Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Application Information
A writing sample is required as part of the application, as follows:
- Fiction: approximately 20 pages
- Nonfiction: approximately 20 pages
- Poetry: approximately 10 pages of poetry
- Writing for Young People: submit 10-15 pages of middle grade prose, 10-15 pages of young adult prose, or 2-3 picture book stories. You may apply in one or more of these three genres of children's literature.
- Writing for Stage & Screen: 15-20 script pages
Indicate your name and genre on each page and submit your writing sample to writingsamples@lesley.edu in PDF or Microsoft Word format. Please title your file: last name_genre (eg. Smith_poetry). Your writing sample may consist of one longer piece or several shorter pieces. If applying in more than one genre, submit a separate writing sample for each genre.
In the same email, please include your written personal statement as a separate document, labeled last name_personal statement (e.g. Smith_personal statement). Your statement should consist of 3-5 double-spaced pages, answering the following questions:
- In reflecting upon your personal and professional history, what forces have influenced your professional growth and contributed to your decision to seek admission to this Lesley University program?
- What are your long-term professional goals (ie. new directions, opportunities, interests, skills, professional renewal, and/or work advancement), and how does this Lesley University program help you to meet them?
- Is there any other information you think would help the Admissions Committee to understand you better (ie special interests, publications, academic achievements, supervisors' references, unusual career path, awards and/or honors, special accomplishments, leadership abilities)?
In addition to the writing sample and personal statement, you should include:
- Lesley application form and fee
- all official transcripts, including one from the institution that conferred your Bachelor's degree
- two letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked closely with you on your writing, or in a professional or academic capacity
- No standardized test scores are required.
Note: You may have transcripts and letters of recommendation sent to you or sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. If they are sent to you to submit with the rest of your application, you must make sure they remain sealed.
Deadlines:
The suggested deadline for Fall semester (residency in June) is March 1.
The suggested deadline for Spring semester (residency in January) is September 1.
*MFA Creative Writing applicants are encouraged to complete their applications in advance of the deadline, as decisions are made on a rolling basis beforehand, and on a space-available basis thereafter.
