Things to know about creative writing programs:
- Many writers are on faculty at a university and in between writing books, they teach writing classes. They are out there, at colleges and universities all over the country, waiting for our students to come and learn from them.
- Most schools do not offer an undergraduate degree in creative writing. At most universities, creative writing is, at best, a concentration offered within the English department. Yet, almost every college and university offers at least some kind of course in creative writing. The focus, for the study and practice of writing, happens at the graduate level. For many writing students, the undergraduate experience is a preparation for a graduate writing program.
- The AWP official guide to Writing Programs provides descriptions of creative writing programs in the U. S., Canada and the U. K. and is published yearly. This resource has information on university programs as well as summer conferences, colonies, and centers for writers. It includes descriptions, course offerings, and listings of faculty members.
Writing Portfolio
Although at many schools the process for taking undergraduate writing
courses does not require a portfolio, some schools do ask for a submission
of at least a writing sample, and all good graduate programs require a
portfolio for admission.
Elements of a writing portfolio
Voice: The pieces that
one chooses to include should have a strong sense of the author’s
voice. It should be clear that this writing has something to say,
and he or she knows how to say it. A clear distinct narrative voice
is more important than length or seriousness of the topic.
Technique: Show off
a sampling of your ability to use various techniques: first person narrator,
third person narrator, dialogue, imagery, metaphor, etc.
Samples of various types of writing - prose
and poetry: The portfolio should reflect what form the
writer uses most often. A poet’s portfolio should be mostly
poems, and a short story writer should include mostly fiction, and an
essayist mostly essays, but good portfolios should include a sampling
of various forms of expression that the writer can use.
Variety within each of the forms presented:
Avoid submitting pieces that are too similar. Students should show
that they have various tools in their toolbox.
Revised, edited, polished material:
Make sure that all of the pieces chosen for a portfolio have undergone
several revisions. A first or second draft is usually obvious to
a veteran writer. No matter how good of an idea it is, or how good
a first draft seems to the writer, revise, revise, revise! Also,
make sure there are no spelling, typographical, or grammatical errors
in the portfolio. (Use of dialect and slang should be obvious constructions
intended to portray a character or narrator clearly.)
Portfolios: These vary from school to school. Often (creative writing programs in particular) a college or university will expect the student to pass through academic admissions and declare a major, typically, by the sophomore year. Thus, there is no need of a portfolio or portfolio review. Conservatories (or art schools) base admissions upon a portfolio and academic requirements.
Questions to ask about writing
programs
1. How difficult is it to become a writing major at this school?
Is a portfolio required?
2. Are the creative writing classes difficult to register for?
Is there an overflow problem, or a waiting list for creative writing classes?
3. How small are the classes? Are the creative writing classes
taught like a workshop or studio, or are they taught like an academic
class?
4. How are grades determined in creative writing classes?
5. Within the creative writing classes, do students submit work
to the entire class for critique and feedback?
6. Are the creative writing classes taught by faculty members, or
by graduate students? (If the answer is that graduate students teach
the classes, find out as much as you can about the caliber of the graduate
program.)
7. What prominent authors are on the faculty? Does the school
sponsor a writers-in-residence program? What visiting writers have
been at the school recently? How much contact do these writers have
with the undergraduates?
8. How many hours of creative writing workshop does the school require
for a major? Is there a maximum number of workshops that can be
taken?
9. What related writing courses are offered? (Technical writing,
rhetoric, play writing or screen writing?) Does the school offer
journalism classes to non-journalism majors?
10. Does the school have a literary magazine? Do undergraduates
have an opportunity to submit work for publication? How often does
undergraduate work actually get published?
11. Is there an undergraduate writing course designed to help students
prepare a portfolio for graduate school admission? Is there support
offered to students to help them find a graduate school that is right
for them?
12. If the school has a MA or MFA program in writing, how much contact
is there between the graduate and undergraduate departments?
Creative Writing Application
Process (with portfolio):
(Example from Purchase College in Albany, New York)
Step 1: Submit your completed application
by April 30, 2004<\b>
Send your completed application (after it is reviewed by your guidance
counselor), a check for $40 (payable to "SUNY APC"), and your
Official Transcripts to:
SUNY Applications Processing Center
State University Plaza
PO Box 22007
Albany, New York 12201-2007
Step 2: Request for official High School transcripts
or GED scores, and SAT or ACT scores.
Have scores sent to Albany with your application or sent directly to:
Office of Admissions
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577-1400
Step 3: Submit your portfolio
Students applying to the Dramatic Writing Program are required to submit
a portfolio to:
Office of Admissions
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577-1400
The portfolio must contain:
• A critical writing sample, 1 to 3 pages in length.
