<p>I should note that selective != prestigious, if you are referring to impact on college apps. Iowa’s program looks genuinely well-run but not particularly well known–what do you care more about, prestige (reputation) or what you’ll actually learn about creative writing?</p>
<p>What I’ll actually learn is what matter to me, though honestly, it wouldn’t hurt to have some prestige. But overall, it is not crucial that a program be well-known. While I know that programs like TASP and RSI would definetely enhance an application, I doubt there would be much impact on my application between one creative writing program or another (correct me if I’m wrong), aside from demonstrating my dedication to writing.</p>
<p>Do you have any recommendations on which programs I should consider and which aren’t worth the money/time?</p>
<p>I don’t know of any creative writing programs that are prestigious, really.</p>
<p>I’ve heard good things about Iowa, Kenyon, Sewanee, and UVA; I don’t know anything about Walnut Hill except that it exists and is really expensive. Same goes for Interlochen (having financial aid available does not make a program less expensive–having a reasonable per-week comprehensive cost does, i.e. Iowa). Nor do I know much about the program at Bard, but my sense is that it’s less “serious”–which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your personal needs.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you. That’s all very helpful. I will probably apply to Iowa, Kenyon, Sewanee, and UVA, and perhaps Walnut Hill, but I think I’ll pass on the Bard program. It didn’t strike me all too well, though I’m sure it’s fine. Crossing my fingers that I’ll be accepted somewhere…</p>
<p>Another thing you can do is look for other summer programs that allow you to choose a few different classes.
Last summer I went to HSSP at Washington University in St. Louis. Even though it didn’t focus on creative writing, I took a fiction writing course alongside college students. I loved it!
I also was able to choose from many other classes. There’s Spanish, Japanese, French, history, psychology, math, physics, etc. I took documentary making.</p>
<p>It depends, of course, if you want your only focus to be on writing, but I had a great time and loved the diversity and how not everyone was focused on one thing.</p>
<p>I could actually commute to WashU very easily and that’s an option I’m considering in later summers, but I don’t think I’m old enough as a rising sophomore. They only accept rising juniors/seniors, right?</p>
<p>Oops, you’re right! Sorry.</p>
<p>One thing, though, is that I don’t think they allow you to commute. A few kids from St. Louis had to live in the dorms, but they could go home on the weekends and go to work and everything.</p>
<p>I found this program at Boston University. I didn’t really look into it because I’m out of the age range, but I noticed they offer creative writing, and I think it said rising sophomores are accepted.</p>
<p>[Exciting</a> Summer Programs for High School Students At BU Summer Term](<a href=“High School Pre-College Summer Programs | Boston University Summer Term”>High School Pre-College Summer Programs | Boston University Summer Term)</p>
<p>I believe that Iowa, Kenyon, and Juniper, etc. are all VERY prestigious Creative Writing programs–but as Creative Writing programs, only a special set of people are familiar with them anyways. To really get a grasp of the quality of these programs, I would research present and past faculty, and try to see what the daily routine will be like. And if anyone has questions about Juniper or CSSSA just pm me =)</p>
<p>@ MissxSilverwing–I would definitely apply to these Creative Writing programs as a freshman! However, from personal experience, I’m glad that I ended up only attending Creative Writing progams as a rising-Junior and Rising-Senior–I honestly feel that the extra time gave me more maturity, more experience to draw from, less culture-shock (from exposure to more mature literary work) and more time to flex my writing muscles.</p>
<p>Also, the social aspect of Creative Writing programs is often underestimated. Being in any of these programs, especially longer ones you will definitely bond with your talented fellow writers–however, most people will be rising-juniors and so on. I’ve met several extremely talented and precocious individuals at the programs I’ve attended, and am not trying to generalize-- so please don’t take any of this the wrong way.</p>
<p>I’m going to my second try at Kenyon this year. I was waitlisted last. I did end up getting a chance to attend a first year in-state program. It was shockingly helpful. Don’t underestimate the power of local programs if your area has them. I’ll be returning again. It’s great knowing people in state that love writing as well. Some were very talented, and some were average, but we all have a bond now, state wise. I know that’s a commonly spoken on, near cliched, topic of these programs, but they do create some amazing bonds. </p>
<p>Although, this year I’m still shooting for Iowa, Kenyon, the works.</p>
<p>I have to agree with the last two posters about the social aspect of the writing camps. My son attended the Kenyon workshop last year as a rising junior and absolutely LOVED it. He thought the writing instruction was terrific, but I think what he most enjoyed was being around other kids who loved writing as much as he does. He wants to attend another camp this summer. He keeps in touch with the kids he met last year. And the amount and quality of the writing he produced was amazing. He said it was a very supportive and non-competitive place.</p>
<p>Bumping this. I’m missing the writing talk.</p>
<p>Applied to Kenyon and Iowa. :)</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Applying to both with tons other programs. All of them have the same basic rec and app requirements so I can do two portfolios and copy my recs and apply to those without app costs and I’m set. :D</p>
<p>Kenyon doesn’t require a portfolio! :P</p>
<p>Which other programs?</p>
<p>Well, same difference. 
One of my portfolio pieces is also my Kenyon piece. I need to write a separate piece for several other programs too actually, but same basic set up. </p>
<p>And oh my, there are a few…</p>
<p>CCY
Juniper
Bard at Simon’s Rock
Sewanee
Fir Acres
Converse
Lake Forest
Reynolds
and a local program that you have to be here to have heard of. </p>
<p>Some of these actually do have fees but that’s just what’s in my favorites list right now and I haven’t bothered to think/clear them out quite yet. Some of them aren’t to “prestigious”, but writing programs are writing programs. Can’t complain. :)</p>
<p>I find about half the programs out there I can’t do because of two reasons:</p>
<p>(1) Cost.
(2) They interfere with my last week of school.</p>
<p>I don’t finish school and finals until very late in June. >.></p>
<p>I’m throwing caution to the wind when it comes to cost (and praying they take pity on the daughter of a single mother, and give me decent enough scholarships. 
) </p>
<p>And we get out the first week of June, so I luck out in those regards.</p>
<p>I missed Iowa, disappointed about that. I only found out about it a few days ago and the postmark deadline was today. Not enough time to put a good portfolio/teacher rec together. It’s a shame since it sounds like a really fun program. Good luck to everybody who applied!</p>
<p>I’m still going to apply to Kenyon and UVa though, and possibly Sewanee. Hopefully I get Kenyon, that’s my first choice!</p>
<p>Ah, I despise Kenyon’s application. I was waitlisted there last year, but I have no idea on my chance this year because it’s based off one noon-fiction piece. I do poetry best. My style isn’t demonstrated because I get one page in a different style to prove myself.</p>
<p>But I got my Iowa app in today. Crossing my fingers. I have to send my teacher rec in later. Teacher is being slow. But at least I checked and they said that was completely acceptable.</p>