Students auditioning into the Miami Arts Charter School Creative Writing Department must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for entry.

Middle School (6th-8th Grade):

Students will turn in (1) personal essay and (2) poems. 

The personal essay should answer the following questions: 

Why do you write? Who do you write for? What is the importance of writing creatively? What is the power of writing, be it historically or in our modern world? What does writing do for you? What do you want writing to do for other people?

The essay should reflect your ability to reflect on your writing and its relation to the larger world. Your essay may take any form, style, or order you so choose; it should not be a generic answer to the questions above. In fact, we encourage you to answer this creatively and tie it to a meaningful life experience. Feel free to make it your own so long as the spirit of the questions are clear in your essay. The minimum length for the personal essay is 1.5 pages typed and printed in Garamond, 12-point font and proofread carefully. 

In addition, students must include (2) poems of any length, form, style, or subject matter. Remember that modern poetry does not necessarily need to rhyme.

In place of a full portfolio, the Creative Writing Director will give the prospective students a list of prompts to choose from in order to complete a timed writing assignment during the audition. Students may take the given prompt in any number of directions they may choose, as they will be assessed more on creativity and writing style than theme or genre. Pen and paper will be provided.

High School (9 -12th):

Students will turn in a writing portfolio, which should reflect the student's interest and ability with poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction. It must be typed and printed in Garamond, 12-point font and proofread carefully. No electronic portfolios will be accepted. The portfolio should have multiple pieces of original works written or revised during the last year, including but not limited to:

• (1) short fiction story.
• At least (3) works of poetry; of any style, form, or subject matter. Remember that modern poetry does not necessarily need to rhyme.
• At least (1) personal essay; 1-2 pages long each. At least one of the personal essays should answer the following questions: 

Why do you write? Who do you write for? What is the importance of writing creatively? What is the power of writing, be it historically or in our modern world? What does writing do for you? What do you want writing to do for other people?

Note: the essay should reflect your ability to reflect on your writing and its relation to the larger world. Your essay may take any form, style, or order you so choose; it should not be a generic answer to the questions above. In fact, we encourage you to answer this creatively and tie it to a meaningful life experience. Feel free to make it your own so long as the spirit of the questions are clear in your essay.

During the audition, the Creative Writing Director will give the prospective students a list of prompts to choose from in order to write a timed writing assignment. Students may take the given prompt in any number of directions they may choose, as they will be assessed more on creativity and writing style than theme or genre. Pen and paper will be provided.

If you have specific questions regarding the creative writing audition requirements, please contact:   

Ms. Elizabeth Saldaña, Creative Writing Director
esaldana@miamiartscharter.net