• A creative writing sample, preferably a short play, screenplay,
or television play that is 1 to 3 pages in length.
• A 1 to 2 page essay explaining your reasons for wanting to enter
the program. Include an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.
Step 4: Interviews may be requested by faculty.
Video/Film Application Process
(with portfolio):
(Example from Cal Arts in Valencia, California)
A portfolio is required. Please send your portfolio with the enclosed Portfolio Information Form and the Portfolio Received card in a separate package to the Office of Admissions - Film/Video. The review of your portfolio will be delayed if you send it to the School of Film/Video.
Because of time constraints in reviewing large quantities of tapes and films from many applicants, send us only your best work. The suggested total time of the film or tape material (no matter how many pieces) is ten minutes. Five minutes of quality material is better than 30 minutes of mediocre work. Please note, however, that we prefer to receive complete works rather than excerpts. Please do not send the only copy of your creative work.
Stretched canvas, framed, or three-dimensional works cannot be accepted; please document them in slides.
The Portfolio Room is equipped with the following viewing methods: 16mm film (silent, sync sound and double system); Beta videocassette (US standard only); VHS videocassette (US or non-US standards) or 3/4-inch videocassette (US or non-US standards). Please do not send one-inch or two-inch videotape.
Label everything you submit with your name, the date completed, dimensions, and medium. Label your video (and/or 16mm film) with (a) the number of pieces on the cassette; (b) the title and running time of each piece; (c) a word or phrase designating your responsibility in the production of each piece (i.e. camera, writer, etc.). Enclose a separate sheet of paper with the same information as above. List your priority for viewing.
Send slides in a round 80-capacity carousel; do not send 140-capacity carousels. Slides in slide sheets will not be reviewed. Be sure to preview your carousel before sending it. Load your slides upside down and backwards. Make sure that all slides are oriented correctly and indicate the top right of each slide.
Do not send glass-mounted slides. Keep in mind that tape and gummed labels on your slides will jam the projector.
Transfer all Super-8mm film onto videocassette. Also, if possible, transfer 16 mm film onto videocassette.
Please cue tapes.
All films should be head out.
Do not submit unmounted photographic prints.
Label and number each page of written material.
No fiber-filled packages (The fibers get on tapes and damage equipment)
No mailing tubes
Another Example from York in Toronto, Canada
In addition to the regular academic requirements for admission to York
University, applicants to the BFA program in Filmmaking must satisfy the
program’s supplemental evaluation. Completion of the supplemental
application package will aid us in making the best match between applicants
and our program. The application must be completed and returned by February
21, 2004.
Note: BFA Applicants will be required to remit a $40 evaluation fee
(certified check or money order in Canadian funds, payable to York University)
with their supplemental application. Please note that personal checks
will not be accepted.
Admission to the BFA program is highly competitive. Each year we begin
with over 1000 applicants for the 48 positions in our entering class.
Many of our applicants have strong academic backgrounds; others have film
and video production or other creative credentials. In the end, we choose
bright, ambitious people from a variety of backgrounds who share our passion
for working with, and understanding, the moving image.
Applicants are invited to the On-Campus Evaluation Day based on a weighted
combination of their most recent available GPA and the departmental faculty's
evaluation of their supplemental application. Last year, approximately
94% of the applicants invited to the On-Campus Evaluation Day had a GPA
of over 75%. Depending upon when your completed supplemental application
is received and reviewed in the Department of Film & Video, selected
applicants will be invited to either a March Evaluation Day or a later
date to be announced.
The On-Campus Evaluation Day takes place on the main campus at York University. The full day of activities includes:
- an interview with Film & Video Faculty members
- a film analysis exercise
- a tour of facilities and resources
- a showcase of current students’ films
- an opportunity to meet faculty and staff. Representatives of the Faculty of Fine Arts Student and Academic Services Office will also be present to offer admissions and scholarship information
- an optional parent information session will be available for those parents who may wish to attend
All invited applicants within 300km (180 miles) of the Greater Toronto Area are required to attend Evaluation Day. This area includes all of Southern Ontario from London to Kingston, the Niagara Peninsula (including Buffalo and Rochester) and North as far as Huntsville. Applicants living outside this area are strongly encouraged to attend if at all possible. Telephone interviews will be conducted with those who live outside the 300 km radius, and an additional writing assignment will be required.
Some Questions evaluating schools and finding the ‘right fit’:
- Cost
- Locations
- College/University/Conservatory
- How quickly does the college allow arts practice?
- Define clearly what goals the student has
- Bachelors or Masters
- Practical Application vs. Artistic Application
- Specifics within the declared art (poetry/fiction or narrative/video art)
- School’s reputation
- MFA support?
