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Creative Writing Winners 2022

We received a great range of entries for the Lincoln College Creative Writing Competition in 2022. Lincoln Alumnus and author, Kienan McKay , was the judge for this year’s competition; he note that the entries were very strong.  The first prize entries for poetry and prose are available to read below.

First Prize: Poetry

My Life by Brendan Nham

Draw your eyes to the ethereal sky

And speak to me the road laid down by wind.

My father once said that life is shaped in the leaves of bonsai,

A distant memory that keeps me pinned.

The bells dance at the call of daytime,

Echoing voices with each hint of chime.

My friends used to chant the muffles of routine playtime,

Oh, my soul… it was once at its prime.

What is the meaning of life?

Sadness? Anger? Fear?

My scarred hands have always served as a souvenir,

Each line of wisdom etched carefully under the knife.

They say that experiences are where dreams are born,

Put perhaps it is a reflection of the mind left worn

My lungs are tangled once again in the strangles of thorn,

Desolate, lifeless… let me mourn!

Oh, how I wish that time would cease

To cloud the world in eternal death.

My heart cries out for that everlasting peace

And with a sigh, I honour you my final breath.

First Prize: Prose

The Red Umbrella by Erin Chin

The atmosphere was perfect for doing art. Other students around him worked on their pieces, some for their courses and some as their hobby, yet all of them were immersed as the pattering of rain assaulted the large French windows of the class. It was almost like a trace, the way everyone kept their eyes focused on their canvases and boards, breaking for a moment to mix paint or change materials. Indeed, it was the perfect atmosphere.

Yet Cecil couldn’t bring his hand from his lap, yet alone make a stroke.

The canvas stared back at him, barren and blank. He gripped the brush in his left fist, a sigh escaping him as he ultimately released it. The session was nearly over, and he hadn’t produced a single mark. Just like last session, and the one before that. The rain still pounded down around him but instead of lulling him into a creative state, it merely rattled in his head as an empty echo.

Whether it was the years he had whiled away in these art classes or simply a sixth sense, he began to pack up his workstation with dull hands. True to his feeling, his university art professor raised his head seconds after, looked at the large antique clock on the opposite wall and gave a call for everyone to pack up. Cecil didn’t need to be told twice, already slipping his navy cable knit sweater over his paint-stained shirt and grabbing his bags before others had even moved from their canvases.

He said goodbye to no one in his class, pushing open the heavy wooden door before anyone would even have the chance to get a word in. The hallway air felt damp and heavy in his lungs, and his mood soured knowing the weather was even worse outside. At the building entrance he could see the torrential downpour, and he considered for a moment how long it would take to simply wait it out. With the force that the drops were pelting from the sky, he figured it wouldn’t be over quickly like he hoped, and if he did wait it out, he would be making dinner quite late that night. Leaving the fluorescent lit lobby, he picked up his umbrella from the stand near the automatic door and waved it in front of the sensor.

He was met with a cold blast of air that made him wince. It was colder than he had anticipated, and he held his bag closer to his body to ensure it would be protected by the umbrella. With the push of his thumb the umbrella opened, and the blue shield sprung to life above his head. He had gotten wet momentarily as the wind changed, flicking water into his black hair and drenching his collar. He began walking towards the bridge that connected the inner city to the more residential parts of town. On a good day Cecil normally made the trip in ten minutes, but with the strength of the wind and the rain combined, he was likely to reach home later than he would like.

Another thing to add to the list of disappointments for the day.

The rain fell in splatters across the plastic canopy above him, allowing his mind to drift off as his feet carried him on their familiar path. He only had a few more weeks to complete his piece, the piece he hadn’t even made so much as a sketch mark on. He had been doing so well recently, so why now? It was almost as if it had happened overnight, the way his inspiration dried up as if it rose with the morning sun and out of his reach. He sucked his teeth in annoyance and let out a sigh. Surely there was something he could paint in time.

He came to the large bridge, the curved incline making small rivers pour down the footpath and onto the nearby road. It was a historic piece, with large grey slabs of exposed stones creating an impressive banister that was lined with ornate metal streetlights. Their bulbs glowed faintly in the rain, the temporary easing of the downpour allowing him to look closer at their details. An impressive bridge indeed, but nothing worth painting. The sky was grey and so was the stones. The water that ran underneath and the water that fell from the sky. All of it was so monotone, lacking life.

That’s when his eyes caught sight of something on the bridge. Speeding his steps to make the crest of the bridge, he confirmed that his eyes hadn’t betrayed him. Bobbing like a boat on a raging sea, was a bright red umbrella. It wove around other pedestrians and protected its owner from the gloomy weather, yet managed to remain vibrant like a beacon in the throng of commuters. Cecil didn’t realise that he had hurried to fall in step with the owner of the red umbrella until their pace was matched, each on opposite ends of the street. Water flecked his round glasses from him craning his neck out to follow the subject that had somehow piqued such interest.

He could see that the owner was tall, rugged up in a long tan coat and green scarf. The umbrella was always held on such an angle that he could never get a proper look at the persons face, always shifting at the last second before he could catch a glimpse. It was then that Cecil was convinced that a god must be watching him, as a particularly strong gust of wind wrenched the umbrella from the black gloved grip and sent it tumbling down the sidewalk. The young man instantly cursed and ran after it, sandy hair now pelted with merciless rain. It skittered away from him a few times, allowing Cecil to vaguely make out the stressed expressions that flashed across the man’s face every time he fumbled with the handle. On the third attempt he snatched it back in his grip, the chase taking him towards the end of the bridge. Shoulders sagging and coat damp, Cecil slowed to watch the young man take a left once hitting the main road once more, heading in the direction opposite him. He tore his eyes away and back to the path below him, counting each step of his dress shoes as he trudged home. Even as he made it back to his apartment, he couldn’t get rid of the red umbrella from his mind. Standing over the stovetop, hair damp from his shower and glasses fogged he absently stirred his soup.

The image of it haunted him all night and in his dreams, evidently seeping into his class the next day as he stared down in horror at the paint he had unconsciously added to his palette. The rain had refused to let up this day as well, still storming behind the panes of clear glass. He bit his lip and placed his palette on the small table next to him, grabbing the tube of red and trying in vain to scoop the pigment back into its container. He was successful only in causing more crimson to spill out, a few flecks adding themselves to his already stained shirt. He huffed and rubbed his temples, desperately thinking of how to fix his situation.

It was then like a fog had cleared in his mind, and he raised his head from his hands to think over his idea properly. “ This could work” he mumbled to himself, hurriedly crossing the floor to grab a large wash paintbrush from a drawer. Over the next hour he worked with a renewed fervour, laying down his grey wash easily and sketching in some lines here and there. Despite his sleeves being rolled to his elbows, the grey wash sunk itself into the edges of the material without him noticing. With a white piece of charcoal, he began to define some of his previous strokes, the shape of the umbrella forming, and he drew the long coat and the black gloves clasped around the handle. The figure was beginning to become recognisable, and relief blossomed in his chest. He added a few more details to block out his colour, before working on the face.

Quickly the warm feeling in his chest ebbed as the lines worked against him, never capturing the right expression. Were the cheekbones always that high? and what about the lips? He couldn’t tell anymore. What was the emotion he saw before? With a frustrated grunt he placed the charcoal down a little too roughly, the fragile material shattering into two with a chime. He could quietly hear his art instructor ask if he was alright, but Cecil had already begun to pack up. There was nothing to be gained today, so with a heavy heart and frustrated mind he left the building, popping open the blue umbrella once more.

He scanned the bridge as he crossed it, hoping to see the red umbrella again. His heart leapt when he saw the vibrant canopy and he quickly fumbled in his pockets for a scrap piece of paper. The angle he had to hold the umbrella to rifle through his pockets allowed half of his body to get wet, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was capturing what facial features he had struggled so much to draw. Finally finding a broken piece of pencil he looked up frantically, running slightly to catch up with the mysterious owner. He watched for a few moments, but it didn’t seem like this day the umbrella was going to fly out of his sight. In fact, every time the man turned slightly towards him, he would be blocked by the umbrella. Had he been caught? the thought made his ears burn.

