General Information

Application instructions are available at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website, and the online application is available here. The application fee is $95.

The Boston University Creative Writing Program accepts applications for admission for the fall semester in any given calendar year. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will be accepted beginning September 1, 2024. Our Final Application Deadline is January 9, 2025.

If you need technical assistance with your application, please call the application site customer service at 857-304-2002, or email them at grs-info.bu@liaisoncas.com.

Your Application

The application for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing will include the following:

  • Writing sample. For poetry, submit ten poems. For fiction, submit no more than forty double-spaced pages; if you submit stories, please submit more than one.
  • Personal statement. This should be no more than two double-spaced pages in length.
  • At least two letters of recommendation. Our application system can accept up to three letters. All letters must be received by the application deadline. Recommenders must upload letters online, and our program does not accept letters through Interfolio.
  • Up-to-date CV.
  • Transcripts from any college or university you have previously attended. Please submit all transcripts, including those from institutions that did not award you a degree.
  • Optional: Examination scores from the GRE General Test. We no longer require you take the GRE in order to be accepted into our program. If you have already taken the test, please feel free to send your scores. Our GRE code is 3087.

Please DO NOT send any materials to the Creative Writing office.

Important Information for Those Re-Applying to the MFA Program:

If you are re-applying for Boston University’s MFA in Creative Writing, you may no longer re-use application materials (transcripts, test-scores, letters of recommendation, etc.) from your previous attempt. You must apply online here.

For International Applicants:

You must supply additional paperwork, and in some cases, scores from the TOEFL exam. Please consult with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.