A creative writing degree from a reputable institution not only gives you the opportunity to pursue your passion for literature, but also opens up a world of job opportunities. Whether you want to become an author or simply want to try your hand at writing for publications such as magazines or online blogs, there are plenty of career paths to choose from once you’ve completed your degree.
However, finding the right undergraduate college to study literature and creative writing can be a daunting task. There are hundreds of colleges across the country that offer this degree and many of them might seem like good choices at first, but further scrutiny could reveal that they are not as good as they seem. This is why it’s important to do your research and learn about the various aspects that go into selecting a college that is right for you.
Understand What You’re Getting Into
Just because a school is perceived to be good or bad does not mean that it’s the best option for you. Just because a school is well-known for its football program does not mean that it’s a good place for you to study creative writing. In fact, if you’re not careful, you could end up in a situation where you’re getting more than you bargain for. For this reason, it’s important to do your research and learn about the various aspects of the school that could affect your life. Some of these elements may be positive, such as the teachers and the students, but others might be negative, such as the administration. With this in mind, you can decide whether or not to apply for admission to a specific school.
Visit The Campus
Even if you’ve found the perfect college to study literature and creative writing, it might not be the best choice for you if you hate the city where the school is located or if the commute is too exhausting. For this reason, it’s important to visit the campus and get a feel for the atmosphere and the quality of the teaching. This will give you the opportunity to see if this is the best option for you or if you should look for another college nearby. You should also try to schedule a tour of the school’s library and meet with the librarian to get a feel for the sort of books and the levels of support that they can provide you with.
Check Out The Alumni
Even if you’re not looking to continue your studies, you should consider joining the alumni of the college that you’re researching. Joining an alumni association is a great way to familiarize yourself with the different alumni profiles and determine whether or not they are a good fit for your interests. Through the alumni association, you can get ahold of valuable information such as the level of job opportunities and whether or not you’d fit in with the rest of the alumni. You can also contact the alumni office directly to get more information about what they can provide you.
Don’t Forget About Peer Reviews
Peer reviews are an important component of the review process for most publications. As an academic writer, you’ll be doing a lot of reading and writing for class, so it’s important that you become familiar with the various elements of a good review. Make sure that your instructors are aware of your review process so that they can gauge your progress and give you valuable pointers along the way. The review process can be a good way to get feedback about your work and determine what needs to be changed before the final draft is due. You don’t want to rush it just to keep your professor satisfied, because you’ll only end up with a draft that’s full of mistakes and lacking in substance. Learning to review your work is an important part of the academic journey. When you’ve completed your studies, you’ll certainly be able to complete a professional review when requested.
Learn About Publishing
If you’re ever planning on getting your work published, then it’s important to learn about the different publishing houses and the various levels of commitment that they might have to your manuscript. Some of the publishing houses might be looking for new authors to join their team, while others might just want to buy your manuscript and try their luck with it. Regardless, it’s important that you know what you’re getting into and the various options that you have once you’ve completed your studies.
Get Connected
If you’ve found the perfect undergraduate college to study literature and creative writing, then the next step is to get connected to the right graduate programs. Remember, however, that even if you’ve found the perfect college, it might not be the best choice for you if you don’t have the necessary skills to continue your studies. For this reason, it’s important to get connected to other writers and academic professionals in your field to ensure that you don’t fall into a vacuum once you’ve graduated. Make sure to search for any available writing fellowships and job opportunities at your alma mater as well as other reputable institutions that you’re considering applying to. Additionally, becoming a member of a professional organization such as the Academy of Military Writing or the International Thriller Writers is a great way to get connected to other writers and to ensure that you’re always up to date on the latest news in your field.
Once you’ve found a good undergraduate college to study literature and creative writing, it’s important to stick with it. A good college is worth the effort, and with the right guidance and support, you can ensure that your studies will be worth it. By taking the time to do your research and learn about the various aspects that could affect your decision-making process, you can’t go wrong.