It turned out to be the opposite however as the red umbrella swung to the other side, revealing the man’s full face turned towards him. He felt choked for breath, realising that he had indeed been caught. The stranger lifted his hand and waved, tilting his head to the side to give him a smile. It was as if the sun dispersed the cloud momentarily when he beamed so widely, face pulled back in a childish fashion. The initial shock of it all and the fluttering in his chest almost made him forget what he had originally set out to do. Now it was Cecil’s turn to hide himself behind his umbrella, pressing the paper to his knee as he roughly sketched the expression. He could hear the light laughing of the young man across from him, and the sound made his hand shake. When he looked up again, the red umbrella was gone, and he was left with an incomplete sketch in his hand once more.

Every day for the next week he carried a sketchbook in his arms, a slow and unconventional friendship beginning to form between him and the umbrella owner. They would smile and wave to each other (or the other boy would, Cecil often hid his face in embarrassment) as they both went their respective ways home. One night, Cecil had enough from his rough glimpses to put a portrait together. The next day as others packed up from the art class, he asked to stay behind. Due to his lack of progress his instructor happily obliged, reminding him to turn off the lights when he left. As the night blanketed the sky, he remained the only one in the room, blending the oil paints on his canvas in a trance. He had only looked up from his work once, and it had been to check his watch when he mournfully realised, he wouldn’t finish in time to walk across the bridge when he usually would. Despite having a full portrait to work from, his heart felt heavy at the notion. Pushing it aside, he continued on through the night. It was past midnight when he finally finished and had packed up, the scene now complete.

A man walked across a bridge carrying a red umbrella, puddles on the ground beneath his feet and backed by a scenery of stars. he felt proud of his work, relieved that he could finally finish it. Now that the push to get it done had waned, his body felt laden and desired nothing more than rest. He flicked off the lights and locked the door, dragging himself outside in the now light rain. His body ached climbing the slope of the bridge, and when he made it home, he all but collapsed on the couch. He made some more soup half asleep after having a warm shower, turning on the local news for background noise to prevent falling asleep at the kitchen counter. his eyes flicked to it every now and then as he stirred, but one shot made him stop entirely.

An accident had occurred near the bridge earlier that evening. The screen was filled with the images of paramedics and the police, the droning voice recording that a young man had been caught in the incident. Cecil didn’t focus on any of those details, however. His eyes were more drawn to the red umbrella lying at the scene, some of the metal spokes poking through the bright plastic sheet. He turned off the TV instantly, a pit forming deep in his stomach. He didn’t want to think about the chances. There were many red umbrellas in the world, and many more people that crossed that bridge every day. Even if it was what he thought it was, why should he be so upset about someone he didn’t even know the name of? He went to bed that night, regretting he never mustered up the courage to ask that one question.

Three days Cecil continued to walk over that bridge, despite his art classes having recently finished for the semester. He absently strolled, kicking rocks and puddles as he did laps around the area. He had sold the piece as soon as he could through a charity auction at a university event, he didn’t really want to look at it anymore. In fact, the guilt had pooled in his stomach to the point where he couldn’t hold his paintbrush anymore. It only increased with each passing day that he failed to see the red umbrella. Hands shoved deep in pockets and lips pulled between his teeth, he turned to go home once again. As he was turning, he heard someone call out, followed by a heavy hand being placed on his shoulder. He spun on his heel, looking up at the tall stranger that had stopped him. A large, sunny smile greeted him from underneath crinkled blue eyes. In one hand the man held a purple umbrella, the other obscured by a bulky cast.

“I’m glad I caught you, I wasn’t sure if you’d still be hanging around.” the young man chuckled, twisting the umbrella handle in his grip. “I only recently got released so couldn’t come back earlier. Oh, and I had to buy a new umbrella as well.”  Cecil could only look at him in shock, mouth unable to form words until a single question bubbled up. “You were looking for me?”

The man nodded, looking away for a brief second. Cecil’s eyes landed on a lanyard around his neck, reading the name ‘Christopher’ alongside the logo for the journalism students. So, he was from the campus next door then. “I was trying to find you after I discovered this.” he said, digging through his pockets with his good hand. From his pockets he pulled out a photo printed on regular printer paper; colours blurred but still distinguishable. Christopher held it to his face, comparing the photo of Cecil’s recently sold, red umbrella artwork to his own visage.

“You got the likeness down pretty good.” He laughed, moving to pose in the same position to better replicate the work. That alone made Cecil split into a smile. Their feet moved by instinct to walk across the bridge, the empty air being filled with the sound of their slow conversation. The angst that had filled Cecil’s chest had dissipated with each dumb comment Christopher made, and he found himself joining in. Just like the distress he had felt, the weather reciprocated by parting the clouds. Warm rays of light broke through the grey barrier above, sparkling onto the puddles scattered across the old bridge. The two umbrellas lowered and were closed for the first time in weeks.

Basking in the atmosphere, Cecil had a single thought running through his mind. “ This is a perfect atmosphere for doing art. ”

Second Prize: Prose

Excerpt from A memoir of memory by Jess Khanduja

When the bright lights blind me…

And the winter nights make me lonely…

It’s you my mind wanders to.

The sunrise over Adelaide hills…

The sunset viewed from Fleurieu peninsula…

Don’t compare to the ones we watched together…

Lying on the mossy cement floor.

The pink Indian summer sky…

The yellow twinkling aeroplane lights…

The soothing songs you whispered…

Only exist in fading memory.

Third Prize: Prose

Excerpt from 32. Sally by Simone Palamara

Meanwhile the rain was coming down stronger and the coldness of it was how she felt inside. She could not hold it in for much longer, something had come over her. Sally rushed back down the long narrow hallway to her bedroom, leaving her daughters in the dark. Her chin trembled, tears welled from deep inside. She could not hold the heartbreak after all these years any longer, falling to her knees, her body looked calm, but her mind was tangled. She swiped at her eyes, but the tears kept coming. Sitting in the darkness she missed Elsa. It had been many years since they had talked and laughed like they once did.

All of a sudden, the rain subsided, the lights flickered back on like a glimmer of hope, giving Sally a feeling of well-being that somehow everything was going to be alright. She looked back outside through her bedroom window. No matter how strong the storm was, the sun shone again in a blue, wonderful and radiant sky. The light came again to illuminate the darkness. The dirt and grime of the trees were washed away. The smell of the cold air brought a notion of rejuvenation invigorating her body. Sally felt fresh like everything around her. Feeling new and ready for whatever was to come after the storm. She rushed to the lounge room and stood leaning against the doorway, proudly looking into the room at her daughters. Sally was overcome by a sense of relief, watching their laughter sparkle the room like a tiny ray of sunshine. It made her smile, like she once did when she was with Elsa. Sally wanted this feeling again. For everything to be golden.

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We acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today. We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia.

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English (phd) - creative writing.

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Writing, MFA

Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Writing

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Writing program gives students with a passion for storytelling an opportunity to expand their writing in a fully supported online environment.

Total Credits

Cost Per Credit

Why students choose this program:

• To learn who they are as a writer, artist and collaborator as they push boundaries to discover and learn about new avenues of their art.
• To gain an opportunity to focus on individual projects in the student's preferred genre, with a plan of study to support these projects.
• To join a tight-knit community of dedicated writers where relationships last long beyond graduation.
• To maximize previously earned graduate-level coursework through the Pathways program.

The flexible structure, guided readings and critical response focus on the following areas:

• Creative Nonfiction Young Adult
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting

Faculty Mentorship:

Each semester a student is paired with a mentor, who is selected not only for their literary and teaching accomplishments but also for their approach to teaching and their style of writing. Mentors are working artists who bring real-world experience to the learning environment. It is truly a collaborative environment where the mentor pushes the student's critical writing and reading skills through one-on-one discussion, questions and imagination.

Short, Conference-Style Residencies:

The retreats, located at the stunning Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City, NE, combine craft and theory where students attend lectures, workshops and readings of original work, all under one roof. The residency is designed to inspire a continued commitment to the art and refuel enthusiasm with the solitary writing time during the semester ahead. Students are introduced to a variety of artistic concepts and practical writing techniques in a mixture of literary activities. Students are encouraged to explore event offerings and network with mentors in all genres.

Each residency will include a combination of instructional activities and co-curricular events, including:

• Lectures and craft discussions conducted by faculty and guest writers.
• Small team-taught workshops.
• Readings of original work by faculty, guest writers and graduating students.
• Individual conferences with faculty mentors.

