<p>I know what I am looking for in a college, but I do not know which colleges a I was wondering if anyone out there might be able or willing to show me which schools have </p>
<p>I am a born writer. I write incessantly, unceasingly, and have been since I first learned the craft at age 6 or so. I have boxes packed with thick journals and notebooks, I excel in English classes and put a lot of effort into everything I write, simply because it's a passion I stumbled into and found great happiness in. I love the expression of writing. I truly respect it. However, I know that I have a long way to go before can call myself a "skilled" writer, or a writer the world world would be interested in. I dream of going to a school that will take whatever raw talent I have and help me to shape it, cultivate it.</p>
<p>I also am an adventurous kid who would love to study abroad. Urban or suburban campuses near a city are a must, and internship opportunities mean a lot to me. I prefer larger schools, but it doesn't matter too much.</p>
<p>Stats........
- SAT
critical reading: 700
math: 610 :(
writing: 740
(will retake though, hopefully improve math)
- GPA 3.7 unweighted, 4.0 weighted, top 5% of class
- 5 Dual Credit (pretty much the most my school offered...), and many honors classes
- incredibly diverse background (moved 22 times, lived in 12 states, attended 16 schools total, Hurricane Katrina survivor, daughter of a vet, overcome adversity, etc. etc.), which I plan to incorporate into my essay.
-EC's have been somewhat disjointed as per all of the moving, but I have tennis, volunteering, and (unfortunately brief) leadership positions such as creative writing club president (although hopefully I can use the "short-lived" aspect to my advantage. Maybe they will think it notable that I managed to rise to such positions so quickly, and despite the discouragement of relocation?
-ASU Walter Cronkite School of journalism summer program
- three poems published in Teen Ink Magazine (national) as well as having articles published in the community newspaper</p>
<p>If you'd like any more information, please ask!
And thank you in advance :)</p>
<p>I’m guessing that you’re a junior?</p>
<p>If so, then you have time to bring up your math score.</p>
<p>Also, take the ACT…so do better on the ACT.</p>
<p>Have your parents told you how much they can pay each year? If not, you need to ask them.</p>
<p>You also need to find out your EFC…use this… [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>
<p>An alternative viewpoint is that some schools will be perfectly fine with your ‘lopsidedness’ and the math score may be fine. </p>
<p>Some questions I would have that might help you: if your dad is a vet you are viewed as of an upper-income professional family, so it’s hard to also play the ‘adversity’ and ‘survivor’ theme and even the ‘diversity because I moved a lot’ theme. Also what is the difference between being ‘published’ in Teen Ink and just putting your stuff up there (as the teens I know do on Teen Ink)? And when possible, don’t end your sentences with prepositions, as I tend to do :)</p>
<p>Hopefully this does not sound critical- I offer it only as feedback to assist.</p>
<p>Thank you for the feedback.</p>
<p>First, the adversity- I realize that many people growing up in military families move often. However, only in the past two years have I lived with my father. Previously, I had been shacking up in motels and grungy apartments throughout the nation with a mother suffering from a severe crack-cocaine and alcohol addiction, missing roughly half of junior high from nothing short of neglect (although I did attempt to home school myself)… I don’t feel the need to go into detail here, but that, not simply “because I moved a lot” is the primary diversity/adversity I referred to. However, now I am an upper middle class child, as I moved in with my father. </p>
<p>As for Teen Ink- Any teen can have their writing ‘published’ on the site. My poetry was published in the truer sense of the word- that is, it was selected for print in the magazine.</p>
<p>I am simply wondering if anyone knows of schools that have a heavy emphasis on writing. They do not need to be prestigious or of high reputation. I’m not opposed to state schools or small, unheard-of privates. Given my stats and preferences, with no regard to the cost of the school, which would you recommend?</p>
<p>Two I have looked into so far are Sarah Lawrence, Emerson College, and the University of Oregon.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>You are right on with Sarah Lawrence. They also have a great study abroad program. Many if not most of the juniors study abroad for the year. They do not consider test scores at all. You pick every professor and course you take, and, every course involves writing, most are focused on writing. Really, you must go to visit. If you can pay for it, I can’t imagine a better school for a writer.</p>
<p>I have no personal experience, but have heard great things about Washington College in Chesterfiled MD. Check out the Sophie Kerr Prize to college seniors (approx. $70k) and the Lit House. This Kerr prize is different from the merit scholarship Kerr award.</p>
<p>Your SATs are above their requirements, but since you stated prestige isn’t a factor I think the Kerr award and Lit House may make it worthwhile to at least check out their website.</p>
<p>EDIT - This school doesn’t meet your “large” criteria and it isn’t urban, but Baltimore & DC aren’t too far. I just find the Kerr Prize worth a look for any creative writing major.</p>
<p>Sammi…</p>
<p>Happy to hear that you’re in a much better circumstance now! You deserve it!!! :)</p>
<p>Have you asked your dad how much he’ll pay each year towards your education. If not, PLEASE do. You have no idea how many kids on this forum avoid that question, only to find out that the schools on their lists aren’t do-able. It’s best to know now, so you can dedicate your time finding schools that fit your creative skills and your financial situation.</p>
<p>For instance…you say that you’re upper middle class now. That could mean that your dad will have a very high EFC (like many of us do). If it’s very high and it’s more than he can pay out each year, you need to know that now. :)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>If you are willing to re-think proximity to a City, I always hear Kenyon mentioned as a great place for writing. Hamilton also boasts on its website that it is dedicated to writing. You might want to think whether you are looking to major in creative writing or just have extracurricular writing opportunities. If the former, take a look at who the faculty are (and how many there are).</p>
<p>My friend goes to NYU and loves their program.
Also UChicago has a great program.</p>