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Frequently Asked Questions
for MFA Applicants and Prospective Students
status of application
money matters
How many new students are admitted each year?
We received over 300 applications for 2008, out of which we enroll a total of 20-24 students, or seven or eight students in each of the three genres.
Is there a particular style or type of writing that you are looking for?
No. We look for originality and quality in the writing, though not perfection. Like editors and publishers, the writers on our faculty have widely varying opinions and literary tastes, but ultimately are looking simply for the strongest writing. We do not generally admit students who want to focus exclusively in highly specialized areas such as children’s literature or science fiction/fantasy, because we do not offer writing workshops in these areas.
How do I apply?
Your application to the MFA program in Creative Writing at UNC-Wilmington will be submitted online to UNCW’s Graduate School. Along with your online application, you are required to upload an electronic copy of your manuscript (the writing sample), your personal essay (also called a statement of interest, purpose, or intent), and three letters of recommendation (the application process will make clear the procedures for requesting an electronic reference letter from your recommenders). In addition to the application materials submitted online (manuscript, essay, and recommendation letters), you will need to MAIL TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL your application fee and transcripts.
All application materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than February 1st.
You may begin to apply as soon as the online system allows applications for the following year.
DO NOT SEND application fee, transcripts, or letters of recommendation to the Creative Writing Department as this will delay the Graduate School from receiving and recording your application materials. The Creative Writing Department requests that you do mail to us a courtesy hard-copy of your manuscript and personal essay (must be identical to the versions you uploaded in your online application). To request receipt-confirmation of these materials from the Creative Writing Department you may enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard (or letter) and we will return it to you.
The Graduate School receives floods of requests for confirmation of receipt of application materials. Please note that the online system will recognize if components of your application are missing, and you will receive an automated email notifying you of any missing items and procedures for submitting those items. If you are having trouble with any part of the online application, please note that the Creative Writing Department will not be able to provide technical support. Please refer to the technical support options available through the online application or you may contact gradstudies@uncw.edu. Delays in response time should be expected though the Graduate School will do their best to assist you with your application.
Finally, we appreciate your interest and hope you will continue reading ...!
Is there a certain way I should assemble my materials?
The only preference we have is the use of staples rather than paper clips.
Can I send a résumé?
You may send supplemental materials that you feel are relevant to your application. A résumé is fine.
How many pages should my manuscript be? Should I send a cover page?
The manuscript should not be longer than 30 pages for fiction or creative nonfiction. It can be as short as you feel confident in the representation of your work, and may be made up of more that one piece of writing. Novel excerpts should be able to stand alone and feel like complete stories. Poetry manuscripts should not be longer than 10 total pages, with one poem per page (though multi-page poems are acceptable). Published work is fine but needs to be submitted in manuscript format, i.e., typed and double-spaced. (Poetry does not have to be double-spaced, but should be typed.) Please send a cover page with your name and the genre to which you are applying.
Can I apply to the MFA program in more than one genre?
Although we encourage cross-genre study in our MFA program, applicants must apply in just one genre: fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. Mixed-genre manuscripts or writing samples in other genres will not be considered. For more details about our MFA degree requirements, including cross-genre study, please see FAQs for Current MFA Students.
Do I need to send my GRE scores?
The UNCW Graduate School does not require GRE scores for admission; that requirement is up to individual graduate programs. The MFA program in Creative Writing does not require applicants to take the GRE. If GRE scores are included in an application, they will not figure in our admissions decision.
My manuscript is in a specialized genre (science fiction/fantasy, children's literature, etc.). Will this hurt my chances of being accepted?
The writing sample is the most heavily-weighted element of the application, and most represents your potential as a writer in our program. Submitting a manuscript in a specialized genre likely won’t help demonstrate your suitability, as we do not offer writing workshops in these areas and therefore do not generally admit students who want to focus exclusively in such areas.
My manuscript is uploaded as part of my online application. Do I have to send a hard copy?
We request that you mail the Department of Creative Writing a hard copy of your manuscript and personal essay as a courtesy. Though the Graduate School has moved to an online application system for all graduate programs, the application to the MFA in Creative Writing and its 30-page manuscript is particularly unwieldy in electronic format. For this reason we ask that you print and mail a copy to us, giving our faculty reviewers a copy in hand.
I see that recommenders should submit their letters online. Where do I find forms and what should I tell them to do?
The online process for uploading letters of recommendation and other materials will become clear once you begin your application. Happily, you'll be able to save your work as you move along instead of having to do it all in one sitting, and tech-support options will also be available online to help you through your application.
My letters of recommendation aren't coming through me, even though I am supposed to submit them online. Can I have them mailed?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to have the recommender complete the online form; however, if for some reason the recommender is not willing to redo a recommendation, the Graduate School will accept a paper copy sent to:
Graduate School Admissions
University of North Carolina Wilmington
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5955
RE: MFA/CRW APPLICATION
Some of my letters of recommendation are several years old, or from work supervisors
rather than professors. Is this a problem?
