<p>Hey Guys,</p>
<p>I'm a incoming transfer who will be majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing (hopefully). I noticed that for nearly all of the creative writing classes at Cal you need to show a writing sample. So this summer I'm trying to put together a fiction portfolio (both for the Cal creative writing classes and perhaps even for grad school). I was just wondering if any of you guys have experience with this? How hard is it to gain admission into the creative writing classes at Cal? Also, I was looking at Berkeley's website for some sort of writing group--but all I found were various publications...Does Berkeley have any writing group where you can be critiqued by your peers? </p>
<p>haha, one more question. I proposed a directed studies in creative writing internship to English chair at my school. She basically shot the idea down citing instructors would expect to be compensated for such an arrangement. So then I started looking at local universities and online universities for creative writing classes, and none really offered what I was looking for. So basically my dilemma comes down to this; I feel like I finally have the motivation and discipline to get some good writing done but I have no mentor to guide me through the process. Where do you suggest I search for this very needed guidance?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...and sorry for the barrage of questions !</p>
<p>I just gathered a couple of my pieces (short story, narrative, poetry) from the past four years (homework in classes, my own stuff, writing contests etc.) and sent that in. I dont think its too hard to get into the classes cuz im an incoming frosh (and Im not amazing or anything) and I got into one of four you had to apply for.</p>
<p>Three AOC Alum in a row!!</p>
<p>"I just gathered a couple of my pieces (short story, narrative, poetry) from the past four years (homework in classes, my own stuff, writing contests etc.) and sent that in. I dont think its too hard to get into the classes cuz im an incoming frosh (and Im not amazing or anything) and I got into one of four you had to apply for."</p>
<p>misspicaroon, oh sweet...May I ask what creative writing class you got into? I'm hoping to get into the short stories class in spring 07.</p>
<p>AOC= as in Academy of the Canyons???
r u guys alums??? I'm graduating this tomorrow!</p>
<p>CardinalFocused- I got into the poetry verse writing class 43B Intro to Writing Verse. When I applied, there were four classes available, but 3 of them were upper division.</p>
<p>The upper division creative writing classes are very hard to get into. That said, you don't need a portfolio or anything. I would suggest taking the summers and early fall to really work on ONE story of 10 pages or less (which is the cut off for most of the classes). Imagine how many students at Cal want to be writers (or at least take a creative writing class), then do the math of how many available seats there are in the classes each semester. Its tough. Good luck though.</p>
<p>"I got into the poetry verse writing class 43B Intro to Writing Verse. When I applied, there were four classes available, but 3 of them were upper division."</p>
<p>Misspicaroon, yes I am an AOC alum!!! Funny story actually, I will PM it to you.</p>
<p>P.S. GO OAK TREES! hah.</p>
<p>"The upper division creative writing classes are very hard to get into. That said, you don't need a portfolio or anything. I would suggest taking the summers and early fall to really work on ONE story of 10 pages or less (which is the cut off for most of the classes). Imagine how many students at Cal want to be writers (or at least take a creative writing class), then do the math of how many available seats there are in the classes each semester. Its tough. Good luck though."</p>
<p>SnuggleMonster, thanks for the confirmation. Yeah, I kinda figured it would be uber hard to get into the upper div creative writing classes. I guess the only surefire way to get in is to write something of publishable quality. Hopefully, it'll work out...</p>