Admissions FAQ

The Fall 2025 application deadline is Sunday, December 1st, 2024. Your Online Application and supporting application materials must be submitted by the deadline. There is a two-week grace period for receiving letters of recommendation.

Please note that it can take up to 3 days after submitting the online application to receive access to MyStatus, where you will be able to upload supporting documents. For this reason, we recommend submitting your online application at least a week in advance of the deadline. 

Applications for Fall 2025 entry open in August 2024. After you submit your online application form and pay your application fee, you will receive an email with your UT Austin credentials. Once you receive this email, you will be able to upload your application materials in MyStatus.

No. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot confirm the receipt of nor manage your application materials. You are responsible for ensuring all applications materials are submitted by their respective deadlines. This is accomplished via your MyStatus "To-Do List."

We typically respond to applications by March 15th.

Yes. The two MFA programs’ admissions processes are completely separate. Applicants are to submit a separate application for each program (note that you do not need to pay the admissions fee twice—see the next question). Upon logging into MyStatus, applicants should submit separate writing samples and personal statements for each program. Be sure to include the program name (NWP or MCW) in the header and file name of all supplemental materials to ensure your documents are given to the intended admissions committee.

No. When submitting your second online application, select the option that says, “I will pay The University of Texas at Austin directly.” Once the second application has processed, the graduate school will automatically waive the application fee.

“Creative Writing” is the New Writers Project application. “Writing” is the Michener Center for Writers application.

The two MFA programs’ admissions processes are completely separate. The content of your writing sample and statement of purpose is up to you. The New Writers Project is interested in what you consider your best work, why you wish to study in our program, and/or which faculty you are most excited to work with. 

While MyStatus may show your documents on both applications, you still need to upload separate documents for each program using the Document Upload System (accessed in the right-hand menu of MyStatus). Be sure to include the program name (NWP or MCW) in the header and file name of all supplemental materials to ensure your documents are given to the intended admissions committee.

No, the New Writer’s Project does not require GRE scores. 

No. GIAC certifies all test scores independently of the Department of English. If you have questions about the validity of your TOEFL/IELTS, please write to giatest@austin.utexas.edu.

No.

Only if your college or university uses the electronic SPEEDE or Parchment delivery service. Please do not mail official transcripts or paper copies of your transcripts before you are offered admission. Sending paper copies of documents will significantly delay the processing of your application.

Our admissions committees are looking for nothing in particular--except writing that is particular. We favor no style or school or tradition; we read with open minds to find work and writers who excite us. Submit the work you most believe in and that you consider finished. We're interested in a diversity of perspectives and approaches. 

No. Please adhere to the length guidelines listed on our application guidelines.

Your writing sample can be published or unpublished work. Whether or not it has been published will not affect the admissions committee's decision.

Yes, as long as your writing sample adheres to the set length guidelines.

No two writers are the same, and no two personal statements should be. Your statement of purpose should give us some idea of you as a person and a writer and why you're interested in pursuing an MFA. You can talk about published work that has been meaningful to you or life experiences that have had an effect on your own writing. We're not looking for formal or academic writing. Don't take general advice from the internet about "good" statements of purpose: we want to hear about you, particularly.

Please type “See Attached Statement of Purpose” in the online application and upload your Statement of Purpose with your other documents via MyStatus.

Applicants will be at a disadvantage with only two letters of recommendation. 

It is highly discouraged. Evaluators spend a great deal of time reviewing all supporting materials of your application packet. More letters of recommendation could be interpreted as a lack of confidence. It is better to choose three strong recommenders than four adequate ones.

No. Your recommenders must submit their letter of recommendation via the email invitation sent to them from the Graduate School.

You can resend the invitation email via MyStatus. Click on the "Manage your recommendation requests" link in your "To-Do List" and follow the prompts to resend the email.

Yes. You can edit your recommenders in MyStatus. Click on the "Manage your recommendation requests" link in your "To-Do List" to add a new recommender.

No. 

We are more concerned with your GPA in English (and related) courses.

Yes—but you will be required to present evidence of your graduation before you join our program the following fall.

No. All admitted students receive funding, which includes a mix of teaching assignments and fellowships.

No—but only if you have properly submitted all the materials reasonably under your control (e.g., personal statement, writing sample, etc.).  We offer a two-week grace period for receiving letters of recommendation.

The department does not provide fee waivers directly. However, students who qualify can request a fee waiver from the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGA). Please visit the Graduate School's website for more information. The information is listed under the section titled "Fee Waivers."

No.

No.

Yes. 

No.