Additional Program Information

For up-to-date application, course and licensure information, visit the campus program page.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is dedicated to the city and state in its name. As the University of Nebraska's metropolitan university campus, no fences or barriers separate students from the opportunities offered by the greater Omaha area. The campus addresses real issues, by providing relevant learning opportunities that uniquely prepare graduates as professionals and active members of their community so they can transform and improve the lives of those on a local, regional, national, and international level.

Career Outlook

Employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 15,400 openings for writers and authors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.Whether you are just starting the career planning process or already have a goal in mind, we have resources to assist in your journey as you take online programs and courses with us. An online degree from University of Nebraska also gives you access to hundreds of career opportunities with great value, extending your earning potential as soon as you enter the workforce.

Finance Your Education

The University of Nebraska offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the region, particularly for our online programs. Explore the array of funding options to finance your education in a way that makes sense for you.

Online tuition rates are calculated by credit hour and college offering the course and, because the University of Nebraska is a public institution supported by Nebraska taxpayers, Nebraska residents may receive a lower tuition rate than out-of-state students.

If you are a college student considering transferring courses, an adult returning to college or a high school student with college credit, Transfer Nebraska is for you.

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Similar Programs

English, MA (Writing)

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1-25 of 334 results

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA •

• • Rating 4.16 out of 5   661 reviews

Sophomore: Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them ... Read 661 reviews

• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $20,232

SAT range 1530-1580

#3 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

661 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them .

Read 661 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $20,232 ,

SAT Range : 1530-1580 ,

Columbia University

New York, NY •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,366 reviews

Alum: As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This interdisciplinary approach enriched my understanding and fostered critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my communication skills and deepened my commitment to public health. Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre performances to Wallach Art Gallery exhibitions, provided a rich cultural balance to my studies. Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. ... Read 1,366 reviews

Net price $22,058

SAT range 1490-1580

#6 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

NEW YORK, NY ,

1366 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This... Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my... Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre... Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. .

Read 1366 reviews.

Net Price : $22,058 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1580 ,

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   1,359 reviews

Freshman: It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be transformative and rewarding. Instead of focusing on the negatives, perhaps you could consider exploring constructive criticism or discussing specific areas for improvement in the college experience. This approach allows for a more balanced and productive discussion that can lead to positive changes and improvements in the education system. If you have specific concerns about your college experience, it might be helpful to address them directly with the appropriate channels within your institution or seek support from counselors or advisors. Remember, challenges are a natural part of any educational journey, and there are often resources available to help navigate them. ... Read 1,359 reviews

Acceptance rate 7%

Net price $26,123

SAT range 1500-1570

#7 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1359 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be... .

Read 1359 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $26,123 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1570 ,

Western Washington University

BELLINGHAM, WA

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   2,385

Pacific Lutheran University

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,011

Saint Mary's College of California

• • Rating 3.59 out of 5   1,111

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH •

• • Rating 3.88 out of 5   746 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Dartmouth has been great so far. The education is high quality and so are the professors. There are great opportunities for practical work and research. And the student body and campus life is lively and welcoming. The university is not perfect and the frat culture is very big here, but it is a wonderful place to be. ... Read 746 reviews

Acceptance rate 6%

Net price $19,208

SAT range 1500-1580

#8 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

746 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My experience at Dartmouth has been great so far. The education is high quality and so are the professors. There are great opportunities for practical work and research. And the student body and... .

Read 746 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 6% ,

Net Price : $19,208 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1580 ,

Brown University

Providence, RI •

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,083 reviews

Junior: My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements that you might never need or have little to no interest in. I am an athlete and have had great experience with athletics and academics because Brown is really good about accommodating student-athletes when it comes to game and practice schedules. ... Read 1,083 reviews

Acceptance rate 5%

Net price $26,723

#10 Best Colleges in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1083 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements... .

Read 1083 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 5% ,

Net Price : $26,723 ,

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL •

• • Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,493 reviews

Freshman: There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different things and some uncommon ones like design classes. Performing arts are abundant on campus, so there is always something to see on the weekends! ... Read 1,493 reviews

Net price $22,095

SAT range 1490-1570

#15 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1493 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different... .

Read 1493 reviews.

Net Price : $22,095 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

• Will you get in? Understand your chances of getting accepted into any college in the country, and it's completely free

Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO •

• • Rating 4.11 out of 5   1,574 reviews

Sophomore: I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your interested in business careers, and the academics ARE HARD -- You will do a lot of work. CS department could be stronger; premed/ bio/chem/pre-law deps / olin are excellent. The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors) live on campus. The housing is excellent, and many students have kitchens on campus. St Louis is certainly not a luxury city (i.e. NY or LA) but does have good restaurants (DRIVE NOT WALK AWAY) and a cheap cost of living (concerts are usually way cheaper). It is way better than being in the woods, but not the bestest place. The school has partially impeded on the fun with their attack on greek life. ... Read 1,574 reviews

Acceptance rate 12%

Net price $23,432

#16 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1574 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your... The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen,... .

Read 1574 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 12% ,

Net Price : $23,432 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,483 reviews

Freshman: Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated, disciplined students, or burnout. Many people require some kind of passion to be here, as it takes passion to get through the intense workload. On the surface, the social life at CMU seems pretty dead. However, after actively looking for clubs, organizations, and student groups, I found there are a lot of opportunities to be part of communities that are passionate and welcoming. I also love that CMU is very invested in their student's success: it is easy to get help from academic advisors, pursue research positions, and take interesting opportunities to get your education outside the classroom. Overall, I am very proud and happy that I came here :). ... Read 1,483 reviews

Acceptance rate 11%

Net price $33,499

#20 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1483 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated,... .

Read 1483 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 11% ,

Net Price : $33,499 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI •

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   4,718 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance between challenging courses that make students competitive prospects in their next step in life and opportunities to destress and enjoy the "best years of our lives", from watching our football team win the national championship to simply receiving free treats around campus from staff. From my personal experience, I cannot offer any suggestions for change for this amazing university! I have met some of the most kindhearted and motivated people in friends and professors while here and I cannot imagine attending another college. ... Read 4,718 reviews

Acceptance rate 18%

Net price $19,318

SAT range 1350-1530

#21 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4718 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance... .

Read 4718 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $19,318 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1530 ,

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

• • Rating 3.81 out of 5   1,297 reviews

Sophomore: Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and found my place at the college. UChicago academics have impressed me, even with the required core classes. The professors I have met so far all appear to be enthusiastic about their specific fields, and they can be especially helpful outside of class. Given that our campus is located within a neighborhood, there are plenty of community activities and restaurants that students can hang out at, such as a Mexican-Korean restaurant called Seoul Taco. There are multiple dormitory buildings on campus, and the southern one is especially convenient as it has a dining hall, gym, and a small store all in one general place. There are also plenty of clubs, called RSOs, ranging from many types of activities like boxing or Japanese drum practice (Taiko). I would like more transportation options to explore. ... Read 1,297 reviews

Net price $36,991

#23 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1297 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and... .

Read 1297 reviews.

Net Price : $36,991 ,

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD •

• • Rating 3.68 out of 5   1,408 reviews

Alum: Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement opportunities, and events on campus to attend in my free time. It was easy to find research opportunities at the hospital and in general, the professors were very supportive. I do wish that I had seen more of JHU's involvement in local communities and would love to see the college work to give back more to local communities in the future. ... Read 1,408 reviews

Net price $24,034

SAT range 1520-1570

#24 Best Colleges in America .

BALTIMORE, MD ,

1408 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall, my undergraduate experience at Johns Hopkins was great. The academics were challenging without being destructive to student mental health and there were always numerous clubs, involvement... .

Read 1408 reviews.

Net Price : $24,034 ,

SAT Range : 1520-1570 ,

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA •

• • Rating 3.99 out of 5   4,045 reviews

Freshman: I loved campus life and the academics are amazing! I didn’t get out as much so I can’t tell you much about party life or life outside of the university. However, I didn’t think I needed to because there is so much to do on campus! So much food and places for you to go to, I love the campus so much. Go to USC you won’t regret it. Also, the connections you will make, even in your first year, are amazing, trust me! ... Read 4,045 reviews

Net price $36,808

SAT range 1450-1550

#26 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

4045 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I loved campus life and the academics are amazing! I didn’t get out as much so I can’t tell you much about party life or life outside of the university. However, I didn’t think I needed to because... .

Read 4045 reviews.