More recent is better, of course, but it is appropriate to submit letters that are a few years old. The most effective recommendation letters come from individuals who are experienced at assessing writing, who know your work and your potential for graduate-level study, and who have some knowledge of the nature of MFA programs.
Do I need to include transcripts from all colleges attended?
The Graduate School requires transcripts of all college work.
Will you accept CDs or videos that accompany my application?
Creative materials (such as CDs or tapes) are generally not considered by our faculty reviewers.
Can I request confirmation of receipt of my application materials?
The Graduate School receives your online application (which includes your uploaded manuscript, essay, and letters of recommendation), your transcripts, and your application fee. You may contact the Graduate School for confirmation that these materials have been received. (Please note that many such requests come in; expect delays in response time. The Graduate School will send you an email if materials are missing.) To request receipt-confirmation from the Creative Writing Department for the courtesy copy you supplied of your manuscript and personal essay, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard along with your manuscript and essay, and we will return the postcard to you. (A SASE would also work.)
I did not major in English or Creative Writing as an undergraduate. Will this hurt my chances of being accepted?
Our MFA students come from widely varying academic and professional backgrounds; a major in an unrelated field will not hurt your chances.
How are MFA applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed by our graduate faculty in each genre. The manuscript – i.e. your writing sample – is given the most consideration. We also review your statement of purpose, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation, but your writing is the most important component.
When and how will I be notified whether I am admitted?
Notification letters are sent from UNCW’s Graduate School via regular mail, but because these letters take several business days to process, as a courtesy we will also email you directly as soon as we have an admissions decision regarding your application. We admit on a rolling basis and generally notify all applicants by April 15. Please do not call to request the status of your application.
I have been accepted at another program and must respond by a deadline, but I haven’t received notification from UNCW yet. What should I do?
Please contact our MFA Coordinator by email or phone and let us know.
If I am accepted, can I defer and enroll next semester or next year?
We do not permit deferrals. New students are only enrolled in the Fall semester; we do not do mid-year (i.e. Spring) admissions.
If I am not accepted, can I reapply?
Yes. Applicants often reapply and are admitted on the second or third try. Having previously applied will in no way affect your chances of being admitted.
If I am not accepted, can I find out why? Can I get comments on my manuscript and/or application, so I know how to improve it?
The high volume of applications and confidential nature of the review process make it impossible for us to provide comments or feedback. Because we receive so many applications, we are forced to say no to many applicants whose work we admire. We receive 200-300 applications per year, out of which we enroll a total of 20-24 students, or seven or eight students in each of the three genres.
I want to visit campus. Can I meet with faculty or students?
Meetings with faculty or students can be arranged on a limited basis. We recommend visiting during our annual Writers' Week – this is a great opportunity to get a feel for our vibrant writing community! Please also see our resource guide for visitors and be sure to check out the events page of our website at http://www.uncw.edu/writers/community-events.html for a listing of the current goings-on. We’re always happy to have visitors at our department events!
Can I get a brochure in the mail?
Please email mfa@uncw.edu to request a mailed brochure.
Can I get a catalog in the mail?
The UNCW Graduate Catalog is available online at http://www.uncw.edu/grad_info/documents/UNCWGraduateCatalogue2007_08.pdf. Creative Writing information can be found on page 84 of the catalog, and please also see our FAQs for Current MFA Students for more detailed information.
Can I enroll part-time in the MFA program?
Our MFA program is a full-time, residency-based program. Most of our classes are held in the afternoons, and completion of the program requires 48 hours of coursework, generally completed within three years. While students occasionally take an extra semester or two to finish, a student who lives beyond daily commuting distance, or who works full-time during the day, will likely have difficulty completing the program. Perhaps more importantly, we encourage students to immerse themselves in the full range of events and opportunities offered by our literary community; we believe such involvement is as valuable to the life of the writer as what goes on in the classroom.
What are the MFA degree requirements?
The overall course requirements for the MFA degree are as follows: 48 hours, broken into 21 hours of writing workshop (CRW 530, 542, 544, 546, 548, 550), 21 hours of electives (anything that's not a writing workshop), and 6 thesis hours. Most MFA students take courses full-time (9 hours) and finish their degree in 3 years (6 semesters). For more details about our MFA degree requirements, please see FAQs for Current MFA Students.
Can I transfer in graduate credits?
You may not transfer in coursework that has counted toward another degree, but if you have taken graduate-level courses that did not count toward another degree, a maximum of six hours may be eligible to count as transfer credit. However, all requests regarding transfer credit must be made in person to our MFA coordinator after you are admitted to and enrolled in our program. We will not consider or process transfer credit during the application process.
How much does the program cost? What if I am out-of-state?
If you are classified as an in-state student, the amount for graduate tuition and fees is approximately $5000 per year (out-of-state is around $15,000). For specifics, please see the current tuition and fees schedule:
An estimate of total living expenses can be found at http://www.uncw.edu/finaid/costofattendance.htm.
