Admission Requirements & Scholarships
Admission Requirements
- A completed graduate study application form (Apply online now for free!).
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and official undergraduate transcripts.
- Official transcript(s) from any institution(s) in which postbaccalaureate or graduate course work was completed.
- Two letters of recommendation written by appropriate professionals.
- A current resume.
- Writing sample of fiction that must be 10 double-spaced pages. It should be no longer, though it can be part of larger work and not complete in itself. If you do select a part of a longer work, we strongly recommend that you give the beginning of the work, the first ten pages, and not a selection from later in the manuscript. This material will be reviewed for its author's overall potential as a writer of popular fiction - specifically such criteria as story sense, character development, realistic dialogue, plot development, originality, basic grammar and mechanics, and overall interest for the reader.
- Personal statement answering the following questions. Give no more than a paragraph for each. Be aware that if you are accepted into the program you will be asked to share this document with your advisor.
- What is your writing experience?
- What is the nature of your intended novel-length project and what is its genre?
- What background do you have in your chosen genre?
- The program demands a large amount of self-discipline and productive work habits (length requirements, deadlines, much reading and writing). How do you plan to handle this load?
- Are there any other factors (past experience, specialized knowledge) that would affect your chance of being successful in genre writing?
- If you are applying for the Harlequin Diverse Voices Scholarship, please also answer this question:
- How will your voice add diversity and broaden representation in the romance genre? (300 words)
Most items can be uploaded to the online application. You can also email them to the Graduate and Adult Studies Office: gadmit@setonhill.edu.
Application Deadlines
- April 5 to begin the program with a June residency.
- Oct 5 to begin the program with a January residency.
Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
You don't have to fill out a separate application to be considered for a Seton Hill Merit Scholarship. We award merit scholarships based on the information provided in your Seton Hill application file.
The Harlequin Diverse Voices Annual Scholarship for Writing Popular Fiction
Seton Hill University students enrolled in the Writing Popular Fiction Master of Fine Arts Degree Program who are specializing in the romance genre, and who show exceptional writing talent and passion for pursuing a career in writing, can apply for this $2,000 scholarship funded by Harlequin Enterprises. Applications are encouraged from eligible candidates, including but not limited to, people of color, members of historically underrepresented groups, and people with disabilities. To apply, include with your Seton Hill University application a sample of your romance writing and a 300-word personal essay describing how your voice will add diversity and broaden representation in the romance genre.
We're Here to Help!
Contact the Office of Graduate and Online Studies at gadmit@setonhill.edu or (724) 838-4208.