Schools can be a pain to search through, especially when you’re looking for a unique niche like creative writing. You want to find a good match between what you need and what a school offers, but you also want to be sure that you’re not getting roped into doing something you’re not interested in. That’s where the trouble begins. You can’t be sure of what to expect, and that often leads to disappointment. If you’re new to the idea of educating yourself, here’s a guide to help you narrow down your options and find the best creative writing school for you.
Universities
If you have a genuine love for writing and you want to develop your skills, you can’t go wrong with a university. They usually offer a variety of creative writing courses, allowing you to focus on what you enjoy most. When picking a university, make sure that they offer courses that match your interests. If you’re looking for a more traditional educational route, most universities also offer creative writing degrees. So if you prefer to focus on your craft, you can take advantage of their courses while also earning your degree.
To find out what universities offer, simply visit their websites or call their admissions departments. You can also contact the graduate school directly to find out what courses they offer and what qualifications their faculty hold. If you’re interested in a specific subject matter, try looking through their courses catalog to see what they offer in regards to literature, film, or games. With so much choice, it can be hard to know where to start.
Community Colleges
Although you might think that the cost of a university education is too great for a community college, you might be surprised at how far these educational institutions can push your education. The key is to find a good, accredited community college that offers a creative writing program. You should look for those that have a reputation for getting students into the industry, as well as those that offer a fast track to a bachelor’s degree. A good community college will also allow you to take online courses, which can help you save money on your tuition. If you’re looking for a more traditional approach, a community college is a good choice as well, as most of their degrees are flexible enough to be applied to a variety of careers.
Which Type of Creative Writing Do You Want to Study?
If you have a specific type of story in mind that you’d like to write, try looking at the courses that are available at the school that you’ve chosen. Most schools will have an admissions office, and they will be able to help you find out what courses are available and what degree you will need to earn. It is common for universities to have an admissions committee that will look at your high school record, along with your grades and the grades of your standardized test scores. These people will then decide whether or not to accept you into the program. If you have a genuine love for writing and you’ve chosen a good school with a genuine passion for creative writing, this step shouldn’t take long.
How Do You Want to Earn Your Degree?
This will be different for everyone. Some students want to spread their learning through extensive reading, while others want to write a novel and then seek to find an agent. There are as many ways to earn your degree as there are writers. At a minimum, you’ll need to complete the number of credits required for the degree, however, you can stack up on them as you see fit. Make sure to work hard and keep your grades up so that you can focus on your writing.
Where Do You Want to Move After Graduating?
You’ll want to be sure to consider the location of the school you’ve chosen. Is it near your home? Is there a good, professional, middle-class population there? These are all questions that you should ask yourself before making any kind of decision. Think about what’s important to you and make a list of your top priorities. If a particular city or state appeals to you, do some research on the cost of living and the job opportunities there. Finding a good match between your interests and your abilities is a lot easier when you have a clear head, so be sure to take the time to consider all the major factors before committing.
Deciding where to study and what to study is difficult when you have so many options. That’s why it’s a good idea to explore all the options that your chosen school offers, as well as the ones that are accredited for creative writing. While your first choice might not be available or might not seem too appealing at first, you should contact the school directly to see what options they have and if they can help you get there. As much as possible, you want to find a match between what you need and what a school offers. Take your time and do your research, and you’ll be able to find the best fit.