Applicants for the M.F.A. in Writing program must have received a Bachelor of Arts or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university. Previous college work is expected to be at 3.0 or higher and should reflect advanced course study.

Instructions

All materials submitted become property of Sarah Lawrence College and cannot be returned. This application and all the materials shall not be disclosed to any person not concerned with the professional development of the student.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $60.00 must accompany your completed application form. Payments must be made by check or money order to Sarah Lawrence College.

Transcripts

An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution you attended is required. Only official transcripts sent directly by the institution to Graduate Studies at Sarah Lawrence College will be accepted. Please send to: Graduate Studies, Sarah Lawrence College, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville N.Y. 10708. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that official transcripts (one copy only) from all colleges and universities attended are sent directly from each school to the Graduate Studies Office (have them specify program on envelope).

Recommendations

Please send two letters of recommendation from people who know you well enough to give an informed opinion as to your intellectual ability for sustained academic effort. If you are unable to contact former teachers, we welcome letters from others, such as employers, who can make similar assessments. Preferably, one of those should be from a person in your field of interest. Download and print recommendation form(s).

GRE

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to Sarah Lawrence.

International Applicants/TOEFL Results

Individuals whose native language is not English must include official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information concerning TOEFL may be obtained by writing: TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541. Request that the results are sent to Sarah Lawrence College, ETS code 2810.

Statement of Objectives and Goals/Writing Sample

Please make sure to include all writing materials with each sheet clearly labeled, indicating the specific question being answered. Please address each question according to indicated or reasonable length (generally at least 1 page if not indicated). All materials must be typed. Any additional material, which represents your ability to pursue graduate study, would be welcome.

1. Autobiography (500-1,000 words).
2. Please state in general and specific terms why you want to pursue graduate work.
3. Why do you want to pursue your graduate studies at Sarah Lawrence College?

Manuscript/Writing Samples:There are no specific length requirements for manuscript writing samples. The length and breadth of manuscript material are left to the applicant’s discretion.

• Fiction applicants should submit one or two chapters of a novel or two short stories.
• Poets should submit five to ten poems.
• Creative nonfiction writers should submit one or two essays.

Writing Program Deadline

Preferred deadline is January 15; Later applications accepted with permission from the Director of Admissions.

Interview

There are no interview requirements for admission for the M.F.A. in Writing. However, applicants are encouraged to visit the campus and to discuss the program with faculty and students. Arrangements for a visit, as well as inquiries about admission to the Writing program, can be made by contacting Emanuel Lomax, Director of Graduate Admissions, at (914) 395-2371 or elomax@sarahlawrence.edu.

To Apply

Download and print the application. Return the completed application form to the Graduate Studies Office of Sarah Lawrence College.

Sarah Lawrence College admits students and selects employees regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin and thereafter accords them all rights and privileges generally made available to students or employees at the college. The College is strongly committed to basing judgments about individuals solely upon qualifications and abilities and to protecting individual rights of privacy, association, belief, and expression.