2026 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[KYoon]

I think one of my references is going to reach the office one or two days after the deadline. Please reassure me this won't be fatal on its own.  

Edited January 31 by KYoon

[honeyhoney]

7 hours ago, Jitterbug98 said:

My UMass Amherst portal now says “decided—decision pending”— I’m thinking a rejection since I didn’t get an interview  anyone else?

I’m kinda regretting submitting a mixed fiction/CNF sample as a prose applicant. I submitted one story and one essay, because the submission guidelines said mixed was ok. But then I heard afterwards that the prose program heavily focuses on fiction 

Mine says this too! I'm also assuming rejected unfortunately I also didn't get an interview. 

I'm in the same boat though, I also did a heavily mixed CNF/fiction application with emphasis on CNF. It's really hard to say. The info about the program seemed open to it, which is why I applied. But maybe it's far more fiction oriented. Good luck though! I'm feeling pretty disappointed/anxious tbh. I'm hoping it updates soon, even with a rejection.  

[flyingfry]

1 hour ago, KYoon said:

I think one of my references is going to reach the office one or two days after the deadline. Please reassure me this won't be fatal on its own.  

hi! i got an acceptance this year and one of my references got in a whole week after the deadline they gave. it’s my understanding that a lot of schools are typically lenient with deadlines regarding letters of recommendation, within reason. i’m sure it varies school to school but i wouldn’t panic!

[womanonline]

7 hours ago, honeyhoney said:

Mine says this too! I'm also assuming rejected unfortunately I also didn't get an interview. 

I'm in the same boat though, I also did a heavily mixed CNF/fiction application with emphasis on CNF. It's really hard to say. The info about the program seemed open to it, which is why I applied. But maybe it's far more fiction oriented. Good luck though! I'm feeling pretty disappointed/anxious tbh. I'm hoping it updates soon, even with a rejection.  

Mine also says this, and I also had no interview. Gonna assume it’s a rejection, and we’ll hopefully get our answer next week. I did all CNF tho, didn’t realize this may not have been ideal there. Seemed like it was based on the website 

[honeyhoney]

2 hours ago, womanonline said:

Mine also says this, and I also had no interview. Gonna assume it’s a rejection, and we’ll hopefully get our answer next week. I did all CNF tho, didn’t realize this may not have been ideal there. Seemed like it was based on the website 

I thought their website made it sound like CNF was a good fit, too! But good to know otherwise, I suppose. 

[cheer bear]

i know asking at this point won't change anything, but i've been really nervous! last year i applied at 22 to only get one waitlist out of ten schools, and now im 23 and have applied to a pending list of five schools. i've been told it's a bit unreasonable to expect to get accepted into an MFA at this age and that most people wait many years after undergrad to pursue it. can anyone weigh in on how true this is?

and as a follow-up question - if i don't get in this year, i'm thinking of waiting until i'm a bit older to start applying again. of course i'm going to keep writing and attending workshops/conferences, but genuinely, how have folks filled these gap years? what kind of jobs or opportunities does one have with a BA in creative writing? etc! thank you :')

[guntherpingu]

1 hour ago, cheer bear said:

i know asking at this point won't change anything, but i've been really nervous! last year i applied at 22 to only get one waitlist out of ten schools, and now im 23 and have applied to a pending list of five schools. i've been told it's a bit unreasonable to expect to get accepted into an MFA at this age and that most people wait many years after undergrad to pursue it. can anyone weigh in on how true this is?

and as a follow-up question - if i don't get in this year, i'm thinking of waiting until i'm a bit older to start applying again. of course i'm going to keep writing and attending workshops/conferences, but genuinely, how have folks filled these gap years? what kind of jobs or opportunities does one have with a BA in creative writing? etc! thank you :')

I have several friends in my cohort who applied straight out of undergrad and got accepted (being 22/23 when starting the program). It took me longer to get in-- I was 25 when I got accepted (which is still v young!). Honestly I feel like age has nothing to do with it, it all depends on where your writing is at. And yes, life experience does make your writing richer, but being older doesn't automattically make you a better writer. A gap year can be good, but if you think your writing can compete now then go for it! A waitlist your first time applying is a great sign.

