WRITING ADVICE #20: HOW (NOT) TO WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO BROWN'S MFA PROGRAM IN FICTION AND/OR STANFORD'S STEGNER FELLOWSHIP IN FICTION IF YOU ARE/WERE ME IN THE PAST

This is embarrassing, so I know I've got to share it.

Oct 09, 2025

∙ Paid

Hi,

Some of you have been asking me about what you should do with your lives. “Should I get an MFA?” I have no idea what you should do. But I thought it might be useful to share my “personal statement” that got me into Brown, and the essay that I wrote that got me a Stegner Fellowship at Stanford. (Of course, I also submitted samples of my fiction.)

I am not reviewing these, just cutting and pasting, because I ain’t got the time to dance with the dorks of Christmas past. I only dance with the dorks of Christmas future. (Sorry. It’s been a long day.)

Ottessa

Consider becoming a paid subscriber and send your writing-related questions to: itsottessab@gmail.com. Each week I’ll pick a question at random (not really) and answer it here.

“Reality, I felt, was tacky.” —Ottessa Moshfegh

A Christmas Carol,” Stave 1–“Marley's Ghost.” | The Path of Grace — “A Christmas Carol,” Stave 1: “Marley’s Ghost” introduces Ebenezer Scrooge and the appearance of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge about the consequences of his greed and indifference. Marley’s ghost offers Scrooge a chance at redemption by announcing that three spirits will visit him, thus beginning his “Path of Grace”.

My “Personal Statement” for my application to Brown. This isn’t the final draft, I’ve lost the actual file:

WRITING ADVICE #20: HOW (NOT) TO WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO BROWN'S MFA PROGRAM IN FICTION AND/OR STANFORD'S STEGNER FELLOWSHIP IN FICTION IF YOU ARE/WERE ME IN THE PAST

This is embarrassing, so I know I've got to share it.

Consider becoming a paid subscriber and send your writing-related questions to: itsottessab@gmail.com. Each week I’ll pick a question at random (not really) and answer it here.

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