<p>Lots of great advice here. I teach creative writing in a post grad program and while I admire young writing students tremendously , I have reservations about recommending CR as an undergrad major. But that’s because I think one of the most important parts of a writer’s life is living it large–outside of the writing community bubble. In fact, a gap year traveling somewhere exotic and doing fascinating work is a real plus. That sort of stretching and experiential learning will be something to draw on for all 4 years of UG study. </p>
<p>One of the reasons some certain grad programs can claim so many well published students is they have the luxury of admitting slightly older, quirky/independent/interesting, seasoned writers at the start. And their small admit rate allows them to pick and choose those talented few who are most likely to be publishable. Not to take away from the wonderful classes and instructors–who are tremendous-- but some of the winning part of the publishing equation comes with the innate gifts and hard work of the writer.</p>
<p>D has had full intention of enrolling in a school with a creative writing major or at the very least a minor. When we toured schools last week, we met up with a friend that she’d met at a summer writing program, who has 3 books published already. During the tour when asked about potential majors, she mentioned anthropology or psychology which surprised me as I know her plan is to be an author. When I chatted with her mom, I asked her about that. Turns out that when her D toured Columbia, accompanied by two Columbia grads who work for her publishing house, they advised her not to major in English & creative writing and instead to major in something that would be helpful for her in terms of content of writing in the future; that she could certainly minor in English or Creative writing. </p>
<p>The other thing I’d suggest is looking at the program descriptions at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs at: [The</a> Guide: AWP’s Guide to Writing Programs](<a href=“http://guide.awpwriter.org/]The”>http://guide.awpwriter.org/) You have to scroll down for the undergraduate programs.</p>