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How to Apply to the MFA

View from a trail in the Boise Foothills
View from a trail in the Boise Foothills

Applications for Fall 2025 are now open!

Deadline for admission: January 15, 2025

Students applying to the MFA Program in Creative Writing must complete an online application that includes requirements for admission to the Graduate College and requirements for admission to the MFA program. All of the application requirements are listed in the following guide.

The GRE is not required for admission.

You can read more about the required application materials on the Graduate College website.

MFA Application Steps & Requirements

A. Graduate College Admission Requirements

  • We cannot process your application until all of the materials listed in this guide have been received.
  • Applicants who do not satisfy one or more of these requirements may be admitted with provisional status. They will be advised as to what steps they need to qualify for regular status.
  • The Boise State Graduate College does not offer application fee assistance for the Creative Writing MFA Program at this time.

Graduate Admissions Application & Fee

Apply to the Graduate College

All MFA applicants must fill out the Boise State Graduate College Admissions Application and submit the $65 fee (non-refundable) for domestic applicants, and $95 for international applicants. The University does not offer fee waivers or assistance at this time.

Transcripts

Transcripts may be submitted by mail, electronically, or by fax.

Mail

Institutions may send official transcripts to:

Graduate Admission and Degree Services
Room 307, Riverfront Hall
Boise State University
1910 University Dr.
Boise, ID 83725-1110.

Electronic Transcripts

Official transcripts may be submitted as a secure PDF through an approved transcript services provider to graduatecollege@boisestate.edu.

Approved Transcript Services:

  • Credentials eScript-Safe (formerly known as Script-Safe International)
  • Credential Solutions TranscriptsNetwork and TranscriptsPlus
  • National Student Clearinghouse
  • Parchment Exchange (formerly known as Docufide and Avow Systems)

For more information about official transcripts visit the Graduate College Transcripts page.

The Boise State University Graduate College and the English Department require a minimum 2.75 GPA on undergraduate work or a 3.0 for final sixty credit hours.

International Students

The Creative Writing MFA Program welcomes applications from qualified students from around the world. If you are an international student interested in applying to the MFA Program, please be aware of the following policies:

B. MFA Program Admissions Requirements

Personal Statement

A 500-word essay explaining your goals in pursuing graduate study in creative writing. You will be prompted to upload the essay in the online Graduate College application.

Writing Sample

This is the part of your application that bears the most weight with the Admissions Committee. Send your best work. Please submit a manuscript consisting of either 20 – 30 pages of fiction (double spaced) or 15-20 pages of poems. Limit your writing sample to items from your chosen genre. For fiction, you may submit an excerpt from a longer work or complete short stories. Please upload your writing sample into the online application.

Resume

Upload a current curriculum vitae or resume that includes education, publications, work and teaching experience, plus awards and honors.

Letters of Recommendation

Please send three letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with your academic work, teachers who can speak to your writing, or employers who can speak to your work ethic. Please follow the instructions in the online graduate application. Please do not mail the letters to the creative writing department or send them by other means (Interfolio, etc.)

Policy for transferring to the program

The policy regarding students who wish to transfer into the MFA, whether currently enrolled at BSU or elsewhere, will be to accept up to three courses, upon approval of both the advisor and program director. No writing workshops will count for transfer credit.

Those who are already accepted and enrolled in the MA in English at Boise State University and are in good standing who wish to transfer into the MFA in Creative Writing program will be required to write a letter of intent and to provide an appropriate manuscript for consideration.

If you have questions about transferring to the program, please email the Creative Writing Program: creativewriting@boisestate.edu

Graduate Application Guide from the Graduate College

At Boise State we strive to answer all the questions you may have before you decide to come to us for higher education. The graduate college has come up with this handy guide for frequently asked questions that may save you a phone call.

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