Are you a high school senior or college student who has faced significant obstacles in pursuing your education? Do you need financial support to continue on the path to success? The David Malcolm Scholarship is now accepting applications for Fall 2024.

About the David Malcolm Scholarship

Established by David Malcolm, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, this scholarship aims to support students who have demonstrated perseverance in overcoming personal, family, demographic, or situational challenges. Despite not having a college degree, Mr. Malcolm has achieved great success through his determination and hard work.

Benefits of The David Malcolm Scholarship 

By receiving this Scholarship, you will:

– Receive a $2,500 award to support all of your educational expenses

– Gain recognition for your resilience and determination

– Enhance your resume and scholarship portfolio

– Join a community of inspiring students who have overcome obstacles

– Increase your chances of achieving academic and professional success

Check out some remote writing jobs

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

– High school seniors accepted into an accredited college or university or current college students enrolled full-time

– Minimum GPA of 3.5

Application Guidelines

Submit a 1000-word essay highlighting:

1. A current obstacle you’re facing
2. How the scholarship award will help overcome it
3. How higher education will contribute to your success story. 

Here’s how to write a personal statement 

Application Process

Complete the online application form in its entirety. Review the Scholarship _FAQ for additional information.

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2024

Winner Selection: At least one student will be selected in January 2025. The winner will be notified via email and has two weeks to accept the award.

For questions or concerns, please refer to the Scholarship FAQ or contact the David Malcolm Scholarship committee. info@davidmalcolmscholarship.com 

Don’t miss this opportunity to overcome obstacles and achieve your educational goals. Submit your application today!

The post The David Malcolm Scholarship/ How To Apply (Up to $2,500) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Submissions for the Virginia B. Ball Creative-writing Scholarship Competition For the 2025-26 school year, which is anchored on the Interlochen Center for the arts, is now open. Students who submit their portfolio are considered for the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition Scholarship, a full-tuition award to study Creative Writing at Interlochen Arts Academy. Previous scholarship recipients have gone on to earn degrees from Cornell, Yale, Princeton, and the University of Michigan. They have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards, including the Norman Mailer Award for Fiction, the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize, Juxtaprose’s Short Fiction Contest, Wigleaf’s Top 50 (Very) Short Fictions, and the Pushcart Prize. Their published works have appeared in various notable publications, including Driftwood Press, Black Warrior Review, Kudzu House Quarterly, Broadly, Entropy, and more.

Eligibility For The Virginia Ball Creative-writing Scholarship Competition 

All students in grades 8-11 during the 2024-2025 school year are eligible to apply. However, students currently enrolled at Interlochen Arts Academy are ineligible for this contest.

Requirements for The Virginia Ball Creative-writing Scholarship Competition

Video Introduction:

• Applicants, please record a short video introduction (2-5 minutes) showcasing who you are as an artist. Share your artistic journey, including:

– Relevant classes or lessons

– Artistic accomplishments

– Awards received

– Groups participated in

– Meaningful artistic experiences

– Any additional information about your artistic background

Portfolio Guidelines:

• Applicants should submit a portfolio containing 5-7 samples of original work written or revised within the last year. The portfolio should:

• Not exceed 4,000 words or 20 pages
• Represent at least two of the following genres:

  – Poetry

  – Fiction

  – Personal essay/memoir

  – Screenwriting

  – Playwriting

  – Hybrid genre

You might need to hire an editor 

• Type samples in standard format and font
• Double-spaced for prose and single-spaced for poetry (unless intentionally formatted otherwise)
•  Submit sample as a PDF file (preferred)
• Include spoken word samples as standard audio or video files, accompanied by written work (if applicable)

Benefits

Full-tuition scholarship 

Deadline: Apply by 11:59p.m ET, 15 November, 2024. 

For more information, contact karyna.mcglynn@interlochen.org 

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Waldorf University‘s English department recognizes talented creative writers, budding scholars, and voracious readers with renewable scholarships of up to $15,000 for those who desire to study Creative Writing. Waldorf University is a friendly, private liberal arts school located centrally in beautiful Forest City, Iowa. For more than 100 years, Waldorf has been the cornerstone in the lives of thousands, setting the solid foundation for success among students, their families and the community. 

Additionally, Applications are judged by the faculty and staff of the English department. Craftsmanship and future potential that would benefit from creative writing mentorship are the focus of our selection process. Also, to apply, you must wish to pursue either a major or minor in Creative Writing at Waldorf Univer in Forest City, Iowa.

Eligibility For The Waldorf Creative Writing Scholarship

• Applicants must plan to pursue a minor or major in Creative Writing at Waldorf University. 