What I did with my two gap years: I'm lucky enough to not have student loans or debt, so I took low paying but easy jobs that paid the rent and didn't require overtime so I could spend my free time reading and writing. Substitute teachers are always needed, and you get paid more with a degree.

Best of luck to you!

[SocialKonstruct]

2 hours ago, cheer bear said:

i know asking at this point won't change anything, but i've been really nervous! last year i applied at 22 to only get one waitlist out of ten schools, and now im 23 and have applied to a pending list of five schools. i've been told it's a bit unreasonable to expect to get accepted into an MFA at this age and that most people wait many years after undergrad to pursue it. can anyone weigh in on how true this is?

and as a follow-up question - if i don't get in this year, i'm thinking of waiting until i'm a bit older to start applying again. of course i'm going to keep writing and attending workshops/conferences, but genuinely, how have folks filled these gap years? what kind of jobs or opportunities does one have with a BA in creative writing? etc! thank you :')

They will usually prefer to select folks who have a decent amount of life experience unless you are the next Percival Everett at the ripe young age of 22.  Age isn't important but young folks tend to be dismissive of the older ones.

Edited February 1 by SocialKonstruct

[molemola]

Most people in my spouse's MFA (which they completed a few years ago) were younger than us in our late 20s/early 30s.

[Jitterbug98]

7 hours ago, honeyhoney said:

I thought their website made it sound like CNF was a good fit, too! But good to know otherwise, I suppose. 

I could be wrong. I just saw one person say that the program focused on fiction on Facebook. Regardless, in retrospect I think I should have focused on fiction since that’s my main genre anyway, and maybe sticking to one genre makes for a more cohesive and compelling application 

[honeyhoney]

1 hour ago, Jitterbug98 said:

I could be wrong. I just saw one person say that the program focused on fiction on Facebook. Regardless, in retrospect I think I should have focused on fiction since that’s my main genre anyway, and maybe sticking to one genre makes for a more cohesive and compelling application 

It's really hard to say! As much as I'm disappointed this is likely a rejection, I feel okay with it knowing they might not have enough of a focus in CNF to make my time there worthwhile. I really want to study CNF alongside fiction, so it wouldn't be a good fit. If you decided you wanted to study CNF, too, it might end up being a problem there. It just sucks that they don't make this more clear on their website. I would've applied elsewhere had I known.

[itsgivingliterary]

8 hours ago, cheer bear said:

i know asking at this point won't change anything, but i've been really nervous! last year i applied at 22 to only get one waitlist out of ten schools, and now im 23 and have applied to a pending list of five schools. i've been told it's a bit unreasonable to expect to get accepted into an MFA at this age and that most people wait many years after undergrad to pursue it. can anyone weigh in on how true this is?

and as a follow-up question - if i don't get in this year, i'm thinking of waiting until i'm a bit older to start applying again. of course i'm going to keep writing and attending workshops/conferences, but genuinely, how have folks filled these gap years? what kind of jobs or opportunities does one have with a BA in creative writing? etc! thank you :')

I'm in a similar boat as you! I'm a BA in CW, got waitlisted last year when I was still in college, and now I'm on round 2. I think my age was a factor, but I also think it wildly varies by school. One prof I spoke to at the school that waitlisted me told me they don't care about age at all, only the writing sample, and that makes sense, because I know a bunch of people who went to that school at this age/in their early twenties (and that's also general advice for MFA applicants: your writing sample is the most important thing, always). So my take on this is that age won't be the reason they throw your application out, generally. BUT, age can of course affect other parts of your application, like the depth and breadth of your writing sample, your background/experience in your SOP, etc, and that may affect their decision. Like, last year my SOP was pretty bad! Because I was young and stupid and exhausted from school! This year, I'm still young, but I did everything I could to polish the application I already know was somewhat successful. I didn't try to make myself seem older this year, because it's only been a year and that feels silly, but I emphasized what makes me and my writing ready for an MFA.

