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The 7 Shocking Secrets Of Boston University's MFA Creative Writing Program (Updated 2025)

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Are you one of the 635 writers who applied to the Boston University (BU) MFA Creative Writing Program for the 2025-2026 academic year? If so, you are vying for one of the most coveted, intensive, and financially generous spots in the country. This program, one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind, is a crucible designed to forge serious writers in a single, hyper-focused year, and it comes with a financial package that is increasingly rare in the world of graduate studies.

As of late 2025, the program continues its legacy of extreme selectivity, admitting fewer than 3% of applicants. The recent retirement of a legendary faculty member and the increasingly competitive application cycle mean that prospective students need the most current and detailed information to navigate this elite literary landscape. Here is the in-depth breakdown of what makes the BU MFA a life-changing, yet brutally competitive, choice for fiction writers and poets.

BU MFA Creative Writing: Program Profile and Key Entities

The Boston University Creative Writing Program is a nationally recognized, intensive Master of Fine Arts program focused on the two core genres of poetry and fiction.

  • Program Name: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing
  • Institution: Boston University (BU), Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS)
  • Degree Type: Thirty-Two Credit Terminal MFA Degree
  • Program Length: One Year (Completed over two to three terms, often including summer study)
  • Genres Offered: Fiction and Poetry
  • 2025-2026 Selectivity: 635 applicants for a total of 18 spots (10 in fiction, 8 in poetry)
  • Application Deadline: January 15 (Note: Fiction applications for the 2026-2027 cycle may be closed or alternating, check the official site for the most current information)
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Notable Faculty and Program Pillars

The program’s reputation is built on its long history and its roster of world-renowned authors and poets. The faculty provides a rich environment for aspiring writers, offering guidance through graduate-level creative writing workshops.

  • Ha Jin: A William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor, Ha Jin is a celebrated novelist and short story writer.
  • Allegra Goodman: A distinguished Visiting Professor and novelist known for her critically acclaimed works.
  • Robert Pinsky: The former Poet Laureate of the United States, Pinsky recently retired from teaching after 36 years at BU, marking the end of an era for the program.
  • Sandra Lim: An award-winning poet and faculty member.
  • Karl Kirchwey: A poet and Professor of English and Creative Writing.
  • Weike Wang: Novelist and faculty member, representing a newer generation of literary voices.
  • Leslie Epstein: A beloved former director and pillar of the program, whose memory is still central to the program's history.

The Shocking Financial Truth: Is the BU MFA Fully Funded?

The most critical and often misunderstood detail about the Boston University MFA is its financial structure. Unlike many other top-tier MFA programs that offer partial funding or competitive teaching fellowships, BU has committed to a rare and significant level of support for its small cohort.

Yes, the Boston University MFA in Creative Writing is a fully funded program for all admitted students. This commitment drastically reduces the financial burden, allowing students to focus entirely on their writing craft during the intensive one-year period.

The Full Financial Aid Package Includes:

  • Full-Tuition Scholarship: Every single admitted student receives a 100% scholarship that covers the entire cost of tuition for the thirty-two credit terminal degree.
  • Service Stipend: All admitted students are also awarded a substantial service stipend. This stipend provides living expenses, typically ranging from $16,000 to $17,000, in exchange for a limited service commitment (such as teaching or administrative work).

This comprehensive financial aid package means that the program is not only prestigious but also one of the most accessible for talented writers regardless of their financial background. The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) is proud of this generous policy, which is a major factor in the program's intense competition.

The Intensive One-Year Curriculum and Workshop Focus

The BU MFA is unique in that it is designed to be completed in a single, focused academic year, usually spanning two to three semesters, including an optional summer term. This structure demands intense dedication and productivity from its students.

Core Curriculum Components:

  • Creative Writing Workshops: The core of the program is the graduate-level workshop, which is strictly reserved for MFA students. In these small, focused classes, students submit work for rigorous peer and faculty critique.
  • Fiction Track: Fiction writers focus on developing and revising original prose, aiming to produce a thesis that demonstrates mastery of the genre.
  • Poetry Track: Poets concentrate on writing and revising original poetry, culminating in a thesis that showcases their poetic voice and technical skill.
  • Literature Courses: In addition to the writing workshops, students are required to take literature courses to deepen their understanding of literary history and critical reading.
  • Thesis Requirement: The program culminates in the submission of a thesis, which is a book-length manuscript of fiction or poetry. This final project is the terminal requirement for the thirty-two credit degree.

The one-year format is a deliberate choice, creating a high-pressure environment that mirrors the demands of a professional writing career. Students are immersed in a literary community within the vibrant Boston-area English graduate student Symposium and the broader New England literary scene.

Alumni Success and Lasting Literary Impact

Graduates of the Boston University Creative Writing Program have gone on to publish novels, poetry collections, and short story books, securing major awards and literary recognition. The program’s long history means its alumni network is vast and deeply rooted in the literary world.

Notable Alumni (A Selection of Entities):

The program has produced a staggering number of successful writers, solidifying its place among the most prestigious in the country.

Poetry Alumni:

  • Elizabeth Alexander: Poet, essayist, and academic.
  • Carl Phillips: Multiple award-winning poet.
  • Erin Belieu: Co-founder of the non-profit organization VIDA: Women in Literary Arts.
  • Rafael Campo: Physician and poet.
  • Don Share: Former editor of *Poetry* magazine.
  • D. M. Aderibigbe: Prize-winning Nigerian poet.

Fiction Alumni:

  • Sue Miller (GRS’80): Best-selling novelist known for complex characters and psychological detail.
  • Stewart O’Nan (ENG’83): Critically acclaimed novelist and short story writer.
  • Ha Jin: (Also a faculty member) National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award winner.
  • Andrew Ewell (2011): Author of *Set for Life*.
  • Caroline Woods (2009): Author of *The Mesmerist*.
  • Catherine Con Morse (2012): Author of *The Notes*.

The program's enduring legacy is a testament to its commitment to craft and its ability to nurture writers who go on to shape contemporary literature. The combination of intense focus, full financial support, and access to a legendary faculty makes the BU MFA in Creative Writing one of the most transformative, yet challenging, experiences a writer can pursue in 2025 and beyond.

The 7 Shocking Secrets of Boston University's MFA Creative Writing Program (Updated 2025)
boston university mfa creative writing
boston university mfa creative writing

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