Net Price : $36,808 ,

SAT Range : 1450-1550 ,

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Emory University

Atlanta, GA •

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,617 reviews

Sophomore: Emory's strong academic environment, combined with its diverse student body, has significantly broadened my perspectives and academic interests. I've particularly enjoyed the rigorous coursework and the opportunities to engage in research early in my college career. The professors here are not only leaders in their fields but are also genuinely interested in students' success, often available for guidance and support beyond the classroom. The campus itself is beautiful and well-maintained, providing a serene environment that enhances the learning experience. Socially, there are numerous clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests, which made it easier for me as a transfer to integrate and find my community. However, I would like to see improvements in the advising system, especially for transfer students. Navigating a new university's academic and social landscape can be challenging, and a more structured support system could help ease this transition. ... Read 1,617 reviews

Net price $26,680

SAT range 1430-1550

#36 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

1617 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Emory's strong academic environment, combined with its diverse student body, has significantly broadened my perspectives and academic interests. I've particularly enjoyed the rigorous coursework and... .

Read 1617 reviews.

Net Price : $26,680 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1550 ,

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA •

• • Rating 3.77 out of 5   636 reviews

Sophomore: I really love it here and am glad that I decided on Wellesley! I'm class of 2026, so I've been on campus for about two years now and each year, I've been able to meet some of the best professors and even better people. Conversations with peers are just as nuanced as the people and although the campus could still do with some diversity, I think we're definitely on the better end (I say this as a half Black and half-Asian student from a very predominantly white town). I've found that it's really easy to make friends because the campus and class sizes are so small (that being said, I'm also more extroverted). However, even my more introverted friends have said that they were eventually able to find close friends as their first or second year progressed -- the key is to be involved in campus or go to events and intentionally talk to people and reach out. ... Read 636 reviews

Acceptance rate 14%

Net price $21,362

#37 Best Colleges in America .

WELLESLEY, MA ,

636 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I really love it here and am glad that I decided on Wellesley! I'm class of 2026, so I've been on campus for about two years now and each year, I've been able to meet some of the best professors and... .

Read 636 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $21,362 ,

University of Texas - Austin

Austin, TX •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   6,774 reviews

Freshman: I love that UT has a sense of community, especially in the sporting department. Being able to witness school spirit is an aspect I love about this school. I also enjoy the vast number of majors and programs, as well as student organizations that are available for all to join. However, I’ve had a slightly difficult time realizing that because UT is so large, it’s extremely easy to sink into the cracks, and figuring your own stuff out is essential. No one is going to hold your hand through course registration or career decisions, but I think- despite the inconvenience- it teaches students how to be an adult much more effectively than a gentler approach. Overall, I love UT and Austin and can’t recommend it enough! ... Read 6,774 reviews

Acceptance rate 31%

Net price $17,434

SAT range 1230-1500

#42 Best Colleges in America .

AUSTIN, TX ,

6774 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I love that UT has a sense of community, especially in the sporting department. Being able to witness school spirit is an aspect I love about this school. I also enjoy the vast number of majors and... .

Read 6774 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 31% ,

Net Price : $17,434 ,

SAT Range : 1230-1500 ,

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL •

• • Rating 3.86 out of 5   3,075 reviews

Senior: Couldn't have had a better 4 years and more fun time! I lived basically like Alix Earle (college wise and not fame wise). There is something to do every single day. I was able to go out 6 nights a week and maintain my workload pretty easily. I absolutely loved all my classes and the professors. Most of my class sizes were small and very discussion based which I find best for learning. My professors were all super nice, available, knowledgeable, and understanding. Campus is beautiful! Greek life is take it or leave it, people involved really like it and I wasn't in a sorority but was still able to go to all the frat parties. I love the academics here and the party scene and I'm so sad I am graduating next week. Anyone can really find their place here and if you want to tan in January or a serious student you should come here and study by the pool. Only con of the school is the cost, but if you can afford it or get a lot of financial aid it's more than worth it! ... Read 3,075 reviews

Acceptance rate 19%

Net price $36,467

SAT range 1310-1480

#52 Best Colleges in America .

CORAL GABLES, FL ,

3075 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Senior says Couldn't have had a better 4 years and more fun time! I lived basically like Alix Earle (college wise and not fame wise). There is something to do every single day. I was able to go out 6 nights a... .

Read 3075 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 19% ,

Net Price : $36,467 ,

SAT Range : 1310-1480 ,

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY •

• • Rating 3.72 out of 5   488 reviews

Alum: Looking back on my experience, I feel as though I didn't appreciate everything Hamilton College did for me. When you're in the moment, it's easy to see all the bad and be frustrated with things like the crappy campus food, a poor party scene, and a major lack of diversity. But, looking back, I do miss my time at Hamilton. I miss living in a walking community, I miss all the free food and free merchandise the school gave me. I miss the diner. I miss having small classes and being close to my professors. The community there, although not perfect, came together in moments that mattered. The school could be better. The lack of accountability from the administration on social issues and a constant battle between hate speech and lack of punishment for students who harmed others was a constant in all my 4 years. I hope the students continue to push forward and force Hamilton into a socially-accountable mindset. ... Read 488 reviews

Net price $24,503

SAT range 1420-1540

#54 Best Colleges in America .

CLINTON, NY ,

488 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Looking back on my experience, I feel as though I didn't appreciate everything Hamilton College did for me. When you're in the moment, it's easy to see all the bad and be frustrated with things like... .

Read 488 reviews.

Net Price : $24,503 ,

SAT Range : 1420-1540 ,

University of Washington

Seattle, WA •

• • Rating 3.79 out of 5   4,680 reviews

Graduate Student: The University of Washington offers a vibrant school life characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and warm-hearted professors who genuinely care about their students' success. Interactions with classmates are often pleasant and enriching, fostering a sense of community. However, safety concerns linger as an area needing improvement. While the campus exudes warmth and inclusivity, addressing safety issues would further enhance the overall experience, ensuring students can focus on their studies without worry. Despite this aspect, the university's positive attributes, from its supportive faculty to its friendly student body, create a conducive environment for academic and personal growth. ... Read 4,680 reviews

Acceptance rate 48%

Net price $10,603

SAT range —

#60 Best Colleges in America .

SEATTLE, WA ,

4680 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says The University of Washington offers a vibrant school life characterized by a welcoming atmosphere and warm-hearted professors who genuinely care about their students' success. Interactions with... .

Read 4680 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 48% ,

Net Price : $10,603 ,

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN •

• • Rating 3.81 out of 5   477 reviews

Freshman: I'm only a freshman, so take my opinions with that in mind, but I am immensely fortunate to have chosen to attend Mac. Students that go to this school are kind and from countless backgrounds and experiences. I have yet to perceive any air of frustration or misery on campus—even during finals season—and the upperclassmen I've spoken to have had similar experiences. The food isn't great, but I consider it adequate for the most part (although I would love to see food options that are more compatible with some of the dietary restrictions on campus). There are always numerous events to attend on campus so you have endless opportunities to learn new skills, have new experiences, and meet new people. Even if it takes some time, I can almost guarantee that you can find your "group" on campus. The academics are exceptional and I have had so many lovely interactions with professors. You really can join in on research projects in your freshman year! Just beware the cold and you'll thrive here. ... Read 477 reviews

Acceptance rate 28%

Net price $36,095

SAT range 1340-1500

#62 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT PAUL, MN ,

477 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I'm only a freshman, so take my opinions with that in mind, but I am immensely fortunate to have chosen to attend Mac. Students that go to this school are kind and from countless backgrounds and... .

Read 477 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 28% ,

Net Price : $36,095 ,

SAT Range : 1340-1500 ,

Haverford College

Haverford, PA •

• • Rating 3.93 out of 5   269 reviews

Junior: My experience at Haverford College has been wonderful. The Honor Code definitely plays a huge role with this. I have always felt safe walking at night on campus and am able to leave my belongings without fear it of it being taken. I feel as though I can approach my professors when I need support or accommodations and have never been turned down. It's clear that most people here respect others, faculty and the space around them (of course exceptions exist like anywhere else but are a small minority). Generally, I would say, the student population is happy, motivated, and eager to help others. Unlike Swarthmore or other selective colleges, students are collaborative, laid back, yet still strive to maintain academic excellence. Rather than only focusing on grades, Haverford students are eager to learn and contribute to the community. I would say it's fair to say that Haverford is a smaller liberal arts college version of Brown University. ... Read 269 reviews

Net price $23,476

SAT range 1430-1540

#70 Best Colleges in America .

