best high school creative writing programs

Great Summer Creative Writing Programs for High School Students

Immersive Summer Programs for Budding Writers

Summer is a terrific time for aspiring writers to focus on creative writing . Immersive programs give high schoolers the opportunity to develop writing skills, meet like-minded students, and gain an impressive line on their activities resumé. This list of excellent summer creative writing programs for high school students may offer just what the budding writers in your family need to make the most of their talents.

Emerson College Creative Writers Workshop

Emerson’s Creative Writers Workshop is a five-week program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors geared at developing their writing skills in a variety of media, including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, graphic novels, and magazine writing. Participants attend college-level writing classes exploring these genres in which they write and present their own work, create a final portfolio of their writing, contribute to the workshop’s anthology, and present a reading for family and friends. On-campus housing is available for the duration of the workshop.

Alfred University Creative Writing Camp

This summer writing program introduces rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to many different genres, including poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, and drama. Students read and discuss the work of established authors and participate in writing-intensive exercises and workshop sessions led by Alfred University faculty members. Campers stay in university housing and enjoy a variety of recreational activities outside of classes and workshops such as movie nights, games, and social gatherings. The program runs annually for five days at the end of June.

Sarah Lawrence College Summer Writers Workshop for High School Students

This program is a one-week, non-residential summer workshop for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that explores the process of creative writing in a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment. Participants have the opportunity to attend small writing and theater workshops led by faculty and guest writers and theater artists, as well as attend and participate in readings. Classes are limited to 15 students with three faculty leaders per workshop to provide individual attention for each student.

Sewanee Young Writers Conference

This two-week residential program offered by The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, provides dedicated rising high school sophomore, junior, and senior creative writers an opportunity to develop and polish their writing skills. The conference includes workshops in playwriting, fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction led by celebrated professional writers as well as visiting writers whose works students analyze and discuss. Participants select one writing genre and spend their two weeks attending a small workshop dedicated to that genre, with opportunities for one-on-one contact with workshop leaders. Students also participate in lectures, readings, and discussions.

Emerging Writers Institute Creative Writing Camp

Allen Grove

Education Unlimited offers the Emerging Writers Institute creative writing camp each summer at Yale University , Stanford University , and UC Berkeley . This two-week residential program for rising 10th-12th graders includes daily workshops, evaluations, peer editing groups, and creative presentations designed to encourage students to challenge themselves as writers and hone their expressive writing process.

Each student chooses to major in the writing of either short stories, poetry, playwriting, or nonfiction. The bulk of their critical reading and writing exercises and workshopping is devoted to their selected major. Students may also attend afternoon workshops on nontraditional genres such as speechwriting, graphic novels, and advertising copy, as well as guest presentations by local authors and publishers.

Iowa Young Writers' Studio

The University of Iowa offers this two-week summer creative writing program for rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen. Students choose one of three core courses in poetry, fiction, or creative writing (a more general course sampling from poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction). Within their course, they participate in seminar classes in which they read and analyze literary selections and workshops to create, share, and discuss their own writing. Also offered are large group writing exercises, inspirational outdoor writing excursions, and nightly readings by prominent published writers. Many of the program's teachers and counselors are graduates of the university's Iowa Writers' Workshop, one of the most prestigious creative writing graduate programs in the country.

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Thirteen Colleges Every High School Creative Writer Should Consider [Updated for 2019!]

The process of selecting a college for four years—four significant years—of one’s life is never easy. What further complicates this process is the fact that more applications are flying into pretty much every school than ever before. What contradicts this idea, however, is the reality: that there are multiple schools that present terrific opportunities for each type of student . There are multiple ‘best creative writing colleges’. So creative writers, fear not! If you don’t believe me, check out some pretty awesome programs below.

Since its inception in 2010,  The Adroit Journal  has been committed to helping high school writers unlock their potentials while finding the undergraduate writing community for them. High school writers should check out our free, annual online Summer Mentorship Program , which will open to applications on March 15th, as well as our Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose , which recognize spectacular high school and college writers each year. You may wish to additionally check out our summer workshop, camp, and program guide for high school creative writers , as well as our tips for high school teen writers .

But First… Sign Up for Updates!

No matter where you choose to spend your college years, be sure to spend them with us! By signing up below, you’ll receive updates each time we open a submission period or release an issue, and you’ll receive our 2019 Guide to Colleges Every Creative Writer Should Consider . (Note: If you are already subscribed to our mailing list, you will already receive this guide.)

• Learn more at http://www.ellipsiswriting.com .

1 | Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia Acceptance Rate: 26.8% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,829 US News & World Rank: 21 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

Where to begin? Beautiful campus, beautiful weather, and some of the best creative writing resources a college can hope to have. Emory University is the home of previous U.S. Poet Laureate (and Queen) Natasha Trethewey, as well as a sterling set of core faculty, visiting lecturers, and fellows.

English & Creative Writing Major Creative Writing Minor Honors Program in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Fellows Page Raymond Danowski Poetry Library

2 | University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia Acceptance Rate: 29.0% Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,483 US News & World Rank: 25 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

Boasting another beautiful campus, the University of Virginia may be of particular interest to writers interested in concentrating in either poetry or prose writing for their undergraduate years. Specifically, the school hosts two specific two-year Area Programs dedicated to these areas—unlike any institution I’ve come across—with a terrific faculty (Lisa Russ Spaar, all hail) to boot.

English Major Distinguished Majors Program Creative Writing for Undergraduates Area Program in Poetry Writing Area Program in Literary Prose

3 | University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 10.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,746 US News & World Rank: 8 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 5, 2019

Of course, I may happen to be biased— I’m a happy alum of Penn, and studied English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Consumer Psychology —but this means I can confidently say that through a refined liberal arts focus at the University of Pennsylvania , you will learn to write while also finding another interest—any interest—to write about. Penn also has an unrivaled internship program called RealArts@Penn, which provides students with approximately thirty diverse, meaningful internships open to the Penn community, and gives each $4,000 to ensure they can afford to do them. You can be sure that your creative writing portfolio will be read—in fact, Penn seeks to recruit the nation’s top young writers and provide them with admissions advocacy through the Kelly Writers House, a non-residential haven for writers and creative types of all kinds that hosts more than 300 events per year. The Writers House is also home to an incredibly tight-knit community of passionate writers and readers that is always pulling another chair up to the table. To find out more information about these opportunities, click on the “Kelly Writers House” and “Writing Recruitment Opportunity” links below. If interested in the recruitment opportunity, please contact Associate Director of Writing Recruitment Jamie-Lee Josselyn, whose contact information is available on the Kelly Writers House website. (By the way, it’s not at all restricted to Early Decision, it’s not at all restricted to prospective English Majors, and it’s not at all restricted to those who can afford full tuition.) No, you aren’t dreaming.

Department of English English Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing Kelly Writers House Writing Recruitment Opportunity RealArts @ Penn Internship Program Department of Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty

4 | Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey Acceptance Rate: 7.4% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,391 US News & World Rank: 1 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

The faculty at Princeton University is undeniably stacked: Jeffrey Eugenides, Paul Muldoon, Joyce Carol Oates, James Richardson, Tracy K. Smith… the list goes on. No doubt it will be an intense four years, but Princeton is a tough one to say “no” to.

Lewis Center for the Arts Princeton Poetry Festival Creative Writing Faculty Page Creative Writing Program Reading Series

5 | Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri Acceptance Rate: 17.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,401 US News & World Rank: 19 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

It’s no secret that Washington University in St. Louis  is a great place to write—it’s got one of the top Master of Fine Arts programs in the world for creative writing. With a number of certifiably awesome opportunities, it’s also a great place for undergrads… and the fact that they have a specific scholarship dedicated to enabling the best writers to come to WashU is pretty cool, too. P.S.—Mary Jo Bang, Carl Phillips, francine harris. I rest my case.

Undergraduate English Program Concentration in Creative Writing Creative Writing Faculty English and/or Writing Minor Howard Nemerov Writing Scholarship

6 | Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut Acceptance Rate: 6.3% Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,477 US News & World Rank: 3 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

From what I’ve heard, being on Yale University ‘s campus is kind of like being in a never-ending creative paradise. Especially if you know where to look. The programs are fantastic (duh—it’s Yale), and Yale students can write —poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. And the school is near New York City, and home to the fabulous Yale University Press. Also, the students do cool things like this (shoutout to previous Adroit prose reader Roger Pellegrini!) and this (shoutout to previous Adroit  Managing Editor Alexa Derman!).

Undergraduate English Major Creative Writing at Yale Creative Writing Faculty Writing Concentration

7 | Bucknell University

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate: 30.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,565 US News & World Rank: 36 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

Although perhaps not known as as the most creative of schools,  Bucknell University buzzes with excitement on the poetry front. Other than being home to Bucky the Bison, Bucknell is home to the stunning Stadler Center for Poetry, which brings a number of mix of iconic literary figures and fresh emerging perspectives to Bucknell through an active reading series and two Stadler Fellow seats. Furthermore, Bucknell students (and, actually, all undergraduate students) have enhanced access to the opportunity of studying poetry as part of the annual Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets, which brings two inspiring poets to town and awards full-tuition fellowships to ten undergraduate poets finishing their sophomore, junior, or senior years. ( Disclaimer: I was a Younger Poet Fellow last summer, so I may be a biased. But: Apply, even if you aren’t a Bucknell student. Trust me. ) The 32nd annual Seminar will take place in June 2016.

Bucknell University English Major Creative Writing Concentration English & Creative Writing Faculty Stadler Center for Poetry

8 | New York University

New York, New York Acceptance Rate: 35.5% Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,985 US News & World Rank: 30 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

Another undeniably exciting place to study creative writing (of pretty much any genre) is New York University . NYU has not only a fabulous core faculty, but also a talented pool of graduate students working towards their Masters of Fine Arts. This will provide you with a terrific mix of perspectives throughout your four years. And similar to Yale (perhaps a result of the aforementioned faculty), NYU has a fantastically creative student body (with the possible exception of the Stern kids), and the students can write . And New York City.

Creative Writing Program Creative Writing Faculty Creative Writing Undergraduate Program Literary Publications Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House

9 | Kenyon College

Gambier, Ohio Acceptance Rate: 25.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,662 US News & World Rank: 30 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

It seems almost ironic that Kenyon College  follows in the list after New York University, seeing as the two are almost opposites: Kenyon is a small rural school, while New York is gigantic and, well, in New York. I say almost  opposites because both hold terrific opportunities for student writers. Kenyon is a well-known strong program for creative writers, perhaps because of its world-class Kenyon Review  and the annual Kenyon Young Writers Workshop. Whatever the reason, it deserves the acclaim—with  an incredible faculty and a strong student body (including an unbelievably large amount of students recognized in the Adroit Prizes !).

Kenyon College English Department Creative Writing at Kenyon Kenyon College English Faculty Kenyon College Literary Fellows The Kenyon Review &  KR Online Kenyon Review  Associates Program Kenyon Young Writers Workshop

10 | Stanford University

Stanford, California Acceptance Rate: 5.1% Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,019 US News & World Rank: 7 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 3, 2019

Stanford University is strong across multiple areas of undergraduate study, clearly, but in the past has not been known by the mainstream for its creative writing resources. Having said that, the school prides itself on holding one of the premier fellowships for rising poets and fiction writers in the entire world—the Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program. This program trickles down into the undergraduate realm through instruction, and (obviously) through the establishment of a talented writing community. Also, the presence of strong minds on the core faculty is undeniable—looking at you, Adam Johnson, Eavan Boland, and Tobias Wolff. Also, Stanford probably has the most gorgeous campus in the history of the earth, and rumor has it they are looking for more writers…

Stanford University English Department Stanford University Undergraduate Creative Writing Program Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program Stanford University Core Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Visiting Creative Writing Professors Stanford University Lecturers in Creative Writing

11 | Emerson College

Boston, Massachusetts Acceptance Rate: 49.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,765 US News & World Rank: Unlisted 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2019

Emerson College  is home to an incredible Writing, Literature & Publishing program, as well as to the nationally-renowned literary publications Ploughshares  and Redivider . It’s also located in central Boston, and loaded with a strong faculty. What more could you want?

Writing, Literature & Publishing Program Undergraduate Programs W, L & P Faculty Literary Publications Careers & Internships in W, L & P

12 | Middlebury College

Middlebury, Vermont Acceptance Rate: 17.2% Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,526 US News & World Rank: 5 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 1, 2019

Middlebury College is another clear choice. Set in scenic Vermont, the school is home to the prestigious literary publication New England Review  and a host of significant creative writing resources and faculty members. For example, rising undergraduate seniors have the opportunity to apply to attend the world-renowned Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.

