{"id":5533,"date":"2019-12-20T16:29:25","date_gmt":"2019-12-21T00:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cale\/?page_id=5533"},"modified":"2025-04-15T23:29:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T23:29:34","slug":"apply-now","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/english-philosophy\/creative-writing\/mfa\/apply-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Apply Now"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"parent":6303,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-template-steps.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5533","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","page_tags-creative-writing","page_tags-mfa"],"acf":{"secondary_nav_menu_type":"menu","secondary_hero_background":{"ID":7036,"id":7036,"title":"GatewayBridgeSunset","filename":"GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1.jpg","filesize":863438,"url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/?attachment_id=7036","alt":"View of the Gateway Bridge in downtown Spokane at sunset","author":"121","description":"","caption":"","name":"gatewaybridgesunset","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":13387,"date":"2020-07-15 15:53:20","modified":"2021-07-28 23:17:08","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2560,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-1024x768.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-1536x1152.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1152,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1-2048x1536.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1536,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":225,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":300,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2020\/07\/GatewayBridgeSunset-scaled-1.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":450}},"vertical_image_position":"center","secondary_hero_vertical_image_position":{"vertical_image_position":"center"},"secondary_hero_title":"","secondary_hero_bold_title":"Apply Now","apply_steps_title":"Graduate Admission Requirements","apply_steps_subtitle":"Application Deadline: March 1st, 2025. Questions about applying? See our <a href=\"#faq\">FAQs below<\/a>.","apply_steps_steps":[{"apply_steps_step_title":"Complete the Online Graduate Studies Application","apply_steps_copy":"<div>As part of this process, you&#8217;ll be asked to pay a $75 application fee and submit the following:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Your official transcripts<\/li>\n<li>A graduate admissions essay<\/li>\n<li>A writing sample labeled with contact information (poetry 10-15 pages, prose 15-25 pages)<\/li>\n<li>Two letters of reference to the <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.ewu.edu\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">51福利社 Graduate School<\/a> application<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;re an international student from a non-English speaking country, you&#8217;ll also need to submit your TOEFL score.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You will not need\u00a0<\/strong>GRE scores as part of your application.<\/p>\n","apply_steps_link":{"title":"Graduate Application","url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/","target":""}},{"apply_steps_step_title":"Complete your FAFSA","apply_steps_copy":"<p>You must file the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid.<\/p>\n","apply_steps_link":{"title":"FAFSA Application","url":"https:\/\/studentaid.ed.gov\/sa\/fafsa","target":"_blank"}},{"apply_steps_step_title":"Submit a Graduate Service Appointment (GSA) Application (Optional)","apply_steps_copy":"<p>If you wish to be considered for a\u00a0<a href=\"#assistantship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cale\/english\/creative-writing\/mfa\/apply-now\/%23assistantships&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1611999781814000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHRUscxCZXCuR6o4-6BHoFMJq_PKw\">Teaching Assistantship<\/a>, you must both submit a\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/tuition-aid\/#gsa\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/tuition-aid\/#gsa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/tuition-aid\/%23gsa&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1611999781814000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFILtWT4NWbNQx4_Nw9fZ4RrEbKMw\">Graduate Service Appointment (GSA) Application here<\/a>\u00a0<b>and<\/b> add a teaching statement to your <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.ewu.edu\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">51福利社 Graduate School<\/a> application using the document uploads section. (The teaching statement is a brief letter describing your interest in and prior experience with teaching. This teaching statement is in addition to the Graduate Admission Essay.)<\/p>\n","apply_steps_link":{"title":"GSA Application","url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/tuition-aid\/#gsa","target":""}}],"apply_steps_callout":false,"blocks":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion-with-notes","module_background_color":"white","accordion_position":"left","title":"Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)","notes":"","include_spacing":true,"expanded":false,"sections":[{"label":"Do I have to have a BA or BS in order to apply?","copy":"<p>Yes. You may apply before having completed your bachelor\u2019s degree; however, you must have graduated with it before you can enroll in the program.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Is there a foreign language requirement?","copy":"<p>No. There is no foreign language requirement either to apply to the program or to complete the degree.