Top Creative Writing MFA Application Mistakes

[@livewithlucas418]

Hi Brian, I can't say how grateful I am to you for helping me make sense of my statement of purpose. Your advice and suggestions were invaluable. You made me see what I wasn't seeing and to say only what is required. And aren't your responses prompt ! Thank you so much.

[@BazColne]

After my recent experience (got into Hull MA) I can say I agree with all you say.

[@鄭舒庭-c4t]

Thank you again for sharing. These are very useful suggestions!!

[@joseffirmagemiyasato]

Great stuff. Thank you!

[@human.yoohoo4646]

your videos about mfa programs are especially helpful. how much research would you suggest for looking into current writers/students at prospective programs? I at the very least read some of their work but is it over the top to reach out and ask them questions?

[@brianwallacebaker]

Not at all! If you have the time to do that, I think it's a great idea.

[@globaleditorialcentre-ke9429]

Hi Brian. I am Lucas from East Africa. Thanks a lot for your pieces of advice. I watch most of your videos and man, you are so helpful. I enjoyed watching this and I would really like to workshop with you but I can't afford it - I wish I could. And talking of sending applications to many schools - the cost is prohibitive for some of us. I have had to apply for a waiver to the school I am applying to. Still, I have to hope for the best. Once again, thank you for the good work.

[@brianwallacebaker]

Hey Lucas! Let's have a private conversation about this and see what we can figure out. If you follow me on Twitter (@bbrianwallace) it will allow me to send you a DM.

[@globaleditorialcentre-ke9429]

@@brianwallacebakerCertainly, Brian. Many thanks, indeed.

[@randyfloyd17]

Did you get in ?!

[@globaleditorialcentre-ke6270]

@@randyfloyd17 I am afraid, not. I am still trying though. Once again, thank you for your help, Brian.

[@anisha6067]

do have any tips for high school students who want to learn creative writing? (given that they dont rlly have creative writing at school)

[@brianwallacebaker]

That's a great question! Read a lot of the kind of stuff you like to write and build a consistent writing practice every day, even if it's just a few minutes a day. If you do that, you will be ready to rock the college creative writing scene and start sending stuff out for publication. You don't have to wait though if you want to send stuff out now. Some literary journals take work by minors, and some even have specific categories devoted to young writers like you. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@tanishaagarwal3926]

Hello your videos are very helpful. Can you share a few universities in UK and USA that are the best and where one should definitely apply for MFA in writing

[@brianwallacebaker]

I don't know anything about MFA programs in the UK, but Iowa and Michigan are considered to be the best in the USA. They are, of course, extremely competitive, so I recommend casting a wide net that includes some top tier programs as well as smaller ones. I attended a very small and fairly new program, and it was great for me.

[@nheimi99]

Any suggestions for finding the right program for me? I’m having a ton of trouble whittling down the options.

[@brianwallacebaker]

I feel your pain! My long list of MFA programs was very long! Here are a couple of ideas: First, if you are hoping for full funding, focus on the programs that fund all their students. Some programs only fund a fraction of their students, which adds a lot of unnecessary stress to your application, in my opinion. Also, pay attention to where the MFA programs are located. There was one program I probably would have applied to had it not been for its city's notorious crime rate. Crime rate was actually a big factor for my wife and me. I wanted to study without the fear of being jumped. haha So maybe that's not your concern, but you can look at city size, geography, demographics, politics, housing costs, or whatever else is important to you.

[@Fernanda-bs6sy]

Thanks for the video! Did you have to do an interview while applying? That could be a video topic. I haven't found many resources for interviews with a focus on Writing programs.

[@brianwallacebaker]

I don't recall any of the programs I applied to requiring interviews. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

[@Fernanda-bs6sy]

@@brianwallacebaker No problem, thanks anyway!

[@ClayyEdward]

What should I put on the cv/resume?

[@brianwallacebaker]

Anything relevant. Teaching experience, publications, relevant jobs, your education, any relevant awards you've received, etc.