Department of English and American Literature Creative Writing Offerings Creative Writing Faculty Undergraduates at Bread Loaf Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference New England Review

13 | Davidson College

Davidson, North Carolina Acceptance Rate: 21.7% Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,770 US News & World Rank: 10 (Colleges) 2019 Admissions Deadline: January 2, 2019

Davidson College  is another one you might overlook in your college search—after all, it’s quite small and nestled in a small town in North Carolina—but don’t let yourself miss it! Aside from having a department with resources, Davidson has a strong faculty and a $30,000 annual scholarship for a creative writer to study (any subject) at Davidson. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

English Department Creative Writing Offerings English/Creative Writing Faculty & Staff Honors Program Patricia Cornwall Creative Writing Scholarship

Even more undergraduate Colleges & Universities you should consider

Barnard College Bennington College Bryn Mawr College Carnegie Mellon University Columbia University Harvard University Hollins University Johns Hopkins University Knox College Oberlin College Sewanee: The University of the South Skidmore College University of California, Berkeley University of Chicago University of Iowa University of Miami University of Michigan

These lists comprise only a few of the many schools with excellent programs. Many more perhaps belong on this list but, due to space constraints, were not added. Look at this list as a start, and good luck, seniors!

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Peter LaBerge

Peter LaBerge founded The Adroit Journal in 2010, as a high school sophomore. His work appears in Crazyhorse, Harvard Review, Indiana Review, Iowa Review, Kenyon Review Online, Pleiades, and Tin House, among others. He is the recipient of a 2020 Pushcart Prize.

Thanks so much for this! Applied to a lot of these schools–so glad I did!

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Top 10 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students

Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.

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If you are a high school student interested in enhancing your writing skills over the summer, look no further. Scholarships360 has you covered with our picks for top 10 writing summer camps for high school students. Let’s dive right in!

What is a summer writing program?

A summer writing program offers high school students interested in different types of writing to immerse themselves in the field. These programs range from creative writing, to playwriting, to poetry, and everything in between. 

Why we selected the following writing programs

We chose a diverse range of writing summer camps for high school students that vary in price, location, and academic focus. These are definitely not all of the writing programs that are in existence, but we wanted to name a few that impressed us.

A note on application deadlines and program dates

Application deadlines and program dates vary from program to program because these are all at different institutions, all over the country. We will do our best to keep these dates updated, so if a program that you are interested in currently says “TBD”, check back in a few weeks and the program may have released that information!

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Top 10 summer writing programs for high schoolers, 1. iowa young writers’ studio.

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a two-week session located at the University of Iowa campus or online. The two programs run at the same time, and there are two different date options for students to choose from. With this program, students select their primary focus throughout the program– fiction writing, poetry writing, or creative writing. 

• Program benefits : Readings by published writers; workshops on process and aspects of craft; discussions on writing-adjacent subjects (literary translation, film, revision, mental health); collaborative projects to allow small groups of students to work together; as well as open mics, talent shows, icebreakers, and social gatherings
• Application deadline: February 4th, 2024
• Session 1: June 16-29, 2024
• Session 2: July 14-27, 2024
• Cost: The in-person program is $2,500, and the online program is $575

2. Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp Creative Writing Programs

Interlochen Center for the Arts is a prestigious arts center for students of all ages who are interested in various types of arts to hone in on their craft. The Camp Creative Writing Programs are for high school students of all ages. Campers choose between four different tracks– Comics and Graphic Narratives Intensive, Creative Writing Program, Novel Writing Intensive, or Performance Poetry Intensive. The focus below is the broadest category, the Creative Writing Program. This three week intensive allows students to immerse themselves in the world of writing. 

• Program benefits : Genre workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting; placed in classes outside of comfort zones to learn more about different genres; reading showcase; guest artists and speakers
• Application deadline: January 15th, 2023, for both sessions
• Session 1: June 23, 2024 to July 13, 2024
• Session 2: July 14, 2024 to August 4, 2024
• Cost: $6,765

3. Sarah Lawrence College Writer’s Week: A Creative Writing & Performance Arts Workshop

The Sarah Lawrence Creative Writing and Performance Arts Workshop is offered both online and in person. The in-person workshop is a day camp, not a residential program. Each day of the program, students attend writing workshops led by poets, prose writers, and performance artists. The program also includes faculty led workshops and meetings, as well as a celebration of student work at the end of the program. 

• Program benefits : Work with distinguished faculty and graduate students, generating materials to share, collaboration with peers, learning to revise and edit. 
• Application deadline: TBD, registration opens in February
• Virtual session: July 15 – 19, 2024
• In-Person session: August 5 – 9, 2024
• July Session (Virtual) $1,025 ($100 deposit)
• August Session (On Campus) $1,550 ($200 deposit)

4. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program

The Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program is a six-week high school summer program where students immerse themselves in writing, film, design, art, and culture. This program teaches students how to properly tell a story, regardless of what their story may be. Applicants must be sophomores or juniors in high school at the time of the application submission. There are opportunities to receive scholarships for this program as well, which is something to keep in mind while applying. 

• Program benefits : Opportunities to explore some of Pittsburgh’s world-class museums, access to the Carnegie Mellon Archives and Fine and Rare Book Rooms, mentorship and networking opportunities.
• Application deadline : Early decision deadline is February 1st, 2024, regular decision deadline is March 1st, 2024
• Program dates: June 22nd – July 20th, 2024
• Residential: $8,995
• Commuter: $6,800

Related: Top writing and essay scholarships

5. Denison University Reynolds Young Writers Workshop

The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop based out of Denison University in Granville, Ohio is an eight-day residential writing program that helps to immerse students in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing. This program is open to students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of high school who have an interest in writing. Generous financial assistance is available to those who need it.  

• Program benefits : Group sessions, hands-on work with Denison faculty and staff, notable visiting writers
• Application deadline: March 1st, 2024 at 11:59 PM
• Program dates: June 22 – 29, 2024
• Cost: $1,500

6. Alpha– The Young Writers Workshop

Alpha – The Young Writers Workshop is a 12-day writing workshop for students ages 14-19 located on the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg campus. Not only will students immerse themselves in their writing and have the opportunity to hone in on that skill, but they will also learn more about the technical side of writing– submitting for publication, editing, and receiving feedback. Alpha also offers scholarships for those who may need them. 

• Program benefits : Ample time spent with influential professors, opportunities for brainstorming workshops, professional writer presentations, lectures. 
• Application deadline : March 10th, 2024
• Program dates : July 24 – August 4, 2024

Don’t miss: Top free summer programs for high school students

7. Loyola Marymount University- Beginning Screenwriting Program

The Loyola Marymount University Beginning Screenwriting Program is a hands-on two-week program located on the campus of one of the nation’s best film schools. Students learn the basics of the script developing process, gain a deeper understanding of cinematic storytelling, and enhance their writing skills. The first program dates are for eligible high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The second program dates are for juniors and seniors only. 

• Program benefits : Opportunity for hands-on experiences within Los Angeles’ film industry, touring local film or television studio”
• Application deadline : March 15th, 2024
• Session 1: June 23-July 6, 2024
• Session 2: July 14-July 27, 2024
• Cost : $5,800 with a $65 application fee

8. Georgetown University Creative Writing Academy

The Georgetown University Creative Writing Academy is a week-long writing academy for high school students of all ages. During this academy, students have the opportunity to work on and present a capstone project, which can be on various topics and within various subject areas. This academy focuses largely on the publishing aspects of creative writing. 

• Program benefits : Readings from published authors, work with Georgetown faculty and staff, field trips, group discussions
• Application deadline : The “Early Bird” deadline is January 31st, 2024, and the Final deadline is May 15th, 2024
• Program dates: July 14th – 20th, 2024
• Cost :$3,389, includes tuition, housing, and meals

9. Emerson Writes

The Emerson Writes is an on-campus program that focuses on topics such as fiction, prose, scriptwriting, comedy writing, graphic novel writing, and performance poetry. This program offers students opportunities to create and revise their personal writing portfolio. 

• Program benefits : Work with highly regarded faculty writers, participate in literary hangouts, participate in “final reading” at the conclusion of the program
• Application deadline : TBD, not yet open
• Program dates : Depending on which courses you choose to take, the schedule varies, but the first class starts in September 2024
• Cost : Free

Also see: How to rock the summer before your senior year

10. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program

The last entry on our list of writing summer camps for high school students is also one of the most prestigious. The Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week summer program that offers over 100 non-credit courses for high school students to take part in. The Speech, Writing, and Literature topic is a great option for students who want to pursue a career in writing or just want to develop their craft. This topic offers multiple different courses, such as creative writing, English, expository writing, journalism, and speech. The program also offers some financial aid for qualifying students. 

• Program benefits : Build valuable academic skills, learn to live independently on a college campus, take sample college courses
• Early Application and Priority Financial Aid Deadline — January 10, 2024
• Regular Application and Financial Aid Deadline — February 14, 2024
• Late Application Deadline — April 10, 2024
• Session I: June 23 – July 5, 2024
• Session II: July 7 – 19, 2024
• Session III: July 21 – August 2, 2024
• Cost : $5,550 + $75 application fee

Don’t miss: High school checklist: Freshman through senior year

• Now that you’ve got some writing summer camps for high school students in mind, start preparing your application materials! This may include application essays , letters of recommendation , transcripts, or sample writing materials
• Apply for program scholarships if needed
• Write! Bring your writing samples with you, as you never know when you might need them
• Don’t forget that Scholarships360 offers all the resources you need as you continue your education! It’s never too early to learn about extracurricular activities and when to start applying to colleges ! 

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The Best Writing Summer Programs for High School Students

Writing may be a lonely craft, but it is certainly not something that is learned in isolation. 

The best way to improve a student’s writing is to become part of a writing community where constructive feedback and encouragement can help them be the best writer they can be. 

Thankfully, many institutions and universities offer the opportunity to be part of a writing community through their summer programs. 

Many summer programs not only have students work with gifted university faculty, but they also bring students face to face with some of their favorite authors. 

The following list of programs are among the best for a number of different reasons. Some are the best value, and others because of the unique program focuses they offer. But each brings a unique take on training young people in the craft of writing. 

Regardless of why they are the best, each of these writing summer programs offers students a wide range of experience, opportunities, and support in becoming writers of the future. 

BYU’s Young Authors Academy (Provo, UT)

BYU is known for its close association with the LDS church, which brings its commitment to service and community to the university in all areas of academic life. 

As a result, the university has a thriving Young Authors Academy program that middle and high school students can take advantage of during the summer. 

This week-long program allows students to live on the BYU campus, get training from BYU professors, and even meet and speak directly to guest authors. 

Though students don’t have to stay on campus, it can be an enriching experience to live like a BYU student for a week. 

Parents may feel hesitant about their child living like a college student. BYU’s code of conduct makes the Young Authors Academy program one that parents can trust to promote a wholesome and age-appropriate environment. 

Lewis and Clark Fir Acres Writing Workshop (Portland, OR)

Lewis and Clarks’ Fir Acres Writing Workshop takes this spirit of adventure into the realm of writing and guides high school students through a two-week community writing experience. 

Students will strengthen their reading and writing skills with the help of expert faculty while communing with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. 

In addition to living on the beautiful campus, students will get a chance to wander the creative downtown of Portland. 

As students walk the city streets, they will be walking in the footsteps of authors who made Portland home like Ursula Le Guin, Beverly Cleary, and Chuck Palahniuk. 

Lastly, a visit to Portland would be incomplete without a trip to one of the famous Portland spots – Powell’s Bookstore! 

With trips to the city, writing workshops, and wandering the campus, students will have a summer adventure they will think about for years to come at the Fir Acres Writing Workshop. 

LMU’s Pre-College Beginning Screenwriting (Los Angeles, CA)

Loyola Marymount University is known for being one of the top film schools in the US, which is little surprise with it being located in the heart of the entertainment capital. 

Students attending LMU will be in good company with alumni like X-Files co-writer James Wong and James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli.

With this film school backdrop, LMU offers a unique opportunity to young writers who have a passion for the movies – Beginning Screenwriting. 

Students will spend two weeks working closely with faculty screenwriters who have written award-winning movies and tv series. 

By the end of the workshop, students will have developed their storytelling skills, learned to write in a collaborative environment, and have produced a short screenplay of their own making. 

In addition to learning how to write screenplays, students will also have the opportunity to explore the behind-the-scenes process of filmmaking by visiting a local tv or film studio. At LMU, students learn to become writers who can create the magic of movies and tv. 