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Do I have to take the GRE?","copy":"<p>No. GRE scores are no longer required.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"What are the specific requirements for the Graduate Admissions Essay?","copy":"<p>The Graduate Admissions Essay should be an 800-word letter stating your reasons for pursuing the MFA. The most important component of your submission is your writing sample, but you should consider the admissions essay another opportunity to familiarize us with you as a writer and as a candidate for our program.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Where do I send my application materials?","copy":"<p>All materials can be submitted through the <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.ewu.edu\/apply\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">51福利社 Graduate School<\/a> application using the document uploads area.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Which part of my application matters most?","copy":"<p>The most important element of your application is your writing sample (10-15 pages for poetry, 15-25 pages for prose). We weigh this sample more heavily than letters of recommendation or GPA, and so should you. However, no application is complete until we have all application forms, official transcripts and letters of recommendation.<\/p>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Application FAQs","identifier":"faq","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion-with-notes","module_background_color":"off-white","accordion_position":"left","title":"Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)","notes":"","include_spacing":true,"expanded":false,"sections":[{"label":"How many students do you accept into the program each year?","copy":"<p>We accept about 20-24 students.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"How will I choose a thesis advisor?","copy":"<p>During your first year you will have a chance to work with\u00a0any faculty member in your elected genre. Toward the end of your first year, in anticipation of the following year\u2019s work on your thesis, you will be asked your preference for faculty thesis advisor, with whom you will work on the thesis project during your second year. Your thesis advisor will also act as your academic advisor during this time, from the end of your first year until completion of the program.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"What sort of academic background do most of your students have? Do I have to have a BA in English or creative writing?","copy":"<p>Though the majority of our students have some formal, academic background in the study of literature and\/or creative writing, such a background is not mandatory. The desire to write coupled with some inherent ability to do so, as well as a desire to read penetratingly \u2014 these are our only real requirements. Some of our most interesting and successful students have come to the program with formal training in completely unrelated disciplines, including medicine, law, philosophy, anthropology, history, and many others.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"As an incoming student, do I have to choose which genre I want to concentrate in, or can I wait and make that choice later? Can I apply in more genres than one?","copy":"<p>Your writing sample must include work in the genre for which you want consideration as a degree candidate; it will be reviewed by the faculty who write primarily in that genre. If you choose to apply in more than one genre you must submit a complete writing sample for each genre for which you want consideration. Very occasionally, and with consent from the thesis director, students will submit a final thesis that is a hybrid of work in more than one genre; with equal infrequency, MFA candidates elect to switch genres midway through the program\u2014such a switch must be approved by your advisor and by the program director, and generally involves extra coursework.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"I noticed all of your coursework in fiction focuses on traditional literary fiction. Do you have any classes focusing on genre fiction? What kind of fiction can I send in my application packet?","copy":"<p>It&#8217;s true that our core fiction faculty teach and write mainstream literary fiction almost exclusively. We do, however, offer occasional courses stretching beyond this, including seminars in speculative literary fiction, YA fiction, detective novels, etc.<\/p>\n<p>We are aware of various genre breaking and genre stretching trends in fiction today, and we encourage experimentation of all kinds! So long as the work is original, imaginative and non-formulaic, we are in favor. In submitting your writing sample please bear this in mind. We are generally inclined toward fiction which is well crafted and unique, and not toward fiction which is formulaic or easily characterized as mainstream genre fiction.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Sometimes I see your program under the name \"Inland Northwest Center for Writers\" or \"The MFA at 51福利社.