M.F.A. in Creative Writing Admissions

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA) program seeks applicants who want to participate effectively as writers in professional, academic, and community settings; want to develop their skills in the craft of writing; care deeply about the role of the arts and artists in society; and share a commitment to and appreciation for culturally diverse writers and traditions. The program upholds Antioch University Los Angeles tradition of honoring both academic and experiential learning. Applicants must be self-motivated individuals who are able to work independently in a distance-learning format. Program participants must have access to a computer, Microsoft Word, and the Internet.

Students enter the MFA in Creative Writing program twice each year at the beginning of the Summer/Fall or Winter/Spring semester.

To be considered for admission to the MFA in Creative Writing degree program, all of the steps listed below must be completed and related materials must be present in our Admissions Office before the deadline. All application materials submitted become part of an applicant's file and cannot be returned.

To apply to the MFA in Creative Writing program, you must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

• The Online Application. Paper application available upon request.
• The $60 non-refundable Application Fee. Payment may be made in the form of a credit card, check or money order made payable to Antioch University.
• All official transcripts. Request one copy of official transcripts to be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Antioch University Los Angeles from all other previously attended institutions of higher education, including the institution from which you received your accredited bachelor's degree. A student copy of a transcript may be submitted with your application, but you cannot be fully admitted until the official transcript is received.
• The Admissions Dialogue essay.
• Samples of your creative work in the genre in which you are applying for admission (Poetry:  20 pages, Fiction:  20 pages, Creative Nonfiction:  20 pages, Writing for Young People:  20 pages). Work samples should be typed and double-spaced with your name at the top of each page.
• Two letters of recommendation to be sent directly to Antioch University from individuals who can comment on your qualifications for the program. We prefer letters from former teachers, writing colleagues, or others who are well acquainted with your writing. In addition, at least one of these letters of recommendation should address your ability to work well on your own, because, in a low-residency program, high levels of self-discipline and self-direction are required of the student.

Because the MFA is a low residency program, many applicants come to Antioch University Los Angeles from great distances. For this reason, a personal interview is optional and is scheduled at the applicant's request. To schedule an interview, contact the Admissions Office: (310)578-1080 x100, or 1-800-726-8462.

You will receive notification of Antioch University's decisions on your application for admission by mail (or telephone in cases of very late decisions). You may also call the Admissions Office to inquire about the progress of your application. Please indicate your intention to enroll by returning the official Student Intent to Register Form (SIR) in the envelope provided in the admissions notification packet.

If you are interested in obtaining financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid section of our website and review the information provided. We encourage you to begin the financial aid application process immediately. Please do not wait until you are admitted to fill out the financial aid application – the process takes time so Antioch University recommends beginning the process when you first apply.