<p>Ok, to begin, I want to be a writer and will be wither majoring or concentrating in writing at whichever school I go to, so the rigorousness of their programme is very important. I was accepted to all of the schools that I applied to: University of Miami, Florida State, Pratt, Oberlin, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Brown, and Princeton.</p>
<p>Now, Im having a really hard choosing. Right now its between Pratt and each of the Ivys. Columbia and Pratt have the advantage of being in New York, which means there will be much inspiration and contacts that I could make. Brown and Pratt both do not require me to take any core classes. Pratt and Princeton are offering me the most money and Princeton is not so far from Manhattan as Brown. I think I might be willing to deal with Columbias core and Princeton really only has one required class and its a writing class.</p>
<p>Then, there is the fact that Princeton and Brown don't really have Creative Writing majors but sub-programmes in it, Princeton's which is only for a tiny percentage to ger in each class based on an application. Still, I was told even from a teacher at Pratt that it was not rigorous enough for me.</p>
<p>I want to be surrounded by people who want to learn but arent arrogant. I want to get all that I can from the school as a writer.</p>
<p>Can't really help you here too much. I do know that Pratt has a very good creative writing program. I think it is geared towards screen plays,but could be in error on that. </p>
<p>I would closely scrutinize each program as to its strengths, its main focus etc. I do know that most of the kids who are majoring in creative writing at Pratt really like the program. This does not mean, however, that it is better than that of Princeton or Columbia. Just do some homework. </p>
<p>If you aren't sure, I would suggest that you take the ivy track. If you don't go into creative writing or screen play writing, having a degree from Princeton or Columbia will mean more initially than that of Pratt.</p>
<p>i don't know how good pratt's program is like for writing, but i'm pretty sure having graduated from princeton or columbia would look much more impressive wherever you go.</p>
<p>The PRatt programme is actually pretty broadbased, it was amusing at first because I saw it as an attempt to make sure you don't graduate and become a bum.</p>
<p>So far as research, most of the programmes seem pretty comperable. All require applications, though Princeton's seems much more selective. Lots of nice workshops. Though so far it seems only PRinceton has a thesis and individual study as well.</p>
<p>I am a Pratt Alumni -and I truely enjoyed my experiance there. Though I studied Fashion Merchandising, I had a minor in film and animation and I was editor of the school magazine, the Prattler. There was a lot of freedom to study what you wanted and I took advantage of that. When I graduated I my only problem was trying to choose a job out of many offers. I turned down a job at Mademoiselle Magazine (asst. Fashion editior) to work in film and animation. I stayed in Brooklyn for many years, and now it is even nicer than when I was there. Good Luck.</p>