\" What's that all about?","copy":"<p>Our MFA program is the oldest in the state, and when it first began it\u00a0was called the\u00a0Inland Northwest Center for Writers. We have decided to simplify and update, which is why we are now The MFA at 51福利社. Official transitions of this nature take time,\u00a0so please bear with us as we make this change. You can now follow us on Twitter <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/51福利社mfa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@51福利社mfa<\/a>, on Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mfaewu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@MFAewu<\/a>, and on Facebook <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/51福利社MFA\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@51福利社MFA<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Can I extend my program of study from two years to three? Or longer?","copy":"<p>Yes, you may take as long as six years to complete your MFA degree. However, only students enrolled full-time (taking a minimum of ten credits per term) are eligible for financial aid. If you enroll at twelve credits per term and fulfill specific course requirements, you will finish the program in two years.<\/p>\n<p>Once students have finished all coursework, they do occasionally elect to spend an extra quarter or more in residence, enrolled part-time, in order to complete work on the thesis. At present, there is no financial aid available to students who stay on in this way.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Do you expect to offer an MFA degree option in creative nonfiction any time soon?","copy":"<p>If national enrollment trends change and if funding for the MFA program improves, this will be a top priority. Hopefully before too long, but it&#8217;s anyone&#8217;s guess. Meanwhile, enrollment for fiction and poetry is robust, as is funding, and there is no perceived risk to those degree tracks.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"How old are most of the students in your program?","copy":"<p>The students in our program range in age from people straight out of college to older, non-traditional continuing students, some of whom have already experienced careers in other fields. Every year\u2019s incoming class is different in its makeup. It is consistently inconsistent in this regard, however the trend as of late has been that the bulk of our students\u00a0are in their twenties and thirties.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"How difficult is it to find a place to live? Where should I live? Is rent expensive in Spokane?","copy":"<p>Most of our students have little trouble finding rentals not too far from the 51福利社 Spokane campus where all of our classes are held. Spokane is an affordable city; apartments go for $550\/month and upward, with most of our students paying about $700\/month for rent. If you&#8217;d like to save on rent, you might choose to live with other members of your cohort.<\/p>\n<p>Since almost all of the MFA classes will be held at the 51福利社 Spokane campus, most students prefer to live nearby rather than in Cheney, where the main campus of 51福利社 is located and TAs teach their classes. The Cheney campus is 17 miles away, and an 51福利社 student ID grants free rides on the public transit system.<\/p>\n<p>Spokane offers the majority of the area\u2019s restaurants, coffee shops, museums, book stores, and general culture. Most of our students\u00a0choose to live either in historic Browne\u2019s Addition or\u00a0the lower South Hill, although neighborhoods like the Perry District and Peaceful Valley, and others north of the river are steadily on the rise.<\/p>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Program FAQs","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion-with-notes","module_background_color":"white","accordion_position":"left","title":"Teaching Assistantship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)","notes":"","include_spacing":true,"expanded":false,"sections":[{"label":"How many teaching assistantships do you offer first year students?","copy":"<p>The number of TAships available for incoming students each year varies, and can be as many as ten in Composition.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Can I apply for a teaching assistantship in my second year?","copy":"<p>Not usually. Teaching assistantships are offered almost exclusively as two-year appointments to incoming, first-year students. There may be individual instances of second-year TA appointments, but second-year students are eligible for other types of financial aid, as specified on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cale\/english\/creative-writing\/mfa\/funding\/\">funding page<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"Besides first year-awarded TAships, are there other opportunities for teaching experience?","copy":"<p>Yes. Many students are able to gain experience teaching through\u00a0our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cale\/english\/creative-writing\/mfa\/writers-in-the-community\/\">WITC<\/a> (Writers in the Community) internship\/practicum which offers students experience in the teaching of creative writing at various community placements. In all cases, faculty mentorship and pedagogy training are provided.<\/p>\n<p>TAs are encouraged to apply for a chance to teach creative writing at 51福利社 in their second year. These students teach one section of introductory creative writing (they have the freedom to create their own unique curriculum), which replaces their composition class for that quarter.<\/p>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Teaching FAQs","identifier":"assistantship","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"mirror-content","page":6327,"component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}}],"secondary_nav_menu":"creative-writing-mfa","page_hide_sidebar":false,"page_enable_page_nav":false,"page_override_title":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/121"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5533"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86357,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5533\/revisions\/86357"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cahss\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}