Requirements for The Waldorf Creative Writing Scholarship 

• Submit a 200-word response explaining the role of writing in your life. 

Learn how to write a personal statement. 

• Submit five poems.
• Ten typed double-spaced pages of fiction or creative non-fiction, including your name, page numbers, and the piece’s title in the header. 

Benefits

•  Up to $15,000
• Renewable.

Deadline: Submit your application by 16 January, 2025 for first consideration. 

Also, strong applications will be accepted until all scholarships have been awarded. 

For more information, send a mail to: joe.milan@waldorf.edu 

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The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship is now receiving applications for its annual scholarship program. The Miles Morland Foundation’s aims to support entities in Africa which enable Africans to get their voices heard. They are particularly interested in supporting African writing and African literature. Here’s all you need to know before applying:

Eligibility For The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship:

The Scholarship is open to anyone writing in the English language who was born in Africa, or both of whose parents were born in Africa.

Requirements for The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship:

• Full length works of adult fiction or non-fiction. Poetry, plays, film scripts, children’s books, and short story collections do not qualify.

• Apply with Submissions between 2,000 to 5,000 words as a Word document of work that has been published and offered for sale.

• Proof of publication and proof of sale.

• A description of between 400 – 1,000 words about the new book you intend to write.

• A scan of an official document showing that you, or both of your parents, were born in Africa.

• A brief of between 200 – 300 words. Here are some tips for writing an impressive bio.

Benefits:

• Scholars will receive a grant of £18,000, paid monthly over the course of twelve months.

• Fully funded mentorship opportunities(funded by the MMF) by an established author or publisher when the scholarship elapses.

Deadline:

Apply by 20 September, 2024. They will ignore late applications, so be quick!

Direct further enquiries to scholarships@milesmorlandfoundation.com

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The Leon Levy Center for Biography 2024 offers four resident fellowships at the Graduate Center for the academic year beginning each September. 

Fellows devote their time to their projects and participate in monthly seminars. Furthermore, the public events of the Leon Levy Center for Biography, including the annual lecture and conference must be attended. Also, they are encouraged to join in the dynamic intellectual community of the Graduate Center.

Application Deadline 

January 4, 2025

Eligibility for The Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship 2024

• Writers who have not yet published a biography or received fellowships for the writing of a biography
• Also, publisge and accomplished writers who are undertaking their first biography are encouraged to submit
• Applications are particularly welcome from CUNY faculty. More so, fellows may not teach or partake in other full-time employment during their academic year-in-residence. The Leon Levy Center for Biography does not award fellowships for;

1. Memoirs
2. Essays
3. Plays
4. Films
5. Fiction.

Application Guidelines for The Leon Levy Center for Biography Fellowship 2021

• Applicants should include;
• A brief CV or resume (3 pages max)
• A narrative account of the applicant’s career (250 words)
• A project description (750 words)
• In addition, a sample of the proposed biography (maximum 2,500 words), and
• Two letters of reference
• More so, applicants are discouraged from seeking letters from their agents, editors, or publishers
• Also, only online/digital applications will be accepted
• Applications can be submitted via submittable
• More so, please note that application opens in June and closes in January (dates will be announced)

Awards

• A stipend of $72,000
• Writing space
• In addition, applicants will have  access to research facilities
• Research assistance

Further more, do contact Thad Ziolkowski, Associate Director, with any questions at tziolkowski@gc.cuny.edu

You might also want to check out how to write biographies to increase your chances of acceptance and knowing the best point of view to write from is a great advantage.

Good Luck!

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Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition is open

Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition has an opportunity just for you! Do you have a passion for writing? Are you a Nigerian university student facing financial constraints in paying your fees? 

The Essay Competition aims to unburden the strains of university fees for deserving students. Read on to learn more about eligibility, submission guidelines, and the rewards awaiting you.

Essay Topics for the Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition 

1. Identify one ESG-related concern within your local community, explain why it is particularly critical for your community, and suggest measures to address it.

2. Explore recent events that have impacted Nigeria’s current economic situation, their effects, and proffer possible solutions.

3.What do you understand by inclusive finance and how can a finance and investment group like Emerging Africa Capital make a significant difference in this area.

Eligibility for the Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition

To participate in the Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Nigerian university student.
• Show proof of financial difficulties so as to be aided.
•  Possess strong writing skills to articulate your thoughts effectively.
• Be passionate about creating positive change through education.

