The spirit of great writers echo at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins. (Image courtesy of Dennis O’ Shea)An aspiring writer choosing a college is a lot like a child trying to make a decision in a candy store. Cliched simile aside, the number of colleges with utterly brilliant writing programs, both at the graduate and undergraduate level, is astounding.
1. Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia): Ask anyone for the best schools for writers, and Emory will inevitably emerge. With a plethora of outstanding minds flocking to and from Emory every year (be it guest lecturers, students, or alumni), it is no wonder why Emory would be a prime place for a budding writer. Emory offers extraordinary flexibility to its students; the only required course of all English majors is Poetry. E Students looking for more personal settings with professors will be happy to find that most English classes cap at 15 students, while the largest cap at 25.
2. Hamilton College (Clinton, New York): Hamilton College is known not only for its high quality coursework or wide breadth of options for English majors but also for its nationally renowned writing center. Like Emory, Hamilton College allows English majors to concentrate in either English literature or creative writing. Hamilton’s creative writing program offers courses and workshops in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and playwriting (in which students will write and stage a one-act play).
3. Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland): There are few programs in Johns Hopkins that aren’t among the best in the nation. Their English department boasts a long history of producing well-received and distinguished writers. While they do offer courses in creative writing, Johns Hopkins focuses much more on literary writing, critical analysis, and literature education to improve writing skills.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Massachusetts): Most people wouldn’t immediately think of MIT as a great writing school given its enormous reputation for engineering, computer science, and technology. However, MIT offers an extensive and unique writing program that not only produces great writers but prepares them to be competitive in the harsh job market of English graduates. One thing that sets MIT apart from other universities is the fact that, rather than having one English department that covers both writing and literature, they split the traditional English department into two entirely separate programs. Their writing program not only instructs creative writing but also science writing and digital media.
5. New York University (New York, New York): Beyond the acclaimed faculty and progressive coursework, the location of NYU itself is reason enough to study there. Imagine living in the heart of New York City (what some call the greatest city in the world) for four years. Surrounded by museums, parks, and huge historical landmarks, there is no way not to be inspired. Combine this with the large variety of English concentrations offered, including a creative writing program, and an English education at NYU seems unbeatable. What’s more, NYU creative writing graduate program has enormous amounts of prestige and is often ranked top five on most publications’ top creative writing programs lists.
6. Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri): A haven for any growing writer, Wash U’s creative writing program offers a variety of courses, taught by their talented MFA faculty as well as second-year MFA students. Beyond your traditional poetry and fiction classes, Wash U offers unique special topics such as The Short-Short, Sudden Fiction and Microfiction, Literary Journalism, and Stories From the Suburbs with plenty more in mind for increased expansion.
To see the rest of the top 10, read the full post at CollegeDegree.com
[...] USA Today ranked Emory as no. 1 on its list of “The 10 best American colleges for writers.” The article boasted Emory as offering “extraordinary flexibility to its students.” Emory’s English [...]
I guess I belong in the minority. I don’t think writing can be “taught”. It’s an art form and as such, you either have it or you don’t. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter where you go to college. For someone with real talent, reading voraciously and widely, especially before the age of 18, is the only way to really “become a writer”. That and a lot of travel. Without those 2 experiences, you can go to “Iowa” or any other fabled place all your life and remain a mediocre writer. I’m talking about creative writing, of course. Literature. If you aspire to be a “journalist”, that’s a different skill and, in my opinion, a different profession altogether.
I completely agree with your statement.
I dissagree, I think that if you want to be a writer and if you work hard enough you can become one. Sure some people have it easier than others, but that doesn’t mean if you’re not one of those people you cant do it. Anybody can do anything they want if they try hard, its not something that you have or you don’t its something you work hard to get accomplish.
Obviously you are an arrogant and self-involved teenager or young college student. You believe your work is fantastic and you need no help with anything. Your response screams amateur. While a creative idea cannot be given, the ability to write, to tell a story is. To lower the craft to a level of starting young and having no need for the skill to be honed is an insult. How dare you accuse so many fantastic writers with college degrees as not being real writers. And what the hell does traveling have to do with this? If you can’t become inspired by whats around you, go apply to your community college and take some classes. I’m sure your non-existent fan base can wait until you’ve matured…
I believe that creative writing is a gift that not everyone posses. Sure,anyone can write a simple short story, but the people who need no education to do so are the true authors. People who go to schools to learn literature have to will to write something but need more help in doing so.
