Hey, I was wondering if there are any prestigious summer writing programs that might boost my chances into getting a good college. I already know about Iowa Writer’s Workshop but I’d still like to keep my options open in case I don’t get in.
Take creative writing workshops if that is what you want to do.
Don’t do things “to get into college”, because A, you are not figuring out what you like doing, are good at, or what you want to do in the future, and B, if you are not accepted into the colleges of your choice, you will look back at all the time you spent on these things as wasted time.
Do things about which you will be proud, no matter what you do after you graduate. My kid attended a creative writing workshop because she was excited about the possibility of spending three weeks focusing entirely on writing. I don’t know, nor do I care, whether it helped her get into the college she is attending. I am sure that her love of writing helped, but had she attended a “more prestigious” creative writing program it would likely have made little difference.
If the idea of spending weeks focused entirely on creative writing excites you, look through every program you can find (that is what Google is for), and see which looks to be the most exciting for you. That is how you choose, not based on what you think would look good on your college application.
You are young, and your goals in life should be far wider than “getting into a good college”.
Thanks for your comment, but I am very aware about what I’m good at and what I like doing. I’ve attended several summer writing programs in the past and I love writing - no matter what writing program I attend, I’ll be writing enough stories so that it won’t be a waste of time.
My parents only want me to attend writing programs that look good on college applications, so that’s why I’m asking this. In some way, they’re right - I should focus on college because it’s coming up in two years.
I have many goals in life, and this is only one of them. I know that my question may have seemed a little juvenile, but it’s still important to me that it’s answered.
If you were the admissions officer at a highly selective college, would you prefer to admit the kid who attended well-known creative writing programs, or the one whose writing knocked your socks off despite having never attended a writing program?
I’m not sure you get my point. Attending a creative writing program helps build your portfolio, as you’re writing almost every day for several weeks. Why not have both?
I think you’ve missed mine: It is the quality of your writing that will make you shine, and that will depend on the hours of effort you put into improving it, not the NAME of the program you attended.
“writing almost every day for several weeks” = quality writing. I’m not arguing with you, I’m essentially agreeing with you. A prestigious summer program can also be useful for getting into college, though. If you’re not going to answer my question, feel free to leave.
Honestly, any summer writing program looks good. So many of the programs are science and math oriented that I think an admissions officer would like to see a writing program on the appl
The Telluride one is good, but more than just writing.
Thank you so much ! :))
Interlochen’s creative writing program is well respected, but I think the app window for this summer has passed. Programs that are selective are more impressive than those that allow anyone to attend.
Remember the AOs will see these programs as ECs/activities and they are acutely aware that only a relatively small proportion of HS students can afford to attend these types of opportunities…so on the one hand they might help, on the other hand some may see them as ‘pay to play’ activities.
Well said @Mwfan1921.
Oh, I see. I’ll take that into consideration, thank you a lot : )