Iowa Young Writers’ Studio (Iowa City, IA)

The University of Iowa knows a thing or two about excellence, particularly in writing. Out of this excellent writing program is the Young Writers’ Studio. 

High school students will attend the studio for two weeks, focusing on a core writing genre. Through the two weeks, students will be able to work collaboratively with their peers, listen to published authors discuss the craft, and explore areas of writing they haven’t before. 

Iowa has drawn writers since the university’s Writers’ Workshop was established in the 1930s and has a long and successful history of training aspiring authors. 

As a result, Iowa City is known for being the place to be if you are a writer. High school students who want to join the writer’s life will be following a long tradition of writing excellence by joining Iowa’s Young Writers’ Studio . 

Wharton Center’s Young Playwrights Festival (East Lansing, MI)

Though this opportunity is limited to Michigan students, it deserves recognition on the list because of the fantastic opportunity it provides aspiring playwrights. 

The Young Playwrights Festival is hosted by the Wharton Center, which hosts a wide range of live entertainment from plays to concerts. 

The Wharton Center and the MSU theater department work together to hold the annual Young Playwrights Festival, a unique competition connecting students with mentors. 

This event calls on young playwrights to submit their best script with the expectation that if they win, they will be able to work with MSU playwrights to polish and further develop their script. 

But this opportunity isn’t just about improving a student’s writing – it also results in the student being able to see their work come to life. The festival’s winner will have their polished play performed by the MSU theater department on the Wharton Center stage! 

Georgetown’s Creative Writing Academy (Washington, DC)

Georgetown in D.C has a rich pre-college program for high school students looking to prepare themselves for higher education and a career. The university offers students the option to choose from over 20 possible “academies” to attend over 1-3 week periods of time during the summer. 

For writers, the 1-week Creative Writing Academy offers high schoolers the chance to not only polish their skills, but also to learn what it takes to be a professional writer. 

Students will get the chance to work with advisors to find publishing areas for their writing, gain advice on what higher education programs to pursue, and discover how to find funding for writing projects. 

By the end of the program, students will even get the opportunity to publish their work. Georgetown’s literary magazine, Three Stars, features student work annually. A credential like this will look great on a student’s growing portfolio and resume. 

UF’s Summer Media Institute (Gainsville, FL)

Ranked number 5 for being a “Top Public School” in the US by US News and Word Report, and known for being one of the most extensive journalism and communications programs in the US, the University of Florida has a special opportunity to offer students who want to pursue writing in media. 

The Summer Media Institute is a 6-day workshop that draws students from all over. This program is different from the others on this list because it doesn’t require an application process. 

Instead, the program is based on a first-come, first-serve registration process that closes once the student limit is reached. 

Students attending the Summer Media Institute will learn the many different elements of storytelling in the real world. From getting to experience a newsroom to learning to build a story out of data, at UF students will learn that the writing process goes far beyond just writing words on a page.

Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference (Sewanee, TN)

The University of The South, as Sewanee is called, is one of the more picturesque locations on the list. 

Located on 13,000 acres that the university calls the Domain, students who live at and attend the university have the beauty of Tennessee right outside their door. 

This is an integral part of student life, as high schoolers will discover when they come to participate in the Sewanee’s Young Writers’ Conference. 

In addition to writing, reading, discussing, and meeting guest authors, part of the experience is also getting to experience the beauty of the Domain. 

Students who are taking a break from coursework can be found hiking the surrounding trails or going for a swim in nearby Fiery Gizzard. 

One unique feature of this program is a reading list students will need to finish before coming. 

A good writer is a reader, so students who are accepted will get to read the books of that summer’s guest authors. 

This reading will come in handy later when students hear the guest author discuss their work and offer advice for students in their own writing process. 

Being a writer means finding a workspace that inspires and reduces distractions. Students will discover that Sewanee offers both.

Princeton Summer Journalism Program (Princeton, NJ)

Princeton’s reputation reaches far and wide, making its Journalism Program the envy of Summer Programs. 

It is no wonder that students are shocked to find out that the program is free. Even better, the program is free for those who wouldn’t traditionally be able to afford a summer program, let alone an ivy league program. 

Princeton offers students from under-resourced backgrounds a full-ride opportunity to attend their 10-day Summer Journalism Program . Students whose families meet the income requirements and who are in good academic standing at their high school are eligible to go through the application process. 

The program’s goal to create more opportunities in newsrooms for those who wouldn’t usually be able to afford the training includes helping students understand the college application process. 

After a student leaves the program, they will be assigned a Princeton counselor that will assist them through all parts of the college application process no matter where they choose to attend. 

This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of situation. Students who meet the criteria will thank themselves for investing the time and effort to attend this life-changing program. 

Susquehanna’s Writers’ Workshop (Selinsgrove, PA)

Susquehanna University is known for its commitment to being a green campus, an affordable private university, and producing students who excel. In the last nine years alone, the school has had 12 Fulbright winners and, more recently, has been awarded the STARS Silver accolade for its environmental efforts. 

The university is also known for its Writers’ Workshop . Students who attend the week-long workshop will work with talented faculty like Hasanthika Sirisena , who has won the Juniper Literary Prize for her fiction. Students will also be able to work with Monica Prince , whose “choreopoems” are studied around the US. 

The Writers’ Workshop allows students to immerse themselves in their writing craft to produce works they can take with them. 

But before they leave with their work, students will get the chance to showcase their hard work in two different ways. Students will be able to perform their pieces for their friends and family at the end of the workshop and then publish their compositions in the SWW Anthology . 

Talented faculty, an environmentally friendly campus, and talented peers – these are the makings of a great summer writing program experience. 

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10 Best Creative Writing Programs for High School Students

Creative writing has a wide range of applications and benefits. It not only helps you structure and write in different ways but also makes you a better reader and communicator!

In this post, we have compiled a list of great creative writing programs for high school students. We’ve also thrown in some journalism programs for good measure!

10 Great Creative Writing Programs

1. iowa young writers’ studio – residential program.

Location: Online and in-person versions available

Fee/stipend: $575 for the online version, $2,500 for the in-person version

Financial assistance: Several full tuition and partial tuition grants are available.

Application deadline: February 5, 2023

Program dates: Session 1 from June 11, 2023, to June 24, 2023, Session 2 from July 9, 2023, to July 22, 2023

Eligibility: 10th, 11th and 12th graders are eligible to apply

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is one of the most prestigious writing programs in the country, with an estimated acceptance rate between 15-20%. You get to choose one course from poetry, fiction, creative writing, playwriting, or TV writing. The course structure contains a mix of seminars and workshops. The mentors are graduates of the University of Iowa, which holds the most prestigious creative writing program in the country (strange but true)! This is a great program if you’re looking for an immersive experience in a single style of writing.

2. Princeton’s Summer Journalism Program

Location: Online and in-person versions available throughout the year culminating in a 10-day residential program at the end of July

Fee/stipend: Free

Financial assistance: NA

Application deadline: February 27, 2023

Program dates: Year-long

Eligibility: Students must be in the 11th grade, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and must qualify for one of these socioeconomic conditions .

You will get a taste of life as a journalist in this year-long course. You will participate in a range of activities, including attending online workshops and lectures with renowned journalists from all over the country.

Apart from the usual workshops and lectures, you will have access to a number of exciting opportunities such as visiting newsrooms, making a documentary, and working on the Princeton Summer Journal which is published at the end of the program. Fair warning - this is a highly selective program including a three-round application process and a final cohort of up to 40 students .

3. NYU Tisch’s Future Dramatic Writers Workshop

Location: Commuter program at NYU's New York City campus

Application deadline: Closed for 2023

Program dates: February 4, 2023 - May 13, 2023

Program Selectivity: Highly selective

Eligibility: Open to 9th, 10th and 11th graders

If accepted to this program, you get the opportunity to study and practice writing for theatre, film, and television. The program takes place every Saturday for 14 weeks , where you will be spending 8 hours in lectures and workshops. It culminates in a yearly showcase where students can present what they’ve worked on. It is an intensive course equivalent to Tisch’s undergraduate curriculum . This has an in-person component, so it may be easiest if you are in New York City.

4. Telluride Association Summer Seminars

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan

Program dates: June 25, 2023 – August 5, 2023

Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders

Primarily rooted in humanities and social studies, TASS looks at systems of power and oppression. While its main agenda is to exercise students’ critical thinking skills , reading and writing essays is a crucial part of the curriculum. You will find the opportunity to hone your writing skills in fields such as history, politics, culture, and more . This is a highly selective program with an estimated acceptance rate of 3-5% . While this may not fit the bill for traditional ‘creative writing’, the way in which it weaves a connection between critical thinking and impeccable writing is likely to enhance your creative writing projects.

5. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop

Location: Online

Fee/stipend: $900

Application deadline: April 3, 2023

Program dates: July 9, 2023 – July 14, 2023

Eligibility: Open to 10th, 11th and 12th graders

Yale Young Writers’ Workshop will give you an in-depth look at one of the following genres — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or graphic storytelling. With only 12 students per workshop, the highly selective, one-week program ensures each person gets an immersive experience in developing the craft of writing, experimenting with their work, and finding their own voice .

6. Asian American Journalists Association’s JCAMP

Location: On campus at American University, Washington D.C.

Application deadline: March 17, 2023

Program dates: July 15, 2023 – July 21, 2023

Known for its multicultural diversity and unique hands-on training, this renowned program aims to prepare you for a career in journalism. Not only will you get workshops with veteran industry leaders and go on field trips, but you’ll also have the chance to produce news packages for the program’s news site ! You will also have some published work to your credit. This is a highly selective program with about 30 students chosen from hundreds of applicants.

7. Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Summer Residential Workshop

Location: On campus at Kenyon College

Fee/stipend: $2,575

Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid is available.

Application deadline: March 1, 2023

Program dates: Session 1 from June 25, 2023, to July 8, 2023, Session 2 from July 16, 2023, to July 29, 2023

Eligibility: Open to 16–18-year-old students

This program offers a combination of individual conferences with your instructor and peer-led group discussion and exercises. The coursework is ungraded and focuses on students recognizing and working on their writing skills. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for a genre session where one genre or element of writing will be explored in-depth . This is highly selective with 12-14 students per workshop.

8. Bard College at Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop

Location: On campus

Fee/stipend: $3,500

Financial assistance: Moderate

Application deadline: None. Applicants are reviewed until the program is full, usually in mid-April or May

Program dates: July 9, 2023 – July 29, 2023

Eligibility: Open to students from grades 9-11

Instead of focusing only on the writing style, this three-week workshop focuses on enhancing language and thinking skills that are key for effective writing. The program consists of three 90-minute sessions every day with each having a different area of research. You will engage in writing activities and reading discussions within small groups of 12, so every student gets individual attention. Writings are shared by the workshop leaders as well as peers. While building a portfolio, you will be encouraged to focus on the process and finding your voice rather than the end product. This program is a good fit if you’re looking for informal coursework with a heavy emphasis on critical thinking.

9. Sarah Lawrence Writer’s Week – A Creative Writing and Performance Art Workshop

Location: Commuter program

Fee/stipend: $1,125

Financial assistance: Limited scholarships available to Yonkers Public School students

Application deadline: Registrations open in February.

Program dates: Virtual program from July 10, 2023 – July 14, 2023, On campus program from August 7, 2023 – August 11, 2023

Eligibility: Students must be 14 years of age or older

Writing (workshops and collaborative discussions) and theatre (workshops on improvisation, solo performance, character comedy, and the like) come together in this program with students learning components of each as well as their relation to each other. While this is a highly selective program, once in, you’ll find yourself in an interactive and supportive environment in a class of 18 students.

10. The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program

Fee/stipend: $450

Financial assistance: Available

Application deadline: March 12, 2023

Program dates: June 19, 2023 – July 31, 2023

Eligibility: Open to students from the 9th to 12th grades

Hosted by a literary and art non-profit organization, this program pairs budding writers with established ones , making this a highly individualized program. While peer activities are also offered, you will get personalized support and guidance from your mentor. You can choose from poetry, fiction and non-fiction/memoir writing. However, the program’s acceptance rate has been approximately 8-9% in the past so keep in mind that it is highly selective.

If you’re interested in going beyond creative writing and want to explore research in fields you’re interested in (e.g., research in literature!) , consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

25 Best High School Summer Writing Programs in 2024

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 6/25/24

Do you love reading and writing? If you are a creative with a love for reading books and have a passion for creative writing, playwriting, or journalism, check out these summer writing programs for high school students.