And as for gap years...if I don't get in this year I'll prob throw myself into applying for a full time job, write another book, and keep on keeping on. But I'm really hoping that waitlist last year means something, lmao.

 

 

[SocialKonstruct]

12 hours ago, molemola said:

Most people in my spouse's MFA (which they completed a few years ago) were younger than us in our late 20s/early 30s.

Wow, that is a pretty young cohort by far. I am going to be 50 years old this year and it's odd to think that I will be attempting to tackle a Ph.D. program at this point. But I'm stoked!

Reflecting on this masterly article and reflecting on what I can do to foster the "novels of ideas" deemed unfashionable today. https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-iowa-flattened-literature/

Edited February 2 by SocialKonstruct
Trying to embed a link here.

[womanonline]

Who are y’all are hoping to hear from this week? I’m definitely looking out for a response from Northwestern and maybe an interview request from SAIC 

[molemola]

9 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

Wow, that is a pretty young cohort by far. I am going to be 50 years old this year and it's odd to think that I will be attempting to tackle a Ph.D. program at this point. But I'm stoked!

Reflecting on this masterly article and reflecting on what I can do to foster the "novels of ideas" deemed unfashionable today. https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-iowa-flattened-literature/

It was a very young program in general. Most people in the program were at least 1-2 years younger than I was at the time. Reflecting on the whole of applications, my experience with my spouse's MFA program, and publishing in general, I'm glad I'm not trying to go to school 10ish years ago when I was in my early 20s. I think I'm one of the writers who is better when seasoned.

[traceykibres]

I got my first official rejection today!

[Theodosia]

Hello! 

Recent lurker, new account here! 

I'm Theo (she/her), and applied to Iowa Writers' Workshop sort of on a whim this year. Quite obviously, I won't be getting accepted this year, but I have my sights set on next year. 

However, I did want to ask for some brutal honesty from those who have more knowledge about the application process, as I can't find a straight answer online. 

Due to mental health and the fact that I am Autistic, I earned my Bachelor's from SNHU, and my recommendations are incredibly lacking because I have hardly anyone who knows my craft. My writing sample and resume are strong, though. So, I was wondering if it's even worth it to apply next year? I don't want to waste the time, energy, and money I don't have on something that is never going to happen, especially because I require a fully-funded program. Is there an actual chance that someone with my background, lack of pedigree, and terrible recommendations could get into a program like Brown, Amherst, or Ohio? This year, I applied with recommendations from a fiction professor, a poetry professor, and a past employer. Unless something drastically changes, next application cycle will be the same. For reference, I do have three indie poetry collections published, as well some individual poems, and a short story. I was a YoungArts shortlist winner in Fiction, and have been a freelance editor of fiction and nonfiction since 2023. I've also written eleven unpublished novels. My writing sample is strong but sort of niche -- best suited for somewhere like Brown or other programs that are interested in intense, hallucinatory voices. 

So sorry for the essay! I felt like a lot of information was needed to get a clear answer. 

Edited February 2 by Theodosia

[strawberrymatcha]

1 hour ago, womanonline said:

Who are y’all are hoping to hear from this week? I’m definitely looking out for a response from Northwestern and maybe an interview request from SAIC 

Northwestern and UC Davis!! fingers crossed🤞🏼

[Spicy Potato]

Another year, another round of heartache. Got my first rejection today and sometimes it's so hard to keep my head up. Sending loves and hugs to anyone who needs it during this process. ❤️ 

[Mystic_Sunshine]

17 minutes ago, Spicy Potato said:

Another year, another round of heartache. Got my first rejection today and sometimes it's so hard to keep my head up. Sending loves and hugs to anyone who needs it during this process. ❤️ 

Wishing you luck and good vibes ❤️

This is cycle 2 for me as well (PhD and MFA) and I've not had a rejection yet (though I suspect some just haven't come yet) and I've been relatively positive but I know it's gonna be really hard when I get those emails again. 

[HalBear]

3 hours ago, Theodosia said:

Hello! 

Recent lurker, new account here! 