[@emediongakpan122]

Thank you so much for sharing these Brian. I am honestly exhausted and I need as much help as I can get. I couldn't apply to any MFA program this year because I faced a lot of challenges (especially financially). Please please can I workshop with you? I need to bring my A game from next year and I don't have anyone to lean on for support.

[@brianwallacebaker]

Message me on Twitter or Instagram, and we'll see what we can figure out. My handle is @bbrianwallace. :)

[@jeremyt6408]

How have your prospects been since completing your MFA? Have you been able to secure a teaching job?

[@brianwallacebaker]

Hi Jeremy! This is an excellent question, and I actually plan on making a video about this, hopefully soon. But the short answer is that I do not currently have a teaching job. I may get one in the future, but after I graduated with my MFA I decided that now wasn't the right time. A big part of that is because I realized that academia really isn't a great career track for most people. Most writers get stuck as under-paid adjunct instructors. Good tenure track positions are few and far between. So I decided to forge my own path. The other part of it is that my wife and I are exploring self-employment opportunities. I'm growing a freelance editing business that is very promising, and I continue to write and occasionally publish. That's good enough for me. But I do enjoy teaching, and if I find a way to teach that pays well and works with my lifestyle, then I'd love to teach again.

[@julioviana2395]

Hi Brian, how are you? I have been watching your videos and they are great. I'm from Brazil and I've been researching MFA programs on creative writing on the US, since I've been interested in studying there. I know some places say they welcome international students, but I've been questioning if it is really possible to be accepted if you are from a country that the primary language is not english. Do you know more about this? I would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks!

[@imanbamous8021]

It’s not a problem if you are from another country where English is not the first language, you just have to reach a good Toefl or Ielts score

[@brianwallacebaker]

Good test scores, yes, but for the MFA it's all about the writing sample. They want to see that you have a good command of the English language from an artistic and academic standpoint.

[@brianwallacebaker]

Sorry for my very late reply! My MFA program has had international students before, so it is totally possible. You just need to make sure that you are able to write artistically for a native English speaking audience.

[@chiomaiwunze]

Want to read samples or examples of successful statements of purpose? You might find this resource helpful. www.creativewritingnews.com/statement-of-purpose-examples-2/?amp=1

[@leeannpelletier4117]

Is it ok to only apply to a small number of places? So many people on forums and stuff are applying to 10+ schools. I know my odds are slim but I don’t really have the money or sanity for all that lol. Just hoping I’m not making a huge mistake by only applying to 4 places.

[@brianwallacebaker]

Hey Lee Ann! That's a great question. Everyone's situation is different. For example, I know people who only apply to one or two programs because of geographical constraints. The reality though is that the more programs you apply to, the less slim your chances of acceptance become. I totally get the mental and/or scheduling burden of applying to 10+ programs, so if that's a concern then that's okay. Just do what you think you can handle, or maybe do slightly more than you think you can handle because you can usually handle more than you think you can. I get the money concern too, but here you have some options. Some schools will waive application fees if you can show them that the fees create a financial difficulty. So it might be worth sending some emails to see if that's a possibility at the programs you want to apply to. I hope that helps! Good luck!

[@writersblock26]

With regard to Brian’s response on the issue of financial realities, especially as they relate to application fees for MFA programs, I can speak to them: during the year I applied, I worked in a public service job at a local food bank, for which I received an admittedly modest living stipend but no salary. Most of the programs I applied to already included fee waiver prompts in the application portals, but for those that did not, I explained my financial situation and respectfully asked for waivers. With the exception of one program, I received waivers for all my applications and saved over $1,000. As should be obvious, it certainly pays to research and ask. Feel free to also direct message me if you have further questions. Best of luck!

[@AlexTheFox2001]

I've never heard about applycation fees. Is this a US thing? 😅

[@brianwallacebaker]

Yes, most programs charge an application fee.

[@zzzeina3566]

Hi, why am I not allowed to access the fiverr page?

[@brianwallacebaker]

That's very strange! Try this: www.fiverr.com/s2/454acbfea3.

[@patriciaspencer4563]

Where do you teach?

[@brianwallacebaker]

I taught at WKU while doing my MFA there. Now I work as a freelance editor.