HAVERFORD, PA ,

269 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience at Haverford College has been wonderful. The Honor Code definitely plays a huge role with this. I have always felt safe walking at night on campus and am able to leave my belongings... .

Read 269 reviews.

Net Price : $23,476 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1540 ,

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN •

• • Rating 3.83 out of 5   5,147 reviews

Alum: Academically challenging school that heavily focuses on STEM majors. If you are in liberal arts, there is a nice community but it is small and not nearly as funded as the STEM programs. Campus is walkable filled with nice community spaces and plenty of libraries, cafes, and rooms to study and meet with classmates. A lot of school spirit centered around the athletics. Most people live off campus starting second year. The apartments in Chauncey Square are an excellent location and close to night life spots and restaurants. Campus is very diverse and there are many opportunities to join clubs and student groups. Purdue is only 1 or 2 hours away from two different international airports, and shuttle busses run nearly everyday between those airports and Purdue campus, making travel easier for international or out of state students. Boiler up! ... Read 5,147 reviews

• grade  A Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 53%

Net price $12,576

SAT range 1200-1470

#79 Best Colleges in America .

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN ,

5147 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Academically challenging school that heavily focuses on STEM majors. If you are in liberal arts, there is a nice community but it is small and not nearly as funded as the STEM programs. Campus is... .

Read 5147 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 53% ,

Net Price : $12,576 ,

SAT Range : 1200-1470 ,

Colby College

Waterville, ME •

• • Rating 3.85 out of 5   634 reviews

Freshman: Great experience! So far I have enjoyed the amazing community filled with wonderful professors and students I can now call friends. With the opening of the new Athletic Center and Gordon center, I am excited to see what comes next as Colby continues to evolve and maintain excellence. ... Read 634 reviews

Acceptance rate 8%

Net price $16,951

#80 Best Colleges in America .

WATERVILLE, ME ,

634 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Great experience! So far I have enjoyed the amazing community filled with wonderful professors and students I can now call friends. With the opening of the new Athletic Center and Gordon center, I am... .

Read 634 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 8% ,

Net Price : $16,951 ,

University of Pittsburgh

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4,358 reviews

Freshman: Pitt has a gorgeous campus and I've really enjoyed my time here so far! However, they won't tell you how bad the food is. The dining halls (especially the eatery) are not very good and the wait times for on-campus meal swap locations make it difficult at times. The housing process is very easy when entering freshman year, but incredibly stressful and difficult following that. These are really the only things I have to complain about. Overall, the school pride is great, we have nice architecture, fun sports, and plenty of green space for sunny days. ... Read 4,358 reviews

Acceptance rate 49%

Net price $24,286

SAT range 1280-1470

#84 Best Colleges in America .

4358 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Pitt has a gorgeous campus and I've really enjoyed my time here so far! However, they won't tell you how bad the food is. The dining halls (especially the eatery) are not very good and the wait times... .

Read 4358 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 49% ,

Net Price : $24,286 ,

SAT Range : 1280-1470 ,

National University

La Jolla, CA •

• • Rating 3.98 out of 5   1,175 reviews

Graduate Student: I am in the teacher credential program and I am loving it. I used to get overwhelmed and bored with standard semester classes but at NU, I take 1 class every 4 weeks. I focus on the information for 1 class at a time and the course progresses quickly so I don’t get bored and the course requirements are reasonable, especially since most of the class participants work full time and have families. This has been a wonderful experience! ... Read 1,175 reviews

Acceptance rate 55%

Net price $30,527

SAT range 750-1170

#90 Best Colleges in America .

LA JOLLA, CA ,

1175 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says I am in the teacher credential program and I am loving it. I used to get overwhelmed and bored with standard semester classes but at NU, I take 1 class every 4 weeks. I focus on the information for 1... .

Read 1175 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 55% ,

Net Price : $30,527 ,

SAT Range : 750-1170 ,

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX •

• • Rating 3.86 out of 5   1,578 reviews

Freshman: I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees. SMU’s propounded Simmons school of Education’s Education program especially the Early childhood to 6 and the esteemed teaching faculty is the gravity force for me. After I graduate from college, I aspire to be a teacher in Texas and teach technology to kids with special needs. With the shortage of quality teachers in Texas, I conceive high caliber teachers can make the most impact in students to pursue their careers. Therefore, I am writing an application to get a degree from SMU and build a stronger society of future students. I want to be a proud Texan to serve the Texas education system by studying in the best Texas University. ... Read 1,578 reviews

Acceptance rate 52%

Net price $45,094

SAT range 1370-1510

#95 Best Colleges in America .

DALLAS, TX ,

1578 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I visited SMU for a campus tour during the spring break of March 2023. The major factor that led me to choose SMU is its magisterial infrastructure and the opportunity to graduate with two degrees.... .

Read 1578 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 52% ,

Net Price : $45,094 ,

SAT Range : 1370-1510 ,

Pepperdine University

• • Rating 3.76 out of 5   1,368

Loyola University Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD

• • Rating 3.6 out of 5   1,094

Colby-Sawyer College

NEW LONDON, NH

• • Rating 3.37 out of 5   494

Showing results 1 through 25 of 334

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 12 best creative writing colleges and programs.

College Info

Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States .

The Best Creative Writing Programs: Ranking Criteria

You should never take college rankings as absolute truth —not even the very official-seeming US News ones. Instead, use these kinds of lists as a jumping-off place for your own exploration of colleges. Pay attention not just to what the rankings are but to how the rankings are determined.

To help with that, I'll explain how I came up with this highly unscientific list of great creative writing colleges. I started by narrowing my search down to schools that offered a specific creative writing major. (If you don't see a school you were expecting, it's likely because they only have a minor.)

In ranking the schools, I considered five major criteria:

• #1: MFA Ranking —If a school has a great graduate creative writing program, it means you'll be taught by those same professors and the excellent graduate students they attract. Schools with strong MFA programs are also more likely to have solid alumni networks and internship opportunities. However, many schools with great undergrad programs do not offer MFAs, in which case I simply focused on the other four options.
• #2: General School Reputation —The vast majority of your classes won't be in creative writing, so it's important that other parts of the school, especially the English department, are great as well.
• #3: Extracurricular Opportunities —One of the key advantages of majoring in creative writing is that it can provide access to writing opportunities outside the classroom, so I took what kind of internship programs, author readings, and literary magazines the school offers into consideration.
• #4: Diversity of Class Options —I gave extra points to schools with a variety of genre options and specific, interesting classes.
• #5: Alumni/Prestige —This last criterion is a bit more subjective: is the school known for turning out good writers? Certainly it's less important than what kind of education you'll actually get, but having a brand-name degree (so to speak) can be helpful.

The Best Creative Writing Schools

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the list of schools! The exact numbering is always arguable, so look at it as a general trend from absolutely amazing to still super great, rather than fixating on why one school is ranked #3 and another is ranked #4.

#1: Northwestern University

Northwestern's undergrad creative writing program boasts acclaimed professors and an unparalleled track record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell).

Outside the classroom, you can work on the student-run literary journal, intern at a publication in nearby Chicago, or submit to the Department of English's yearly writing competition . The university is also home to a top journalism program , so if you want to try your hand at nonfiction as well, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

#2: Columbia University

Like Northwestern, Columbia is home to both a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism school (plus one of the best English departments in the country), so you have a wide range of writing-related course options. Columbia also benefits from its location in New York City, which is bursting at the seams with publishing houses, literary journals, and talented authors.

#3: University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's big draw is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers' Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country.

As an English and Creative Writing major here, you'll take classes from great young writers and established professors alike, and get to choose from a wide range of topics. This major provides transferable skills important for a liberal arts major with a creative focus. You'll also have access to the university's impressive literary community, including frequent readings, writing prizes and scholarships, and the acclaimed literary journal The Iowa Review .

#4: Emory University

Emory is renowned for its dedicated undergrad creative writing program , which draws the very best visiting scholars and writers. Students here have the chance to attend intimate question-and-answer sessions with award-winning authors, study a range of genres, compete for writing awards and scholarships, and work closely with an adviser to complete an honors project.

