MFA Application Materials
Our Program now requires application materials be
submitted ONLINE.
Please follow the steps listed below.
We accept applications for Fall entry only.
The application season for Fall 2012 admission is CLOSED.
Applications for Fall 2013 admission
will be accepted from October 15, 2012, through January 15, 2013.
You need not have been an English major as an undergraduate, but you should be familiar enough with English and American literature to satisfactorily complete graduate literature courses.
Foreign language requirement—None.
TO APPLY
You will need to complete the online Graduate Application for the University of Oregon Creative Writing Program. A $50.00 non-refundable fee is collected by the Office of Admissions for the Graduate Admissions Application. Please keep your login credentials (username and password) from the Graduate Admissions Application in a safe place.
Genre Selection—Applicants may apply to both genres; however, two complete and separate packets must be submitted to the Creative Writing Program for consideration. To obtain a fee bypass for the second submittal, please email gradsch@uoregon.edu.
Note
There are two sections to the online application. The first section is the general application to the Graduate School; the second details the requirements of the program. Information and/or materials you will need to complete your application includes:
- Graduate School (General Information)
- Personal
- Residency
- Education
- Personal
- Department/Program Level (Upload PDF)
- Personal Statement (upload PDF)
- Writing Sample (upload PDF)
- GRE Scores (self-report; send official copies to the Creative Writing Program)
- Transcripts (upload PDF copies; send official copies to the Creative Writing Program and to the Office of Admissions)
- Recommenders (names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails)
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IMPORTANT |
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM LEVEL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM PORTION OF THE ONLINE APPLICATION
- Personal Statement
Your personal statement should be a well-written intellectual autobiography that addresses your literary apprenticeship and the relevant life experiences that have led you to apply for the MFA. Address your literary influences in terms of what you've learned, not what you like. Your statement should also demonstrate that you have an informed wish to study in the Oregon MFA Program and with our specific faculty. What critical or creative issues do you plan to pursue after your MFA? Your statement must be double-spaced and no longer than three pages.
Avoid the obvious: assume every applicant is dedicated to learning how to write, has received some praise, has funny or moving childhood stories about writing, and thinks the Northwest is attractive.
- Writing Sample (FAQ)
Upload your creative writing sample:
For poetry, the sample should consist of 10 poems or up to 14 pages of poetry (single-spaced)
For fiction, send one to two short stories, or a chapter of a novel, or a substantial portion of a sustained work, up to 25 pages in length (double-spaced).
- Letters of Recommendation (FAQ)
Identify three persons familiar with your writing, intellectual ability, academic record, and who can provide an estimation of your success as a teacher if applying for a Graduate Teaching Fellowship.
The online application requests contact information (name, address, phone number, and email) for a minimum of three and maximum of four referees. You may provide each recommender with the ability to respond prior to finishing your application by completing the recommenders' page. Fill in the required information for at least three referees and press "Submit." An automated email will be sent to each recommender with instructions on how to respond. Once you've entered information and emails have been sent, you will not be able to modify any recommender information. You may return and add a fourth, if desired; however, you may not change any referee information once an email has been sent.
- Official Transcripts
a. Upload PDF copies of your transcripts from all institutions you have attended to the online application form. (FAQ)
b. In addition, have all institutions you have attended mail official transcripts to:
MFA Application
Creative Writing Program
5243 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-5243
c. You will also need to have the institutions from which you earned a degree mail your official transcripts to:
University of Oregon
Office of Admissions
1217 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1217
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (FAQ)
The GRE General Test is required for all applicants; however, we review only the verbal and analytical writing portions of the test. The GRE Subject Test is not required. Low scores will not prevent your application from moving forward for committee consideration.
Official GRE test scores must be self-reported in the online application and the official report of your test scores must also be sent directly to the Creative Writing Program by ETS. Both of the following codes must be used:
4846 = University of Oregon
2503 = Creative Writing Program
- Official TOEFL scores (international applicants only)
Foreign students for whom English is a second language must have their TOEFL scores sent directly to the University of Oregon. The University of Oregon requires a minimum score of 575 for the paper-based test or 88 for the Internet-based (iBT) version. The TOEFL code for the University of Oregon is 4846. No department code is needed.
| All application materials become the property of the University of Oregon and will not be returned. |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS—U.S. Government requlations require that the University of Oregon verify the availability of sufficient financial support for non-immigrant students before a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) can be issued. International students must submit supporting financial documents. Examples of such documentation includes, but is not limited to, providing one or more of the following:
- Copies of bank statements (at least three months)
- Original letter (on letterhead and signed by a bank official)
- Sponsoring agent's letter signed by authorized representative (on letterhead) with copies of sponsor's bank statements
- Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF) appointment contract or scholarship award letter.
Financial verification documents should be sent to:
University of Oregon
Office of Admissions
240 Oregon Hall
1217 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1217
Application Status
The applicant is responsible for ensuring all documents required to complete the application are uploaded correctly and that all supporting hardcopy materials referenced above are submitted by the January 15 deadline. Click here to view the status of your application through the self-monitoring portion of your online application.
Please do not call or email the Program office to check on the status of your application.
Admission Decisions
Admission decisions will be made by mid-March. Applicants accepted into the Program will be notified by both phone and email. All other applicants will be notified via email.
Ready to apply? Click here... Online Graduate Application