Please follow all instructions below for the specific program to which you are applying.

We ONLY accept online applications. Applications must be submitted through Application Management.

Online Application Technical Support: For questions about your online application, or for other technical support, see Application Management. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all application materials arrive at Syracuse University by any and all applicable deadlines.

Application and Deposit Fee Payment Options

There is a non-refundable application fee of $75 for all applicants.

No application fee waivers are available. However, the Military, Veterans, and McNair scholars are not required to pay the application fee. There is an automatic fee waiver on the online application. 

If you have served, or are serving, in the Peace Corps, please contact Terri A. G. Zollo at tazollo@syr.edu or 315-443-2174 to make appropriate arrangements, You need to start your graduate application to Syracuse University so that a fee waiver code may be issued to you.

We understand that there is a high volume need for financial aid in this regard, but we need to adhere to these fee waiver guideline policies.

If you wish to pay the non-refundable application fee of $75 directly to Syracuse University, there are several options for paying the application fee. Please visit The Graduate School's admissions page for further information.

Additional Information for All Applicants

We welcome campus visits for applicants who have been admitted to the MFA in Creative Writing, the MA in English, or the PhD in English programs.

You MUST possess a BA or BS in order to apply to any one of our Graduate Programs, but you don't need to have a BA or BS degree while applying.

Financial Documents

In accordance with the SEVIS requirement international applicants who would need Syracuse University to issue them an I-20 form for a student visa must show sufficient funding for at least the first year of graduate study. Acceptable evidence of adequate funding for privately sponsored applicants is certified current bank statements on official bank letterhead signed by an authorized bank official that indicates sufficient funds exist to meet at least first year expenses. Government sponsored applicants must send a current, original or certified copy of the award letter which includes the U.S. dollar amount (per year) of the award. All financial documents must be current – that is, effective dated within one year of the intended start of graduate study and written in English. When sending documentation of adequate funding, please note that photocopies of financial documents are acceptable, and you may fax the documents to 315.443.3423. Be sure to write your name, date of birth, program name and application number (if known) on all documents you send us. It is only possible to estimate in general terms what the cost of attendance may be for graduate students because costs vary widely according to the number of credits taken and by the lifestyle of each student. With this understanding, we refer you to the following website containing cost of attendance information: http://gradsch.syr.edu/admission/appcost.htm
To obtain your I-20, international students, including Canadian applicants, must submit proof of sufficient funding to cover the cost of attendance for at least one academic year’s expenses. You can reduce this amount by any scholarship you may have received from Syracuse University Department of English. Candidates should be prepared to show proof of an estimated amount of $54,619.00. For candidates seeking to bring dependents (spouse or children), please be prepared to show proof of an additional $10,000 per spouse and $5,000 per child. Acceptable proof is a bank statement, bank letter, and/or a signed letter of support from any funding sponsor(s) that includes the U.S. dollar amount of support showing funds sufficient. Documents may be sent to grad@syr.edu.

MFA/CREATIVE WRITING

MFA Creative Writing online graduate applications are due by DECEMBER 15.

1. Writing Sample
   FICTION APPLICANTS: UPLOAD your DOUBLE-SPACED 20-PAGE MAXIMUM writing sample through your online application by DECEMBER 15.
   POETRY APPLICANTS: UPLOAD your 10-12 POEMS with your online application by DECEMBER 15.
   
2. Submit online application through Application Management
   
3. Statement of Purpose (upload to online application)
   Describe in about 500 words your main academic interests, why you wish to study for the degree you've chosen, why you wish to study at Syracuse University, how you expect to finance your studies, and your plans for the future after you receive your degree.
   
4. Teaching Statement (upload to online application)
   In a separate statement of no more than 600 words, explain your interest in teaching at Syracuse University as part of your graduate program, and describe the skills and experiences that could make you an effective and committed teacher. How is teaching related to your intellectual interests and career goals? Have you ever been a tutor, classroom teacher, or coach? If not, what experiences have prepared you for teaching, including work, community service, or developing your own strategies of learning? Draw on these experiences to explain the skills and philosophy of learning that you would bring to teaching. Although you are not expected to have formal teaching experience before coming to Syracuse University, all graduate students in English with teaching assistantships or fellowships will teach at some time while at Syracuse University. Teaching may include: being a teaching assistant for an English Department lecture course, teaching composition courses in the university's independent Writing Program, and designing and teaching one's own courses as a Teaching Associate in the English Department. The teaching statement will be assessed not only for its content but also for its writing.
   
   
5. Transcript(s) from Undergraduate/Graduate Institution(s)
   One (1) copy of records of all previous postsecondary institutions from which you have/will receive a Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Doctoral. You can submit your transcripts via the following methods:
   
   • Uploaded through Application Management (preferred method).
   • Transcripts may also be sent electronically to grad@syr.edu.
   • You may have your institution(s) send the records to Graduate Admissions Processing in sealed envelope(s), signed or stamped across the seal. If records are received in an envelope with a broken seal, it may disqualify the application.

Official degree-bearing transcripts will be required upon admittance into the program. Failure to submit such degree-bearing credentials may result in revocation of the offer of admission or dismissal from a graduate program, should admission be granted. Such records must be sent directly to: Graduate Admissions Processing, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave. Room 022, Syracuse NY 13244-2900.
Do NOT send transcripts to the Department of English.

6. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

• Recommenders are to upload their letters of recommendation through Application Management (preferred method).
• We accept Interfolio's letter of recommendation service. Interfolio letters of recommendation are to be sent to grad@syr.edu after you have completed and submitted the application.
• If you have a credential file, and/or if your recommenders will be mailing in their letters, please have them send their confidential letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes on which the recommender has signed across the seal. You should then forward them or have your recommenders send them directly to Graduate Admissions Processing, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave. Room 022, Syracuse NY 13244-2900. Do NOT send letters of recommendation to the Department of English.
  

Additional Notes for MFA Applicants

GRE Test scores are NOT required. Please disregard the submission of GRE test scores portion on the online application. This is a universal graduate application and you need NOT submit GRE test score results.

If you are an international student, you are REQUIRED to take the Test of English as a Foreign Languages (TOEFL). We will accept the IELTS scores (International English Language Testing System). You can self-report them on your online application. These tests cannot be waived.

Applicants who are citizens from the following English speaking countries are not required to submit TOEFL testing scores: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago and the United Kingdom.

See the FAQs for applying to our MFA program.

Application required materials are due by January 9.

1. Submit online Graduate application through Application Management
2. The GRE test score results are being waived for the Fall 2025 application.
   General GRE Test Score Results / TOEFL Scores
   - Subject scores are NOT required. The TOEFL is REQUIRED of all students whose native language is not English. Applicants who are citizens from the following English speaking countries are not required to submit TOEFL testing scores: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Trinidad, Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
   - We do NOT accept IELTS scores (International English Language Testing System).
   - Applicants can submit a photocopied score report directly to Graduate Admissions Processing, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave. Room 022, Syracuse NY 13244-2900 OR you can self report them on your online application. Our institution code is 2823, the code of English is 2501.
   - Do NOT send test scores to the Department of English.
3. Transcript from Undergraduate/Graduate Institution(s)
   One (1) copy of records of all previous postsecondary institutions from which you have/will receive a Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Doctoral. You can submit your transcripts via the following methods:
   - Uploaded through Application Management (preferred method).
   - Transcripts may also be sent electronically to grad@syr.edu.
   - You may have your institution(s) send the records to Graduate Admissions Processing in sealed envelope(s), signed or stamped across the seal. If records are received in an envelope with a broken seal, it may disqualify the application. Such records must be sent directly to: Graduate Admissions Processing, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave. Room 022, Syracuse NY 13244-2900.
   - Official degree-bearing transcripts will be required upon the first semester of attendance in the program. Failure to submit such degree-bearing credentials may result in revocation of the offer of admission or dismissal from a graduate program, should admission be granted.
   - Do NOT send transcripts to the Department of English.
4. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation
   - Recommenders are to upload their letters of recommendation through Application Management (preferred method).
   - We accept Interfolio's letter of recommendation service. Interfolio letters of recommendation are to be sent to grad@syr.edu after you have completed and submitted the application.
   - If you have a credential file, and/or if your recommenders will be mailing in their letters, please have them send their confidential letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes on which the recommender has signed across the seal. You should then forward them or have your recommenders send them directly to Graduate Admissions Processing, Syracuse University, 400 Ostrom Ave. Room 022, Syracuse NY 13244-2900. Do NOT send letters of recommendation to the Department of English.
5. Intellectual Statement (upload to online application)
   - In a separate statement of no more than 800 words, outline the intellectual history that informs your decision to pursue graduate study in English. In what historical period(s), body of texts, and/or mode(s) of inquiry are you particularly interested and why? Do you bring any relevant experience, beyond that of a student, to this course of study? What do you plan to do with your degree? Be specific in your responses.
   - You do NOT have to submit a Statement of Purpose in addition to the Intellectual Statement. The Intellectual Statement is to be submitted in lieu of a Statement of Purpose. So in other words, MA and PhD applicants submit the Intellectual Statements instead of a Statement of Purpose
6. Teaching Statement (upload to online application)
   - In a separate statement of no more than 600 words, explain your interest in teaching at Syracuse University as part of your graduate program, and describe the skills and experiences that could make you an effective and committed teacher. How is teaching related to your intellectual interests and career goals? Have you ever been a tutor, classroom teacher, or coach? If not, what experiences have prepared you for teaching, including work, community service, or developing your own strategies of learning? Draw on these experiences to explain the skills and philosophy of learning that you would bring to teaching. Although you are not expected to have formal teaching experience before coming to Syracuse University, all graduate students in English with teaching assistantships or fellowships will teach at some time while at Syracuse University. Teaching may include: being a teaching assistant for an English Department lecture course, teaching composition courses in the university's independent Writing Program, and designing and teaching one's own courses as a Teaching Associate in the English Department. The teaching statement will be assessed not only for its content but also for its writing.
7. Writing Sample (upload to online application)
   - MA applicants in English must submit a 10 page (typed and double spaced) writing sample on or before January 9.
   - PhD applicants in English must submit a 10-25 page (typed and double spaced) writing sample on work they hope to do in a doctoral program on or before January 9.

Decision Notification

MFA, M.A., and PhD applicants will be notified of admission decisions no later than the end of April. Decisions will be sent via e-mail.