MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
If you have a passion for writing and want to pursue a career as a creative writer, you might be considering applying for an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) program in creative writing. An MFA is a terminal degree that can help you hone your craft, network with other writers, and gain access to publishing opportunities and teaching positions.
However, getting into an MFA program is not easy. You will need to submit a portfolio of your best work, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a CV resume. A CV resume is a document that summarizes your education, work experience, publications, awards, and other relevant information. It is different from a regular resume in that it is more detailed and focused on your academic and creative achievements.
A CV resume is an important part of your MFA application because it gives the admissions committee a glimpse of who you are as a writer and as a person. It shows them your background, your interests, your goals, and your potential. A well-written CV resume can make a difference between getting accepted or rejected by your dream program.
But how do you write a winning CV resume for an MFA program in creative writing? What should you include and what should you avoid? How do you format and organize your CV resume? How do you highlight your strengths and address your weaknesses? How do you make your CV resume stand out from the rest?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will provide you with tips and examples on how to write a compelling CV resume that showcases your skills, achievements, and personality. We will also show you how to use the keyword mfa creative writing cv resume strategically throughout your CV resume to rank higher on search engines and attract more attention. By the end of this article, you will be able to craft a CV resume that will impress the admissions committee and increase your chances of getting into your desired MFA program.
What is an MFA Creative Writing CV Resume?
An MFA creative writing CV resume is a document that summarizes your education, work experience, publications, awards, and other relevant information related to your creative writing career. It is similar to a regular CV resume, but it is more detailed and focused on your academic and creative achievements.
An MFA creative writing CV resume is not a one-size-fits-all document. It should be tailored to the specific program and genre that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for an MFA program in fiction, you should emphasize your fiction writing skills and achievements. If you are applying for an MFA program in poetry, you should highlight your poetry writing skills and achievements. And so on.
An MFA creative writing CV resume should also reflect your personality and voice. It should showcase your unique style, voice, and perspective as a writer. It should demonstrate your passion, creativity, and originality. It should also show your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to your craft.
How to Write an MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
Writing an MFA creative writing CV resume can be challenging, especially if you are not sure what to include and what to leave out. Here are some general guidelines and tips on how to write an effective CV resume for an MFA program in creative writing.
1. Research the program and the genre – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
Before you start writing your CV resume, you should do some research on the program and the genre that you are applying for. Find out what the program’s requirements, expectations, and preferences are. Find out what the program’s strengths, specialties, and faculty are. Find out what the program’s alumni and current students are doing and saying. Find out what the program’s culture and values are.
Doing this research will help you tailor your CV resume to the specific program and genre that you are applying for. It will also help you avoid generic and irrelevant information that might hurt your chances of getting accepted. It will also help you demonstrate your interest, enthusiasm, and fit for the program.
2. Choose a format and a layout – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
The next step is to choose a format and a layout for your CV resume. There is no one right way to format and layout your CV resume, but there are some general principles that you should follow.
- Use a clear, readable, and professional font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Avoid fancy, cursive, or decorative fonts that might distract or confuse the reader.
- Use a font size of 10 to 12 points for the body text and 14 to 16 points for the headings. Avoid using too small or too large font sizes that might make your CV resume look cramped or sparse.
- Use consistent and appropriate formatting, such as bold, italics, underlining, and capitalization, to emphasize important information and create contrast and hierarchy. Avoid using too many or too few formatting elements that might make your CV resume look messy or bland.
- Use margins of 1 inch on all sides and align your text to the left. Avoid using too narrow or too wide margins that might make your CV resume look unbalanced or uneven.
- Use bullet points or numbered lists to organize and present your information in a clear and concise way. Avoid using long paragraphs or sentences that might make your CV resume look dense or boring.
- Use headings and subheadings to structure and divide your CV resume into sections. Use descriptive and catchy headings and subheadings that capture the reader’s attention and summarize the main point of each section. Avoid using vague or generic headings and subheadings that might make your CV resume look dull or confusing.
- Use white space to create a clean and spacious look for your CV resume. Avoid using too much or too little white space that might make your CV resume look cluttered or empty.
3. Write the content – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
The most important and challenging part of writing your CV resume is writing the content. This is where you showcase your skills, achievements, and personality as a creative writer. Here are some tips and examples on how to write the content for each section of your CV resume.
Personal information for MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the first section of your CV resume, where you provide your basic personal information, such as your name, contact details, and website or portfolio link. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- Use your full name as the title of your CV resume. Use a larger font size and bold formatting to make your name stand out. Avoid using nicknames, initials, or titles that might make your name look unprofessional or unclear.
