Admissions & Aid
Not sure where to begin? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Our team will be glad to answer your questions and walk you through the application and financial aid process. If you’re not sure if the program is right for you, contact the program director, check out our FAQ, or download Your MFA Decision Journal to help you better understand your motivations and goals.
Application Requirements
- College transcripts for each college or university attended
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- A creative writing sample.
- Length: A maximum of 25 pages for fiction or creative nonfiction, a maximum of 10 pages for poetry (no more than one poem per page).
- Personal essay (3-4 pages)
In this essay please address the following:- Discuss your specific interest in the Alma College MFA and your preparation for pursuing a formal study of creative writing
- Your strengths and weaknesses as a writer
- Goals for your two years in the program
- Additional experience including what you can bring to our artistic community
- Literature essay (3-4 pages).
In this essay please discuss the books and writers that have influenced you. - Two letters of recommendation.
There is no application fee.
Application Deadlines
- Summer Residency - May 1
- Winter Residency - November 30
You will receive an admission decision in two weeks.
Academic Calendar
Tuition & Fees
Current tuition and fee rates can be found below. The annual fee covers housing and meal at the two residency sites: the Alma campus and the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center. Additional expenses include books and travel to and from Michigan twice a year for residencies or, optionally, to Oxford, England once.
Financial Aid
Our students take advantage of the program’s low residency format to continue with their current employment and finance their education from their own resources. Students are encouraged to complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
If you need additional assistance or have other questions, contact the Financial Aid office at (989) 463-7347.