Every summer, several schools host writing programs for high school students. While some of these programs focus on the basics of writing, others are much more immersive. They teach various writing fields, including creative writing, research writing, scriptwriting, and poetry.

Whether you become the next Poet Laureate or the top-rated journalist, you can begin by attending a writing program this summer. Participating in these programs will build your skills and boost your college applications. Of the many writing programs, we bring to you the best writing programs for high schoolers. 

1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program at Princeton University 

Location : Princeton, NJ 

Program Length: 10 days

Eligibility: Grade 11-12 students

Start Date: July 26, 2024

Application Deadline: February 15, 2024

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) offers a free, year-long journalism program for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds . Students must go through a hybrid intensive period during the summer after their junior year, after which they work one-on-one with a personal college counselor during their senior year.

It is open to students with enthusiasm for journalism. You gain new writing and essential skills, including communication and work ethics. Other young creatives from around the world come together to learn and discuss topics ranging from culture, history, social issues, politics, and current events. You need no prior experience in journalism before joining this program.

2. YAWP Summer Teen Writing Fellowship at GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing in Seaport

Location : Boston, MA 

Program Length : Three weeks

Cost : Free

Eligibility : Grade 9-12 students

Start Date : July 8, 2024

Application Deadline : March 18, 2024

YAWP ( Young Artists and Writers Project ) is a highly sought-after creative summer writing program for high school students. Within three weeks, you collaborate with published authors and meet with literary agents and editors. There are also trips to inspirational locales like the ICA and libraries. 

Students without writing experience can be a part of this program. However, it is open only to applicants who attend school in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex, or Plymouth counties, prioritizing Boston residents. Only 20 applicants are selected for this program.

Students will learn techniques in genres, including but not limited to fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and screenwriting. You also discover how to relate as a student in the literary world. Each student will receive a stipend of $625 at the end of the program.

3. The School of New York Times Summer Academy at The School of New York Times

Location : New York City, NY 

Program Length : Two weeks

Cost : $7,220 for Residents and $5,935 for Day students 

Eligibility : Grade 10-12 students

Start Date : June 3, 2024

Application Deadline : April 1, 2024

The School of the New York Times offers various summer writing programs, covering topics like Writing on Tech, Opinion writing in journalism, commentary writing, creative writing, film writing, and other writing genres. Each topic is a different course on its own.

The instructors at this summer academy are industry experts, including award-winning journalists working at the New York Times. Students also explore New York City on field trips and unique visits. They also form connections with peers and students participating in graduate programs.

4. JCamp by Asian American Journalist Association

Location : Austin, TX 

Program Length : One week

Cost : Free 

Start Date : August 3, 2024

Application Deadline : March 1, 2024

JCamp is a national journalism workshop for high school students. It runs for six days, during which students from diverse cultures come to learn from veteran journalists and leading media executives. 

Expect hands-on training, including multiplatform news packages for the program’s news site, JCamp Live, interactive workshops, and field trips. A requirement to be selected is an apparent keen interest in broadcasting, magazines, newspapers, photojournalism, or online media. 

5. Juniper Young Writers Writing Lab at the University of Massachusetts 

Location : Amherst, MA 

Program Length : Two weeks 

Cost : $2,500 

Start Date : July 29, 2024

Application Deadline: March 7, 2024

The University of Massachusetts offers a two-week residential summer writing program at the Juniper Institute for Young Writers . During this program, students learn about writing concepts through lectures, fiction workshops, and writing prompts. They will participate in writing labs, craft sessions, writer’s life talks, readings, and write-alongs.

In addition, students will visit destinations associated with the writers, poets, and activists who made Western Mass their home. Seasoned instructors are available to answer your questions about creative writing. A bonus is the first-hand look at college life during this residential program on the University of Massachusetts campus.

6. Smith College Creative Writing Workshop at Smith College

Location : Northampton, MA 

Cost : $4,745

Start Date : July 6, 2024

Application Deadline : May 2024

Smith’s Creative Writing Workshop creates an avenue to explore writing in a creative and supportive environment. If you are passionate about creative writing, this program will enhance your love of writing. 

The classes employ a multi-draft writing model that embraces the unpredictability that occurs when we stop trying to control our writing. You learn a flexible writing approach that eliminates writer’s block and gives you access to your full creativity.

You also learn how to edit your work and others’ work. At the end of the program, you will have a budding online writing portfolio, an anthology with writing samples from all students, and professional contacts in the literary world.

7. Reynolds Young Writer’s Workshop at Denison University

Location : Granville, OH 

Cost : $1,500

Eligibility : Grade 11-12 students

Start Date : June 22, 2024

Application Deadline :  March 1, 2024

Denison University hosts a writer's workshop every year where core faculty members teach each student. The training begins with an introduction to the fundamentals and the depths of creative writing across the genres. Classes include writing exercises, short reading assignments, and craft discussions. 

Aside from writing workshops, you can meet with faculty members to discuss your work, aspirations, and writing goals. Not only the faculty members, you also get to meet and connect with acclaimed poets and writers.

During leisure, you can participate in cultural and recreational opportunities in Granville and Columbus. These include excursions to the Columbus Museum of Art, hiking in Denison’s 350-acre bio-reserve, movies, swimming, volleyball, bowling, and more.

8. The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers by the Alpha Group 

Location : Greensburg, PA 

Cost: $1,500

Start Date : July 24, 2024

Application Deadline : April 15, 2024

The Alpha workshop for high school students teaches students how to write stories in the sci-fi, horror, and fantasy genres. You learn how to generate and convert ideas into a draft. You also learn how to submit to professionals, attack revisions, and build a career in writing.

Alpha selects 20 students with significant experience in writing. Although the workshop is held at the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg, the university has no affiliation with Alpha Workshop For Young Writers Inc.

9. Liberal Arts Intensive at Barnard College

Location : Broadway, NY 

Program Length : Seven weeks

Cost : $13,724 for residents and $9,434 for commuters.

Application Deadline : March 10, 2024

The liberal arts intensive summer program covers several writing courses, including the Art of the Essay, reading, and writing workshops. The Art of Essay course includes discussions about cogent subject matters. 

Students get to write three types of essays that center on personal experience as valuable evidence of more significant phenomena or patterns. All activities aim to hone your observing, questioning, describing, analyzing, and persuading skills. 

High school females can also benefit from the course that teaches feminist life writing and women's fairy tales. In the end, you earn three college credits. You can use the credits at Barnard or transfer them to any college or university that accepts credit transfers.

10. Pre-College Experience at Emory University

Location : Atlanta, GA 

Cost : $4,803 for residents and $3,435 for commuters.

Start Date : June 16, 2024

Application Deadline : May 17, 2024

Emory University hosts high school students for different courses, including creative writing, during the summer. 

It is an introductory poetry course that analyzes a wide range of contemporary poems to develop the skills necessary for generating original poems. This summer school course includes poetry reading and a class chapbook production featuring every student's work. 

11. Pre-College Creative Writers Workshop at Emerson College

Program Length : Four weeks

Cost : $4,310

Application Deadline : March 15, 2024

Emerson College’s Creative Writers Workshop is one of the best creative summer programs for high school students. This workshop helps develop writing skills through intensive coursework that offers fiction, comedy, prose, scriptwriting, and performance poetry courses. 

You will write, revise, and compile a portfolio of your work, which is an addition to your college application. It comprises a series of faculty readings, literary hangouts, and open mic nights, all in a bid to learn how to collaborate with other writers. 

12. Hoya Summer Sessions at Georgetown University

Location : Washington, DC 

Cost : $6,159

Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

Hoya Summer Session is an intensive writing and culture course that accepts 15 students. These students will learn how to use writing as a tool for inquiry. Their training will teach them to read critically, focusing on language, context, and form. 

Students will understand how to write for different rhetorical situations, taking note of the genre, context, and technology. Also, you learn the intricacies of language use, including grammar, punctuation, syntax, and semantics. 

You learn to research, evaluate, and synthesize appropriate evidence to build effective analyses and arguments. The training also entails navigating new forms of communication, for example, the social media platforms that spring up regularly.

13. Sewanee Young Writers' Conference at Education Unlimited 

Location : Sewanee, TN 

Program Length: Two weeks

Cost : $2575 

Start Date : June 30, 2024

Application Deadline : February 16, 2024

The SYWC is a summer conference for high schoolers passionate about creative writing. Within two weeks, you will read, cultivate your writing, and form a community with other young writers worldwide. 

The courses cover the following genres: fiction, poetry, literary nonfiction, songwriting, fantasy, and science fiction. When students are not reading, they are in book discussions or optional craft classes. 

Outside writing activities, students take guided hikes on Sewanee's 13,000-acre domain, sing karaoke, participate in talent shows, play board games, or hang out with friends in the dorm.

14. Emerging Writers Institute Creative Writing Camp

Location : Berkeley, CA 

Cost : $995 

Start Date : June 10, 2024

Application Deadline : April 29, 2024

The Emerging Writers Institute creative writing camp provides an experience for students to develop and support their imaginative writing across literary genres. The genres include fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. 

Students undergo intensive workshops, literary outings, one-on-one instructor evaluations, group editing sessions, and creative work presentations.

Experienced authors and instructors are on the ground to help young writers hone their craft in a collaborative environment. Also, young writers worldwide will form and sustain literary friendships that can last a lifetime. 

15. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio at the University of Iowa

Location : Iowa City, IA 

Application Deadline : February 4, 2024

Students in the Summer Residential Program take an immersive course within two weeks. These courses are taught by graduates of the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop . 

You can choose from fiction writing, poetry writing, creative writing (which includes some combination of poetry, fiction, and personal essays), TV writing, and playwriting. Students will participate in writing exercises, receiving constructive criticism from teachers and peers. 

They’ll also conduct craft workshops, engage in discussions on writing-adjacent subjects (such as literary translation, film, and mental health), organize readings by existing published writers, and facilitate collaborative projects among students.

16. Pre-College Writing and Culture Program at Carnegie Mellon University

Location : Pittsburgh, PA 

Cost : $8,995 for residents and $6,800 for commuters 

Start Date: June 22, 2024

At CMU , high school students explore writing, culture, and film through traditional, historical, and contemporary lenses. You will learn critical and creative thinking, which will cause you to write effectively for college and beyond. You also gain a toolkit that helps you interpret written and visual stories from different viewpoints.

Upon completion, you will produce a body of works containing short-form writing, film development and production, and preparatory materials to help you set a strong foundation in the humanities. This program adds individualized feedback and guidance, increasing your strengths and interests. 

17. Beginning Screenwriting Program at Loyola Marymount University

Location : Los Angeles, CA 

Cost : $5,800

Start Date : June 23, 2024

In the heart of the entertainment capital, the Beginning Screenwriting program stands out as one of the best summer writing programs for high school students in the U.S. The teachers are experienced screenwriters.

These instructors teach the basic elements of screenwriting and broaden their writing skills. The training explores structure, character development, dialogue, descriptive action, and formatting in a supportive workshop environment. 

18. Pre-College Summer School Program at Harvard University

Location : Cambridge, MA 

Cost : $5,550

Application Deadline : April 10, 2024

The Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week summer program offering high school students a Speech, Writing, and Literature course. If you seek to pursue a career in writing, you should take this course. 

This course covers creative writing, English, expository writing, journalism, and speech. Students can expect to build valuable academic skills and learn to live independently on a college campus.

19. The Multicultural Journalism Program (MJP) at the University of Alabama

Location : Tuscaloosa, AL 

Start Date : TBA

Application: Deadline: April 1, 2024

While students are still in high school, the University of Alabama selects 10 to 15 students to attend an intensive workshop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The workshop emphasizes writing, editing, graphics, multimedia reporting, and basic communication skills. 

The workshop begins from day one under the direction of the faculty and visiting professionals. At the end of the program, participants showcase their work via an MJP Journal, a newspaper, and a website. 

The tutors are journalists from around the state and are paired with each student. Many tutors contact their assigned youngsters throughout the year and into their careers. 

20. Tisch’s Future Dramatic Writers Workshop at New York University 

Eligibility : Grade 9-11 students

Start Date : July 4, 2024

Application Deadline : February 1, 2024

The Dramatic Writers Workshop gives students a glimpse of what it means to study and write drama. It is a free, highly focused academic and professional writing program for students with the talent and the will to write for theatre, film, and television. 

The schedule includes professional training in Dance, Drama, Production and design, Dramatic Writing, and Filmmaking. The Tisch Summer High School Program is tuition-based, and students earn about four to six college credits.

21. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop at Yale University 

Location : Online 

Cost : $950 

Start Date : July 7, 2024

Yale Young Writers' work is yet another one of the creative writing summer programs for high school students to look out for. A group of bookish wordsmiths come together to generate and share their work in an intimate, non-competitive, online community. 

There are three genres (fiction, nonfiction, or poetry) to choose from, each with twelve writers. Participants attend talks, open mics, and student readings and learn about careers in writing. 

Participants will read one assigned book from a visiting writer at the start of the workshop to investigate writing techniques. The faculty has gifted teachers and published writers who will challenge students to produce their best work.

22. Young Writer’s Summer Residential Workshop at Kenyon College

Location : Gambier, OH 

Start Date : July 23, 2024

At Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops , 12 to 14 passionate high school students come together to stretch their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves. This program combines individual conferences with peer-led group discussions and exercises.

The aim is to help students recognize and work on their writing skills. You will also be able to participate in a genre session where one genre or element of writing will be explored in-depth. 

23. Young Writers Workshop at Bard College

Location : Great Barrington, MA 

Program Length : 3 weeks

Cost : $3,500

Instead of focusing only on the writing style, this three-week writers workshop at Bard College focuses on enhancing language and thinking skills, which are key skills for effective writing. You will engage in reading and writing activities within small groups of 12. 

In the workshop, you will read various challenging texts to examine form, content, and evolving ideas in our world. Evening revising and journal writing assignments complement the daily readings and writing activities. 

You build a portfolio in the end. But much more than that, You will learn how to find your writing voice and style. 

24. Creative Writing Studio at Auburn University

Location : Auburn, AL 

Cost : $880

Application Deadline : April 2024

Creative Writing Studio at Auburn University is dedicated to feeding the passionate muse and sharpening your writing skills in three genres – fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. 

You will participate in workshops and writing craft classes to help you create original fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Also, you will read some established work pieces daily, with an eye toward the architecture of how they are made. 

They offer a tour of how a literary journal, the acclaimed Southern Humanities Review, works. Expect to experience campus life in Auburn's resident dormitories while you enjoy evening social and recreational activities.

25. Screenwriting Institute at Wake Forest University 

Location : Winston-Salem, NC 

Cost : $2,800

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Screenwriting Institute is an unforgettable experience for students interested in screenwriting and storytelling. It is a week-long program designed to teach the art and craft of writing screenplays for film, television, and/or video games. You will learn how to write your screenplay and create two short original screenplays by the end of the week.

How to Choose the Right Program for You?

It can be difficult to make a choice when you’re presented with so many different programs! Here are some tips to help you decide. 

You should begin by reflecting on your own interests, curiosities, and goals. Ultimately, you need to choose the program that will engage your passions and set you up well for your future. What are your hobbies? What do you want to learn more about? What potential career paths are you considering? Ask yourself all these questions. 

For instance, “writing” is a broad hobby. Do you enjoy writing poetry? Journalistic writing? Nonfiction? Screenwriting? What other related areas are you interested in? All these factors will help you zero in on the right program. 

In our summer planning webinar , admissions expert Dan gives advice on finding a summer program: 

“List out all the things that you're passionate about, and then with that, list some other things that you're curious about and that you want to explore. Under each of those, spend five minutes at a time just brainstorming different ways you could go about doing that."

Here are some other factors you might consider when choosing a summer writing program: 

• Duration & dates of the program
• In-person vs. online
• Program content
• Faculty/workshop leaders
• Publication opportunities

If none of these programs are quite your speed, we have good news. Our extensive summer program database has hundreds of summer programs that you can look through! 

FAQs: 25 Best High School Summer Writing Programs in 2024

Summer writing programs are great investments for high school students. Here are answers to some other questions you may have. 

1. How Do Summer Writing Programs Benefit High School Students?

Summer writing programs offer numerous benefits to high school students. Firstly, they allow students to enhance their writing skills in a focused and immersive environment. These programs expose students to different styles of writing, literary works, and discussions about the craft of writing. It offers them a platform to improve their writing skills and build a supportive community of fellow writers.

2. Are There Specific Eligibility Criteria for High School Students to Join Summer Writing Programs?

Yes. Eligibility criteria for summer writing programs vary depending on the specific program. Most programs have age restrictions or grade-level requirements. It’s important to carefully review the eligibility criteria outlined by each program and ensure you meet any specified requirements before applying. 

3. How Can Participating in a Summer Writing Program Enhance a High School Student's College Applications?

Joining a summer writing program boosts college applications, showing your love for literature and creativity. It's great for English, creative writing, or journalism interests. You'll create a portfolio, proving your skills for admissions committees.

Admissions expert Dan discusses how summer programs can impact your college profile: 

“This is a chance to really demonstrate something you’re passionate about. That’s something colleges look for; they really want to see your passion shine through. And if you’re using your summer to demonstrate that, it’s going to send a strong message.”

Final Thoughts

Summer programs set you apart in college application, particularly at highly selective schools. Now that you have a list of the top summer writing programs for high school students, start preparing your application materials. 

Materials include transcripts, application essays, letters of recommendation, or sample writing materials. If you need financial aid, ensure that you apply before the application deadline. While at it, check out this list of internship opportunities for high school students.

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Creative Writing Opportunities for High School Students

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If you’re a high school student interested in creative writing, you may or may not have a number of broad extracurricular options to pursue during the school year, depending on your school. You might be a part of your school’s literary magazine, or participate in creative writing workshops. Maybe you are lucky enough to attend a school with dedicated creative writing classes or poetry electives.

But what if your school doesn’t seem to offer much for students who want to pursue creative writing? Or what if you don’t even know where to begin looking? How can you keep your momentum headed towards your goal or otherwise use your time productively if you passionate about creative writing?

There are many activities available to high school students who enjoy creative writing. Some might be available through your school, but many are out there waiting for you to pursue them independently.

In this post, we’ll outline how you can take the initiative to pursue multiple creative writing opportunities both in and out of school. Keep reading to learn more about what opportunities are out there for high school-aged creative writers.

Why Pursue Creative Writing?

There are many reasons to pursue extracurriculars in general. They can serve to strengthen your academic profile, they allow you to pursue interests not otherwise available through traditional classwork, and they can provide valuable, real-world experience.

Creative writing is an extracurricular that is closely tied with your academic coursework in English and Language Arts and in fact is probably a partial requirement of at least some of your English classes. Pursuing it further exemplifies your commitment to the craft and gives you some insight into writing as a possible career path.

It might be easy to think of creative writing as nothing more than a hobby, but in reality many careers exist in which strong writing skills are coveted. By pursuing creative writing, you become well equipped for a career as not only an author or poet, but also in many other fields. We’ll discuss these more in depth at the end of this post.

Opportunities to Pursue Creative Writing

Literary magazine:.

This is the most obvious and most common way to study and produce creative writing in a formal setting at school. Many schools already have a literary magazine established and likely have regular meetings and a faculty adviser equipped to lend insight and advice.

You can usually join your school’s literary magazine at the beginning of a new school year, though you may also be able to join mid-year in some circumstances. Contact the editor or faculty advisor if you want to become involved. Over time you may even be able to take on a leadership role yourself. To learn more about the importance of this, check out CollegeVine’s Your Resume, Revamped: Securing Leadership Positions and Perfecting Your Extracurricular Profile . 

Another way to be involved with the literary magazine, even if you aren’t a part of its team, is to become a regular contributor. This isn’t always easy; some schools have highly competitive literary magazines or only produce one printed edition per year. If this is the case at your school, don’t get discouraged. Submit your best work, learn from feedback, and keep trying.

If your school does not have a literary magazine, you might consider starting one. Begin by talking to other students who have expressed interest in creative writing. Once you have a strong group of interested students, approach a member of your school’s faculty who would make a good adviser.

Your faculty adviser should be someone who has worked closely with you in the past and has some level of expertise in creative writing. Be clear what sort of commitment you are asking for from this person. You may need him or her to be present at every meeting, or you might simply need his or her signature and sporadic stamp of approval. Also remember that you will have some associated costs so having a faculty adviser who can help with fundraising could be important.

Literary magazines provide students interested in creative writing with some general insights into a formal writing publication, a glimpse at the process for submitting work and receiving feedback, and the opportunity to have their writing published for all to see.

Creative Writing Club:

If your school does not have a literary magazine or you are interested in pursuing creative writing in a less formal setting, a creative writing club might be a good bet for you.

These clubs generally operate as regular writing workshops during which students respond to prompts or practice free-writing, and then share their work and offer feedback to others. It is often similar to the submissions approval process at a literary magazine without the stress of possible rejection.

In addition, a creative writing club does not generally produce a publication, though some might print a collection of work at the end of the school year. Again, this differs from the traditional literary magazine because work is selected by the author rather than submitted for acceptance or rejection.

If your school does not have a creative writing club, it is easy to start one. Because there is no associated publication as in the case of a literary magazine, the process is generally less formal. You could meet before or after school and sometimes you don’t even need a faculty adviser; you just need a teacher who’s willing to share classroom space outside of school hours.

Alternatively, you could form a writing club that is completely independent of your school by meeting at the library or a friend’s house. Simply gather creative writing exercises from books or online searches and then gather on a regular basis to respond to them, share work, and offer constructive criticism.

A creative writing club can also be an important accountability tool for students who are working on independent creative writing projects. If you’re writing a longer piece or even a novel, or working on a collection of poetry, meeting regularly with like-minded writers can help to keep you on track and provide outside feedback that might otherwise be unavailable.

Creative Writing Tutor:

If creative writing is your passion and you want to share it with others, you might consider becoming a creative writing tutor for younger students.

Contact a local elementary school and ask if you might be able to volunteer. If so, arrive prepared to lead a small writer’s workshop. Bring any handouts you might need and practice your oral presentation ahead of time. If you need some inspiration for activities, check out the Creative Writing for Children page at PBS parents or the Story Starters page at Scholastic . These kid-friendly writing prompts are sure to inspire even the youngest authors.

If you can’t find a volunteer position at an elementary school, you could try reaching out to other local organizations. Girl or boy scout troops, community centers, or the local library are all possibilities.

Leading a creative writing group for younger students is a great way to hone your own thinking about creative writing, to practice your teaching and leadership skills, and to give back to your community.

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

Writing Contests:

If you’re looking for more direction for your writing, and the idea of fame and fortune intrigues you, you should consider entering some writing contests. There are many to choose from, and most offer either cash prizes or scholarship money. Some are also quite prestigious.

For a list of some of the most respected writing contests open to high schoolers, check out The CollegeVine Ultimate Guide to High School Writing Contests .

Summer Programs:

As is now the case for most extracurriculars, there are many strong summer programs to choose from if you’d like to pursue creative writing during your school break. These programs can be competitive to get into and you will usually be required to submit a writing portfolio as a part of your application.

Programs such as these also strengthen your college application and reinforce your commitment to writing. A few of the strongest are:

• Interlochen
• Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Workshop
• California State Summer School for the Arts (Primarily for California residents, but a small number of non-residents are accepted each year.)

Many of these programs have scholarships available, so if finances are a concern, be sure to research a few options before ruling anything out.

In addition, many colleges offer summer programs in creative writing as well. These are usually similar in format to any of the aforementioned summer programs, with the added bonus of allowing you to build connections at colleges or universities that you might wish to attend. 

See if any schools on your list of potential colleges or universities offer summer programs and look into attending those. Otherwise, consider one of the following, which are known for their high quality instruction:

• Duke Young Writer’s Camp
• Carleton College Summer Writing Program
• Stanford Summer Institutes
• Lewis and Clark Fir Acres Workshop
• University of Iowa Young Writer’s Studio

Start a Blog

If you find that you are writing often but have nowhere to showcase your work or have trouble holding yourself accountable for producing work on a regular basis, starting your own blog might be a good fit. A blog is a great way to share your writing on a public platform, it can act as an informal portfolio of your work, and it helps to hold you accountable to a larger audience.

Many blogs are easily set up and hosted for free on websites such as WordPress , Blogger , LiveJournal , or Weebly . Share a link to your blog on your social media accounts or send out a group email to let friends and family know about it. As is the case any time you add to your online presence, be sure to discuss your plans with a parent or guardian ahead of time. 

Get Published Elsewhere

A blog isn’t the only platform for publishing your work. Many magazines and periodicals accept submissions from high school students. A long list of publications reviewing high school submissions can be found in the NewPages Young Authors’ Guide . 

You can also check with local publications like newspapers, smaller regional magazines, or even blogs you follow that might accept a guest post.

