How to Apply

The Creative Writing & Literary Arts Program reviews applications one time a year.  The next deadline to apply is Wednesday, January 15, 2014.  The earliest applicants may apply is November 2013.Please ensure your hard copy application materials are post-marked and mailed by January 15th for earliest consideration. We do not accept electronically submitted applications. Please ensure your hard copy application materials are post-marked and mailed by January 15th for earliest consideration. We do not accept electronically submitted applications.

CWLA Application Requirements

Please ensure that your application packet pages are printed single-sided and secured by a binder clip or rubber band.  No staples and no double-sided pages, please.  

1. A Cover Letter

A brief letter explaining your application packet. 

2. A personal essay on the topic "Why Write?"

In your personal essay (2-3 pages, double spaced), you should include some things we'd like to know, for example:

*Why do you write?

*Why did you choose a low-residency program?
*Why do you wish to study your particular genre?
*What is your writing history?
*Where do you situate yourself in your writing?
*What do you hope to accomplish in our program?
*What are your writing strengths and weaknesses?

Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, home phone, cell phone, and email address. You work must be secured by paper clips or binder clips only.

3. A Piece of Your Best Creative Work  

Please submit with your application your best piece of creative work in your chosen genre:   Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, or Poetry.  Be sure to clearly mark your genre on your cover page.

Poetry:  Ten pages of poetry. Only one poem per page.

Fiction:  One story; 15 pages or less in length (double spaced) or a chapter of a novel accompanied by a brief synopsis. 

Literary Nonfiction: One piece; 15 pages or less in length (double spaced).

Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, home phone, cellular phone, and email address. You work must be secured by paper clips or binder clips only.

4. List of Three References

Please provide a list of three references, including the person's affiliation, mailing address, telephone or cell phone number and e-mail address. We do not require letters of reference.

5. Transcripts

• Copies of your official transcripts must be included in the MFA application packet you send to the CWLA program. 
  
• Original official transcripts must be sent directly to UAA's Office of Admissions.  You will see their address when you apply to the UAA's Graduate School or you can use the below addresses.  

Official unopened hard copy transcripts can be sent to:

Office of Admissions
University of Alaska Anchorage
P.O. Box 141629
Anchorage, Alaska 99514-1629

Official electronic transcripts can be sent by your original institution(s) to:  admissions@uaa.alaska.edu

6. GRE Test Scores

GRE test scores are not required for application to our program. 

7. Mail Application

Please mail your application to:

Creative Writing & Literary Arts Program
University of Alaska Anchorage
ADM 270
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK  99508

8. Apply to the UAA Graduate School

In addition to applying to the the Creative Writing & Literary Arts (CWLA) program, prospective MFA students must also apply to UAA's Graduate School.  Please click on this link: UAA's Graduate School and go to "Future Student" to learn more about the Graduate School's application process.  

We recommend that applicants apply to the Graduate School at the same time as they submit their application to the CWLA.  If you have specific questions about the Graduate School's application process, please contact them directly. 

CWLA does not charge an application fee; however, UAA's Graduate School does apply a $60 fee to each application.  Please pay the Graduate School directly.

9. Notification

Successful applicants will be notified of their acceptance by mid-February.