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MFA English Program
University of Mississippi

How to Apply

Stage One, October 1-December 15:

There is no fee for the first stage of the MFA application. At this stage, we are evaluating applicants based solely on the merits of the writing. If your application progresses to Stage 2 in February, we will ask you to officially apply to the UM Graduate School, at which point a $50 fee will be collected.

 

Before December 15, please email the following items in one named PDF document to mfaadm@olemiss.edu:

  • A statement of purpose (no more than two single-spaced pages; include your name and contact information) that indicates your background and experience, as well as any academic or career goals you hope to achieve in the program. You should also tell us here if you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship or fellowship; there is no separate application for assistantships or fellowships.  

  • A writing sample consisting of: 

    • A writing sample consisting of: 

      • 1) a cover sheet with your name, mailing address, email, and phone number, and the titles of all the pieces in your writing sample;  

      • 2) either 10 pages of poems (single-spaced) or no more than 20 pages of prose (double-spaced) with your name and contact information on each page. 

*If applying for both genres, please send two separate Phase I applications.

 

Stage Two, February 15-April 15:

When we have completed Stage I on February 15, we will post a notification on our website. If you are on our list of finalists, you will be contacted by email and a telephone call and asked to complete the UM Graduate School online application and pay the application fee. If you do not hear from us, you have not moved onto Stage II of the application process and will not be admitted into the MFA program.

 

Before March 1, Stage II applicants should complete the UM Graduate School online application. This involves:

  • Completing an online application form (found here: https://olemiss.edu/applynow/)

  • Paying the $50 application fee to the Graduate School.

  • Sending three letters of recommendation to the Graduate School. When you put in your recommenders’ email addresses in the online application, it will take 24-48 hours for them to get an email from the Grad School. That email should include a link where they can upload their recommendation. Recommenders can also email mfaadm@olemiss.edu and gschool@olemiss.edu. 

  • Sending send official transcripts to the Graduate School at: 

    • The University of MississippiGraduate School100 Graduate HouseUniversity, MS 38677

If you don’t have your official transcripts yet, you can email unofficial ones to mfaadm@olemiss.edu and gschool@olemiss.edu as you wait for the official ones to clear.

 

*Writing Samples: You should not need to reupload your writing sample or statement of purpose. However, if the online application will not let you submit it without that step, upload the same documents you applied with in the fall.