- Provide your email address, phone number, and mailing address as your contact details. Use a smaller font size and regular formatting to make your contact details look discreet. Avoid providing unnecessary or outdated contact details that might make you look uninterested or unreachable.
- Provide a link to your website or portfolio, where you showcase your creative writing work. Use a smaller font size and regular formatting to make your link look subtle. Avoid providing a broken or irrelevant link that might make you look unprepared or unqualified.
Example:
Jane Doe
jane.doe@email.com | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA
www.janedoe.com
Education – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the second section of your CV resume, where you provide your educational background, such as your degrees, institutions, and dates. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent or highest one. Use bullet points to separate each degree. Avoid listing degrees that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include the name and location of the institution, the name and level of the degree, and the date of completion or expected completion for each degree. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid providing unnecessary or inaccurate information that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Highlight any honors, awards, scholarships, or specializations that you received or pursued as part of your education. Use italics, underlining, or capitalization to emphasize this information. Avoid mentioning any honors, awards, scholarships, or specializations that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
Example:
- MFA in Creative Writing, Fiction, expected May 2024
- University of XYZ, Anytown, USA
- GPA: 3.9/4.0
- Thesis: A collection of short stories exploring the themes of identity, belonging, and alienation
- Awarded the XYZ Fellowship for Excellence in Creative Writing
- BA in English Literature, magna cum laude, May 2020
- College of ABC, Anytown, USA
- GPA: 3.8/4.0
- Minor: Spanish
- Honors Thesis: A comparative analysis of the use of magical realism in the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Salman Rushdie
- Member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
Work experience – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the third section of your CV resume, where you provide your work experience, such as your jobs, internships, or volunteer positions. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent or current one. Use bullet points to separate each work experience. Avoid listing work experience that is not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include the name and location of the organization, the title and duration of your position, and the main duties and achievements that you performed or accomplished for each work experience. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid providing unnecessary or inaccurate information that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Highlight any work experience that demonstrates your creative writing skills, such as writing, editing, publishing, teaching, or mentoring. Use action verbs, numbers, and results to showcase your impact and value. Avoid using vague or passive language that might make you look weak or unconfident.
- Mention any work experience that shows your involvement or interest in the literary community, such as attending or organizing events, workshops, readings, or conferences. Use specific names, dates, and details to illustrate your participation and contribution. Avoid mentioning any work experience that might conflict or compete with the program that you are applying for.
Example:
- Freelance Writer and Editor, January 2021 – Present
- Self-employed, Anytown, USA
- Write, edit, and proofread various types of content, such as articles, blogs, newsletters, social media posts, and web pages, for different clients and platforms.
- Work with clients to understand their needs, expectations, and goals, and deliver high-quality and engaging content that meets their requirements and deadlines.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with clients and collaborators.
- Published over 50 pieces of content, reaching over 100,000 readers and generating over 10,000 likes, shares, and comments.
- Teaching Assistant, Creative Writing, August 2020 – December 2020
- College of ABC, Anytown, USA
- Assisted the professor of the undergraduate creative writing course, Fiction Writing 101, with grading, feedback, and classroom management.
- Led weekly discussion sessions, workshops, and peer reviews for a group of 20 students, providing constructive criticism and guidance on their writing assignments and projects.
- Designed and delivered a guest lecture on the topic of character development, using examples from contemporary fiction and my own work.
- Received positive evaluations from the professor and the students, and improved the average grade of the students by 15%.
- Editorial Intern, XYZ Publishing, June 2020 – August 2020
- XYZ Publishing, Anytown, USA
- Supported the editorial team of a leading literary magazine, XYZ Review, with various tasks, such as research, fact-checking, proofreading, and formatting.
- Reviewed and evaluated over 200 submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and provided recommendations and feedback to the editors and the authors.
- Assisted with the production and promotion of the magazine, such as creating and updating the website, social media, and newsletter, and organizing and attending events, such as launch parties, readings, and interviews.
- Contributed an original short story, “The Last Day”, to the summer issue of the magazine, which received positive reviews and comments from the readers and the critics.
Publications – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the fourth section of your CV resume, where you provide your publications, such as your books, articles, poems, stories, or essays. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your publications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent or forthcoming one. Use bullet points to separate each publication. Avoid listing publications that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include the title, genre, and format of your publication, the name and type of the publisher or publication venue, and the date or expected date of publication for each publication. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid providing unnecessary or inaccurate information that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Highlight any publications that have received recognition, such as awards, nominations, reviews, or endorsements. Use italics, underlining, or capitalization to emphasize this information. Avoid mentioning any publications that have received negative feedback or criticism.
