<p>I am a sophomore in high school. I recently heard about the Iowa Young Writers' program and as I read a little more about it, it sounded like a wonderful experience. I don't specifically want to be a writer, however, I do a lot of writing for various magazines and I want to enter a few essay contests. Do you think this program would really help my writing and elevate it? Also, is it fun? And what are the fees?</p>
<p>Has anyone done this program before?</p>
<p>And I heard it was prestigious. Would it look good on a college application? I know it would, but would it be something that would advance you as a candidate for a good college?</p>
<p>Thanks guys! :-)</p>
<p>My Daughter attended the program two years ago and absolutely over it. The attendees were super smart talented writers. If you love writing and have a gift for it, I would highly recommend the program for you. My daughter had the opportunity to write some awesome pieces there. I would never recommend any program as a means to get into college but in an Ask the Dean article on this website, he mentions only two summer programs that are in a different class in terms of academic recognition and one of them was the IYW program. I can also say that it was a ton of fun socially. Note that admissions is quite competitive. The year my daughter went, I believe only 20% were accepted so put your best foot forward in your app.</p>
<p>I have not done the program, but I heard from someone that even when you get there, the atmosphere of the program is “competitive”. Grandmom is right; the acceptance rate is about 20% and the program is prestigious.</p>
For those of you who have gotten into the Iowa Young Writers Program – What advice would you give to a student applying for this coming year?
@lanawriter I attended the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio in 2015 and had a marvellous time. If you’re applying this year, I suggest, first and foremost, that you work very carefully on your personal statement and writing sample. I spent about 8 months working on both of those components. The admissions process is extremely competitive In 2015, only about 12-15% of the applications were accepted. You just have to be honest and careful about every single thing you put on those pages. Don’t try to be grandiose, but realise your aim as a writer and pen it down.
@VictorianLass Wow, the acceptance rate was that low? I was under the impression it was around 20%.
To be quite honest, compared to everyone else, I feel very inferior. How do I expect to get accepted when I’ve been rejected by even the most run-of-the-mill online publications, while others are winning contests and have their poems plastered all across websites and in magazines?
@GrandBudapest Neither publications nor awards matter. I haven’t won a single literary award till date. And before going to IYWS, I never got published in any known magazine. My roommate, a rising college freshman, didn’t have any publication till last month and she hasn’t won any literary award too. I am the Editor-in-chief of a literary magazine myself and I can tell you very confidently that publications/awards etc. don’t tell anything about your ability. Yes, I heard a lot of people at IYWS go, “Oh, so you are the winner of that competition…” and on and on. It bothered me for a while, but the community there is so welcoming that all such things fade and what remains is friendship, collaboration and an unparalleled commitment to art. All sorts of writers come to IYWS and if you told them just how passionate you are, I cannot see any way in which you will be rejected, if you have applied already. It was the best experience of my life and I do encourage you to apply, if you haven’t.