So I’ve narrowed my college list down to Oberlin, Kenyon, Grinnell, Bryn Mawr, Pomona, Wesleyan, and Smith. I want an academically rigorous environment where I can focus on creative writing and literature but take a wide range of interesting courses. Which of these would be the best?
Oberlin and Kenyon are as different as night and day. Have you had a chance to visit any of your choices yet?
@MidwestDad3: I’ve visited both. what makes you think they’re so different?
In my opinion (as well as D’s) the vibe, the campuses, the student bodies are substantially different. Each has prestige, great faculty and a high ranking, but they offer very different experiences. Oberlin is one of the most liberal LACs in the country. While it is in a small town, Cleveland is easily accessible. Kenyon is unquestionably rural, and some would say isolated. Oberlin has the conservatory attached. Something like 400 concerts/performances a year, if I remember correctly. IMO a number of students who might be comfortable in the one environment, might not be so enthusiastic about the other.
You should go to the school you like best and where the cost is acceptable to your family. Highly ranked schools like the ones you mentioned did not get that way because they have poor English departments. Specific school recommendtions when it comes to majors like this are never substantiated because they can’t be.
BTW, Gettsyburg College which is about the same selectivity as Bryn Mawr actually has a minor in Creative Writing. I dont think many schools have this.
Keep in mind 2/3rds of your classes will likely be outside your major so pick a school not a department.
You can read descriptions for some of the English/writing departments at some of your choices in online articles:
“The 10 Best American Colleges for Writers,” USA Today
“The 10 Best Colleges for Creative Writers,” The Freelancer
“The 12 Best Creative Writing Colleges and Programs,” Prep Scholar
“The 25 Most Literary Colleges in America,” Flavowire
Or better yet search The Society of Professional Journalists to see which schools have won Mark of Excellence Awards for their literary magazines or similar student publications.
I would also see which schools have a large population of English majors. More majors means more company if that is a concern.
Why are you trying to decide now?
How many can you afford to apply to? Have you visited or requested interviews with all of them? They all offer academically rigorous environments, solid creative writing and lit, and plenty of other interesting courses but none of them are sure things for admissions.
If you have to narrow down the number of schools you’re applying to, then maybe consider other factors like location and cost. Do you have some safety and matches lined up?
If I had to make a single recommendation on your list, I’d suggest that instead of applying to Pomona, you consider Scripps and/or Pitzer to have a better statistical chance of acceptance (unless you’re applying to Pomona because they meet full demonstrated need).
Scripps and Pitzer meet full need as well – they also have scholarships (which I believe Pomona does not).
Smith.
If you are looking at which one for ED, and you have visited them all and money is not an issue, pick the one that you just like the best overall- they will all give you what you are looking for. If money is an issue, start there.
Have you run the NPC 's on all of these, and shown the results to your parents ?
This list includes no safeties - add Knox and Eckerd as both are excellent for writing. Ru’the NPC, but expect merit.
You need 2 safeties you’re okay with and which you can afford and 3-5 matches where you 'ready at/near the top 75% threshold. Everything else would be a reach and can be added later on.
“Best” is really subjective. These are all great schools and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Creative writing is very competitive at Oberlin and you have to be admitted to the major so that’s a risk other schools may not have. OTOH it is a fabulous program if you make it.