Top colleges for aspiring writers?

Hi everyone! I want to major in creative writing and I'm trying to figure out which colleges have the best programs for aspiring writers like myself. Can anyone recommend some schools with great writing programs? Also, are there any well-known colleges specifically focused on writing degrees? Thanks a lot!

Hello! It's fantastic that you're passionate about creative writing and looking for the best programs to cultivate your skills. There are definitely colleges and universities with reputable creative writing programs, both in terms of the quality of their faculty and the opportunities they offer students.

Some top universities with strong creative writing programs include:

1. University of Iowa: Home to the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, which has produced numerous acclaimed authors and poets. Their MFA program is highly competitive, but even at the undergraduate level, you can expect top-notch instruction.

2. New York University: The Creative Writing Program at NYU offers both an undergraduate major and a Master of Fine Arts degree. The location provides unique opportunities for internships and networking in the publishing and literary world.

3. Columbia University: The undergraduate creative writing program at Columbia is interdisciplinary, allowing students to take classes in both fiction and poetry while also exploring other fields. Students can also benefit from Columbia's School of the Arts, which houses the graduate-level creative writing program.

4. Brown University: Brown has a reputed Literary Arts program, in which students can concentrate or take courses in creative writing. The open curriculum and faculty support allow students to explore various writing forms in a flexible manner.

5. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor: The Helen Zell Writers' Program at the University of Michigan is a top-ranked graduate program, but there are also strong undergraduate creative writing opportunities such as courses, workshops, and the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program.

There aren't colleges solely focused on writing degrees, but there are liberal arts colleges with strong writing programs as well, such as Kenyon College, Oberlin College, and Middlebury College. These schools emphasize smaller class sizes and personalized instruction, creating a more intimate setting for nurturing your writing skills.

As you research each program, look into the faculty, course offerings, workshops, visiting writers, internship opportunities, and connections to the literary community to determine which schools best match your goals as an aspiring writer. Good luck!