These opinions are all naive and strike me as from those who aren’t actually writers, let alone artists. No one is arguing that talent can be taught. No can teach one into learning what’s good inspiration for a good story, or the nugget for a good poem. But craft certainly can be taught and needs to be, as should the history of the craft. Don’t believe or agree with me? Fine. Then you’ll also be arguing against every art and musical conservatory in existence.
Silly folk.
I Must say that while I do agree that writing is an art, I Believe it to be an art that can be refined, and better improved through creative writing courses. As I have taken several, and have found several improvements in my writing. Now I do agree that where you go doesn’t matter because I did it a community college, but creative writing courses certainly help writers to improve their writing skills.
[...] The 10 best American colleges for writers [...]
The Johns Hopkins writing program is fantastic. I find it odd that JHU’s actual writing program, The Writing Seminars, is not mentioned. It’s true that the English department focuses heavily on literature study, but Writing Sems is completely separate and offers a wide range of upper, lower, and grad level classes.
[...] would transfer to a top school for writing. A good list is found in the article at The 10 best American colleges for writers. But if you want my opinion, I would focus on attending the University of Iowa. I’m not sure [...]
True, not all wietrrs are good teachers, but NYU has such a wide selection of teachers, you’ll definitely find someone famous or less famous to help you out with your writing
In your opinion; whitch college would be the best for me? I’ve written six books in counting, but I’m still in 10th grade. Where would I be best going to when I graduate?
True, not all writers are good teachers, but NYU has such a wide selection of teachers, you’ll definitely find someone famous or less famous to help you out with your writing
I’ll say this: Don’t let the brand name faculty deceive you.
could you expand on this comment
As a published author in genre fiction, I love seeing this list! However, not many of these programs offer distance learning at the Masters or Doctoral level. For genre fiction combined with low residency, you have to go to Seton Hill in Pennsylvania or Stonecoast in Maine. Another good one, for practical, get-a-job-writing is Full Sail in Florida.
Rutgers evidently has a new program as well that sounds quite interesting.
Great list. Thanks for publishing.
you’re an author?! wow that’s fantastic!
Holy- I am a huge fan of yours!! It was a HUGE surprise to see your comment here- I love your books and you inspire me! <3
I find it hard to bvieele that Emory tops this list. I found it to be one of the least creative environments I’ve ever been in. It’s perfect for those concerned with professionalism, but I would highly discourage a creative mind from pursuing an education there.
Iowa University was the first college to offer a creative writing program and is still considered the best creative writing program in the country. In 2011 “Poets and Writers” magazine ranked it the best in the U.S for fiction, poetry and non-fiction. I do not understand why it is listed as 7th when clearly it has much to offer. I’ve cross checked several other lists and I’m sorry to say that this is the only one on which Emory appears.
[...] More college applicants are interested in creative writing [...]
I find it hard to believe that Emory tops this list. I found it to be one of the least creative environments I’ve ever been in. It’s perfect for those concerned with professionalism, but I would highly discourage a creative mind from pursuing an education there.
I disagree, college is different for everybody. I attend Emory now and think it’s a great place for creative minds to follow their dreams. There are many, many opportunities here, as well as many available routes to a life of success.
And the rankings were determined based on the literary accomplishments of students and faculty, in addition to the wealth and quality of established guest lecturers.
thank you soooo much i was looking for a college to go to and i think ive found it. so emory university sounds like a good college thank you. you see im going to become a writer, and i couldnt find the right college for me so i would just love to say thank you thank you
I read through this article, and I don’t understand how this ranking was determined. There is no data or statistical evidence to prove one school is better than the other in terms of writing programs. This article should have provided actual reasons why these schools are considered writing havens, but instead it provides simplistic information that seems to not be based off of any real research.
This says a little about how the list was ranked: http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/stories/2011/05/campus_usa_today_best_college_writers.html.
So, the research to back up a list that Emory unexpectedly tops can only be found in an Emory Report? Hmmmmm. The criteria should have appeared within the article itself. To be honest, I think ranking colleges on the basis of “best writing program” is very difficult, because a lot depends on the student. A would-be writer who hasn’t been a strong reader probably shouldn’t choose a university where the creative writing program is split from literature. And unstructured programs may work for some and not for others.
Iowa’s writing program is perhaps the most famous in the nation, and I can only assume it was left off because it’s best for graduates–and usually graduate programs in universities prefer to accept students who didn’t attend there as an undergraduate.
To Carol, above, who hopes to attend Emory: Please, please tell me that you’re kidding about being a writer! Even that little post is a mess.
