Columbia HS Program- Creative Writing

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I have been searching for a pre-college summer program that has an exceptional creative writing program, and from what I have read on Columbia's website, their summer program seems to be quite a good one. Although it is very expensive, my mom says she is willing to pay for it if I am accepted. Before I commit to anything, I would like to know if the price is worth it... particularly for the creative writing class. </p>

<p>Is anyone able to share their experiences at the HS Columbia summer program? (The creative writing class, specifically) </p>

<p>This summer, I will have just finished my sophomore year, so I will be an upcoming junior. I'm leaning towards Columbia's program because I'd like to experience living independently in dormitories, sightseeing New York, and participating in a highly educational and beneficial writing class. </p>

<p>If I could get any feedback, that would be fantastic! Thanks.</p>

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<p>So this is probably one of the first times I've been on the Columbia form (just sent in for RD and I figured I'd take a look( and I was kind of shocked when I saw a post that seemed to be directed right at me! </p>

<p>I did the Columbia Summer Program in Creative Writing also the summer after my sophomore year, and most of the people there are that age. I did 2nd semester, which back then was a little less intense than first semester apparently, but they seem to have changed it so both classes are the same. Again, I'm not sure if it's still like this, but my year they had one class in poetry, and then as far as prose goes, people were split randomly, one class fiction and one class nonfiction (and it was super easy to switch, no worries there). I originally came for fiction, but figured I'd give nonfiction a try.</p>

<p>Overall, I REALLY enjoyed the program. As far as the class went, it was really cool to learn about a genre I'd never even considered, and I really REALLY learned a lot. It was a lot of workshopping and feedback, and the people in the program were all amazing writers. As far as quality of teaching, I regret to say that the creative writing class taught by grad students (you have a different one every week) but of the three I had, only one was like...unsatisfactory. She was still fine, though. The third one was REALLY good, like she was a genius who did teach undergrads at Columbia during the year. So I'd say that overall, the class was good.</p>

<p>The experience of living in New York City and being a writer (and not really having to live in a box) was what really made the program unique and exciting for me. It was just really amazing, the people were all so cool, and it was just like really really really fun. They're kind of strict (11pm curfew on weekdays = ughh) but I still enjoyed myself. There are a lot of "field trip" type things to shows and fancy restaurants and because of group deals, it's cheaper. </p>

<p>Oh and there are lots of hotties.</p>

<p>So I would recommend the program, BUT this is coming from someone where money wasn't really a big issue. Therefore, take my judgments with a grain of salt. I def understand if you think that $3,000 in tuition is a bit much for grad students (very able and talented grad students...but grad students), but I can't really judge that for you.</p>

<p>Hope this has been helpful!!</p>

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<p>Wow, that was EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you so much!</p>

<p>It sounds like an amazing program that fits me perfectly. Money isn't an issue for me, I have just seen some posts on this forum that said some pretty bad things about the Columbia summer program. I just wanted to make sure it was worth it.<br>
(Lots of hotties is a great bonus haha)</p>

<p>I've just got a couple other questions, if that's okay.
-What was the workload? Like, how much homework did they give?
-Do you know if the majority of applicants are accepted?
-Do you feel that you became a better writer after this?</p>

<p>Thanks again, you don't even know how happy this made me =)</p>

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<p>1) Not a LOT of workload, it's really what you make of it. You can spend lots of time working on your writing, or just bring things you've already written. Otherwise, there's a bit of reading but not too much.
2) Yes, most get in, but it's still a very qualified group of people.
3) Definitely, especially since my school's creative writing program is not so good. The biggest advantage is that you read a lot of current and experimental works, which you don't see so much at school. Those can often be more inspiring to modern creative writing than, say, Heart of Darkness or Tale of Two Cities.</p>