Submission Guidelines 

Follow these simple guidelines to submit your entry:

1. Essay Topic: Make use of anecdotes, sharing personal experience or societal issue related to education in Nigeria and propose solutions.
2. Word Count: Essays should be between 500 to 1000 words.
3. Formatting: Font: Century Gothic, Size: 11, Double line spacing and justified.
4. Submission: Submit your essay online through the provided link before the deadline on March 31st.
5. Include your full name, university, and contact information with your submission.

Rewards

The Toyin F. Sanni Foundation offers rewards to deserving participants:

• First Prize: ₦1,500,000
• Second Prize: ₦1,000,000
• Third Prize: ₦500,000

Disbursement of funds is strictly based on academic progression. Winners must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 upwards to receive the committed funds.

The Toyin F. Sanni Foundation Essay Competition presents a unique opportunity for Nigerian university students to overcome financial barriers and do something they love. By sharing your creative solutions, you can make a tangible impact on the education sector in Nigeria. Don’t miss out on this chance to be a catalyst for change. Submit your essay today and stand a chance to win!

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If you love creative writing and want to study the craft at an advanced level, but lack the resources to pursue your dreams, you can consider applying for MFA in creative writing scholarships.

Many schools offer MFA in creative writing scholarships to selected students that meet their requirements. Unfortunately, many aspiring writers have little or no knowledge of how creative writing scholarships work. 

What is MFA in Creative Writing? 

A Master’s degree in Fine Arts (MFA) in a creative writing program helps writers learn the theoretical framework and practical skills required to build a successful career in writing. 

Writers can learn a lot from creative writing programs. Apart from meeting and learning from other talented writers, the program exposes you to the knowledge you need to sharpen your writing skills. 

Getting a scholarship for an MFA in creative writing is no mean feat. However, with determination and careful planning, it is possible to put together an application that will get you accepted into a creative writing program. 

This article will consider some of the most important things you need to know about an MFA in a creative writing program. 

Types of MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships 

There are many types of MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships,

Creative Writing—There are different genres of MFA in creative writing, like fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Some schools, however, combine different genres of creative writing.

Acting—An MFA in acting teaches students various acting theories and the various methods of successful acting. 

Dance—An MFA in dance is for those interested in studying choreography and other kinds of dance performance. Some MFA dance programs focus on specific dances, while others do all types. 

Filmmaking—This program is for those interested in the study of the skills needed to build a successful career in film and television. 

Fashion Design—An MFA in fashion design helps students build skills to become fashion design professionals. The program exposes students to the various designs in the fashion industry. 

Photography—MFA students studying photography learn the different theories and processes of photography.  

Visual Arts—An MFA in visual arts exposes students to the theories and techniques of fields like sculpture, painting, drawing ceramics, and printmaking. Each MFA in the visual arts program has a specific area of focus. 

Theater—A theater MFA program focuses on most of the work carried out behind the scenes in live productions. 

Fully Funded MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships 

Fully funded MFA in creative writing scholarships are those where students get a full tuition waiver, health care insurance and a stipend for the duration of the program. 

The stipend offered to students is usually in exchange for a graduate teaching position or a research assistant. 

Fully funded MFA programs are very competitive. Each school receives thousands of applications from all over the world. 

Partially Funded MFA in Creative writing Scholarships 

We describe MFA in creative writing scholarships as partially funded when the students pay some tuition or school fees. 

Partially funded programs are different for various schools. In some schools, students pay tuition but receive some form of scholarship. In other schools, some students get scholarships while others are required to pay. 

How Long Does MFA Programs Last? 

MFA programs last between one to four years. The duration of an MFA program differs for schools. The shortest MFA programs last for only one year, while the longest can stretch for four years. 

Short MFA programs of one or two years are for those in a hurry to finish grad school. The three and four years longer MFA programs are ideal for writers who want to have enough time to write. 

Requirements for Applying to MFA Programs 

The requirements for applying to MFA programs are slightly different for each university. But the following are the basic requirements for most MFA programs. 

Application fees

While a few schools do not ask for application fees for their MFA programs, the vast majority require varying amounts of application fees. 

Some schools can waive the required application fees for some applicants in certain circumstances. 

GRE 

Another crucial requirement of some MFA programs is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized test for students applying for graduate studies. The GRE tests show a candidate’s ability in critical thinking, problem-solving, and written evaluation. 

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Writing Samples 

Every MFA program requires each candidate to submit written samples of their works. The writing sample is an opportunity for the program to assess your strength and whether you are a good fit for their program. 

Letter of Recommendation 

A letter of recommendation is a vital part of the requirements for students in graduate school. Someone who knows your writing qualities and ability to succeed in the program should write a letter of recommendation. 