Quite an excellent list of wonderful colleges, I’d say! Speaking for the Emory program, the new /The Emory Pulse/ publication is an interesting move for the creative writing community. It’s an annual publication that allows undergrads, grads, alumni, and faculty the chance to be published (http://www.amazon.com/Emory-Pulse-Creative-Writing-Lifeline/dp/0983444501). There was an article about this program in /The Emory Wheel/ and on FOX 5.
Wheel: http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=29777
FOX 5: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/Emory-Students-Get-Book-Published-20110502-am-sd
Cheers!
Even as an alum of the college, I don’t believe Hamilton belongs on this list. Other schools, like Middlebury or Columbia, seem far more appropriate. I was disappointed with so many things at Hamilton, including the English department. I’m not on here to hate, but would like to encourage future college applicants to consider other institutions!
Oh, please. This screams of self-hatred. Hamilton absolutely belongs on the list. For a much smaller school with a far more modest endowment than either Middlebury or Columbia, Hamilton churns out some terrific writers and very bright, well-rounded people who go on to become successful people in society. Hamilton’s alumni are special people. Bottom line.
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Hamilton’s writing center has done wonders for me and anyone else who makes regular use of it. People who aren’t satisfied with Hamilton’s writing program are the same people who don’t take the initiative to make appointments or seek out the many resources it has to offer.
If you’re looking at colleges, please disregard what this disillusioned graduate has to say. As long as you make a commitment to visiting your professors’ office hours and using the writing center whenever possible, you will not be disappointed.
The writing center should be for those who have trouble writing and need help, not for people who wish to become writers! At least, that is generally true, unless it’s different at Hamilton for some reason.
Hamilton teaches its students not just how to write, but how to THINK. All departments teach this.
I remember when my friend taking a Biology course at another college told me that her professor directed the class to the Writing Center’s website for lab report writing guidelines. I smiled.
Hamilton requires all students to take ‘writing-intensive’ courses. I wasn’t an English or Creative Writing major, but now being an alum and looking back I am so grateful for this experience. Writing skills are so valuable in all aspects of life, and frequently overlooked by many schools.
It’s “I should hope,” not “I would hope.”
I love that you’re highlighting writing programs, but a list of the best writing programs seems a bit fishy when Iowa’s perennially top-ranked program is ranked 7th. And I say that as a Johns Hopkins alum!
It’s nice that you make mention of JHU’s top-ranked English program, but I’m left scratching my head when you don’t even bother mentioning the Writing Seminars program which is one of the crown jewels of the university. Perhaps, if anything, it’s the Writing Sems putting out many more writers of all colors than the English department which generally is focusing on scholarly research — particularly at the graduate level.
Overall, the list contains many of the usual suspects, but it feels like this is more indicative of content farm content rather than containing any actual research or genuine reporting. I’m sure that USA Today might aspire to reach higher in it’s reportage next time it collaborates with independent bloggers.
Next time around, one might do a better job distinguishing the difference between the graduate/undergraduate level to provide some more specificity. Perhaps mentioning some additional specifics about what differentiates each program, naming some recent graduates or notable faculty, or even delving into programs which help graduates find writing jobs, get published, or other assistance, particularly given the radically shifting publishing business over the past several years.
I’ve found it quite elementary to be published as an Emory Alum with an English degree. In fact, I’m published nearly every morning, afternoon, and after dinner (I give a damn about an Oxford comma_ on Hypefloats.com with another Emory Alum possessing a degree from the illustrious, if not balmy Emory University.
I’m really glad to see Hamilton on this list. I was an English literature major and took creative writing and comparative lit courses as well. However the writing program spans beyond English majors. Every student is required to take writing-intensive courses in order to graduate. The writing program does a great job of preparing students for all occupations, not just professional writing.
I graduated with an Emory creative writing degree. It was a good program, but damn if they never mentioned anything about actually _publishing_ your work. Maybe it has changed in the past few years, but I think it would have greatly helped if they’d spent some time telling us naive young college students how to make a living.
Agreed! I’ve only taken one creative writing class here at Emory, but it was one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. Kudos!
Agreed! I’m an Emory student and I’ve taken three classes in the creative writing department. The professors are incredible!
As an Emory english major I was pleased to see these rankings. However, I find it deeply ironic that the first paragraph of this article refers to the “amount of colleges with brilliant writing programs.” The phrase should read “number of colleges” not “amount of colleges.” I would hope that an article about the best writing schools would also be devoid of writing errors.
Well spotted, Anon. The proper grammatical adjustment has been made and going forward, irony…averted? Halted? Stopped?
English needs to be capitalized.
@Emory Professor: “English” wants quotation marks in your reply.