There are a myriad of ways to get your work to a bigger audience, and if that’s something you’re interested in doing, don’t be shy about asking or even sending unsolicited submissions. All it takes is one person to take a chance on you before you can call yourself a published author.

Career Aspirations for the Creative Writer

It’s easy to think of creative writing as the entry point to becoming a novelist or poet. You might even think that these are your only long-term career options should you choose to pursue creative writing seriously.

This is definitely not the case. Many, many career paths incorporate writing, and while you may not be writing fictional works the entire time, that does not mean that you won’t be incorporating your background in creative writing. All strong writing benefits from creativity.

Writers are especially valued in the fields of:

• Advertising
• American Literature
• Digital Media
• Educational and Instructional Technology
• Media Studies
• Public Relations
• Radio and Television
• Sports Communications
• Technical and Business Writing
• Webpage and Multimedia Design    

Remember, pursuing creative writing doesn’t necessarily mean you have to write a novel or publish a collection of poetry. Writers have valuable skills that can be applied broadly depending on their others skills and interests.

Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.

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2024 Best Creative Writing Schools

Choosing a great creative writing school, creative writing rankings by degree level, best schools for creative writing in the united states, 25 top schools in creative writing.

There were about 80 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 119 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available.

Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

There were about 12 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

There were about 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.

There were approximately 174 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 11 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 48 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.

There were roughly 37 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

There were approximately 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.

There were about 10 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 46 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 40 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 51 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available.

There were approximately 30 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year.

There were about 50 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.

There were approximately 28 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.

There were about 4 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 6 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

There were about 19 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 100 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 8 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.

There were roughly 17 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 53 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

There were roughly 73 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year.

There were roughly 26 creative writing students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent year we have data available.

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Creative Writing Major at Arts Academy

One of America’s Best High Schools for Creative Writing

As you write to discover, understand, or grow, Interlochen Arts Academy will provide you with the guidance and resources you need to develop your unique voice. At Interlochen, you'll deepen your craft and prepare for your future as a writer and active participant in the literary scene. Develop your composition skill at Interlochen Arts Academy, grow beyond what other high schools provide, and become an accomplished creator of the literary arts.

What You'll Learn

As a creative writing major, you will receive hands-on and workshop-style instruction that will put you leaps and bounds beyond the typical high school writer at other high schools in terms of technique, versatility, and vocational know-how.

Our faculty of writer-educators will provide personalized mentorship within an intensive but nurturing workshop environment. You will learn to listen, read, and critique like writers. Interlochen's reputation as one of the best schools for creative writing stems in part from the strong mentorship provided by our writing faculty. These career professionals will help you create a strong portfolio to apply to top undergraduate literary studies programs or to adapt your learning to a broad range of pursuits.

The Next Step on Your Journey as a Creative Writer

As a student at our boarding school for creative writing , you will enjoy an academic experience far and above the offerings of general curriculum high schools. Interlochen Arts Academy provides you with focused creative writing studies and an individualized, hand-on learning experience.

• Craft an exciting body of work in diverse literary genres—including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and forms you invent
• Develop an in-depth understanding of craft terminology and cutting-edge stylistic techniques
• Engage in professionalization opportunities—such as preparing portfolios for national high school creative writing contests and literary publications, interviewing visiting writers about their career paths, and attending workshops
• Prepare a portfolio for professional and educational submissions
• Collaborate in interdisciplinary contexts with artists from other majors on campus

The Creative Writing division offers a curriculum designed to help young writers cultivate their talents, develop their imaginations, learn to read like writers, and broaden their command of the writer’s craft at all levels.

Discover the Interlochen Arts Academy difference for high school arts education. Enroll in one of our nation’s best schools for creative writing today!

How to Apply

Core Curriculum

Portfolio Requirements

Related Interlochen Online Courses

• Introduction to Creative Writing        
• Creative Writing Techniques: Fabulist Fiction     

Register Now

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty includes novelists, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, and a New York Times bestselling author. Their work has appeared in such venues as Agni , Tin House , The Rumpus , New South , Denver Quarterly , and Best New Poets . They travel widely to give readings and lead masterclasses, but they always return to Interlochen to help nurture the next generation of creative trailblazers.

All Faculty

Karyna McGlynn, Ph.D.

Director of Creative Writing

Julia Cannon

Writer in Residence, Interlochen Arts Academy

Brittany Cavallaro, Ph.D.

Instructor of Creative Writing

Emmett Knowlton

Visiting Instructor of Creative Writing

Mika Perrine

AM Ringwalt

Lesley Alicia Tye

Instructor of Creative Writing and Film & New Media

Creative Writing Scholarship Opportunity

Win a full-tuition scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy with the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition.

Program Highlights

Student Publications  

You'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on editorial experience by working on The Red Wheelbarrow , our in-house publication, and The Interlochen Review , our international, online literary journal, which is constructed and curated during the semester-long elective Literary Publications. Through this course, creative writing students strengthen their skills in visual design, converse with professional editors, and learn to use vital industry software.

Awards & Honors

Our students regularly receive regional and national recognition from contests like the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, YoungARTS, Bennington Young Writers Awards, Michigan State University’s Samet and Benvenuto contests, the Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose, and Princeton University’s Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize. Student work has recently appeared in such publications as Black Warrior Review, Quarterly West, Brevity, and The Texas Review , and we have to-date mentored twenty Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Get to know Sabine

"At Interlochen, you are surrounded by a wealth of resources and people who are equally excited to be there as you are." — Sabine, Creative Writing

Interlochen was a dream of mine for much of my childhood, and, after four years at the Academy, I love it even more than I thought possible. With an Interlochen education comes the ability to mix artistic and academic learning, a community that fosters close friendships, and a constant array of opportunities, among other things.

Poppy Rose '20, Arts Academy (Creative Writing)

Guest Artists

• Tess Fontaine
• Garth Greenwell
• Tyehimba Jess
• Ilya Kaminsky
• Douglas Kearney
• Carmen Maria Machado
• Rebecca Makkai
• Adrian Matejka
• Jenny Offill
• Carl Phillips
• Elissa Washuta

Take a Tour of The Writing House

Creative writing courses take place in The Writing House, a facility in a Northwoods aesthetic designed to support the needs and development of young writers. The building offers both large communal spaces in the Great Room as well as more private learning spaces in the form of alcoves, reading rooms, one conference room, a big porch, and faculty offices.

The Writing House

College Matriculation

• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Bennington College
• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Davidson College
• Emerson College
• Harvard University
• Kenyon College
• Knox College
• Middlebury College
• Mount Holyoke College
• Oberlin College and Conservatory
• Princeton University
• Reed College
• Smith College
• University of Cambridge
• University of Southern California

Learn how alumnae Megan Baxter  (IAC 02, IAA 02-04) and Brittany Cavallaro  (IAA 02-04) started their writing careers after Interlochen—and why they came back as faculty. 

Creative Writing , Academy Student

Red Wheelbarrow Reading

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. ET

The Writing House FREE, no tickets required

Thursday, February 13, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET

Reading , Academy Faculty , Guest Artist

Sunrise Nights an Evening with Brittany Cavallaro and Jeff Zentner

Friday, February 14, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET

The Alluvion All Tickets $28

Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Academy with a free digital viewbook

In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about: 

• Each of our seven arts areas 
• Renowned faculty 
• College-preparatory academics 
• Student resources 
• How to apply and financial aid information 

See what you can experience at Interlochen.

Come to a high school where young creatives thrive—and see how your unique journey unfolds. Plan your visit, request more information, or apply to Interlochen Arts Academy today.

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• Career Edge - NYU High School Summer Program

Creative Writing

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This summer, immerse yourself in the craft of creative writing with fellow young authors in a pre-college environment. Learn from an industry expert as you transform your ideas and stories into compelling writing. Develop the techniques that are fundamental to all types of fiction writing—literary fiction, dystopian fantasies, fairy tales, and mysteries—and refine your skills in story structure, character development, description, and dialogue. Students will also experience lectures, interact with noted authors, and receive information on how to turn your passion into a career. Gain exposure to workshopping your writing with constructive feedback, ultimately walking away with a variety of short creative pieces ranging from poems, stories, and scenes, to collage texts and flash fiction.

• High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
• High school students interested in strengthening creative writing skills

You'll Walk Away With

• Refinement of your creative writing, including narrative arc, world-building, authentic dialogue, and character development
• A portfolio of peer-critiqued short stories
• An NYU transcript showing grade(s) earned upon completion of the course (Please note: No college credit or certificate of completion is granted for this course.)

Information Table

Students from around the world attend NYU summer programs, but only a college prep program like High School Academy provides the opportunity to explore both traditional and emerging career paths.

Projects and short assignments provide take-aways that prepare you for college classroom work, while demonstrating your newly acquired skills.

Career Edge Schedule

Start Date: June 24, 2024 End Date: June 28, 2024

Start Date: July 8, 2024 End Date: July 12, 2024

Start Date: July 15, 2024 End Date: July 19, 2024

Start Date: July 22, 2024 End Date: July 26, 2024

Start Date: July 29, 2024 End Date: August 2, 2024

Start Date: August 5, 2024 End Date: August 9, 2024

International Student Deadline: March 15, 2024 Residential U.S Student Deadline: May 17, 2024 Commuter U.S Student Deadline: June 7, 2024

Application Requirements and Fees

To apply you must have successfully completed grades 9,10, or 11. You must submit the online application, a 250-500 word essay, and an official high school transcript. Essay Topic: Please describe why you would like to take your selected course(s). Please include any previous courses you've taken in this subject or previous experiences with this subject. Give more detail as to why you would like to take this course over the summer. Your response should be 250-500 words total. If selecting multiple courses, please contain all responses to a single essay.

Fees for Summer 2024

Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable) Tuition: $2,579 per course Housing & Dining Fees (add on): $618 per week Please note: No financial aid, scholarships, or discounts are available for Career Edge

For International Students

Resources and visa information for international students interested in studying abroad in NYC

Program Contact

212-998-7006 - [email protected]

Admitted Students

Resources for students who have been admitted to the program

• Best Online Creative Writing Degree Programs

Best Online Creative Writing Degree Programs Of 2024

Updated: May 16, 2024, 10:45am

Joan Didion once wrote, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Her sentiment captures the power of storytelling and the fundamental role it plays in the human experience. Language, writing and literature shape our world and our experiences in remarkable ways. These forces converge within the field of creative writing, allowing us to push the boundaries of language and structure, explore new perspectives and stretch our imaginations to create worlds of our own.

Beyond storytelling, creative writing offers a breadth of tools and skills transferable to many fields and industries, including healthcare, technology, business and education. Pursuing a degree in creative writing online can help you sharpen your written and verbal communication skills, develop robust research practices and enhance your critical thinking abilities.

In this article, we explore all 10 schools with online degrees in creative writing that met our ranking criteria. We highlight each program’s standout features and key considerations to help you narrow down your search.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 10 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor’s degree programs in creative writing in the U.S. using 17 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Graduation rate within eight years of normal time
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation
• Pell Grant recipient graduation rate within eight years of normal time
• Retention rate
• Pell Grant graduation rate vs. overall graduation rate

Affordability:

• Average in-state undergraduate tuition and fees
• Median federal student loan debt
• Student loan default rate
• Percentage of students who take out loans

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Program’s coursework (excluding student orientations, field experiences and labs) is available 100% online
• Portion of undergraduate students enrolled in at least some distance learning courses

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Nonprofit status

Application Process:

• Acceptance rate
• Uses Common App

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Best Online Creative Writing Degree Options

Should you enroll in an online degree program in creative writing, accreditation for degrees in creative writing online, how to find the right online degree in creative writing for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about degrees in creative writing online, university of central florida, texas tech university, regent university, central washington university, university of iowa, colorado christian university, liberty university, southern new hampshire university, weber state university, savannah college of art and design.

Undergraduate Tuition

$179.19/credit (in-state)

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Overall Graduation Rate

Based in Orlando, the University of Central Florida , offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing. Learners explore communication, rhetoric, literary structure and script writing through poetry, fiction and nonfiction texts.

The curriculum provides a theoretical and practical framework that encourages students to construct sound arguments, develop original creative content across genres and enhance their critical thinking abilities. This program covers topics such as communication, rhetoric and literary structure.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on Your Schedule
• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $30
• Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part time (mandatory for first-time students in their first semester), full time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Fiction writing workshop, history of prose style, advanced poetry writing workshop
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

$284/credit (in-state)

At Texas Tech University , based in Lubbock, learners can pursue an online B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. The comprehensive curriculum provides a strong foundation in creative writing and rhetoric while delving into a rich array of global, American and British literature.