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Your statement of purpose can make or mar your MFA application. Apart from your writing samples, the selection committee also assesses your personality. Most schools want writers who will fit in and contribute to the success of their MFA program. You should articulate how that particular MFA program can help you grow in your writing career. You can research and check out some successful statement of purpose examples.

Academic Transcript 

An MFA in creative writing is a post-graduate program. The program will want an official transcript from the school where you completed your undergraduate studies. 

Factors to Consider when Choosing an MFA Program 

There are several factors to consider while choosing and applying to an MFA program. 

Location of the School 

Because an MFA can last as long as four years, it is essential to consider the location of the school that will be your new home. Many MFA students have had their program cut short because they could not cope with their new environment. The location of a school can affect your success as a student. If you are not happy with your school environment, your chances of success are slim. 

The Length of the Program 

Another thing to consider when choosing a school is the length of the MFA program. The shortest MFA programs are just for one year, while the more extensive programs can stretch up to four years.  

The short programs focus on courses and workshops that will teach you the essential skills you require in building a successful writing career. The extensive programs will teach you writing skills and expose you to teaching and editorial works. 

The Size of program 

MFA programs differ in their sizes. Small MFA programs can be as small as 4, while the big ones can be as large as 40. The small-sized programs are more likely to be fully funded than others. 

The smaller MFA programs are preferable if you want a more intimate relationship with the faculty members and the other writers. 

The Funding Package 

Another essential factor to consider is the funding package offered by an MFA program. If you lack the funds to support yourself in the program, you should consider the funding package of the school you wish to apply to. While some schools fund and provide stipends for their students all year round, others offer only partial funding. 

The MFA Program Faculty 

There are different genres of creative writing. It is vital to choose a program with lecturers who will help you develop your craft. For example, if you love speculative fiction, choose a program with lecturers experienced in that genre. So do your research and find out which program has professors and writers whose works are compatible with yours. 

Career Opportunities 

Another thing that can shape your choice of an MFA program is the career opportunities in the program. If you want to be a professional writer, you will want to look out for programs with a history of helping their students find agents that will work with them. 

If you would like to pursue an academic career, you might do well to apply to programs that offer teaching-assistantship positions to their students. 

The Cost of Living 

Except funding is not your problem, you should consider the cost of living in the city where the school is located. The cost of living includes things like rent, utilities, food, and transportation.  

A program with relatively high funding may not sustain you in a location where the cost of living is pretty high. Conversely, a program that offers a smaller funding package might be where the cost of living is low. Remember to do your math by cross-checking your earnings against what you will spend. 

Diversity of the MFA program 

Many experts believe that diverse MFA programs are better than homogeneous ones. Although it helps to have lecturers and students who understand you, it is also good to have a little diversity.  

Being exposed to a program where the faculty and students are diverse will help you learn new things about your craft. You are likely to learn little or nothing when you choose a program where everyone shares a similar experience with you. 

How to Survive an MFA Program 

Getting admitted into an MFA program in creative writing is only the beginning of your journey in acquiring an advanced degree in writing. 

Admission into an MFA program does not guarantee you will finish the program. There are several reasons many MFA in creative writing students drop out of the program. 

To avoid dropping out of an MFA creative writing program, you must prepare to do the following: 

Persevere 

Many things will make you question your decision to pursue a career as a creative writer. The pressure can be so much that you may consider leaving the program. Things will get tough. It is your perseverance that will keep you going. 

Devote time to write 

Remember that the primary purpose of an MFA program is to help you improve your writing. Like everything in life, there are distractions in MFA programs. If you do not prioritize and devote time to your writing, you may become overwhelmed by the workload. 

Form a Support Group 

There is a tendency for writers in your program to form cliques. Look for one or more writers to form a support group to encourage each other during the program. Members of your support group can help strengthen each other’s work before the writing workshop.  

Go to writing events 

There will be a lot of writing events. Some writing events will happen in your school, while others will hold outside your school and city. 

Find time to attend as many of these writing events as possible. These writing events are an excellent opportunity for aspiring writers to meet principal actors in the industry. You never know when or where you will meet someone who will help catapult you to the top.  

Benefits of an MFA Program 

If you are wondering if you need an MFA in creative writing to be successful in your writing career, below are some benefits of an MFA program.

Valuable Feedback—One benefit of an MFA workshop is the opportunity of having your work critiqued by your colleagues and professors in a workshop. In an MFA workshop, the writer doesn’t talk but only listens to what others think about it until the end. Although listening to others critique your work can be difficult, it offers a great insight you can use to revise the work. Getting feedback from people from different cultural and historical backgrounds can be a great eye-opener on how to strike a balance in your work. 

