Writing Admission Requirements

Application Dates

We accept applications year-round. Early-placement application deadlines:

• March 1 to begin your studies in May with a residency on campus or in June with a virtual residency
• August 1 to begin your studies in November with residency on campus

See residency dates.

Admission Requirements

1. Online application
2. $30 application fee
3. Institution-to-institution official transcripts from every college attended
4. A writing sample
5. Two personal essays (one a commentary and one a personal statement)

We do not require letters of recommendation or the GRE.

Download the School of Writing Application Instructions and Checklist 2025 (PDF).

We welcome international students. Contact us to inquire about additional requirements for international students.

Decisions are usually made four to six weeks after all application materials have been received.

Track Your Application

Our ‘My Account’ applicant portal page is the place to view, update and submit information to your application. You have access to:

• Update your profile
• Submit your application
• View your application
• Upload additional supplemental documents required for admission

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email acknowledgment with further instructions regarding items needed for admission to the university.

If you did not receive this message please check your spam folder. To make sure you receive all electronic communication from us, please add spalding.edu to your safe sender and/or contacts list.

You will be notified by phone, email or mail with our admissions decision. We notify applicants within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving the application and supporting materials.

Transfer and Acceleration

Newly accepted students may transfer one semester from another low residency MFA in Writing program if the semester was completed satisfactorily and fulfills the same requirements as Spalding’s first semester. Work from MA programs may be considered for transfer credit.

MFA students may apply for acceleration after being admitted to the program if they have published a book or produced a play or screenplay. Accelerated students may complete the degree in three semesters instead of four and with four residencies instead of five. Contact us for more information with “Acceleration” as the subject line.