Through the diverse elective selection, learners can explore genres like drama, film, linguistics, science fiction and fantasy. Students seeking hands-on experience can opt to complete an internship in literature, creative writing and linguistics. This program is designed for aspiring writers, students planning to attend graduate school and those interested in teaching college-level writing or literature.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn Around Your 9-to-5
• Application Fee: $75
• Program Enrollment Options: Part time, full time
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Essentials of college rhetoric, language and community, studies in literary topics
• In-Person Requirements: Optional internship

$450/credit (part time), $395/credit (full time)

Regent University , a private Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers an online B.A. in English with a focus in writing. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creative, professional and technical writing abilities. During the program, students gain a foundational overview of U.S., British and world literature, while honing fundamental writing skills across disciplines, including business, media and web writing.

Students can tailor their studies to their interests with courses like writing for animation, creative nonfiction and feature writing, and writing for strategic communication.

• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: N/A
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Business and professional writing, narrative concept and development, personal and professional editing

$222/credit (in state)

You can pursue an online professional and creative writing major at Central Washington University (CWU), based in Ellensburg, Washington. This comprehensive program takes a practical and collaborative approach to writing, literary analysis and critical thinking. You’ll explore writing techniques and technologies in the workplace and develop skills for creative, technical, professional and business writing, editing and publishing.

You’ll participate in writing workshops with your peers, providing and receiving feedback to develop your craft. Customize your degree with career-focused electives like freelance writing, screenwriting fundamentals and accessible information design. This program requires students to complete at least two practicum credits.

• Application Fee: $60
• Degree Credit Requirements: 180 quarter credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing and editing for publication, visual rhetoric and document design, multi-genre writing workshop

$376/credit (in-state)

The University of Iowa , based in Iowa City, offers an online Bachelor of Applied Studies with a focus in creative writing. This program is designed for community college grads who want to complete a four-year program. Applicants can transfer 60 college credits from their associate degree. First-year students are not eligible to enroll in this program.

The creative writing track requires learners to complete 18 credits, including three core courses and three electives. Students explore the many facets of written communication, including writing strategies, novel writing and the art of revision. The curriculum covers creative writing across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry and professional writing.

• Application Fee: $55
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Professional and creative business communications, the art of revision: writing for clarity, the sentence: strategies for writing

$494/credit

Colorado Christian University (CCU), located in Lakewood, offers a 100% online B.A. in creative writing. Through a Christian framework, learners hone their written and verbal communication skills, research practices and critical thinking abilities.

Students delve into the structure and function of publishing entities and their audiences. They also develop the tools to navigate opportunities and challenges in creating, publishing and marketing their work.

You can accelerate your timeline by transferring up to 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree. CCU also offers credits for life experience.

• Application Fee: Free
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Introduction to self-publishing, author and book marketing, advanced creative writing

$390/credit (full time)

Liberty University , a private evangelical Christian college in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in creative writing. Throughout the program, students learn creative writing practices and principles across multiple genres, including memoir, poetry, film and theater. In addition to developing fundamental writing skills, learners study research practices, editing for publishing, and print and digital publishing.

This program offers specializations in English, journalism and Christian literature, allowing students to pursue a degree that matches their career goals.

• Application Fee: $50
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing for theater and film, editing for publishing, writing for cultural engagement
• Concentrations Available: Journalism, English, Christian literature

$330/credit

Southern New Hampshire University , in Manchester, New Hampshire, offers an online B.A. in creative writing and English. This program helps learners develop their writing and storytelling talents through. It features an overview of genre-specific conventions and techniques, approaches to literary analysis and literary form, style and structure. Writers present their work and collaborate with their peers in advanced workshops.

When enrolling in this program, you have the option to choose the general track or select a concentration in fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.

• Example Major-Specific Courses: Writing with digital media, critical approaches to literature, popular and contemporary fiction
• Concentrations Available: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting

$2735.38/term (full time, in state)

Weber State University , based in Ogden, Utah, offers an online B.A. in English with an emphasis in creative writing. This program is designed to help students hone their craft in writing original fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Learners collaborate with their peers in workshops and receive one-on-one mentorship from faculty.

The curriculum overviews American, British, global and contemporary literature, writing forms, and editing and publishing. Students can choose from a variety of courses to customize their coursework to their interests, and the program requires a minor.

• Example Major-Specific Courses: Contemporary literature for creative writers, professional and technical writing, notebooks and journals forms and crafts
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, meet with a faculty advisor twice annually for course and program advisement

$914/credit

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), based in Savannah, Georgia, offers an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in dramatic writing. This program focuses on storytelling for visual and performance-based media.

Students explore the conventions of storytelling for various mediums, including the screen, stage and digital platforms. The workload includes crafting screenplays, scripts and other forms of dramatic writing, honing essential skills for careers in television, theater, film and digital media.

• Application Fee: $100
• Degree Credit Requirements: 180 credits
• Example Major-Specific Courses: Visual culture in context: making modernities, improvisation for writers, digital film production: story to screen

Pursuing a creative writing degree online can be a convenient option for learners seeking more flexibility to meet the needs of their busy schedules or learning preferences. With the freedom to study from anywhere, online learning allows students to access programs they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, allowing them to personalize their education to align with their academic and professional interests.

Still, while online learning offers flexibility in some areas, it also presents unique challenges. Distance learning doesn’t provide the same structured learning environment as in-person instruction; therefore, learners must have strong time management abilities to stay on top of their studies.

Institutional accreditation should be at the forefront of your research as you consider prospective online creative writing degrees. Institutional accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process that colleges and universities undertake to ensure they meet established standards. Accrediting bodies assess a school’s program offerings, faculty, support services and student outcomes.

Enrolling in an accredited institution ensures that your degree is recognized by employers, other higher education institutions and credentialing bodies. Plus, you must be enrolled in an accredited school to qualify for federal student aid. To verify a school’s accreditation status, search the Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, managed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Consider Your Future Goals

Before enrolling in an online creative writing degree program, consider your academic and professional goals carefully. Each program has its own scope and focus, which can set you up for different writing careers . Some programs offer a broad curriculum, while others specialize in specific genres like poetry, screenwriting, fiction or nonfiction. You might also consider faculty expertise if you’re interested in being taught by someone with experience in a specific area.

Whether you’re planning to enter the workforce immediately or earn a master’s in creative writing , building a solid portfolio of work is crucial. You might prioritize programs that offer publication or professional development opportunities through internships or practicums.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

The cost of earning an online creative writing degree can vary significantly by school. The semester-based schools on our list range from $180 to $494 per credit. Over a 120-credit degree, this translates to $21,600 to $59,280.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average undergraduate tuition in the 2022–23 academic year cost $9,750 for public schools and $38,421 for private nonprofit colleges. In comparison, our programs cost between $5,400 and $41,130 per year.

Many financing options are available for distance learners, including scholarships, grants and loans. Submitting the FAFSA® can help you determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.

Can you get a creative writing degree online?

Yes, it’s possible to earn a creative writing degree online. Every creative writing degree featured in this article can be earned online.

Are creative writing degrees worth it?

A creative writing degree can be worth it, depending on your interests and career goals. Creative writing degrees can be versatile and equip you with in-demand transferable skills across multiple industries, including business, technology, healthcare and education.

Is creative writing a hard degree?

Earning a creative writing degree can be challenging. Producing original work, completing assigned readings and participating in collaborative workshops can create a demanding workload.

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Creative Writing Academy

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Summer 2024 Applications are CLOSED. Summer 2025 Applications will open in late Fall.

Transform your dreams, ideas, and stories into organized, compelling, creative written works with dynamic lectures in craft topics, workshop sessions with graduate student instructors, and insightful, productive feedback from your peers. This combination of instructional approaches will help you generate and polish a wealth of new poems, stories, and essays, and allow you to experiment with innovative forms in the field of creative writing. The Academy will also focus on the publishing and professionalization aspects of the industry, exploring what markets are available for your writing, what jobs are available to creative writers, funding opportunities for your work, undergraduate and graduate programs in writing, and how to get published. Topics for discussion will include literary form and targeted craft points, often in relation to social, political, and environmental themes. In addition, this week-long program will feature excursions to sites around Washington, D.C., including an exercise in ekphrastic writing at the National Gallery of Art and the chance to read your work aloud at Busboys and Poets, a famous D.C. literary hub.

Estimated Tuition:

Price includes tuition, housing, and meals. Commuter Student tuition is $2,625.

How You'll Benefit

• Participate in writing workshops
• Awaken your powers of observation, imagination, and description
• Learn concrete elements of the craft of writing in daily workshops
• Attend readings from published authors, who will lead interactive classes and conduct group discussions
• Work with Georgetown's expert creative writing faculty to bring out your most creative ideas
• Read excerpts from award-winning works and use them to develop your own original works
• Visit local monuments, world-renowned theaters, museums, and literary organizations
• Take part in peer critiques and learn how to revise and refine your writing

Program Format & Subject Areas

As a student in the Creative Writing Academy, you'll spend your day immersed in a blend of classroom lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and group discussions. Throughout the week, you'll have the opportunity to explore the following subject areas:

• Personal prose
• Literary history
• Technique (story structure, character development, theme, description, dialogue)
• Finding good ideas and turning them into polished pieces
• Using great literature and art for inspiration

All in all, I fell in love with the program. I got to meet so many amazing people not only from the D.C. area but all around the country.

Having the chance to experience once in a lifetime opportunities and getting to meet people from around the world made it so I got to really experience what college life was like.

My #SummerHoya experience was enriching, inspiring, and rewarding; if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all over again.

It was amazing to be surrounded by such high caliber students and staff who were all encouraging and fabulous to work with. I took away many positive things from my week as a Summer Hoya.

As I am filling out my college applications, I am able to think back to my memories from the summer and I am reassured that I am pursuing the right educational path.

The program offers so much–from the off-site visits to the daily lectures and the on campus activities. The lectures were interesting, meeting new people was great and the off-site visits were interactive and intriguing.

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The 12 Best Creative Writing Colleges and Programs

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Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

• #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
• #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
• #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
• #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
• #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

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CalArts offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level within its six world-renowned Schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater.

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The CalArts MFA Creative Writing is unique in the field for the way it combines a dedication to experimental practice and a resolutely non-genre tracking curriculum . These commitments are intertwined: unlike in many MFA programs our students are free to pursue their imaginative and experimental impulses into whatever genre their work takes them—including into hybrid genre forms of their own. This is all in keeping to CalArts’s foundational commitment to experiment and interdisciplinarity. Students who come to our program regularly engage in substantial projects in multiple genres across their coursework and beyond. In other words, each student designs their own path through our curriculum, engaging with what questions of genre and practice inform their work as it develops. All this gives special import to the work each student does with their mentor during their time in our program. Students meet with their mentors multiple times each semester to discuss their plan of study, their creative work, and larger questions related to a life in writing and to connections between writing, other art forms, and intellectual endeavors. Our commitment to the mentor relationship is foundational  to the pedagogy of CalArts.

While our program is non-tracking we do offer four optional emphases that help guide our students through our curriculum and the course offerings of other schools and programs in the Institute. We call these emphases our Concentrations . These non-required Concentrations are Image + Text , Writing and Performativity , Writing and its Publics and Documentary Strategies . Image + Text traces the relationship of the written word and the visual image, including the cinematic, the static image, and the materiality of language. Writing and Performativity offers students an array of courses focused on the creative and critical practices of performative writing. Writing and Its Publics deals with the public face of writing, be it publishing, community-based work, or writing for various art audiences, while Documentary Strategies takes on a wide array of artistic engagements with documentation, witnessing, and archives of all kinds. Students whose work and interests closely engage one of these four areas can formalize that engagement by declaring an official Concentration, which may be advantageous in their professional lives after the MFA.

In the Creative Writing Program, our core courses attend closely to questions of form and aesthetics, as well as to the historical and critical contexts of literary work. Most classes combine workshopping of student-generated work with discussion of assigned texts. While not all classes are offered every year, over the two-year program all students will take a wide selection, honing their individual visions and practices while experimenting with new forms and subjects. Writing students also benefit from being able to take courses for elective credit in the MA Program in Aesthetics and Politics, as well as other MFA/upper-level BFA courses throughout the Institute.

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In addition to CalArts' rich and diverse community and naturally collaborative atmosphere, the Institute provides several programs of study that can be pursued concurrently with a student's chosen metier.

The Center for Integrated Media concentration is designed specifically for MFA students whose creative use of technology—in particular digital media—goes beyond their primary areas of study.