Creative Platform—An MFA creative writing program offers students an advanced education and a platform to hone their skills. The program not on provides writers with a structured program to write but exposes them to the expertise to succeed in the writing profession. 

A Support Group—There is no better place to meet people who share the same passion for creative writing as you. The connections you will develop will be useful during the MFA program and also after you have finished school. 

Final thoughts on MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships

Getting a scholarship for an MFA in a creative writing program can be a life-changing opportunity to kick-start your writing career. 

But first, you must prepare yourself to learn all you need to know about MFA in creating writing and what to expect during the program.

The tips in this article will help those who want to pursue an advanced degree in creative writing but lack the required resources to apply for scholarships. This article also has tips on successfully navigating the murky waters of an MFA program.

The post MFA in Creative Writing Scholarships: How They Work appeared first on Creative Writing News.

The Steinbeck Fellowship named in honor of author John Steinbeck offers one-year fellowships in Steinbeck scholarship and in creative writing, including fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and biography.

The Steinbeck Fellowship is held at San José State University. Up to six Fellows are chosen every year. Selected Fellows are expected to give one public reading from their work and must reside in the Bay Area during the academic year.

Application Deadline for the Steinbeck Fellowship Application 2021

 January 2, 2021

Awards will be announced in April.

Eligibility for the Steinbeck Fellowship Application 2021

• Applicants can be from anywhere in the world
• Applicants may not be enrolled in an academic degree program during the fellowship period.
• Poetry submission is not accepted
• No entry fee
• No age restrictions

Submission Guidelines for the Steinbeck Fellowship Application 2021

• Applicants are required to submit
• A project proposal
• Resume/CV
• Writing sample(up to 25 pages)
• The email address of three references
• The application system will prompt your references to upload their letters of recommendation by January 31
• The above documents should be submitted via submittable

Prizes for the Steinbeck Fellowship 2021

• $15,000
• Residence at San Jose State University

For Questions

Contact Nicholas P. Taylor,

Director of the Center for Steinbeck Studies.

nicholas.taylor@sjsu.edu.

 You can check out tips on writing a biography, fiction, creative nonfiction before submitting to increase your chances of wining.

Good Luck!

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Have you been struggling to write your personal statement or SOP? Reading some good statement of purpose examples and MFA personal statement samples can make your application season easier and less stressful. Also, it helps to read practical advice by professors who have sat on MFA in Creative Writing Admissions Committees, particularly professors who know what makes a good MFA personal statement.

This article will take you through the process of writing an SOP. Attached, herein, are 10 statement of purpose examples (or 10 MFA Personal Statement examples, if you like), contributed by writers who gained admission into fully-funded MFA in Creative Writing programs. We’ve also shared tips from creative writing professors on how to write a personal statement. 

The purpose of this article is to help you write a personal statement that will wow the admission committee members in the English, Literature and Creative Writing programs you’re applying to. 

What is a Statement of Purpose or a Personal Statement?

A statement of purpose, in the context of applying to a graduate writing program, tells an admission committee about who you are, what your work focuses on, why you are applying to their program, and what you will do in the future.

Writing a statement of purpose is akin to attending an audition or an interview or a workshop. You need to stamp your suitability and prospects as best as you can.

Owing to this, a statement of purpose or personal statement should do more than what it is called. It has to show your purpose.

Before you start the process of writing your graduate school essay, take note of the following:

Focus on your Interest.

Know what you are interested in as a creative person, or what your work focuses on. For example, if you are interested in Memoir writing, Travel writing, or Speculative Fiction, or Historical fiction or Ancient Greek poetry, you should be able to write a few words regarding your approach to that area. 

Many writers cannot really point a finger to what they are interested in because of their fecundity. And that’s okay.

In fact, writing tutor, Daniel Galef, with his untrammeled imagination wrote in his SOP:

“It’s difficult to describe what kind of fiction I write, because I’m not sure there is a kind of fiction I write. No two stories I’ve written have been alike. One of them is alike, but none of the others are.”

Research the Programs you are Applying to.

Read widely about the programs you are applying to and note your findings systematically. There is no escaping from this exercise because you need to know about the schools of your interest. In turn, that knowledge needs to reflect on the pages of your SOP.   

This will tell the admission committee that you care about their creative writing program and that your SOP is not generic.

