<p>I'm a girl looking into liberal arts colleges that have exceptionally strong writing programs (I love fiction writing, literature, and theatre) AND have an accepting and vibrant LGBT scene (I'm not out yet, but would like to be in college). So far on my list I have Bard and Sarah Lawrence, but I'd like to fill it up with a few more. Higher tier is preferred. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>How about Oberlin</p>
<p>Start with a google search for best undergraduate writing programs. Once you have the lists (don’t get hung up on the rankings - its just a starting point), pick off the LACs, and read about why they are on the list. On the two lists below, I see Hamilton, Kenyon, and Colorado College. I bet if you pulled up more lists, you’d see other options. </p>
<p>[The</a> 10 Best Colleges for Writers - College Degree.com](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/library/college-choice/The-10-Best-Colleges-for-Writers]The”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/library/college-choice/The-10-Best-Colleges-for-Writers)
[Top</a> 10 Undergraduate Creative Writing Programs | eHow.com](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/list_6757044_top-undergraduate-creative-writing-programs.html]Top”>http://www.ehow.com/list_6757044_top-undergraduate-creative-writing-programs.html)</p>
<p>And all three of these schools at LGBT welcoming.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence, Oberlin, Kenyon, Grinnell, Wesleyan, Knox, Warren Wilson, Goucher, Eugene Lang, Reed, Hampshire, Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>I know you mentioned LACs, but for writing and a strong GLBT scene, it doesn’t get any better than the University of Iowa. Iowa City is a UNESCO writing city. You might want to add that to your list.</p>
<p>You may want to consider some women’s colleges - Smith, Mt. Holyoke etc.</p>
<p>University of Iowa is famed for its masters program in writing. But, they do get alot of writers coming through for the program, and in fact, that is a benefit that Grinnell College takes advantage of!</p>
<p>[Creative</a> Writing - English | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/english/creative]Creative”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/english/creative)</p>
<p>Please be aware that Oberlin’s Creative Writing Major is competitive to get into, and its upper level courses are only open to majors, or else very restricted.</p>
<p>Smith, Vassar, Bennington…
This looks like it has some useful advice:
[Rankings</a> of gay-friendly colleges are all the rage — but are these lists accurate? - Campus Overload - The Washington Post](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/campus-overload/post/rankings-of-gay-friendly-colleges-are-all-the-rage--but-are-these-lists-accurate/2012/01/02/gIQA4fV3eP_blog.html]Rankings”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/campus-overload/post/rankings-of-gay-friendly-colleges-are-all-the-rage--but-are-these-lists-accurate/2012/01/02/gIQA4fV3eP_blog.html)</p>
<p>I would second Knox as a great choice for you.</p>
<p>“Accepting” or “gay-friendly” and “vibrant LGBT scene” are definitely NOT the same. Most decent LACs are the former; exceedingly few have the latter. In fact, it’s the major reason I didn’t apply to many LACs, though I have great respect for them.</p>
<p>A standard LAC has about 1500 students. Let’s say 60% of them are female, about 900. Let’s say 10% of those (that’s being generous) are lesbian/bi, so about 90. Of those, at least half aren’t out, are already dating someone, etc. That’s an extremely small dating pool without even taking personal preferences into account.</p>
<p>I always recommend that LGBT students interested in LACs consider the following options:
[ul][<em>]LACs in consortiums - 5 Colleges, Claremonts, Quaker consortium, etc.
[</em>]LACs in big cities - Macalester, Reed, Lewis & Clark, Occidental, Goucher, Trinity, etc.
[<em>]LACs with cross-enrollment universities - Wellesley (MIT, Brandeis), Swarthmore (Penn), Barnard (Columbia), etc.
[</em>]Single-sex colleges (if female) - Agnes Scott, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Simmons, etc. [/ul]</p>
<p>I agree with daisychain – Oberlin is by far the best option in the Midwest and the first LAC I thought of. Though it’s not exactly a LAC, I think Emerson College would fit you quite nicely as well.</p>
<p>My girlfriend is at Kenyon and loves it.</p>
<p>Not an LAC, and a reach for everyone, but Penn could be a good choice.</p>
<p>Kelly Writers House actually recruits writers (according to other posters here). I’ve met some of the staff members and liked them. The program has a quirky feel, definitely a refuge from the legions of premeds and investment banker wannabees.</p>
<p>Good classes, good connections to the larger literature and publishing worlds.</p>
<p>Theater department tries hard and has great connections to the unusually strong local theater community. Student performing arts organizations are plentiful and popular.</p>
<p>Penn was a pioneer in LGBT support. The founder still runs the center, and it still is a leader.</p>