colleges with good creative writing programs

colleges with good creative writing programs

Best Colleges for Creative Writing Programs

1. Introduction

Creative writing programs are some of the most competitive and difficult programs to enter. A creative writing program gives new writers an opportunity to earn a degree and focus their writing on the highest level. Some programs also help writers navigate the publication process and provide insider information on the writing industry. While the MFA is still considered the terminal degree in the field, the MA in creative writing is the more versatile of the two. It is an opportunity to grow as a writer as well as form a teaching philosophy. With an MA, a writer can teach at the community college level, and an increasing number of MFA graduates are taking teaching positions at four-year institutions. According to some researchers, the MFA is fast becoming the largest adjunct-taught degree in the nation. This is a concern for schools’ hiring practices and the negative impact an adjunct faculty has on students in a discipline.

2. Benefits of Pursuing a Creative Writing Program

There are a number of benefits in pursuing creative writing programs. College is an ideal time to engage in some form of self-study that will enhance your writing ability and craft by reading that which has been written by others, and writing your own work. It is the best of times to re-engage with poetry that lifts language from the pedestrian to the sublime and grants you access to a body of work that spans the centuries. It is a time to dip back into prose fiction, whether it be fantastic, realistic, or magical, and to re-awaken the analytical part of your mind that asks “how did the author do this…?” and “how might I do it?!” Creative writing programs in a college setting are a great way to save time by focusing your efforts on the writing that you want to do, and a helpful resource for aspiring writers of all levels in providing a support system of peer review. Written work is not created in a vacuum, it is a process that involves multiple-step often spanning weeks, months, or years, and the end product is a sum of the decisions and revisions made in each of these steps. By engaging writers in a supportive and structured setting, the quality of their initial and final drafts can be improved so that they can more meaningfully share their ideas. Any writing done without constructive criticism is akin to writing with a head in the sand, and only with the perspective of others can a writer avoid the trap of solipsism. A healthy writing community is also a great way to get cross-fertilization of ideas from the work of others into your own work. This is not literary thievery, but a network by which each member contributes to the whole by continual sharing and discussion of the written word. Lastly, college is a place to learn and the discipline of creative writing in researching empirical truths, constructing a cogent argument, and communicating an idea succinctly and powerfully will serve the writer well in any field he/she pursues.

3. Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

Emphasis should also be placed on the significance of the word creative. If you plan to go on to graduate school, your undergraduate program is still important. Does it help in gaining acceptance to a graduate program in creative writing? Check with any professional organization. The English department must especially offer a good program in literature with many upper division course offerings. Assuming the program is also good in the more general sense, undergo other criteria. What is the student to faculty ratio? This is another pertinent factor when it comes to English and creative writing programs. Small class sizes often help in the learning process, especially in workshops. Next, consider the typical size of an upper division workshop. If the school only offers one or two creative writing courses and you are only likely to get into a small class, then this is probably a good thing. If the school has many students majoring in English and they can only fit into two or three workshops, then class sizes might be larger, which is something to avoid. Higher level of diversity is good. Not only should the faculty be diverse, but the students as well. Consider whether the English program or at least the school itself is located in a culturally diverse area. Finally, consider the distance from family and home, if this is an important factor for you.

4. Top Colleges with Outstanding Creative Writing Programs

Some top creative writing schools in the U.S. include Johns Hopkins University and Emory University. Johns Hopkins University has a strong writing program. While majoring in writing, students will take writing workshops and craft of fiction and poetry. Additionally, Writing Seminars will help to develop students’ skills in writing fiction and poetry. To develop their talents, students are also encouraged to submit work to Hopkins’ literary magazine, as well as Signet and Measure. Students interested in playwriting in particular will relish the undergraduate playwriting course, Writing for the Theatre. A variety of internships and job opportunities are accessible to individuals involved in writing. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for any job requiring excellent writing and communication skills. Emory University is the home of previous U.S. Poet Laureate (and Queen) Natasha Trethewey. Courses will vary each semester, and topics may cover anything from Lyric Poetry to the Writing of Short Stories. Although the availability of creative writing courses may be limited, students will continue to learn the art through private lessons, and through involvement with the widely distributed school literary magazine, The Lullwater Review. High-achieving students may choose to write a Creative Thesis with a renowned author in lieu of a typical senior seminar. Writing internships are conducted with local businesses and organizations. These are valuable opportunities to gain experience, as well as building connections within the writing community. With much experience, students may be nominated to Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society.

5. Conclusion

Creative writing students often know they want to pursue a career in writing, but finding the best college for them can be a long and difficult process. The process includes evaluating many aspects of the programs, but when it comes to deciding which college will be the best overall fit, there are a few specific factors which can help students make a final, informed decision. While students may be focusing on specific genres, a school with a strong overall writing program often provides the best experience. Do you want to work with published writers? How about student-run publications and in-house literary journals? A school with a good creative writing program will better the student’s chance for success. For this reason, we encourage students to try as much as possible to attend a school that has a decently sized English or creative writing program. High school writers should check out The Spartan, or schools that similarly boast a dedicated writing and creative community, in order to have a feel for the college experience for writers without giving up the best aspects of high school events, trips, and summer programs (like the Iowa Young Writers Studio, for instance).