For instance,

• Who is on the faculty of XYZ arts program?
• What are their specializations?
• Have the faculty members published any books or stories or poetry collections?
• If yes, what works have they published?
• What fascinates you about their English and creative writing program?
• What are their acceptance rates of this MFA or PhD in Creative Writing Program?
• How does their funding work? Does the MFA or PhD program provide full-funding for students who want to study creative writing? 
• How many years will it take to complete the MFA program? Do they allow students to run an MFA and PhD joint program?
• What is the workload like?
• Where are they located?
• What are your general thoughts of their Creative Writing program?

Knowing these will help you decide whether a grad school program is best for you.

This article has been broken into four parts with headings of no consequence.

(Note: The headings mean nothing. They are just to stimulate understanding. You should not break your SOP into headings. Very few, if any, creative writing programs will be impressed with a segmented statement of purpose or personal statement.)

We’ll Call The First Part ‘The Open Window’

The initial part of your SOP should make a commanding entry with the essence of your being. It should offer little windows into you, and reveal profoundly what you are about as a person, and as a creative, taking into consideration where you are from.

This is that place you afford the admission committee a brief uncensored moment about your ‘who’. It should be so transparent that they can look through it and see your world.

One of the most transparent “window” statements I think I have heard about oneself is from Shane Patton in the movie ‘Lone Survivor’. At the tail end of his speech, Shane, while trying to join a band of war brothers, says with gusto,

”

Pardon the asterisks. Your SOP does not have to be Shane-Pattonesque. However, it has to have some art-mosphere. It must be written in a style and voice that are unique to you. However, your SOP should employ the ‘story approach’.

Important Questions These Statement Of Purpose Samples Address.

This guide will help you to address the following questions in your personal statement or letter of intent:

• What kind of a storyteller or poet are you?
• Where are you coming from?
• How has your socialization/environment/formative years/job experience informed the way you view the world?
• What are your motivations?
• Also, what feeds your imaginations?
• More importantly, what inspired you to start writing in the first place?
• What has sustained it? 

Here, Okwudili Nebolisa gives us a perfect window statement in this sample statement of purpose. Here’s how he opens his grad school essay:

It’s one of the most insightful MFA personal statement examples I’ve read in a while.

From the foregoing, Okwudili created a short background of himself and gave an idea why he had first chosen a path outside the art. It’s one detail many Creative Writing admission committees would be interested in.

He went further (though, not included in this article) to tell the committee how he found his way into the arms of poetry.

Here is another statement of purpose example that has a compelling window ‘personal’ statement:

Simply put, this MFA applicant talks about her approach to writing fiction, speaks of how it has become a tool in her hand against societal norms, mentions her writing influences, and states what draws her to them.

Note: You should be able to say who and what influences you, and clearly express the ways in which they do.

This sample statement of purpose opens with a vivid and memorable story.

Here’s another opening statement from another MFA personal statement example or letter of intent. It also exemplifies the important point I was trying to make. It says:

We’ll call the second part ‘the Briefcase’

Here, you supply the gist of your educational experience. You may add your professional interest and inform the admission committee about relevant activities you have been engaged with recently.

Assuming you work as a content writer/creator, how has it helped your craft? The same thing applies if you work in any other endeavor outside the literary sphere.

For example, an applicant says in this MFA in creative writing personal statement sample:

Note: Non-writing related jobs and experiences are important. Think about the many ways they can give you insight about your craft. They are worth the mention in the sense that they set you apart because of the experience you must have had, and add to what your craft can gain.

Here’s how a teacher explained her experience in her MFA statement of purpose example. It can also work in a teaching statement:

Going further, you may emphasize on your literary achievement and recognition here. Here’s another good example of a statement of purpose. Here’s how this MFAyer stated his/her literary achievement:

Note: you may say one or two things about your publishing history.

Let’s call the third part “the Knock”

You must exemplify clear-headedness here in talking about why you are seeking this degree now.

In one of the grad school statement of purpose examples we received , one MFA in Creative Writing applicant wrote:  

.

Another sample statement of purpose for an MFA in Creative Writing Application put it this way:

Write About Your Dreams, Hope and Intentions

Next is to inform the graduate committee on why you are knocking on their doors.

Are there members of the faculty you want to work with? If yes, state why. Is it something about their academic tradition or vision? Does the school’s location appeal to you? Or is it about their commitment to diversity?

You should end this part of the statement of purpose with an idea of the project you hope to write during your time on the program. This will inform the professors that you already have an idea of what kind of book your thesis will be.

It shows seriousness. Also it shows that you’re more likely to begin once you arrive. We have more statement of purpose examples to illustrate how this can be done in your MFA portfolio.

Note: Your intended project should contain the promise of presenting something fundamentally new and important to the literary world.

