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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of English

Admission Information

Applying to the MFA in Creative Writing

The application process for all NC State graduate programs is handled entirely through a web-based tool. Step-by-step information and Frequently Asked Questions are available as well as telephone and chat-based assistance should you encounter any problems as you begin your application.

On the first page, enter MFA Creative Writing in the box that asks for the degree or program. Indicate whether you are applying for admission only, or admission with financial aid (i.e., full funding in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship). If you are applying for aid, for first choice click Teaching Assistantship, as this is the only form of aid we offer.

Application Deadline

Fall Semester Enrollment: The deadline for applying for admission and financial aid is February 1. All application materials must be received by this date. Applications are reviewed only once a year, for fall admission. We do not accept applicants for spring semester.

Application Components

All of the pages of the online application will be generated through the application system, Slate. Your application should include the following materials:

  •  The Personal Statement is a part of the online application process and must be submitted in your application form. Please explain your interest in our MFA program. As part of this online statement, you may include a statement of goals. We do not have any length requirements or restrictions for the personal statement.

    If you have been working and wish to submit a copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae, please upload it in to your application.
  • Writing Sample: Your sample is a critical part of the application. Take time and care with it to be sure that it represents your best work. Bear in mind that your writing sample will likely figure most prominently in the faculty’s decision to accept you for the MFA. Applicants need to submit both a creative and a critical writing sample as follows:
    •  Creative Sample: at least two stories or novel chapters totaling 25-40 pages; for poetry applicants, 10-12 poems.
    •  Critical Sample: No more than 15 pages of academic writing (such as an undergraduate paper) that demonstrates your ability to succeed in graduate-level literature classes, a required part of the MFA curriculum.
  • You can upload your personal statement, resume (optional), and writing sample under the “Personal Statement and Resume” section of your application. 
  •  Letters of Recommendation: Applicants are required to submit 2 letters of recommendation. Recommenders should preferably be able to speak to your general academic aptitude, including your reading, analytical, and writing skills. 
  • Letters of recommendation may be submitted through your application portal under the “Recommendation” section. Under the “Add Recommender” link, you will be prompted to fill out your reference’s information so the application portal can contact the person via email to submit his/her/their letter and complete a recommendation form through a link connected to your application. In addition, you can log back into your application portal and check the status of your recommendation letters through the “Edit” link at the end of the row. If you click “Edit,” you will be given an option to “send reminder” to your reference as or you can choose to remove your reference by clicking the “exclude” button as well. If you are using a service such as Interfolio to distribute letters of recommendation, please direct your letters to graduate_applications@ncsu.edu.
  •  GRE scores: We do not require submission of GRE scores and do not consider them as part of our admission recommendations. You are not required to submit scores, even if you have them from other institutions.
  • Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from any undergraduate or graduate institution you have attended should be uploaded with your application. This can be done under the “Education History” section of the application. If the department recommends that you be admitted, you will then be asked to submit official transcripts to the Graduate School.

    Transcripts are considered official when they are directly received by the institution. Transcripts in open envelopes or electronic transcripts received by the student are considered unofficial as official transcripts must be sealed within an envelope with a signature or electronically directed to an educational institution.
    •  Official Electronic Transcripts should be emailed to graduate_applications@ncsu.edu.
    •  Physical copies of official transcripts should be mailed to:

The Graduate School
North Carolina State University
1000 Main Campus Drive
Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, NC 27695

Admissions Protocol

As soon as an application is complete, it is scheduled to be reviewed by the MFA director and MFA faculty. If you are pushing the deadline, your application may be competing with several others for when it will be read. It would be helpful to apply earlier than at the last possible moment. All applications will be vetted by all the relevant MFA faculty members. Then, after the department’s recommendation is reviewed and approved by the Graduate School, candidates  are officially notified of the decision. Your official notification of the decision will be available online from the dean of the Graduate School. If accepted to the program, the English graduate director will send you information about enrolling for classes.

Contact Information

Assistant Director, MFA Program

Chelsea Krieg
Campus Box 8105
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8105
919.515.4153
cekrieg@ncsu.edu

Graduate Services Coordinator

Ciru Mutura
Campus Box 8105
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8105
919.515.4106
graduate-english@ncsu.edu‌