ISO: High Quality Summer Residential Writing Program for High School Student
Hello Wonderful Community,
I am in search of a high quality summer residential writing program for my rising junior with a talent and passion for creative writing. She would prefer to travel outside of the area for the experience of living elsewhere, if only for a week, or two, or three, although will consider local programs if compelling. I realize we are a little late in terms of application cycles, yet hoping someone knows of a gem out there that might still have openings.
Sincere thank you in advance!
Apr 9, 2019
Parent Replies
It's too late for this year but for next year, consider applying to Iowa Young Writers' Studio in Iowa. They have a very prestigious program that my daughter attended the summer after her junior year of high school. She produced, in my opinion, the best writing she had ever done during her time at the studio, and she loved the experience. She was able to interact with young writers from throughout the country and a group of teens from the Middle East. The deadline to apply is in late January or early February.
This recommendation is too late for this year, but there is a little known (around here) but excellent program available to all HS students called California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA). It's a month long residential program, held at Cal Arts in Valencia. Admission is competitive, and the applications take place in the winter. They accept around 70 students in the creative writing program, 70 in dance, 70 in music, 70 in fine arts, 70 in acting, and 70 in animation. Students are housed in the dorms. It's a great pre-college learning experience. Tuition is very reasonable, and there are scholarships available. https://www.csssa.ca.gov/
I recommend the Iowa Young Writers' Studio https://iyws.clas.uiowa.edu/summer-residential-program. The program is a residential program at the University of Iowa which has one of the best creative writing programs in the country.
My daughter attended Iowa as well and had a great experience with her teachers there! The University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee also has a wonderful summer residential program---it might be worth a call to see if they have rolling admission after the deadline for applications!
The University of Iowa program is amazing, so I hear. My daughter will be attending another excellent program - Kenyon College, Young Writers. I believe those are two of the best, but there are lots of others. Sewanee is another good option. The application deadlines for the top programs are Jan or Feb, and admission, which is extremely competitive, has already been announced. There may still be some other programs accepting young writers.