Here’s an additional link to our Graduate School’s out-of-state student page http://www.uncw.edu/finaid/Outofstate.htm that has helpful information as well.
The financial aid counselor for all graduate students on campus is Patti Lewis. She can be reached at lewisp@uncw.edu.
Does your program offer teaching assistantships and scholarships? How do I apply for these?
Currently, we support approximately 40% of our MFA students with teaching assistantships and other types of awards; we continue to work energetically toward our goal of providing support for all MFA students. All applicants to our MFA program are automatically considered for available teaching assistantships and scholarships, which are awarded on a competitive basis. Teaching experience is not necessary.
Teaching assistantships currently pay $14,000 per year ($1400 per month August – May), and in the first year we also award scholarships and remissions to cover 100% of tuition and fees for all TAs, whether in- or out-of-state. In the second and third year of the program, teaching assistants are responsible for paying their own tuition, but all MFA students are eligible to apply for in-state residency after the first year.
We do not offer fellowships at this time.
How many and what type of classes do teaching assistants teach?
Our TAs teach a range of introductory-level Creative Writing classes. In their first year, TAs assist a professor in one class per semester. In the second and third year, TAs teach two courses per semester.
Will teaching experience help my chances of getting a teaching assistantship?
We consider all students whom we admit to our MFA program to be well-qualified for assistantships, regardless of prior teaching experience or lack thereof.
If I am not awarded a teaching assistantship, can I get one in my second or third year?
Because our teaching assistantships are based on a three-year training trajectory, we do not award them in the second or third year. However, other types of assistantship positions occasionally do become available. Our department’s Publishing Laboratory employs a small number of second- and third-year MFA student assistants; interested students should enroll in a Pub Lab class or internship in the first year. Second- and third-year MFA students may also apply for part-time tutoring positions in UNCW’s Writing Center; these positions come with a small stipend.
Are other types of financial aid or awards available for students who don’t receive
teaching assistantships?
We offer some partial scholarships, as well as a limited number of tuition remissions for out-of-state students. All applicants are automatically considered for all available financial awards. The Graduate School and our department also provide travel funding on a competitive basis for currently enrolled MFA students to do thesis research and attend or present at conferences. Job openings in other departments on campus are listed on UNCW’s Human Resources website, and the Graduate School frequently announces available graduate assistant positions. For information about loans and federal aid programs, please see the Financial Aid Office website at http://www.uncw.edu/finaid/ and be sure to check out the Federal Student Aid Portal at the bottom.
I already have an MA in English or Creative Writing; will that help my chances of admission and/or getting a Teaching Assistantship?
Having an MA will neither help nor hurt your chances of being admitted or receiving an assistantship. Your manuscript (writing sample) is the part of your application we consider to be most important. All applicants are automatically considered for all available scholarship and assistantship awards.
Does UNCW provide health insurance for MFA students and/or teaching assistants?
UNCW graduate students have free access to the university's Student Health Center, which includes the Counseling Center, Disability Services, and the Crossroads substance-abuse program. We recommend that students use the Health Center as the first stop for most illnesses and tests, because many services there are covered by student fees, while others (including many medical tests) are offered at dramatically reduced rates. Also, the Health Center has a pharmacy that fills most prescriptions at lower costs than commercial pharmacies do. Here’s the Student Health Center link:
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/healthservices/
UNCW offers graduate student health insurance through a vendor company, Pearce & Pearce: https://www.pearceandpearce.com/PearceSite/Schools/NC/UNCW/. The policy currently runs about $1,500 a year (12 months, not simply a school year). You can get the details by clicking ‘Benefits (Plan Summary),’ then ‘Plan Brochure.’
UNCW’s Graduate Student Association, GSA, is in the process of negotiating for a new (and presumably better) plan, so watch for an updated brochure to be posted on the Graduate School or GSA website this summer. Currently, the fee is payable by semester and monthly, and the policy covers a full calendar year. The health insurance policy is of course optional.
An alternative policy worth considering is BlueAdvantage, from Blue Cross/Blue Shield North Carolina:
http://www.bcbsnc.com/plans/individuals/index.cfm
What type of housing is available for MFA students?
Housing is available both on-campus and off-campus. In recent years nearly all MFA students have chosen to live off-campus. Many MFA students find apartments in historic downtown or at the beach. The Wilmington area offers a wide range of affordable, attractive housing options; available rentals are regularly publicized by current MFA students and faculty via e-mail.
How can I find out about your courses?
For the most updated course descriptions (and current class offerings), please see the home page, or http://www.uncw.edu/writers/UNCWCollegeofArtsSciencesCreativeWriting.htm. For more details about our MFA degree requirements, see FAQs for Current MFA Students.
I need to send TOEFL scores. What codes should I use?
The University code for the TOEFL is 5907. For the Department code, list 98 for ‘other humanities.’
If you have additional questions, please contact the MFA Coordinator or Lisa Bertini,
MFA Program Assistant, bertinil@uncw.edu or 910.962.3070.
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