suggest that I should apply for an M.F.A. However, I found the English program at UC Davis that combines a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing. All the other schools I am applying to are for an M.F.A (UC Irvine, UC Riverside). My dilemma is that UC Davis, my school of choice because of the combined emphasis on literature and writing, is the only one that requires the GRE. M.F.A.'s do not require the GRE. I recently took the GRE and my scores are so low that I am embarrassed to post them here. I feel my writing samples/statement of purpose/personal history are very strong (in fact some of my professors are urging me to apply to Iowa Writer's Workshop). I want to stay in California and I want to study literature as I continue my writing craft. My question is does anyone know what the cut-off line is for GRE scores? Should I worry that the committee with overlook my application because of them? My grades are decent (cumulative 3.68). I am in a bundle of nerves over this. Thanks for your input.

Hi, I am a journalism student set to graduate next spring. I am applying to grad school for English/creative writing and I am interested in blogging.

Hi, If you google gre test scores one of the first sites that pops up has all the major universities and thier average GRE scores plus average GPA for graduate students. Granted the information is slightly outdated (2007), but I hope this helps.