Admissions

Application Deadlines

Admission requirements

Minimum UW Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. (its equivalent from an accredited foreign institution) must be earned by the time of enrollment.

• A minimum 3.00 GPA in the last 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits of graded coursework.

Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may still apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Graduate School Alternate Standards Policy 3.1.2. Applicants are encouraged to contact the IAS Graduate Office to discuss options for strengthening their application in advance.

• Demonstration of English language proficiency is required of all non-native English speakers.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The ways in which proficiency can be demonstrated are outlined in Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Application checklist

1. UW Graduate School online application
2. Application fee
3. Unofficial transcripts
4. Official English language proficiency test scores
   • required for non-native English-speaking applicants only
5. Current resume or curriculum vitae
6. Two letters of recommendation
7. Statement of purpose
8. Writing sample
9. Digital portfolio – optional

How to Apply

The application to the MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics is submitted electronically.

Application & Fee

Complete the application to the UW Graduate School. Be sure to select the MFA as your desired program and indicate the Autumn quarter to which you are applying.

Your application can be saved multiple times while in progress. It will not be reviewed until all items have been received electronically.

The application fee is $90 payable by credit or debit card.

Transcripts

Scanned copies of all college and university transcripts must be uploaded as part of the application. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for initial application.

Official transcripts are required if admitted to MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics and must be submitted directly to the UW Graduate School. Instructions will be included in your offer of admission.

A note about transfer credits: The MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics program does not accept transfer credits taken at another academic institution or taken prior to enrolling in the program.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should articulate your goals in pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics, and address how this program’s emphasis on poetics is a valuable mode of study for you and your creative work.

Limit the statement to 2 – 3 pages, double-spaced.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants will need two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty member who can discuss your academic and writing abilities

All recommendations are submitted electronically as part of the application process. Once a recommender has been designated in the application, recommenders will automatically be sent an email from the UW Graduate School with instructions on how to submit their letter of recommendation.

Writing Sample

Writing samples are limited to no more than 10 pages of poetry; 20 pages of prose; or 20 pages total of a multi-genre submission.

Digital Portfolio (optional)

You may submit samples of multi-media or multi-art work if you would like to complement other pieces of the application. If your file size exceeds 5GB, please include an embedded link in your upload.

This step is not required and choosing not to submit anything does not decrease your admissibility.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

For students entering the MFA in 2025, the cost of tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is $802 per credit or $8,020 per quarter of full-time (10 credits) study. Students will complete 30 credits in their first year and 21 credits in their second year. The program spans a total of 6 quarters over 2 years.

The university does apply some fees for technology, student activities, and similar.

Tuition Exemption

As a fee-based degree, this program does not qualify for the Washington State Tuition Exemption Program or any other tuition reduction benefit.

Application Fee Waivers

You may be eligible for an application fee waiver from the UW Graduate School if:

• You are a TRIO participant in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
• You are a participant in the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellows Program
• You have financial need or hardship

See the UW Graduate School fee waiver policy and application for more information.

An application fee waiver from the School of IAS may be available to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:

• You are a current student or recent graduate from a major offered through UW Bothell’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
• You were referred to us by UW Seattle’s MFA in Creative Writing, or you were previously enrolled in that program
• You have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in a relevant major
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in a relevant major from a regionally accredited college or university

Students seeking a fee waiver from the School of IAS must participate in a program information session or complete an advising meeting with the IAS graduate program office. Send an email to iasgrad@uw.edu to request more information.

Information for International Students

International applicants may be required to submit additional documentation.

International applicants are those who currently hold or expect temporary U.S. Visas, including holders of F1, H1-B, H-4 or any other non-immigrant classifications. U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders or immigrants) are NOT considered international applicants.

International applicants may be required to submit additional documentation, including a statement of financial ability. View more details on additional requirements for International applicants.

Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant or enrolled student whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. To learn about English Language Proficiency requirements, please refer to Policy 3.2 from the Graduate School.