<p>I've heard it's one of the oldest CW programs in the country. But how is it, really?
Anyone have inside insight? On professors? Students? The CMU Press?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Yo. Creative writing sophomore here. I can probably answer most of the questions you have about the program. :)</p>
<p>Yes, it is one of the oldest in the country. Most of the faculty are legitimate and awesome - and all are continually still publishing work each year (novels, poetry, etc). The students are a mix. I’d say 90% of us are cool normal human beings and the other 10% are that one arrogant kid you knew in high school who was THE GREATEST WRITER EVER according to his mom.</p>
<p>What about the CMU Press do you want to know specifically? We have several papers and poetry/creative lit anthologies as well as an official press.</p>
<p>Thanks!
What genre of creative writing are you studying? I plan on concentrating on fiction. I’m assuming you’re doing workshops? </p>
<p>I’ve read the CMU Creative Writing web page, and was wondering how much CMU is preparing you for the real world. Haha, maybe that’s a dumb question… I’ll try to think of better ones for the future!</p>
<p>Is there anything specific about their program that you think sets it apart?</p>
<p>My focus is also in fiction – nonrealistic fiction. And yes, I’m currently in workshops, they’re a lot of fun; right now it’s about 12-15 kids (usually there are half as many, there’s only one section of Fiction being offered this semester) and we just review each other’s work and write new stuff every week. </p>
<p>As far as preparing me for the real world? Realistically, most creative writing majors have a second major. Writing is fun and is one of the staples of my life, but-- like visual art-- if you’re planning on being the next Steinbeck or Monet you don’t necessarily need a writing degree. Rather, creative writing seems to be something most students take to explore their creative side and have an outlet for these things. </p>
<p>That said, there are still many kids for whom creative writing is their only major. CMU is pretty job-focused even in the humanities, so we’re constantly getting emails about potential jobs, internships, and editorships. Often a publishing house will come by to look at what’s available in terms of students offering manuscripts and that sort of thing.</p>
<p>In terms of what sets it apart, I really am not certain. I guess I like the size of the degree; it’s rather small (about 50 kids in total) and you get to know everyone pretty quickly.</p>
<p>I should also mention as I sit here in the creative writing lounge that our professors are pretty cool people - there are about seven or eight who teach almost every course and you’ll get to know them very well. They all have vastly different personalities and are some of the nicest professors I’ve known on campus. :)</p>
<p>How is the work load with double majoring? Are you finding that you can’t put as much effort into your work as you’d desire?
I’m not sure if I’ll be in the single-major boat, or the double-major boat. I used to want to go into Neuroscience, and I still think it’s fascinating; I just don’t know if double majoring in Neuroscience + Creative Writing is possible. Maybe it is and I just haven’t researched it enough.</p>
<p>My only fear is that I’ll graduate, and then realize a CW major can’t go far. I’m trying to convince myself that it can, though… editing, publishing, writing… screenwriting, even.</p>
<p>Yep, that’s possible. Two of my best friends in the major are Biopsych/CW and Astrophysics/CW. There are also kids who are CW/Computer Science, Biology, Neuroscience, Physics… the list goes on. I myself have a double major in Human-Computer Interaction. CW, like most humanities-based majors, is meant to be completed in two years to allow you a lot of freedom in your undergrad career. There are only 10 required courses for the whole major, although you can take many more (and most people do). </p>
<p>The work load for the major really isn’t bad at all. Almost all the classes are focused on not how much work you complete, but how good that work is - for example, you will be assigned one poem each week or one short story per two weeks (5-6 pages double spaced) and the class will expect a certain level of quality out of you, as it is ultimately your peers and your professor who will be discussing your work and pointing out flaws or plot incongruities, as well as bringing up things you did well or ways you can improve.</p>
<p>Creative writing can go far - you just have to be in the right place. For example, I’m interested in game design and creative production in game narratives - and there are plenty of jobs to be had there.</p>
<p>Okay, that’s reassuring! This opens the door to tons of possibilities.
Are you planning on doing a senior thesis or project in creative writing?
And, just out of curiosity, what exactly does “game design and creative production in game narratives” entail? The name itself seems pretty self-explanatory, I guess, but do they pitch ideas to gaming companies, or do they assist in the story-telling aspect of a game?</p>
<p>And one more question: How’s Pittsburgh? I’ve heard it’s a great place to be.
Thanks for all the help! It means a lot.</p>
<p>Realistically I’d start as a level designer and work my way up. Creative directors usually are the ones on a design team who kind of direct the flow of the game’s story - who the characters are, what the story is, how it fits in with the game’s mechanics, and what the game’s objectives and goals are. If it is an RPG, they will also help build and develop the rich world behind the game. </p>
<p>I would like to complete a senior thesis. Since I am adept at programming, music, and art, I have considered doing some sort of iPhone story-based game as my thesis. However, most seniors in CW tend to do something like a novel or a serious book of essays or poetry. </p>
<p>Pittsburgh is okay; I’m from southern California, so the weather isn’t nearly as nice and I’m used to a generally higher quality of things (public transit, etc) but it’s a cute little city with its own charm and feels like it belongs with the east coast rather than the midwest. There is a low crime rate in the area around campus, and it’s fairly easy to get around without a car. There are also several shopping districts so there’s a lot to do on the weekends. :)</p>
<p>That’s intense. I dabble in video games now and then. Pretty much just Xbox games, though. Sometimes computer.
Yeah, I guess it’s pretty different from southern California. Heck, southern California has the best weather.</p>
<p>Aren’t there English/Lit requirements for a CW major?</p>
<p>Yes, but they are included in the 10 classes I mentioned above. You are required to take 4 literature electives, and only one can be at a 200-level; the rest must be 300, 400, 500 or 600 level courses (500 and 600 level are grad level though).</p>
<p>Oh, ok. And finally: last question!
Have you had the chance to intern with anyone yet, through CW? (an outside source, or work through the official CMU press/lit anthologies). I don’t know if Sophomore level is too early for this or not.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help. I can’t think of any other questions at the moment, but if I think of some more, I’ll private message you!</p>
<p>Owlehn</p>
<p>There are plenty of internships for that. For the official press, there’s actually a class called Document Design or something similar where you literally select the works for the season and then learn to press them yourself (there is a professor who runs the press who teaches you how it’s done). The class is very selective and only 2-3 kids are allowed, to my knowledge.</p>
<p>As for personal internships, I was more interested in seeking positions in development and web design this past summer, so I interned with a flash dev company instead. However, there were (are) a lot of magazines, papers, and periodicals in Pittsburgh that hire interns for the year/summer. Websites too. We just got some email about a Latino Historical Society who wants someone to write articles, and some travel website about Panama that needs a student travel writer. So you’ll have work if you want it.</p>
<p>You can also write for the campus newspaper, the Tartan, or the Dossier/Cut, our other on-campus productions. Those are always fun. I’m an editor at the Tartan, so if you want to know more about that just send me a PM.</p>
<p>Useful thread. =)
Is it possible to be a CS/CW double major, then?</p>
<p>Yes, it is possible. I know of a few. They seem to enjoy the CW classes, as they’re more relaxed, creative, and non-technical as compared to a 15-123 lecture or something along that line.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of doing cs / cw, I would strongly encourage you to get as much of the cw done as early as possible. Upper level cs courses are a HUGE time sink and a “relaxing break to write” will be time spent not programming, oh #$%^ i’m falling behind. Another option is to front load all of your hard courses then spend the next 2 years knocking out the writing. Just don’t tell anybody that when you get interviewed…</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. =)
I’m interviewing in a few weeks…we’ll see how that turns out.</p>