For example, in her statement of purpose, this MFA in Creative Writing applicant wrote:

Here’s an excerpt from another sample statement of purpose for a graduate school (MFA) application:

We’ll Call The Last Part The Telescope

Here you have to be futuristic. Talk about the big picture. What do you intend to do with the knowledge and network you would have acquired in the MFA program? 

Do you want to go on to teach creative writing professionally, (If yes, where do you have eyes one?) Do you want to start a publishing outfit or a literary magazine?

What other career plans do you have? Do you want to go back to your job? (If yes, how would the degree help in making you better at your job?)

Note: Ensure you close your grad school statement of purpose on a hopeful note. Show preparedness to start. Exude confidence. Express anticipation on getting in. 

Hopefully, these statement of purpose examples have given you a clear idea of what a successful personal statement looks like.

But that’s not all. Some MFA Admission Committee members have shared a couple of tips on Twitter. So we’ll share more of them alongside tips sent in by some generous past and current MFA students..

Tips For Writing A Good Statement of Purpose or Letter Of Intent .

If you’re applying to graduate creative writing programs, pay attention to your writing samples first. More on this later in this article. Be sure to craft your SOP with the following tips in mind.

There Are No Hard and Fast Rules To Writing An SOP.

There is no hard and fast rule in writing an SOP. Just ensure that yours is well-knit, with flowing ideas and a fantastic rhythm. Keep it organized and clear. Stick to the manuscript formatting guidelines. As with everything else, make your submissions error free.

Here’s what MFA Admission committee member has to say:

Now, on to our next point.

Ensure That Your Writing Samples and SOPs Are Creative, Well-written and Workshopped.

Your writing sample largely pre-determines the success of your SOP. The admission committee may not open your SOP if your samples aren’t any good.

So, ensure your writing samples matter and are on the verge of saying new things. The renowned writer and professor Alexander Chee had the following to say about writing samples:

If you’re eligible, you may apply to get feedback from volunteer MFAyers at the MFA App Review.

And if you’re lucky, the MFA App Review might match you with a reviewer who will send you more unique statement of purpose examples.

More from Elizabeth McCracken who, if you don’t already know, has been a longstanding member of the admission committee at the University of Texas’ MFA in Creative Writing program.

Be Original.

Resist the temptation to copy other writers’ personal statements or statement of purpose examples and samples you might find online.

Trust your story, your style and voice. The adcoms can tell when everyone sounds the same. And they don’t like it. Here’s a quote from Elizabeth McCracken’s Twitter page:

Consider Starting With a Story 

“While your personal statement can’t be wildly creative, it is important to show your storytelling skills if you want to get into a creative writing program,” advises Elyse Hauser.

“One way to do this is to open with a story, giving you a chance to “show, not tell” your writing abilities. This also helps your personal statement stand out from the rest. [Also] admissions staff are likely to keep reading a statement of purpose that has a unique and exciting beginning.” 

Don’t Be Afraid To Assert Yourself. In Your Statement Of Purpose.

MFA programs are avant-garde compared with other university grad school and undergrad programs so feel free to assert yourself even if you feel you are without the “right” credential and publishing history.

Another tip from Matt Bell Of making your statement of purpose stellar.

What you think serve as your ‘shortcomings’ can work for you if you stir them properly. It matters so much that you have the right motive and that you show promise. Do not play small. Play confident. 

More from Matt Bell.

Employ A Memorable Tone.

“The standard Personal Essay Voice, like the droning and soporific Poetry Reading Voice, is forgettable and undermines its own content,” says Daniel Galef. “Trying for a different tone is a gamble—nothing is so unfunny as someone trying to be funny and failing—but if you can pull it off it makes you stand out.”

Comply With The Creative Writing Program’s Submission Guidelines.

Check for specific information required by the English and creative writing program you are applying to and ensure you stay within the shores of their requirement.

Get Feedback From Current and Past Students.

It is important to get feedback from people who may be on writing programs or who have extensive knowledge of graduate school application processes.

A couple of MFA groups on Facebook offer beneficial company. For example, join the MFA Draft ’25 if you intend to apply this Fall. This Facebook group offers support and advice to anyone applying to get into a writing program next year.

Wrap Up On Statement of Purpose Examples, Samples and Tips:

At this point, you’re no longer asking questions like: what is a statement of purpose? How can I write a good MFA or PhD statement of purpose that will earn me a spot in that fully-funded Creative Writing program.

The aforementioned grad school statement of purpose examples will guide you in your journey. As one of the professors advised, take a deep breath. 

