Applicants to the NEOMFA program must gain admission to one of the consortium universities’ graduate degree programs in English.   Students select one school, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, University of Akron, or Youngstown State University as their Gateway School. All applicants are asked to submit three letters of recommendation, a one page statement of purpose, and a substantive portfolio of finished creative work in one genre:  fifteen (15) pages of work in poetry or literary translation, or thirty (30) pages of fiction, creative non-fiction, or drama.  These materials are reviewed by the NEOMFA Admissions Committee.

Letters of recommendation should come from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic or professional background.  The letters should include an assessment of the applicant’s current work quality and ability to successfully complete graduate training.  Application to the NEOMFA authorizes staff members at participating institutions to have access to all student academic records and application materials.

Those students applying to Kent State University as their NEOMFA gateway school should follow the admissions process described below:

Program Requirements:

• 2.75 overall GPA
• 3.00 in upper division English courses

Application Procedure:

A. Complete the Department of English Graduate Application Form so that we can track your application through the official Online Application process.

B. Complete the Kent State University Online Application:

1. Start at the Kent State Admissions Application site: Apply Now
2. At this page scroll down to and click on “Graduate Admissions”; if you are an international student, click on "International Admissions."
3. At this page ("Step 1), select the degree program type you are applying to: i.e. “masters” or “doctoral.”
4. Read and follow the instructions under “Step 2.” 
   

   Domestic student applications are processed through "Research and Graduate Studies" and all required materials should be sent directly to this address:

   Research and Graduate Studies (RAGS)     or E-mail to gradapps@kent.edu
   Office of Graduate Services
   116 Cartwright Hall
   Kent State University
   PO Box 5190
   Kent OH 44242-0001

    International student applications are all processed through the Office of International Affairs:

   Office of International Affairs (OIA)    or     E-mail to intladm@kent.edu
   Van Campen Hall
   Kent State University
   PO Box 5190
   Kent OH 44242-0001

   Transcripts must be sent directly by your current institution's Registrar to the appropriate address above. Additional information (such as guidelines for the Statement of Goals) is posted under each program in the department (use links below).

5. Proceed to “Step 3” which is “apply now.”  Follow the instructions on the subsequent pages. (You may complete part of the application and return later to complete it if you need to do so: information will be saved.)

C. Your Application will require these materials, sent to RAGS (or OIA if international applicant):

• 3 letters of recommendation (referees e-mail letters to RAGS at gradapps@kent.edu)
• Transcripts from all colleges attended (sent directly by your registrar to RAGS)
• Statement of Focus or Goals (1 page; e-mail to RAGS or submit by pasting into online application form)
• Application Fee (Submit online)

D. Submit your Portfolio and Statement of Goals to the NEOMFA Admissions Committee

• Submit a one-page statement of purpose along with a portfolio of 15 pages of your work in poetry or literary translation or 30 pages of fiction, creative non-fiction, or drama.  
  
  Both purpose statement and portfolio should be combined into one Microsoft Word document  and e-mailed as an attachment to the attention of the Director:
  
  Maggie Anderson
  NEOMFA Director
  neomfa@kent.edu
  
  Please note that for literary translation submissions, the original work must be included. The original will not be counted toward the page total. 
  Please also be sure to label everything you send with your name and contact information. 
  
• We will contact you when we receive your portfolio and again to let you know the decision of the Admissions Committee.
  
  NOTE: PORTFOLIO AND PURPOSE STATEMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE NEOMFA OFFICES AT THE E-MAIL ADDRESS ABOVE, NOT TO THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT OR GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE CHOSEN GATEWAY UNIVERSITY.

E. Review Application Status: After you have submitted your application, you can always go back to Apply Now (login link at bottom of page) to view the status of your application to view which materials have been received and what is still missing from your application.  Only completed applications will be considered for admission and/or assistantships.

Graduate Application Contact Information:

Craig Paulenich Kent Gateway Coordinator Department of English Kent State University P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001 Contact

Dawn Lashua Graduate Secretary Department of English Kent State University P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001 (330) 672-1708 Contact

Raymond Craig Coordinator of Graduate Studies Department of English Kent State University P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001 (330) 672-1741 Contact

Research and Graduate Studies Office of Graduate Services Kent State University P.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001 RAGS Website