- Mention any publications that demonstrate your diversity, versatility, and experimentation as a creative writer, such as writing in different genres, formats, styles, or languages. Use specific examples and details to illustrate your range and innovation. Avoid mentioning any publications that might contradict or conflict with the program that you are applying for.
Example:
- The Last Day, short story collection, XYZ Press, forthcoming in June 2024
- A collection of 10 short stories exploring the themes of identity, belonging, and alienation in a dystopian world.
- Nominated for the XYZ Award for Best Debut Fiction.
- Endorsed by ABC, a bestselling author and a faculty member of the MFA program at University of XYZ.
- “The Road Not Taken”, personal essay, ABC Magazine, January 2023
- A personal essay reflecting on my decision to pursue an MFA in creative writing and the challenges and rewards that came with it.
- Received over 500 likes, shares, and comments on the magazine’s website and social media platforms.
- Featured in the Best of ABC Magazine 2023 edition.
- “A Tale of Two Cities”, book review, XYZ Review, July 2022
- A book review of a novel by a contemporary fiction writer, analyzing the use of dual narratives, historical references, and social commentary.
- Received positive feedback from the author and the editor of the magazine.
- Published in the summer issue of the magazine, which had a circulation of over 10,000 copies.
- “La Ultima Dia”, short story, Spanish, DEF Journal, March 2022
- A short story written in Spanish, based on my experience of living and traveling in Spain for a year.
- Won the DEF Journal Prize for Best Short Story in a Foreign Language.
- Translated into English and published in the online edition of the journal.
Awards and honors – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the fifth section of your CV resume, where you provide your awards and honors, such as your prizes, grants, fellowships, or scholarships. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your awards and honors in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent or current one. Use bullet points to separate each award or honor. Avoid listing awards and honors that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include the name and description of the award or honor, the name and type of the organization or institution that granted it, and the date or duration of the award or honor for each award or honor. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid providing unnecessary or inaccurate information that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Highlight any awards and honors that demonstrate your excellence, recognition, and impact as a creative writer, such as winning or being nominated for prestigious literary prizes, receiving or being selected for competitive grants, fellowships, or scholarships, or being invited or featured as a guest speaker, panelist, or judge. Use italics, underlining, or capitalization to emphasize this information. Avoid mentioning any awards and honors that might contradict or conflict with the program that you are applying for.
Example:
- XYZ Fellowship for Excellence in Creative Writing, 2023-2024
- A highly selective and generous fellowship awarded by the University of XYZ to support outstanding MFA students in creative writing.
- Covers full tuition and fees, provides a monthly stipend of $2,000, and offers mentorship and networking opportunities with distinguished writers and faculty members.
- DEF Journal Prize for Best Short Story in a Foreign Language, 2022
- A prestigious and competitive prize awarded by DEF Journal, a leading literary journal that publishes works in various languages and genres.
- Recognizes the best short story written in a foreign language by an emerging writer.
- Includes a cash prize of $1,000, a publication in the print and online editions of the journal, and a translation into English.
- ABC Scholarship for Creative Writing, 2019-2020
- A merit-based and renewable scholarship awarded by the College of ABC to support undergraduate students majoring in creative writing.
- Covers 50% of tuition and fees, provides a yearly book allowance of $500, and offers access to exclusive workshops, events, and resources.
Skills and interests – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the sixth section of your CV resume, where you provide your skills and interests, such as your languages, software, hobbies, or memberships. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your skills and interests in bullet points, using commas to separate each item. Avoid listing skills and interests that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include your language skills, such as your native, fluent, or proficient languages, and your level of proficiency for each language. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid exaggerating or lying about your language skills that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Include your software skills, such as your familiarity or expertise with various writing, editing, publishing, or research tools and platforms. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid mentioning software skills that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include your hobbies and interests, such as your favorite genres, authors, books, movies, music, sports, or activities. Use specific and descriptive terms to present this information. Avoid mentioning hobbies and interests that might conflict or compete with the program that you are applying for.
- Include your memberships and affiliations, such as your involvement or association with various literary, professional, or academic organizations or communities. Use specific and descriptive terms to present this information. Avoid mentioning memberships and affiliations that might contradict or conflict with the program that you are applying for.