The next step is to start writing that personal statement or letter of intent, because quite frankly, it won’t write itself. You can always edit your SOP. 

Please edit it. Remember, the admission committee members are also accomplished writers and writing teachers. They’re primed for spotting and frowning at grammatical errors.

While writing and editing your personal statement, take note of the admission committee’s advice above. What are they often looking for in a good statement of purpose for graduate school? If in doubt, you can always return to the great statement of purpose examples we’ve published above.

More Ressources For MFA in Creative Writing Applicants.

Wondering if you need an MFA in Creative Writing to be a writer? Then you should definitely read our take on the topic. Also, you can simply click to find the ultimate guide to understnding creative writing scholarships .

Still feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. Here’s a compiled a list of essential resources tailored to MFA in creative writing applicants like you. You’ll definitely find all you need to craft an outstanding application for the upcoming admission cycle.

If you’ve written a successful statement of purpose for a creatIve writing program in the past, please leave a comment below. MFA applicats are always open to adding more tips to their toolkits.

Authors’ Bios: 

Tega Oghenechovwen has published work in  Longreads, The Rumpus,  Black Sun Lit, Litro UK, and other venues. He tweets @tega­_chovwen.

Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam is a lecturer in Cornell University’s MFA in Creative Writing Program. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Mukana Press Anthology of African Writing, MTLS, Fiction 365, Asterix Journal and elsewhere. She tweets at @chiomaiwunze_

Interested in writing for Creative Writing News? See our Write for Us page. We look forward to hearing from you.

The post 10 Statement Of Purpose Examples: How To Wow The Admission Committees Of Fully-Funded MFA Programs With Your Personal Statement (Guide + Samples +Tips) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Lunch Ticket has announced that it would be honored to serve as the host for the Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction in 2020.

The award was named after Author Diana Woods who, during her lifetime, exuded unwavering intellectual commitment and zeal, pursuing and receiving secondary degrees in law, social work, political science, and most recently, creative writing.

She received her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing from Antioch University Los Angeles in 2011 at the age of 70.

Diana was born on May 31, 1941 in Long Beach, California and passed on November 2, 2012 at the age of 71 from a perennial battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her son Brian, his wife Emily, their son Benjamin, as well as her daughter Rani and Rani’s fiancée Sonia.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Diana wrote, “I had so many goals and too little time.” Her passion for exploration of place, self, and identity remains ageless. Diana wrote and published regularly throughout the last decade of her life.

About the Award

The Creative nonfiction award was established in Diana’s memory by her family, friends, and the Antioch University Los Angeles MFA community. Diana Woods Memorial Award serves as a special opportunity for authors worldwide to be published in the literary journal Lunch Ticket. Established in the spring of 2012, Lunch Ticket is produced by the Antioch University Los Angeles MFA program, an innovative creative writing graduate program devoted to the education of literary artists, community engagement, and the pursuit of social justice.

Twice each year an author of a work of creative nonfiction will be selected for the Diana Woods Memorial Award award by a special guest judge. One author will be chosen for the Summer/Fall issue of Lunch Ticket and one in the Winter/Spring issue. The winning submissions will be published in Lunch Ticket and the recipient will receive $250.

HOW TO SUBMIT FOR THE DIANE WOODS MEMORIAL CREATIVE NON FICTION AWARD.

• Creative nonfiction authors are invited to submit an essay of up to 5,000 words on the subject of their choice to be considered for the Diana Woods Memorial Award in creative nonfiction. This can be a biography, memoir or autobiography.
• Chosen entries will receive $250 and their work will be featured in the next issue of Lunch Ticket.
• Each award recipient must submit a 100-word biography, current photo, and send a brief note of thanks to the Woods family.
• To submit, please click on the button called “Submit to Lunch Ticket” above, and choose the category called “Diana Woods Memorial Award.”
• The reading period for the award is the month of February for the issue that publishes in June, and the month of August for the issue that publishes in December.
• Please note that any work that has been previously published will not be accepted.
• All submissions for the award will be considered for publication in Lunch Ticket.

THE COMPANY POLICY

The Memorial Award is dedicated to upholding the Council of Literary Magazines & Presses code of ethics, defined as such:

CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. They believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, they agree to:

1) conduct the contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of their readers, judges, or editors;

2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and

3) to make the mechanics of their selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. The organizers have adopted this Code to reinforce their integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that the contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

Additionally: friends, family, and associates of the judges are not eligible for consideration for the award.

Good Luck!

The post Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction 2020/ How To Submit (250$ + Publication) appeared first on Creative Writing News.