2027 Creative Writing MFA Applicants Forum

[mistersir]

Starting a new thread for Fall 2027!

Is it too early to submit to Iowa? They only mention the Dec 15th deadline. Is there an official date for when they start accepting applications?

[lap0414]

I’m planning on waiting until at least mid-september to be sure but I’ve also had a similar issue with finding open dates for a lot of programs!

[Theodosia]

Did anyone else not realize that Miami University (Ohio) is suspending their MFA program?? Because I sure didn't. 

[whalefirework]

Saw this in Draft, but BU is pausing admissions this cycle by the way. https://www.bu.edu/creativewriting/admissions/

 

Edited August 29 by whalefirework

[Theodosia]

On 8/15/2026 at 6:10 PM, mistersir said:

Starting a new thread for Fall 2027!

Is it too early to submit to Iowa? They only mention the Dec 15th deadline. Is there an official date for when they start accepting applications?

 

I submitted my initial application this morning! Even though their website hasn't been updated, the application portal does have an option for you to choose Fall 2027 as your preferred term.

[mistersir]

On 8/28/2026 at 7:51 PM, whalefirework said:

Saw this in Draft, but BU is pausing admissions this cycle by the way. https://www.bu.edu/creativewriting/admissions/

 

that's sad

[mistersir]

Just an FYI, Rice now has a brand-new fully funded MFA program: Creative Writing | Department of English | Rice University

Edited September 17 by mistersir
hyperlink

[Theodosia]

Where is everyone applying? The hyperfixation has been hyperfixating so I'm just about done with applications, even though it's September. 

I'm applying (in Fiction) to: IWW, Syracuse, Amherst, Brown, Ohio State, Idaho, Minnesota (Twin Cities), Boise State, Bowling Green, NC State, Oregon, Maryland, Washington St. Louis, and Arizona. 

This is technically my second application cycle because last year I applied to IWW on a hypomanic whim, but this year I'm applying with actual strategy, a sample that I've spent hours on, and an SOP that has been written and revised to avoid some of the mistakes I made last time. 

Looking forward to spending this application cycle with you all! See you in February. 

Edited September 18 by Theodosia

[mistersir]

On 9/18/2026 at 1:40 PM, Theodosia said:

Where is everyone applying? The hyperfixation has been hyperfixating so I'm just about done with applications, even though it's September. 

I'm applying (in Fiction) to: IWW, Syracuse, Amherst, Brown, Ohio State, Idaho, Minnesota (Twin Cities), Boise State, Bowling Green, NC State, Oregon, Maryland, Washington St. Louis, and Arizona. 

This is technically my second application cycle because last year I applied to IWW on a hypomanic whim, but this year I'm applying with actual strategy, a sample that I've spent hours on, and an SOP that has been written and revised to avoid some of the mistakes I made last time. 

Looking forward to spending this application cycle with you all! See you in February. 

Just finished applying to: IWW, Michigan, Notre Dame, UofMiami, Michener, Vanderbilt, and Cornell. Waiting on Brown and Montana to open their apps.

[probablyaec]

On 8/28/2026 at 9:51 PM, whalefirework said:

Saw this in Draft, but BU is pausing admissions this cycle by the way. https://www.bu.edu/creativewriting/admissions/

 

Where is draft? I've been looking for it but can't find it

[probablyaec]

Hey! anyone have insight into Rutgers-Newark's MFA? I want to apply for the proximity to NYC/funding opportunities but am unclear how solid of a program it really is+it's the only school on my list that wants GRE, which is EXPENSIVE. Besides there, I'm applying to Brown, Michener Center, NWP, Iowa, Mass Amherst, NYU, and maybe Vanderbilt/North Carolina/UC Davis, but need to narrow that down

Edited October 7 by probablyaec

[missblues]

Planning on just one application this year - Ole Miss. It's always been my dream school, but I wasn't able to make it work for undergrad. I figure I can always work to improve my portfolio and gain more experience if I get rejected.

[commandercowboy]

Asking for advice... I'm currently enrolled in an MFA program as a first year, I applied last cycle and got into a few programs but ended up making what I feel was completely the wrong choice. I am having not the greatest time in my new city and am wondering if there's a process for transferring programs, or if anyone has ever really re-applied after already being in an MFA program and what my odds are, if I need to disclose that I'm currently in a program and to who, etc. If anyone has anything to add to this, pls let me know your advice!

[OctopusCactus]

On 10/17/2026 at 1:02 PM, commandercowboy said:

Asking for advice... I'm currently enrolled in an MFA program as a first year, I applied last cycle and got into a few programs but ended up making what I feel was completely the wrong choice. I am having not the greatest time in my new city and am wondering if there's a process for transferring programs, or if anyone has ever really re-applied after already being in an MFA program and what my odds are, if I need to disclose that I'm currently in a program and to who, etc. If anyone has anything to add to this, pls let me know your advice!

MFA grad here.  Sorry to hear your first semester is not what you'd hoped for.  

To my knowledge there isn't a "transfer" system for MFAs like there is for college, where you can transfer credits.  I think you would be starting from scratch if you left for a different program. There was one person in the cohort ahead of me who did this, she began a grad degree in creative writing, left the program after a year, and then did an MFA at my school.  None of her credits transferred. 

Not sure about disclosing that you're currently in an MFA, but maybe you could bring that question to an admissions person at a school you're not actually that interested in applying to and see what they say to get a read.