Example:
- Languages: English (native), Spanish (fluent), French (proficient)
- Software: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, WordPress, Medium, Submittable, Grammarly, ProWritingAid
- Hobbies and interests: reading and writing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, especially in the genres of dystopian, magical realism, and memoir; listening to podcasts and audiobooks; watching documentaries and indie films; playing guitar and singing; traveling and learning about different cultures and histories
- Memberships and affiliations: member of the XYZ Writers’ Association, the ABC Literary Society, and the DEF Creative Writing Club; subscriber and contributor to the GHI Review, the JKL Magazine, and the MNO Newsletter
References – MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
This is the seventh and final section of your CV resume, where you provide your references, such as your professors, mentors, employers, or colleagues. Here are some tips and examples on how to write this section.
- List your references in bullet points, using commas to separate each item. Avoid listing references that are not relevant or impressive to the program that you are applying for.
- Include the name, title, affiliation, and contact details of each reference. Use a consistent and clear format to present this information. Avoid providing unnecessary or inaccurate information that might make you look dishonest or unqualified.
- Choose your references carefully, selecting people who know you well and can vouch for your creative writing skills, achievements, and personality. Use a mix of academic, professional, and personal references to show different aspects of your character and potential. Avoid choosing references who might give negative or lukewarm feedback or who might have a conflict of interest with the program that you are applying for.
- Ask for permission and inform your references before you include them in your CV resume. Provide them with a copy of your CV resume, your portfolio, and your personal statement, and explain why you are applying for the program and what you hope to gain from it. Thank them for their support and cooperation, and keep them updated on the status of your application.
Example:
- Professor ABC, PhD, Professor of Creative Writing and Director of the MFA Program, College of ABC, abc@email.com, (123) 456-7890
- My former professor and thesis advisor, who taught me Fiction Writing 101 and 201, and supervised my honors thesis project.
- Can attest to my academic and creative writing skills, achievements, and goals, as well as my passion, creativity, and originality as a writer.
- XYZ, MFA, Editor-in-Chief, XYZ Review, xyz@email.com, (123) 456-7891
- My former employer and mentor, who hired me as an editorial intern and later promoted me to a freelance writer and editor for XYZ Review, a leading literary magazine.
- Can attest to my professional and creative writing skills, achievements, and impact, as well as my dedication, commitment, and collaboration as a writer and editor.
- DEF, MA, Fellow Writer and Friend, DEF Creative Writing Club, def@email.com, (123) 456-7892
- My fellow writer and friend, who met me at the DEF Creative Writing Club, a local community of writers who share and critique each other’s work.
- Can attest to my personal and creative writing skills, interests, and personality, as well as my enthusiasm, curiosity, and experimentation as a writer and reader.
FAQs about MFA Creative Writing CV Resume
How long should an MFA creative writing CV resume be?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different programs may have different preferences and expectations. However, a general rule of thumb is to keep your CV resume as concise and relevant as possible, without omitting any important information. A typical CV resume for an MFA program in creative writing may range from one to three pages, depending on your level of experience and achievements.
What is an MFA Creative Writing CV Resume?
An MFA Creative Writing CV Resume is a document that summarizes your academic and professional background, achievements, and skills as a creative writer, and that showcases your suitability and fit for an MFA program in creative writing. It is usually required as part of your application to such a program, along with other materials, such as a portfolio, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
How do I format and organize my MFA Creative Writing CV Resume?
There is no one definitive way to format and organize your MFA Creative Writing CV Resume, as different programs may have different preferences and expectations. However, a general rule of thumb is to use a clear, readable, and professional font, font size, and formatting, and to divide your CV resume into sections, such as education, work experience, publications, awards and honors, skills and interests, and references. You should also use bullet points, headings, subheadings, and white space to create a clean and spacious look, and to highlight the most important and relevant information.
Conclusion
Writing an MFA creative writing CV resume can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding and enjoyable one. It is an opportunity to showcase your skills, achievements, and personality as a creative writer, and to express your interest, enthusiasm, and fit for the program that you are applying for.
To write a winning CV resume, you need to do some research, choose a format and a layout, and write the content for each section. You need to use the keyword mfa creative writing cv resume strategically throughout your CV resume to rank higher on search engines and attract more attention. You need to use clear, readable, and professional language, formatting, and style to present your information in a clear and concise way. You need to use specific, descriptive, and catchy terms, examples, and details to illustrate your information in an engaging and compelling way.
By following these tips and examples, you will be able to craft a CV resume that will impress the admissions committee and increase your chances of getting into your desired MFA program. Remember to proofread and edit your CV resume before you submit it, and to ask for feedback from your references, mentors, or peers. Good luck with your application and your creative writing career.