Application Deadline--January 5th

 Program Application

Applicants must submit an online application for ISU graduate admission, provide official transcripts and required test scores, and submit all other required documents to the English Department electronically (via email to englgrad@iastate.edu) in order to complete an application. Please review the English Department graduate admissions application requirements for further details regarding the following:

• Online graduate application and fee.

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work.

• GRE General Test official score report from ETS. Scores are required regardless if applicant possesses other graduate degrees. Official scores are available for five testing years following the year in which you tested.

• Cover letter (2 -3 double-spaced pages maximum) or statement of intent (this can be the same text as the requested "Personal Statement" on the electronic admissions application form or expanded beyond the 500 word limit) addressing reasons for applying to the MFA in Creative Writing and Environment.  Be sure to include information about the creative writing projects you have completed or are currently working on, as well as any publications or prizes for creative work.  In order to articulate how the MFA in Creative Writing and Environment suits your interests, experience, and creative projects, it's useful to touch on a few of the following topics:

          1.  Fieldwork experiences in natural or urban landscapes that have influenced your aesthetic;
          2.  Writers or currents of environmental thought that have influenced your work;
          3.  Issues of place, landscape, the natural world, or environment with which your work engages;
          4.  Organizations you've work with or activities related to environmental issues (if any);
          5.  Writing projects you can imagine tackling that have an environmental dimension.

If you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship, please include a mention in your cover letter of any teacher-training you've had, as well as any previous teaching, tutoring, and/or mentoring experience. 

• Curriculum vitae or resume including educational background, awards, accomplishments, and teaching/tutoring experience. 

• Three letters of recommendation (electronic submission is preferred via Office of Admissions online application system).

• Creative writing sample of no more than 25 double-spaced pages of prose or 15 double-spaced pages of poetry demonstrating exemplary ability in one genre for the application process.  Once admitted, students will not be restricted to working in one genre.

• Expository prose sample of scholarly writing of 5-10 double-spaced pages displaying a command of accepted grammatical rules for written English and demonstrating critical and research skills.  Applicants typically submit a scholarly research essay they have produced for an undergraduate or graduate course in English.

• TOEFL or IELTS official score report (required only of nonnative speaking applicants required by the ISU Admissions Office to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores).  Minimum required scores: 100 IBT; 600 PBT; 7.0 IELTS.

• Audio or video file demonstrating competence in spoken English (required of ALL nonnative speaking applicants).

Deadline for Application

• January 5th for entry the following fall semester

For More Information

• For questions about the MFA program application process, go to engl.iastate.edu/resources/graduate-studies/application-process/.