The Statement of Purpose (hereafter referred to as the “SOP”) can feel like one of the most elusive parts of the MFA application. A glance at the MFA programs I profiled over at Sub Club, and the seven most common elements universities require as part of your SOP are:

1. Writing accolades
2. Genre/area of specialization
3. Teaching statement
4. Faculty preference
5. Professional goals
6. Academic experience
7. Some self-evaluation

That’s a lot of stuff to cover in (usually) under 1-2 double-spaced pages! Let’s break these down to try and figure out what each element necessitates.

Writing accolades

While you certainly do not need to be widely published, or even remotely published, to secure one of those coveted MFA spots, it can certainly help sway the needle in your favor. But remember, you don’t have the space to list every single piece you’ve published in every single lit mag since the dawn of time. And nor should you. In fact, such a big list (if you’re lucky enough to have one) shouldn’t even be on your CV (which most MFA applications also require). Instead, include just the publications or accolades you are most proud of. Maybe you won or placed for a popular award. Or you had your very first publication this year! It’s better if you just list

one specific place and why that’s meaningful as opposed to a long run-on series of commas and names.

Genre/area of specialization

Most MFA programs offer specializations in poetry and fiction. Some also offer creative non-fiction. Still others (fewer) have streams in playwriting and screenwriting. And yes, you’ll be applying to a specific category through the portal, but let’s face it — readers and faculty who are reviewing applications usually have to look through hundreds if not thousands. Make it easy for them and say it very clearly in the first line what genre you’re applying in.

Teaching statement

A lot of MFA programs offer funding, whether full or partial. This funding isn’t usually free though. It involves you acting either as a teaching assistant or a graduate assistant, assisting professors and/or teaching undergrads. So, essentially the university gets some cheap labor from you in exchange for you getting your I’m-a-Real-Creative Writer stamp. But, this doesn’t undercut the fact that this teaching experience is deeply valuable for your career as a professional writer. And even as a writer who might not want to pursue teaching, being able to share with others in a teacher/student space allows for you to enter your own craft deeper and from different angles. While most programs are aware that you probably don’t have much professional teaching experience, they do want to know your approach to teaching. How do you dig into that? Think about a time you’ve taught anyone literally anything. Maybe you helped your younger sibling learn to ride a bike. Maybe you were a mentor through a high school or undergrad program. Maybe you’ve actually taught a workshop. Or, share about a particularly memorable time that you were taught something by someone else. Maybe a specific high school teacher really influenced your interest in writing today? Try to figure out why and share the impact their approach had on you. And make sure you actually show interest in wanting to  teach for the university if accepted.

Faculty preference

A single program will often have 3-10 faculty members within any given genre. Know who they are. You don’t need to read everything they’ve ever published, but try and figure out whose work you resonate with most. MFA programs are very intimate creative nests founded on community and mentorship. Your professors will become your confidants, editors, maybe even friends. Your SOP should briefly state which faculty member(s) you feel your work most aligns with and how you think working with them can improve your creative writing. Of utmost importance, I think, is to indicate what you specifically like about that particular faculty’s writing and why. You’re not trying to suck up to them. You’re genuinely sharing what moves you about their work.

Professional goals

“Become a world-famous multi-millionaire best-selling poet” is not a professional goal. Sorry. It’s a beautiful dream and we’re rooting for you to achieve it, but for this part of your SOP, try to tailor your goals around your creative project. For example, if you’re going to be working on a poetry collection during your MFA, then maybe one of your professional goals is to get it into good enough shape to submit to various chapbook or collection prizes and win one of them! Alternatively, maybe there is a theme or story you want to tell with your work that you've been dying to create. Anything that is unique and that tells a story about why the work you want to do matters is a good addition for this section of the SOP.

Academic experience

Almost every MFA program requires that you’ve completed at least a Bachelor’s before your MFA begins. So, just give a quick overview of the immediately preceding academic work you’ve done. Maybe you specialized in a cool program that has little to do with creative writing — that’s unique and something that’ll set you apart. Tell them how that academic experience influenced your writing. Or, if your BA was in creative writing or something adjacent, talk about specific ways that program shaped you up for your time pursuing an MFA.

Some self-evaluation

While your SOP is a lot about pitching your personality to the program, part of what they want to see is that you actually feel you have something to work on. Otherwise, if you’re perfect, why are you going to a 2 or 3 year master’s program to learn and have time to write? So, include a sentence in there that talks about what you’d like to work on or what you feel is a weakness in your writing. Make sure that links with how the program can help you improve.

In the coming weeks, Karan will share his own SOP and walk us through these elements with specific examples. When he was applying to MFAs, he was able to get into 4 programs and was waitlisted for another 6 in total.

Also, in our last post, the Virginia Tech MFA Program Director, Matthew Vollmer, spoke at length about what he specifically looks for in an SOP and in an MFA application overall.

A taster: “I want to feel as soon as I begin reading that you’re telling me a story that matters. I want you to convince me it’s alive, has blood, and is as strong and vulnerable as a living, breathing body.”

Good look to all of you poets and writers who’ve applied this year! We’re cheering for you from our little corners!

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