I’m looking for comments from current or recent Amherst, Oberlin or other SLAC students or parents.
My daughter is interested in creative writing (probably as a minor, or she just might take CW electives). We were advised to look at Amherst, but when we look closely at the CW course listings there, not only does every course seem to require samples, many require letters telling the professor why you want the class, and some mention that students should include descriptions of earlier, unsuccessful attempts to get into the class. The overall impression is that students had better not count on taking a CW class–ever.
I completely get that CW classes must be kept small and that they’re in very high demand here and at other colleges, but the course catalog at Amherst gives a strong impression that they’re beyond difficult to get into. I also wonder, frankly, if professors only want students who come to them already mostly formed as writers, or whose work fits with professors’ own preferred styles. I can picture students trying repeatedly and never getting admitted to the classes that most fit their interests. Having visited Oberlin, where a staffer told us frankly that some students are repeatedly “disappointed” and simply never get into some CW classes year after year because the classes are so small and entry is so competitive–we’re wondering if CW classes at either school are going to be in such intense demand that she should plan accordingly and not focus on CW courses so much when choosing schools.
Thoughts? Ideas on whether college CW is mostly for kids who already have awards and stellar portfolios or not? Ideas about other colleges? (FYI, yes, we’re looking at Kenyon too and so far it seems much more open to all comers…)
Thanks.
The thresholds you have mentioned are not universal to all creative writing programs, and definitely not to the degree you’ve encountered. These articles discuss the programs at a range of selective liberal arts colleges that your daughter may wish to consider:
The 10 Best American Colleges for Writers" | USA Today
The son of a friend of ours took creative writing courses at Oberlin, and enjoyed them.
But at both of these schools one had to submit writing samples to be accepted to the class.
FWIW, D2 said her favorite courses in college were the creative writing courses she took at Cornell, but that is of course not an LAC. Some relevant info on it is here, nevertheless (though dated): http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2007/08/creative-writing-program-named-among-top-10-nation .
I think she may have had to submit writing samples for those too, but that might have been to get placed at the right level or something. Not sure, to be honest.