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Santa Clara University

The jesuit university in silicon valley.

The SCU English Department is ranked #4 in the nation by the  "25 Best Colleges for English Majors 2020" list  compiled by  gradreports.com . 

The Department of English is the home for reading and writing at Santa Clara University. You'll take classes from best selling authors, ground-breaking scholars, and award winning teachers . You'll go beyond the page–learning from experience through community-based coursework , internships , and independent research – all while being immersed in the innovation, energy, and opportunity of Silicon Valley. You’ll engage critically in this cutting-edge environment through lenses of race, gender, spirituality, sexuality, language, and more. We offer an English Major and Minor , a Creative Writing Minor, and a Professional Writing Minor .

About Our Program

The Department of English affords students a rich undergraduate education in the liberal arts centered on literature, cultural studies, and writing. Critical, professional, or creative writing projects are integral to every course in the English major. Students and faculty in the English Department discuss and write about British, American, and global literatures, rhetoric, technical and professional communication, new media, and film. A range of theoretical approaches are used, sometimes with a focus on visual rhetoric and cultural studies. The department also offers the Creative Writing Program , which provides students with a coherent course of study in the writing of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and the Professional Writing Program , which focuses on the theories, ethics, and practice of writing in industry and public contexts. The English major prepares students to read and write critically, to bring intellectual flexibility to academic and professional problems, and to enter the workforce as individuals with trained skills in analysis and self-expression.

Nadine Koochou ’24 explores Assyrian American identity through writing.

Nikhita Panjnani ’24 celebrates songwriting and literature at SCU.

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English - Creative Writing Emphasis

Focus on the craft of writing with the support and instruction of an array of well-published, award-winning faculty.

Tell Your Story

This growing major is an excellent choice for those who love to read and write, and are passionate about expressing themselves through language. Classes include multi-genre writing workshops, as well as those that focus on specific types of writing such as playwriting, novel writing and creation of essays, short stories, and poetry. Through unique projects and class discussions, you'll foster creativity, insight and empathy — skills that are highly sought after by writers. A variety of electives and course topics throughout the emphasis allow you to study the areas that interest you and best align with your career goals.

While pursuing your degree, you'll experience the incredible benefits of small class sizes. Our courses allow for personalized learning, individualized mentoring, and the formation of meaningful, lasting connections. Your professors and classmates will know you by name and do all they can to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Graduates of the program leave with the knowledge and skills to create original and effective poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works.

Whether you dream of publishing a novel, sharing your poetry, crafting blogs or writing a play, a bachelor's degree in creative writing from UW-Eau Claire can help make anything possible. 

Program Details

As a creative writing major or minor, you'll have the unique opportunity to work as an academic apprentice. Facilitate class discussions, assist teams with group work, answer questions, provide input for class activities, and assignments and teach part of a class session. Or tutor other students outside of the English department by becoming a Center for Writing Excellence writing assistant. These experiences provide a chance for you to build skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving, while also enhancing your writing abilities.

Endless undergraduate research opportunities are available to students at UWEC. Some of the exciting projects taken on by students and faculty in English involve conducting research and interviewing research subjects. Your work could lead to presentations at local and national research conferences, providing you with even more learning and networking opportunities.

Joining a student organization at UWEC builds your skill set — and your resume. You may mentor current and potential students, organize events, or give back to the community. You'll also meet students who, like you, are interested in English and all that it offers. A popular student org for creative writing majors is NOTA, or None of the Above, which is a campus literary magazine — entirely student-run — that publishes a biannual collection of the top student submissions in the categories of art, poetry, and prose.

Writing in a new and different environment can lead to some pretty incredible work. Find inspiration while studying abroad in places like England, France, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, South Korea, South Africa, or Japan. Or join faculty on a cultural immersion program to renowned places right here in the U.S. These enriching academic experiences are exactly the kind of high-impact practices that set UW-Eau Claire apart from other institutions, making UWEC an excellent place to pursue your creative writing degree. 

Blugold Stories

I had no idea how much I would be welcomed and how much all of my professors genuinely care about me. They are so willing to just have a chat or I can come to their office hours. It's just something that is so nice and I didn't know I was going to have that.

Some people might stay away from English classes because they think they're bad writers. I would say no one is a bad writer. Writing, like art, is very subjective, and I promise you there is someone out there who will share your story and see the light in your writing. If you're interested in expressing yourself or just have feelings you need to work through, creative writing is something that you should try.

Just the facts

100% Employed or Continuing Education Every 2022-2023 graduate from this major is currently employed or continuing their education.

5 Majors, 4 Minors, 3 Certificates Our personalized curriculum builds your skillset and talent for the future you want.

Where can the english - creative writing emphasis program lead me after graduation?

Graduates of UW-Eau Claire's English - creative writing emphasis degree leave with the knowledge, tools, skills, and passion to become successful, published authors. 

Example Careers

• Content manager
• Content writer
• Technical writer
• Social media director
• Freelance writer

The English - creative writing emphasis bachelor's degree includes countless opportunities to create and evaluate forms of verbal art, including poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Coursework throughout the program will help you to become a better reader and writer of imaginative literature. Pair your studies with a minor or another major in areas like history, marketing, journalism, public relations, communication studies, political science or graphic design for even more career opportunities. 

Here are a few courses in English - Creative Writing Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.

Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction to creative writing with opportunities for the student to create and evaluate several forms of verbal art (poetry, fiction and/or nonfiction).

Creative Writing Workshop - Fiction

Special emphasis on class discussion and personal conferences for advanced writers of fiction.

Creative and Narrative Nonfiction

Survey of nonfiction works (reportage, autobiography, travel, and nature writing) which combines factual reporting with literary techniques to reveal American society.

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Related Programs

Thinking about studying english - creative writing emphasis? You might also be interested in exploring these related programs.

What's Next?

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

105 Garfield Avenue  P.O. Box 4004  Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 

715-836-4636

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What is a Creative Writer and What Do They Do?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Many of life’s great stories that are told in the form of literature, film, short stories and poetry, among many other outlets, first get their start in the minds and on the pages of creative writers.

Creative writing is a professional discipline that is unique in many ways and has the potential to take your career in a vast array of different directions.

If creative writing is a field you’re interested in pursuing, it’s important to keep in mind that while it can be a challenging and competitive profession, it also offers a number of distinctive benefits.

What Are the Different Types of Creative Writing?

“Creative writing” is a broad term that, when it comes to professional careers, encapsulates many different forms of writing.

“There are so many genres,” said Melissa Hart , an instructor in the online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Creative Writing  at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Hart, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing, has authored seven fiction and nonfiction books and published articles and essays in The New York Times, Smithsonian, CNN, The Washington Post, Slate and The Los Angeles Times, among others.

She said the career pathways for creative writers are virtually unlimited.

“Creative writers can be poets and screenwriters, personal essayists, novelists, short story writers,” Hart said, explaining that even within the world of creative writing , there are a number of creative avenues you can take. Some of these include:

• Flash fiction
• Hybrid forms
• Researched nonfiction
• Writing that embraces audio and video

What Are the Main Duties of a Creative Writer?

Much like their earning potential, the daily duties of a creative writer can vary greatly depending on what projects they’re working on at any given time, Hart said.

“I think duties differ writer to writer,” she said. “In my work, I practice writing almost every day — usually rough drafts, and then revisions, of novel chapters and nonfiction book chapters, magazine and newspaper articles and essays and newsletter posts.”

According to the BLS , how you spend your days as a creative writer depends largely on what type of writer you are, some of which include:

• Biographer – writing about the accounts of an individual’s life.
• Copywriter – working in advertising and marketing writing persuasive ad copy.
• Novelist – authoring books of fiction based on imaginary plots and characters.
• Screenwriter – creating scripts for movies and television.
• Speechwriter – developing orations for government leaders, political candidates and business leaders.

And in today’s digital world, another form of writing that continues to thrive is blogging , which is defined by global website development leader Wix as articles posted to a website focused on a specific area of interest.

Social media writing , too, continues to emerge with many large organizations like Mailchimp establishing specific standards for its social media writing.

What Credentials Do You Need to Become a Creative Writer?

Hart pointed out that creative writing is a unique profession in that it doesn’t require a degree or academic credential of any kind in order to succeed.

“You don't need any credentials," she said. "You just need an open mind and a willingness to learn your craft in the genre that most interests you.”

However, high-quality college programs in creative writing can be an excellent way for writers who have natural talent and abilities to further develop their skills, Hart said. For instance, in the SNHU online Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in Creative Writing and English, students develop and sharpen their skills in a number of areas, including:

• Writing and editing techniques
• Literary form, genre, structure, style, analysis and critical thinking
• Application of storytelling elements
• Use of genre conventions  and techniques
• Professional portfolio building

There is also an abundance of resources you can look into on your own to better position yourself for a career as a creative writer .

“There are piles of books, for instance, on how to write children's fiction,” Hart said. “Ditto poetry, screenplays, creative nonfiction... and there are so many resources online, as well.”

Is Creative Writing a Skill or a Talent?

Another aspect of creative writing that makes it a unique professional field, Hart said, is that it involves both natural talent and skills that can be learned.

“Perhaps a person is born with an innate talent for storytelling, but reading and practicing and studying creative writing for years will give you the skills you need to write fiction and nonfiction and poetry that appeals to readers,” she said.

Hart said that she’s had a love of language since the age of five, which is when she started writing short stories. It was her passion for writing and storytelling that inspired her to work hard developing her skills.

“All that practice gave me skills as a creative writer,” she said. “I believe I developed a talent for writing in particular genres because I studied them so deeply.”

Is it Hard to Learn Creative Writing?

While for many, learning to be a creative writer could be characterized as hard, Hart explained that “time consuming” is probably a better way of putting it.

“For instance, I just spent three years learning to cross-country ski when I’d never been on skis before,” she said. “I think it generally takes people at least three years to grow adept at creative writing in a particular genre because you’re constantly reading and deconstructing literature and thinking about it and writing and rewriting and rewriting some more.”

That said, among the many benefits of a career in creative writing is the flexibility and freedom it provides, Hart said.

“Creative writers can work anywhere they want,” she said. “I've written novel chapters in my car outside my daughter's dance studio, on airplanes, on the bank of a local river while my kid looked for newts.”

According to Hart, many of her students work in a corner of their house with noise-canceling headphones, while others write on their lunch breaks or in bed late at night.

“You can train yourself to get into a creative writing space the moment you open your laptop,” she said. “It just takes a while.”

Find Your Program

Is creative writing a good career.

What determines if writing is a “good” career will vary person to person, but there are a lot of considerations to keep in mind if it’s a path you’re interested in following, Hart said.

“It’s a good career for me, because I get to write about topics and issues which interest me,” she said. "However, it's my husband who has the great health insurance. If I didn't have health insurance, it might not be a viable career option because freelance writers and authors don't get subsidized health insurance — we must pay for our own."

While freelance writers and authors typically do find and fund their own health insurance, there is a growing number of writer unions and guilds that can assist with health insurance plans, according to Find the Plan , an online hub for freelance writers. And non-freelance copywriters, social media writers and blog writers usually get health benefits through the organization for which they work.

Does Creative Writing Pay Well?

Unlike other professional fields — in areas like business, engineering, education, medicine and law, among others — that typically have a salary range based on experience and the level of your degree, there is a vast disparity in what creative writers earn.

While high-profile, bestselling authors can command six-figure advances for their work, they comprise just a small fraction of those earning a living as creative writers, Hart said.*

“Most of us are midlist writers, earning modest advances and royalty checks,” she said. “It's interesting to note that I can earn as much off of two 4,000-word researched essays for magazines as I can for one of my young adult novels.”

Hart said that it’s common for creative writers to generate their income from a combination of different forms of writing for a variety of outlets, along with other professional activities where they’re paid for their professional expertise. For example, Hart said she earns her living through a combination of:

• Fiction writing
• Nonfiction writing
• Private teaching and instruction through her website
• Teaching college-level creative writing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for writers and authors in 2023 was $87,590.*

“But creative writing isn't about the money, for me,” she said. “It's about getting to join the conversation and put something beautiful and inspiring out into the world.”

Discover more about SNHU's online bachelor’s in creative writing : Find out what courses you'll take, skills you'll learn and how to request information about the program.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Cary Jordan is an Iowa-based writer with more than 20 years of writing and editing experience on a wide range of issues related to higher education. Cary has held administrative and cabinet-level positions at multiple colleges and universities, and his writing has spanned topics related to undergraduate education as well as graduate education in the areas of business, law, medicine and engineering, among others.

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About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.