#5: Oberlin College

A small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers very different advantages than the schools above do. You'll have fewer opportunities to pursue writing in the surrounding city, but the quality of the teachers and the range of courses might make up for that. Moreover, it boasts just as impressive alumni, including actress and writer Lena Dunham.

#6: Hamilton College

Hamilton is another small college, located in upstate New York. It's known for giving students the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to help them explore topics in real depth, both inside and outside the classroom. Hamilton's creative writing program takes full advantage with small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and publish; it also has one of the best writing centers in the country.

#7: Brown University

Brown's Literary Arts program offers one of the top MFAs in the US as well as an undergraduate major . For the major, you must take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which span an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology.

#8: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically earmarked for creative writing students. This school’s undergraduate English program also offers a concentration in creative writing that allows students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. If you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre, Washington University could be a great pick for you.

#9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT might not be a school you generally associate with writing, but it actually has an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, and provides plenty of guidance on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market.

Not to mention the school is located in Cambridge, a haven for book lovers and writers of all kinds. Though it probably isn’t a good fit for students who hate science, MIT is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are marketable in a wide range of industries.

#10: University of Michigan

University of Michigan is one of the best state universities in the country and has a top-notch MFA program. This school’s undergrad creative writing sub-concentration requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. These applications give students crucial practice in both building a writing portfolio and articulating their interest in creative writing to an audience who will evaluate their work. If you're looking to attend a big school with a great creative writing major, this is a fantastic choice.

#11: Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is another school that's known more for engineering than it is for writing, but, like MIT, it has a dedicated writing program. As a major here, you must take not only courses in prose, poetry, and literature, but also classes on topics such as philosophy and history.

#12: Colorado College

Colorado College is a small liberal arts school known for its block plan , which allows students to focus on one class per three-and-a-half-week block. The creative writing track of the English major includes a sequence of four writing workshops and also requires students to attend every reading of the Visiting Writers Series.

Bonus School: New York University

I didn't include NYU in the main list because it doesn't have a dedicated creative writing major, but it's a great school for aspiring writers nonetheless, offering one of the most impressive creative writing faculties in the country and all the benefits of a Manhattan location.

How To Pick the Best Creative Writing School for You

Just because Northwestern is a great school for creative writing doesn't mean you should set your heart on going there. (The football fans are completely terrifying, for one thing.) So where should you go then?

Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at creative writing programs to help you determine the best school for you:

Does It Have Courses You're Interested In?

Look at the course offerings and see whether they interest you. While you can't predict exactly what classes you'll love, you want to avoid a mismatch where what you want to study and what the program offers are completely different. For example, if you want to write sonnets but the school focuses more on teaching fiction, it probably won't be a great fit for you.

Also, don't forget to look at the English courses and creative writing workshops! In most programs, you'll be taking a lot of these, too.

What Opportunities Are There To Pursue Writing Outside of Class?

I touched on this idea in the criteria section, but it's important enough that I want to reiterate it here. Some of the best writing experience you can get is found outside the classroom, so see what kind of writing-related extracurriculars a school has before committing to it.

Great options include getting involved with the campus newspaper, working on the school's literary journal, or interning at the university press.

Who Will Be Teaching You?

Who are the professors? What kind of work have they published? Check teacher ratings on Rate My Professors (but make sure to read the actual reviews—and always take them with a grain of salt).

If you're looking at a big school, there's a good chance that a lot of your teachers will be graduate students. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: a lot of the best teachers I had in college were graduate students. Just take into consideration what kind of graduate program the school has. If there's a great creative writing MFA program, then the graduate students are likely to be better writers and more engaged teachers.

What Are the Alumni Doing Now?

If you have a sense of what you want to do after you graduate, see if any alumni of the program are pursuing that type of career. The stronger the alumni network is, the more connections you'll have when it comes time to get a job.

What About the Rest of the School?

Don't pick a school for which you like the creative writing program but dread everything else about it. Most of your time will be spent doing other things, whether hanging out in the dorms, exploring off campus, or fulfilling general education requirements.

Many schools require you to apply to the creative writing major, so make doubly sure you'll be happy with your choice even if you aren't accepted to the program.

What's Next?

Are you sure a creative writing major is the right fit for you? Read our post on the pros and cons of the major to help you decide what path to take in college.

For more general advice about choosing a college, check out our complete guide to finding the right school for you. Some major factors to consider include deciding whether you're interested in a small college or a big university , an in-state or out-of-state institution , and a public or private school .

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

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2024-2025 Catalog > English > Creative Writing • Associate in Arts

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Curriculum Code: AAD 100

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The Associate in Arts (AA, Emphasis in Creative Writing program is designed to prepare students to begin seeking publication and/or begin applying to four-year writing programs. The program offers classes, workshops, and other activities such as readings and contests, which are accessible to writers of all levels regardless of academic or professional standing. The program aims to serve a diverse community who may be underrepresented in traditional creative writing programs.

For Program Information, contact English and Humanities Department at 217-786-2822.

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WHO WE ARE: A growing group of writers and teachers dedicated to inspiring people to create a better world through prose, poetry, and storytelling. Our team includes award-winning authors and experienced teachers skilled in the craft of writing.

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Creative Writing Value Suite

To be a good creative writer, you must have more than just an idea. This Creative Writing Value Suite will give you the tools you need to fully develop your work and create a publishable piece. You will learn important mechanics of writing, develop strong editing skills, and how to give and receive constructive feedback from other writers.

Requirements

Spark your creativity and start writing with this online writing course bundle. You will learn the mechanics of writing and editing, and have your story work-shopped by peers.

Creative writing is more than just having a good idea for a story. To be a writer, you must know the mechanics of writing, have strong editing skills, and be able to give and receive constructive feedback in a writer's workshop. If you have an idea for a story, these online writing courses will help you create a publishable piece of fiction or nonfiction.

Beginning Writer's Workshop

Learn how to bring your creative writing piece to life. Like a true writing workshop, you will learn literary techniques, peer review a classmate's work, and receive constructive criticism on your work.

Writing Essentials

Learn the fundamentals of strong writing. Writing Essentials focuses on composition, grammar, and structure, so you can create clear and effective paragraphs.

The Keys to Effective Editing

Become your own editor. You will learn how shape a rough draft into a final draft with professional editing techniques.

Suite bundles are not eligible for partial drops or refunds. Transfers to other open sessions of the same course are available. Please refer to your school for additional details regarding drops, transfers, and refunds on Suite bundles.

Enrollment Options:

• Preparing to Write
• Brainstorming
• Literary Devices
• Peer Review/Workshop
• Story, Plot, and Narrative
• Characters and Dialogue
• Points of View and Tense
• Descriptive Writing
• Overcoming Writer's Block
• Editing vs. Revision
• Getting Published
• What Editors Do
• The Mechanics of Copyediting
• Tools to Increase Accuracy
• Grammar and Punctuation
• Spelling, Capitalization, and Numbers
• Syntax and Style
• Abbreviations and Hyphens, Bibliographies and Copyright Law
• Photos and Tables, Front and Back Matter
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• The Editor-Author-Publisher Relationship
• Finding Work as an Editor
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• Words: Picking the Right One
• Spelling: Tips and Practice
• Usage: Which Word Goes Where
• Sentences: Writing Them Effectively
• Ending Punctuation: When, Where, and Why
• Commas: Mastery at Last!
• Semicolons, Colons, and All the Rest: A Quick Review
• Paragraphs: How They Help You Communicate
• Formatting: Tools and Tips to Help Your Content Shine
• Writing for Electronic Media: Quirks and Characteristics
• Putting It All Together: Writing Well!

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
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• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Ann Linquist

Ann Linquist is a continuing education instructor on college campuses, at corporations, and with non-profit organizations. She has helped thousands of adults learn to tackle their writing tasks with enthusiasm. Having written everything from novels to newsletters, articles to ad copy, Linquist is able to address the writing needs of each individual. The breadth of her background ensures a powerful, involving learning experience that builds on the strengths of each participant.

Jacquelyn Landis

Jacquelyn Landis has worked as a nonfiction editor for more than 15 years. Her editing repertoire includes books, articles, and business manuals written by authors such as Eva Shaw, George Carpozi, Anthony Robbins, and Tom Blair. She has been a speaker in the UCSD Extension program and has participated in writing panels at the University of San Diego. Landis is also the author of numerous published books and magazine articles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University.

Carmen Marquez

Carmen Marquez is a seasoned journalist, writer, and writing instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University and teaching certificate from Montclair State University.

