Undergraduate ProgramsProfessional Writing Minor

How to Apply

Professional Writing Minor Application

Students can apply for the minor in Professional Writing if they have met the following requirements: (1) achieved an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better, (2) completed the Writing II requirement, (3) submitted a 500-word application essay explaining why they want to enroll in this minor, and (4) submitted an additional writing sample that reflects their best work in college so far. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AT 5 PM PST ON THE STATED APPLICATION DEADLINE. (See the "Overview" tab for quarterly deadlines.)

  • Reapplication policy: you may apply again for the PWM after two full academic quarters have passed since your last application was reviewed. If you re-apply, you should be able to demonstrate that something significant has changed about your writing and your preparedness for the minor. You may not re-apply more than once, and there is no guarantee of admission on a second application.
  • Instructions for Application Essay: In 500 words, please answer the following questions: (1) How have you engaged with writing in your academic (and professional, if applicable) life so far? We are especially interested in your experience of writing beyond high school. (2) What is the kind of writing in which you hope to gain expertise? (3) How does the Professional Writing Minor fit into your professional plans? Please be as specific as you can: what courses do you hope to take in the minor? What field(s) would you like to work in, and how could the PWM support you in your career goals? Please name all uploaded files with identifying information (e.g. LastName_FirstName and the letters AE. Example: Bruin_Joe_AE

    Important: Please note that the Professional Writing Minor is not a conventional creative writing program. If you are primarily interested in writing fiction, poetry, or drama, please investigate the English Department’s resources for the Concentration in Creative Writing or e-mail creativewriting@english.ucla.edu

    Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • Please upload one additional writing sample that you feel represents your best work in college so far. Your additional sample must be 1000 words or less and should not be an assignment for a freshman composition class. It’s fine to send a section of a longer paper—if you do, consider sending us the beginning of the paper so that we will have a better idea of what we’re reading. In the same document with your sample, please include the following supporting information: (1) How does this sample demonstrate your strengths as a writer? Please write 2-3 sentences explaining why you chose it; (2) When submitting academic essays, please submit either the original prompt or your best recollection of the prompt, so that we have an idea of the expectations for the assignment. Please name your files with identifying information (e.g. LastName_FirstName and the letters WS). Example: Bruin_Josephine_WS

    Important: Please DO NOT submit fiction, poetry, plays, or screenplays as samples. We do accept creative nonfiction and journalism submissions—please let us know if you have questions about whether your sample is suitable.

    Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.