<p>I agree with koolcrud, overall fit is paramount. Visit as many as you can (overnight if possible) and interview. You <em>might</em> find an appropriate summer course and do very well in it, but you're almost out of time, especially since applying ED will give you the best chance if you have a true favorite which is not unattainable.</p>
<p>I'm afraid a summer course is not possible, due to my unfortunate summer commitments to marching band. However, I am open to any other suggestions you might have.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any ideas for volunteering/ECs that I could do that might include English-related work?</p>
<p>Intern on a newspaper or for a publisher. Writing isn't an art; it's a craft. Actually, do something completely unrelated, that would give you material to write about such as work in a children's oncology office or become an EMS technician. Since you're near the CDC, try getting something there -- </p>
<p>You could also look into a couple of writing programs such as Iowa Writer's Workshop or the one sponsored by Oxford University in England. Also, look to see if Folger's Shakespearean library has anything in Washington, D.C. -- or maybe there's some kind of similar program offered at Emory or somewhere else in your area since $$$ could be a program.</p>
<p>I'm actually an hour and a half away from Atlanta, so that poses a bit of a problem, as far as daily volunteer stuff goes.</p>