Instructor Interaction : The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

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LTC Offering Creative Writing Class

People looking to find the best seller inside them have a chance to take a class at Lincoln Trail College. LTC is offering a Creative Writing class through its Community Education Program.

The class will serve as a general introduction to creative writing for any level of writer. Students will learn skills to enhance the writing experience. The goal of the class is to complete a short project of the student’s choosing. Local author Rick Kelsheimer will lead the course.

Creative Writing meets on Thursdays April 7-28 from 6-8 p.m. It costs $45 and a journal will be provided for the course.

People interested in taking Creative Writing at Lincoln Trail College can call 618-544-8657 to register.

The class is a part of Lincoln Trail College’s Community Education program, which offers a variety of classes covering topics such as health and wellness, personal growth, the arts, and classes for children. LTC’s Spring and Summer Community Education catalog can be found online at www.iecc.edu/ltc/communityed .  

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Go big grad: alice young.

Major: Psychology (Pre-Med) Minor: Japanese, Spanish, Asian Studies Hometown: Omaha, NE

What does graduating from Nebraska mean to you? It means the world to me to have achieved this, and graduating from Nebraska allows me to be proud of my public school education.

The research process, from Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to paper writing, prepared me for my future. It has greatly prepared me for my Fulbright research, and the course load at UNL has prepared me to handle the workload of medical school [in the future].

Transformational moments I took an amazing psychology of controversy class with Dr. Jeffrey Steven’s—the class discussions were so honest and so open. I really learned to be confident sharing my opinion, and I appreciated how cohesive the class was.

Involvement Honors Program, Honors Program Student Advisory Board, Chemistry Teaching Assistant

Plans after graduation I will be completing a Fulbright grant researching Attitudes among the Elderly towards advanced directives and end of life care in Japan!

I am most looking forward to I am so excited to be researching in Japan—the Fulbright program is an amazing opportunity and I am so grateful to have been awarded a Fulbright.

The best thing about being a Husker is The in class communities you can build if you’re willing to put yourself out there.

Thank you message A huge thank you to Dr. Malina for guiding me through my thesis research and my time as a TA!

Additional note Alice was selected to represent the May 2024 Honors graduates as the student speaker at the Honors Graduation Reception.

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Express Yourself

Discover how to build a narrative that’s not just bound by language. Our range of creative courses are designed to help you find and hone your distinctive voice, learn, and grow in a stimulating and creative environment which is led by our experienced and professional academics.

If you'd like to know how to craft and deliver your story, whether that's through scriptwriting, performance, or technical delivery on stage, our facilities offer a dedicated space in which to gain confidence and skills needed to apply to a wealth of creative vocations.

Words are Powerful

The opportunity to shape our understanding of the world through words and stories is one of the most important skills for the 21 st Century.  Creative Writing  aims to help you develop your writing in innovative and exciting ways. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a range of techniques and practices in order to develop a portfolio of work across an array of forms and styles.

If you're looking to build a solid technical foundation as a writer,   English and Creative Writing  explores the field  through the close reading of major contemporary authors, examining their techniques and applying them to the production of original, imaginative work. 

Combine your passion for theatre, performance, and literature with Drama and English . You can study literature from a variety of theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives, while the theatre and performance components enable you to experience creative practice, technical theatre, and performance skills.

Did You Know?

Our Lincoln Arts Centre is a 450-seat professional theatre with industry-standard studio spaces for performance and rehearsal, dressing rooms, and a prop and set building workshop.

Captivate an Audience

Dance  at Lincoln explores the link between the creative practice and academic study. You can examine disciplines including technique, choreography, performance, teaching, and research. To hone their craft, our students have regular opportunities to perform through our extracurricular performance company, The Lincoln Dance Collective.

Our  Drama and Theatre degree gives you the opportunity to create, perform, and examine innovative theatre and performance. You can investigate the fields from a variety of current and global perspectives, including different cultures, histories, politics, aesthetics and ethics, to help you gain a detailed understanding of theatre and its importance in the modern world.

To develop the knowledge and skills required for a career in the live arts, entertainment, and events industry,  Technical Theatre and Stage Management is designed to grow enthusiastic theatre professionals who possess theoretical and vocational understanding of theatre industry roles and responsibilities.

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Lincoln is a picturesque, historic city with an array of winding, cobbled streets and a grand cathedral that stands impressive above the horizon, visible for miles around. The city is the main metropolitan hub for a number of towns including Gainsborough, Newark on Trent and Sleaford, and it’s easy to see why. The place perfectly blends the past with the present, with the city attracting new creative and technology communities all the time. 

The city is now home to huge businesses from these fields including games developer Rockstar (who ACC has links to, as well as Dovetail Games and Sunscorched Studios) , as well as the thriving Lincoln Science and Innovation Park , a hub for technology within the city limits.

ACC Lincoln sits an equal distance from the historic quarter of Lincoln and City Square, one of the busiest parts of the city, in the beating heart of the local creative and tech scene. We’re surrounded by some of the most important venues in Lincoln including The Drill , The Engine Shed ,  New Theatre Royal , and just over a mile from the Science and Innovation Park.

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I’m Daniel, a multi instrumentalist with a background in music performance. I’ve spent much of my career in Further Education (16-18 year olds). Working with young people is great as you can really see our teaching making an impact on them. Being head of centre is brilliant too, as I work with all departments and get to see all the hard work everyone does first-hand.

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One-with-one tutoring for creative writing.

The writing center offers an opportunity for writers to get first-hand feedback on their creative work from a reader who is helpful, enthusiastic, and engaged with your work. We can help with all stages of your writing process, whether you're just brainstorming some ideas, bringing in an early draft written on the back of paper coasters, developing a fully fleshed-out copy, or prepared to send something to publishers and looking for a final run-through. We are happy to talk about ideas and discuss different paths you could take with your work. Though not every consultant at the writing center is a creative writer, we are all passionate about writing and eager readers. Often, some of the best feedback you can get is from someone who does not read some of the same stuff you do, but offers a unique insight into what you're working on.

What to Bring

You are encouraged to come with questions to ask your reader so that your consultation will be as helpful as possible. Often, it's helpful to get simple feedback about the work, such as to ask what your reader was most interested in and what your reader got out of your piece. Other questions can help you work on specific elements of your work, such as pacing, voice, and theme.

What to Expect

Together, you and the consultant will read through your work. Afterwards, you will chat about ideas for improvement and revision. This is a great opportunity for you to talk about elements you would like to improve or other options you were considering, as a second opinion will help you focus your ideas and think about new ways to approach your topic. Though you might not get through a whole work in one sitting (such as with novels, memoirs, etc.), you can look at pieces of of a longer work or discuss the project in summary. The goal of the writing center is to encourage you to look at your writing in new ways and to give you new revision skills to help you in your writing. We also welcome you to make recurring appointments in the writing center to work on longer projects. If you are interested in working with other writers on improving your work, you are welcome to join one of our creative writing communities.

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Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration Program

The Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration program offers middle and high school students one-week intensive enrichment courses intended to introduce them to new areas of study or allow them to engage in content they may already have an interest in. In-person classes meet from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and are taught by Ohio State faculty, staff, and graduate students. Teaching is active, hands-on and encourages participants to engage with the instructional team and their fellow participants. These courses are not for grade or credit and are designed for self-motivated learners.  

Eligibility is based on a participant’s current grade level for the 2023-2024 school year. Students currently enrolled in 7 th and 8 th grades are eligible for middle school courses. Students currently enrolled in 9 th – 11 th grade are eligible for high school courses. 

If you have questions about this program, please contact [email protected] or call Courtney Price at 614-292-8208. 

The application deadline for Summer 2024 courses has passed. We invite you to sign up for updates  to receive information about our programs and be alerted when the when future application windows open.  

2024 Course Offerings

Explorations in creative writing.

Dates : June 3–7

Eligibility : Middle School (current grade 7-8)

Description : In this course, we will take a deep dive into poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writing! In each genre, we’ll be thinking about what it means to develop our own individual writing voice that’s unique to who we are. During the week, we will experiment with daily writing exercises based off prompts crafted to spark creativity and seek inspiration from reading classic and contemporary literary work, as well as different forms of art, such as music and collage. 

Through this course, participants will hone their writing voice in multiple genres. By the end of the course, each participant will have an impressive portfolio of writing developed in our supportive writing community. 

