Creative Writing vs English major

College Majors
1

Hey! So, I’m about to start applying to colleges, and my top two choices are SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Purchase (leaning a little towards New Paltz, as the surrounding town is really quirky and one of my good friends is a student there).

Both these schools have creative writing-at Purchase it’s its own program, while New Paltz has it as a concentration under their English major, as well as a minor. Now, writing is my passion, and I always figured I’d major in it, but I’ve been having some second thoughts about it. I always figured I’d double major in something practical and something I genuinely enjoy, but recently I’ve wondered if I should just go for a plain old English lit degree (maybe with a double major in marketing or economics). I think it sounds a bit more practical, and I’ve been reading up on the English electives at New Paltz and I’ve kind of fallen in love with all of them.

But writing is really my passion, and now I’m just sort of conflicted. Plus I’m already almost done with my portfolio for Purchase, so I’d sort of feel like I wasted my time if I applied to the school but not that specific program.

I really have three main questions:

  1. Which complements a double major in business/economics better-English lit or creative writing?
  2. Which teaches more employable skills? (I'm assuming English lit, but am I wrong)
  3. Would it be totally ridiculous to go to New Paltz, major in English with a liberal arts concentration, and minor in creative writing? (I kind of figure the answer is yes)

Thanks!

2

Two of my close friends went to New Paltz. Both of them loved it. I’ve been up to the town a few times with them and it is a really cute, quirky, liberal little college town. It seems like a fun place to be a college student. (It was definitely a fun place to hang out for a few days and we plan to return together as a group).

  1. Either, both, neither. It really doesn’t matter.

  2. Either, both, neither. Both of them teach critical skills. Creative writing might have the edge, because written communication is a really big plus that many employers love to see. However, you will also learn how to write with an English literature-focused major, and you will learn critical thinking and analysis in both majors.

  3. No. Why would that be ridiculous?

I think you should select what you like. I don’t think either English or creative writing is particularly more employable, particularly if you plan on double-majoring in marketing or economics. Plus, your job opportunities are more dependent upon what you do - so if you do internships, part-time jobs, or learn employable skills you’ll have better chances at landing a job post-college.