MS Creative Writing: Focusing on Submissions for Publication and Contests
Debby Dodds
As a creative writing teacher for twenty-five years and an award-winning published author, as well as an SAT/ACT/GRE coach and college admissions specialist, I’ve long been aware of how much professionals at the most competitive colleges value incoming students that are not merely proficient in STEM skills, but who can also write and communicate clearly. Moreover, right-brained, creative thinking also commands great appreciation.
With almost every college going test-optional for this year and beyond, it is imperative to have a strong resume, essay, and portfolio when applying. Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and many other colleges have spokespeople who have asserted that 2021 will be a much different process and admissions will focus on other criteria than test scores and GPA. Students will need any and every extracurricular activity they can to show they’ve used this time productively as so many activities have been canceled, standardized tests have been suspended, and many schools will not provide GPAs.
To this end, this class will not merely focus on strengthening creative writing skills but it will also provide guidance about where students can submit their work for contests and publications. I’ve had students submit and win many contests and many have had professional publication credits before graduating from high school including Scholastic Awards, Willamette Writer Awards, NY Times Essay Contests, Letters About Literature, best-selling anthologies, and many more.
Instructor:
Debby Dodds