I'm Theo (she/her), and applied to Iowa Writers' Workshop sort of on a whim this year. Quite obviously, I won't be getting accepted this year, but I have my sights set on next year. 

However, I did want to ask for some brutal honesty from those who have more knowledge about the application process, as I can't find a straight answer online. 

Due to mental health and the fact that I am Autistic, I earned my Bachelor's from SNHU, and my recommendations are incredibly lacking because I have hardly anyone who knows my craft. My writing sample and resume are strong, though. So, I was wondering if it's even worth it to apply next year? I don't want to waste the time, energy, and money I don't have on something that is never going to happen, especially because I require a fully-funded program. Is there an actual chance that someone with my background, lack of pedigree, and terrible recommendations could get into a program like Brown, Amherst, or Ohio? This year, I applied with recommendations from a fiction professor, a poetry professor, and a past employer. Unless something drastically changes, next application cycle will be the same. For reference, I do have three indie poetry collections published, as well some individual poems, and a short story. I was a YoungArts shortlist winner in Fiction, and have been a freelance editor of fiction and nonfiction since 2023. I've also written eleven unpublished novels. My writing sample is strong but sort of niche -- best suited for somewhere like Brown or other programs that are interested in intense, hallucinatory voices. 

So sorry for the essay! I felt like a lot of information was needed to get a clear answer. 

Hello Theo,

So I have a few thoughts here.

First I want to tell you that I was waitlisted at two schools my first year applying to programs and my recommendation letters were from an English professsor, a History professor, and my college soccer coach (I played DIII soccer for four years in undergrad). I've heard throughout this process that recommendations don't carry a ton of weight. As I understand, they are really are just a requirement for the general grad school to admit you rather than a requirement by the creative writing program. I have the exact same recommenders this year and hope for some success because my writing sample and statement of purpose are MUCH better, which I've been led to believe is what really matters to the schools. 

I want to address your questions of the "actual chance" of getting into a school. While I did not apply in either season to Iowa, Brown, Amherst, and Ohio (so others can speak to those programs), I believe that for most fully-funded schools, the "chance" of getting in for anyone is incredibly low. Someone shared some statistics on the Facebook MFA Draft that the odds of being accepted into these programs are lower than being admitted to med school. I really don't say this to be negative because everyone here is facing this reality... I think that what makes us unique is that we apply despite this low chance. And even if it is a "low chance," it is an actual chance. I really hate numbers so I have ignored the stats and put my whole heart into these applications just to pursue that small %. It sounds like you have some really successful work with collections published and some award success, which I believe makes you more than qualified. (I have no awards or publications). There are many people here with backgrounds (ex. different specialties, poor grades in undergrad, gap year after gap year, health journeys) that have found success in these applications. I really would encourage you and everyone on this platform to keep pushing through despite the odds. Please run down this path and see where it leads you. 

Hope this helps, I believe in you! 

Edited February 2 by HalBear

[pariva]

I just need to get this rejection so I can move on with my life lol. I know it will come this week, but man I wish they'd just tear the bandaid off and send decisions today. 

[leighrye]

God now that it’s February I can’t help but check the draft all the time. 

I applied to these schools, anyone got a guess as to which one I’ll hear back from first?
Iowa, Brown, Michigan, UT Austin, Rutgers Newark, and UT Knoxville

[gafoo]

1 hour ago, pariva said:

I just need to get this rejection so I can move on with my life lol. I know it will come this week, but man I wish they'd just tear the bandaid off and send decisions today. 

Lol honestly feel this. I'm high up on the ranked waitlist for my top-choice program, and part of me is just so mad that I now have to wait another 2-3 months in agony before I get a solid decision either way. While I'm hopeful I have some chance of getting in, I do think in some ways a rejection would've felt less stressful 😅

[gafoo]

6 hours ago, womanonline said:

Who are y’all are hoping to hear from this week? I’m definitely looking out for a response from Northwestern and maybe an interview request from SAIC 

Would love to find out whether I made the WL for UMN this week. My hopes of getting an interview email for U Pitt are slowly dwindling but I'd love closure from them either way too...