<p>Mini- I just read your post about Bard and wonder if you could tell me about some other LAC's with good creative writing programs. My D looked at Goucher and really liked the school. We did not look into individual majors since she is only a soph. and we are only looking at schools to determine type-small large, urban rural etc. My nephew is at Wash. College and I understand they are strong in creative writing also. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>In terms of faculty - for undergrads - Bard is top of the heap, bar none.</p>
<p>Most "top 100" LACs have one or two faculty that work with students in creative writing. Commonly, they will add a visiting faculty member to that. (Bard has NINE - from John Ashberry to William Weaver!) Some have courses in film writing as well. So much of this will be a matter of fit. (Washington College does indeed have a very strong creative writing program - it's basically their "flagship".)</p>
<p>The larger universities usually have bigger programs, for obvious reasons.</p>
<p>Thanks- I always appreciate the information you provide</p>
<p>Son was close to going to Bard as a creative writing major. His HS graduating class is less than 100 so a small school was appealing. In the end he chose Johns Hopkins because of their extraordinary depth in that field with a huge range of courses. Few people realize JHU is ranked 2nd in the nation in creative writng.</p>
<p>what about Vassar and Sarah Lawrence --son has been accepted to these plus Bard. But Bard financial aid pretty poor.</p>
<p>I don't know first hand but my S has a friend who really wanted to go to Bard. She's not because apparently they tie merit aid in with need. She was very disappointed.</p>
<p>I have also been impressed with mini's opinions (being a long-time lurker on CC). My son is also trying to decide - did not expect to be accepted to 7 out of 8 colleges. Interested in creative writing and accepted at Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Grinnell, Kenyon, Oberlin and U of Iowa. Mini, (or anyone else) any insight? He is truly torn, because he applied knowing he would be happy at any of these fine choices. He is an American living in Switzerland - coming from an international school. Thanks for all your help!</p>
<p>My older son is double-majoring in creative writing (literary arts) at Brown. It is a wonderful, flexible program that does not exclude anyone --unlike Oberlin, where they let only about 15% into the major. I am a writer myself --I love the Brown program and cannot say enough good things about it. What more can you ask: As long as you register on time, you are in the workshop, and the sections are fairly intimate. Of course advanced workshops require submissions, but if you don't get in to advanced sections, you're still doing workshops. By the way, I sometimes am allowed to read the writing done in my son's workshops, and the students (even in the beginning workshops) are quite impressive.</p>
<p>Can't help there. I've always loved Brown and Grinnell, but I don't know the first thing about how students fare there in creative writing. </p>
<p>What a nice problem! ;)</p>
<p>sibbs - I was talking to some CR students at Oberlin and they said they couldn't dream of better program. </p>
<p>I am always hearing the raves for CR programs from Oberlin, Kenyon, and Emerson.</p>
<p>But only 15% of Oberlin students who apply are allowed IN to the creative writing program. That is a bit of a risk, isn't it, when you are going for the creative writing. Even if you are a writing genius, selection can be subjective --and you might be one of the 85% rejected from the program in YOUR OWN SCHOOL!! At least at CMU, if you want in, you are in. At Brown, if you want in, you are in. I am sure the same is true of Emerson --if you applied for that program in the first place.</p>
<p>I really appreciate your advice and counsel. At this point, we may soon be picking pieces of paper out of a hat - but it really helps to have insight from experienced CCers. He is currently reviewing the individual english department options, confirming once again that they are all great choices. Will pass on your suggestions, and many thanks!</p>
<p>"My older son is double-majoring in creative writing (literary arts) at Brown. It is a wonderful, flexible program that does not exclude anyone --unlike Oberlin, where they let only about 15% into the major."</p>
<p>My d. is a composer, and would have been a good "cultural fit" for Oberlin. But she wanted to be a liberal arts major, rather than a conservatory student. We were told by several folks who attended that folks not in the conservatory were often shut out from courses. As a result, she didn't apply (there were plenty of other good schools out there, including Bard.)</p>
<p>Sometimes the devil is in the details.</p>
<p>My son did the sleepover at CMU. The creative writing dept is intense and excellent but had the same problem others have noted elsewhere. Son is already a prize winning playwright but he could have none of his plays produced at CMU because thats controlled by the College of Fine Arts and the Musical Theater school. As noted, at Bard or Johns Hopkins there are plenty of opportunities to stage and/or act in your plays. BTW son's first choice was Brown (rejected) for the same reason most kids love Brown these days: total freedom to take whatever courses you like.</p>
<p>Also when we visited Vassar son was very turned off. They really don't favor creative writing at all at Vassar.</p>
<p>"But only 15% of Oberlin students who apply are allowed IN to the creative writing program. That is a bit of a risk, isn't it, when you are going for the creative writing."</p>
<p>Cloverdale7, I don't know where you got this information, but it is flat-out wrong. I teach in the creative writing program at Oberlin. Only about 10-15% of students who apply for workshops are turned down, and they can receive special attention through Winter Term projects (which are open to all) and are encouraged to reapply. Please don't broadcast false information.</p>
<p>roberthhid-you mention JHU is #2 in creative writing, which school is #1?
My D would like to attend a small school-loved her visit to Goucher- is it practical to attend a small LAC and expand course selection for creative writing by taking classes at JHU, Loyola etc. The Baltimore area schools allow students to take one class a semester at the other area schools.</p>
<p>You get a regular English degree there, but Skidmore has some great writers on staff. I'd give them some consideration.</p>
<p>reidm- I plan to take my D to visit Skidmore also. She wants a small school (now) but... who knows a year from now.</p>
<p>The ability to utilize other colleges to expand course selection seems like an option that she would want to consider.</p>
<p>Tom: University of Iowa is #1 (according to US News and World Report, we could all argue the accuracy of that) It sounds reasonable to take classes at other Baltimore schools. I'm no expert on this but I think there is a shuttle between many of the schools.</p>