MFA Application Assistance

A Master of Fine Arts degree in a field of creative writing is attractive to serious writers for a variety of reasons: the chance to focus on writing for a period of time, working with talented peers and teachers, making contacts, increasing prestige, obtaining a degree that makes one more employable as a teacher.

However, applying to MFA programs is a daunting process. There are hundreds of schools to choose from, with varying degrees of quality, content, financial assistance, and teaching opportunities. And then, choices must be made between old and new programs, full-time or low-residency programs, local or far-off schools. And, if you wish to compete against a crowd of talented applicants, you must submit excellent writing samples and a compelling admissions essay.

Gotham doesn’t offer MFA degrees, but we can help those who are seeking them. We have a variety of courses and individualized programs to assist with every step of the MFA application process. And we have a roster of teachers who have earned MFAs in creative writing.

Indeed, quite a few Gotham students have gone on to obtain MFAs at great schools.

Gotham can assist those seeking MFAs in the following types of writing: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, children's books, film, television, playwriting. (We can also help those seeking M.A. or Ph.D. degrees, or advanced degrees in journalism.)

The application process for MFA program entails these key elements, with requirement varying for different schools:

• Creating a portfolio of writing samples in the appropriate field.
• Writing one or two essays—a personal statement reflecting your personality and purpose, and, perhaps, a critical analysis of a specific work.
• Compiling a list of schools to target (if need be) and, eventually, selecting which school to attend.

Here’s how Gotham can help…

To assist with the writing samples:

Take a Gotham class with a group, or in Private Sessions.

For a specific project, including admissions essays, get one-on-one advice and feedback with our Doctoring program.

To assist with the entire process:

Use our Mentorship program, focusing on this goal.

A Mentorship provides you with a mentor in your field who can assist with all aspects of the MFA application process—writing samples, admissions essay, possibly sorting through the selection of schools, and offering insight and advice on whatever questions arise.

Here you can view all Gotham One-on-One services.