Prerequisites:  Previous experience with the subject matter is not required for this course.

Astronomy as a Gateway to the Data Sciences

Eligibility : High School (current grade 9-11)

Description : Astronomy has entered the “big data” era, in which huge collections of measurements are analyzed to attack the most challenging problems. In this course, we will explore how even the simplest data – the positions and brightness of stars – can address an active research problem. We will build the components of a data analysis pipeline using the most basic parts of the Python programming language, and use real data to search for young stars that have diffused away from the clusters they were born in. 

This course will explore many aspects of competency in the data sciences. This is a true research project! We do not know the answers in advance but will discover them as part of our course. This course will include small group exploration, interviews, peer teaching, and pair programming. Through this course students will learn basic statistical analysis, and gain experience in several fundamentals in the Python programming language. 

Prerequisites: 

• Participants should have completed high school algebra or geometry prior to taking this course. 
• Previous experience with astronomy and programming is not required for this course. 

Specific Course Requirements:

• Contact  [email protected] if lack of access to a personal computer would limit participation.

Sensational Science: Exploring Human Perception

Description : Discover the wonders and mysteries of how we perceive the world around us. Participants will explore not only the traditional five senses — sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch — but also examine proprioception, nociception, balance, and the complex neural networks that integrate sensory information. 

Through a dynamic blend of lectures, hands-on experiments, interactive activities, and group discussions, participants will learn the science behind how we perceive our environment and ourselves. This course will enhance critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills through investigations of how our brains interpret sensory information. Going beyond the basics, this course will uncover the fascinating spectrum of sensory and perception disorders. From the challenges of navigating the world with color blindness or anosmia to the extraordinary experiences of synesthesia, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how diverse the human experience of the world can be. 

Prerequisites:  Previous experience with the subject matter is not required for this course. 

Printmaking

Dates : June 10-14 Eligibility : Middle School (current grade 7-8)

Description : This studio-based, hands-on course will be held in the Ohio State Print Shop in Hopkins Hall. Participants will be introduced to a variety of printmaking techniques including screenprinting, relief printing, monoprinting, risography, and bookmaking. Participants will have the option to focus their work through the lens of comics, storytelling, and character design, if they so choose. At the end of the week participants will visit the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library on Ohio State campus, where they will view exhibitions and archives of comics and sequential art. 

Through this course, participants will learn how to operate specialized printing presses, tools, and equipment. Participants will create an original portfolio of printed works on paper and fabric. Participants will have the opportunity to share their prints and acquire works by their fellow participants through a course print exchange.

During this course students will use sharp tools and operate printmaking equipment. Students will be supervised and provided with personal safety training for every technique, but there is an inherent risk of injury.

Prerequisites: Previous studio art experience is not required to successfully participate in this course.

Course Specific Requirements:

• Close-toe shoes are recommended.
• Clothing may get art materials on them. Participants should dress accordingly.

Intercultural Competence for Future Global Leaders 

Dates : June 24-28

Description : Intercultural competence is conceptualized as a lifelong process that includes the development of the attitudes (respect and valuing of other cultures, openness, curiosity), knowledge (of self, culture, sociolinguistic issues) skills (listen, observe, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and relate), and qualities (adaptability, flexibility, empathy and cultural decentering) in order to behave and communicate effectively and appropriately to achieve one’s goals. 

In this course, participants will learn what it takes to become globally-minded and acquire the skills to navigate in multiple, diverse, global and local networks. Participants will understand the core concepts related to culture and intercultural competence, learn the basics of American Sign Language (ASL), develop cultural self-awareness, and understand the relationship between intercultural competence, citizenship and leadership. 

Course Specific Requirements: 

Application and deadline

The 2024 Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration Program application will remain open through May 15 . Space in each course is limited, so individual courses may fill before the May 15 deadline. 

If a participant requires an accommodation such as interpretation to participate in this program, please contact the program at [email protected] or 614-292-8208. Requests should be made as soon as possible. Requests made two weeks before the first day of a course will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the university will make every effort to meet requests made after this date. 

We invite you to sign up for updates  to receive information about our programs and be alerted when the when future application windows open.    

Costs and aid

The program fee for the Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration 2024 program is  $550 per one-week course , which includes all course materials and activities, lunch, and snacks.

Limited need-based financial assistance may be available in the form of partial support. Financial assistance can be requested on the program application.  

Payment deadlines

Applicants have one week to accept their offer of admission to the program and pay the program fee. All payments must be made through the applicant portal. Once an offer is accepted and payment made, the parent or legal guardian must submit emergency contact and medical information, as well as signed Policy Acknowledgement and Consent forms no later than May 27, 2024.   

Refund Policy

The Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration Program recognizes that sometimes plans change. Participants may request a refund of the program fee by emailing [email protected] according to the following schedule:

• On or before May 1, 2024: 100% of program fee paid
• May 2 – May 15, 2024: 50% of program fee paid
• On or after May 16, 2024: No refund of program fee paid

Program Details

While plans for each course may differ slightly, the daily schedule follows this general model:

• Drop off 8:15 - 8:45 a.m.
• Morning session 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
• Travel to lunch 11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
• Lunch at Traditions 11:45 - 12:45 p.m. 
• Travel time 12:30 - 12:45 p.m. 
• On campus activity 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
• Afternoon session 2:00-3:45 p.m.
• Travel to pick-up location 3:45 - 4 p.m.
• Pick up 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Participants will always be escorted between pick-up/drop-off, their assigned classroom, the dining hall, and the on-campus activity by program staff. Additional information about the program will be emailed to participants and families, as needed, closer to the start of the program. 

Lunch will be provided daily at the Traditions at Scott dining hall and will be supervised by program staff. Traditions provides a wide variety of food options that meet the most common dietary needs and restrictions, including halal, gluten-free and vegetarian. However, kosher dining is not supported during summer term. 

The pick-up and drop-off location for students is the corner of Annie and John Glenn Avenue and Millikin Road, outside of the PAES building (see maps below). Please drop your child off from the eastbound lane of Annie and John Glenn Avenue. The drop-off/pick-up location will be marked with a sign and program staff will be present to check your child in and out of the program. 

If you are using a navigation system for directions, enter the following address: 305 Annie and John Glenn Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210.

Please do not park in the drop-off/pick-up lane. If you need to park, or your child is driving themselves to and from the program, the closest surface lot parking is at the Ohio Stadium. The closest garage parking is Tuttle Garage. You can learn more about parking at Ohio State, including hourly rates, on the CampusParc website . 

The image above shows the ideal route to the drop off and pick up location. The image below shows the drop off and pick up lane from the street view. 

For those riding COTA, the closest bus stop to the drop-off/pick-up location is N. High Street & E. 15th Avenue. See the COTA website for more information. 

The first day of the program will kick-off with a brief orientation session. At 8:45 a.m. program staff will walk the students to the orientation location. At the orientation, students will receive a program t-shirt and lanyard, the program staff will be introduced, and the daily schedule will be reviewed. After orientation, students will be escorted to their classrooms and the morning session will begin.  

What to Wear

Participants should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the classroom, as well as for a range of temperatures. For most courses, participants will spend most of the day inside air-conditioned classrooms. However, we will be walking between the drop-off/pick-up location, classrooms, campus locations and the dining hall. Dressing in layers and wearing comfortable walking shoes is recommended. Any course specific requirements are listed in the course description. 

Friday What to Wear

Each Friday on the last day of classes, we will take pictures of each class cohort. We encourage participants to wear their Arts & Sciences Summer Exploration t-shirt on Friday for this event!

Daily Packing List

• Cell phone and charger (optional)
• Any special academic materials needed for courses beyond this basic list will be provided by the program.
• Snacks and water: Participants should bring a refillable water bottle every day. While the program will provide an afternoon snack, participants are allowed to bring their own snacks. However, we request that, for the safety of participants with nut allergies, no snacks containing nuts be brought to the program.
• Personal medications in their original labeled containers (if taken during the day)
• Sunscreen and umbrella or rain jacket (optional)

The documents linked below are samples of the required program forms. Once an applicant accepts their offer of admission, the parent or legal guardian will receive an email from DocuSign with links to these forms. Forms must be reviewed and signed by May 27, 2024 .  

• Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration 2024 Policy Forms
• Arts and Sciences Summer Exploration 2024 Consent Forms