FAQ

1. What is the difference between the program at the School of Journalism and the Writing Division's nonfiction concentration?
2. When sending in my creative materials, may I write more than is required?
3. I have been published in the past. May I send in clippings and articles about my work with my application materials?
4. Do I have to be a published writer?
5. Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in English?
6. Can an applicant enroll in Columbia University School of the Arts just to take courses?
7. What does it cost to attend the School of the Arts?
8. How many people apply and how many are admitted?
9. If I am a poet, can I take fiction or non-fiction classes? If I start out in poetry but decide I like fiction better, can I switch?

1. What is the difference between the program at the School of Journalism and the Writing Division's nonfiction concentration?

Journalism is concerned with the bare facts, while nonfiction is more concerned with the way in which the facts are conveyed.

2. When sending in my creative materials, may I write more than is required?

The School of the Arts asks that you keep your writing samples to the length specified in the application instructions.

3. I have been published in the past. May I send in clippings and articles about my work with my application materials?

Yes, but those clippings do not take the place of the creative materials specified in the application.

4. Do I have to be a published writer?

No, you do not have to have any prior works published to be accepted into the program.

5. Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in English?

No, many of our applicants have undergraduate degrees in areas completely unrelated to fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

6. Can an applicant enroll in Columbia University School of the Arts just to take courses?

Writing Division classes are strictly for MFA candidates. For writing classes open to non-MFA students contact Columbia College and the School of General Studies Writing Program (undergraduate and post-degree writing classes), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences program in English and Comparative Literature or the Graduate School of Journalism.

7. What does it cost to attend the School of the Arts?

Tuition for 2003-2004 is $33,000. The estimated total per year, including materials and living expenses, is $50,000.

8. How many people apply and how many are admitted?

About 650 people apply to the Writing Division each year. An average of 70 are admitted.

9. If I am a poet, can I take fiction or non-fiction classes? If I start out in poetry but decide I like fiction better, can I switch?

Class schedules must be approved by an academic advisor within your concentration, and should reflect that concentration, but any student in the writing division no matter what the concentration is eligible for any Writing seminar or lecture classes. Workshops are always within one's concentration. Changing concentrations is possible in rare circumstances with the permission of an advisor in the new concentration, as well as from your old concentration, as well as the submission of new writing samples.