Creative Writing Major

So…

At literally every school I am applying for International Relations and Poly Sci, since I want to work in politics someday most likely

However, in the college essay writing process, I have LOVED detailing my life and writing creative essays. And particularly for Princeton, all my essays recount truthful experiences about moments of personal growth. They are focused on deeper moral values and less on extracurricular flaunting. I kind of got philosophical.

I was wondering about what people think of my idea of applying as a Creative Writing major (or possibly make that at least my second choice). I think it really fits my application and they might be more intrigued by my writing style if I chose it. How many Creative Writing majors are accepted each year? And what do you think? My favorite book is Interpreter of Maladies and I was ECSTATIC to recently find out she teaches at Princeton for the Creative Writing department.

I don’t have any amazing English credentials. I got Bs in Honors English sophomore and freshman year (I had writing special help in elementary and middle school, so it’s been a huge point of growth for me). I got an A in my Honors junior yr english though and my one rec letter is an English teacher. This year I have heavy humanities electives with my english courses being college-format semester classes called Women’s Lit and Contemporary Novels. I also took a Journalism class first semester and write for my school paper this yr.

I would LOVE your guidance.

My daughter is interested in creative writing and loves same book and author. (She was recently on leave so maybe check to see if she’s back). For my daughter, Princeton was too conservative - so she’s looking at other programs.

@minimickey How so? That is an interesting take. I love the campus and community personally, I kind of vibe with that feel (similarly to Brown & Tufts, which I am also applying to).

I feel like I am CRAZY because English isn’t usually my subject (I don’t take AP obviously and my grades have only been average).

But I have ABSOLUTELY LOVED writing my essays

Princeton is much more culturally and politically conservative than, say, Brown (which also has excellent creative writing and English). In fact, these two schools are at the opposite ends of the Ivy political spectrum.

@minimickey Interesting. I come from a somewhat socially conservative yet public high school (not too far from Princeton!) so it comes by little surprise. I’m less concerned by campus politics than I am about if its a good idea to apply for Creative Writing.

Go for it! But unless you’re quite an accomplished writer, it won’t make much of a difference to your chances. In fact, if you feel you aren’t strong in English, it might even be a slight negative.

I have a different take. I went to graduate school at Princeton in the late 90s and my son is in the class of 2024. While the school definitely leaned conservative in the 90s, I believe that is no longer the case. As with most decent-sized school there are enclaves of every stripe. My son is heavily into the theater aspects of Princeton and has loved the people he has met (mostly very liberal and accepting). As to the question of Creative Writing - Princeton does not have that as a major (or as they call it a “concentration”), but it is offered as a minor (“certificate”). Same with most of the arts there. For my son this has actually been a huge positive, being able to major in the sciences and minor in theater has allowed him to pursue his academic interests while still feeling very valued by, and involved in, the the theater department. I don’t know as much about creative writing at Princeton, but the new Lewis Arts Center (which I believe is where Creative Writing team is housed) has helped the arts to explode at Princeton. On the common app, you should definitely put Creative Writing as a first or second choice for a certificate, it’s not even an option to put as a concentration. Showing an interest in something like that (as long as it is supported by courses/extra-curriculars) shouldn’t hurt you, and may even help. It sounds like you have done enough to support showing interest in Creative Writing as a minor. Good luck!

Princeton is really trying to shed its upper-crusty rep. I think it’s setting aside 20% of spots for first generation or something similar. But it may tame some time to change a reputation which has defined the institution for many years.

Princeton doesn’t admit by major, so it doesn’t really matter what you put down.

FWIW, my son listed Physics and Philosophy as potential majors and didn’t make a final decision until his sophomore year.

My daughter is a freshman at Princeton. She plans to major at Woodrow Wilson with certificates in Spanish and other languages. She has also become very enamored with creative writing and has multiple screenplays being optioned. The creative writing department is amazing and she has had wonderful mentors and opportunities already.

She now is considering creative writing as a career. It is important to know you cannot MAJOR in creative writing at Princeton. You can major in English or a plethora of other options. You can obtain a certificate in creative writing (similar to a minor at other colleges). Also you do not need to decide until late in sophomore year which direction you plan to go. Hope that helps.

@mara15 OH WOW! That’s like exactly what I want to study at Princeton. Hoping to join her soon! Got my interview this week.

Best of Luck. FYI my daughter’s interview did not go well…That being said she got in:) Have fun and don’t overthink it!