carnegie mellon university creative writing

Undergraduate Admission

This is where bookworms and brainiacs turn phrases and pages.

"I truly could not think of anywhere else where I, an English major, could be integrating both Technology and Business into my coursework regularly. There is truly no place like CMU."

Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences

It takes a broad understanding of the written word to write the story of a better world. In the Department of English, you’ll delve into layers of meaning, engage in the creative process, and rigorously research everything from ancient texts to modern masterpieces. You’ll learn to think more deeply and live more empathetically, and you’ll explore the critical questions with the complexity and creativity they require. Above all, you’ll experience the richness of the written language, gaining a firm grasp on what it takes to become an accomplished writer in fields such as film, journalism, publishing and more.

English Majors and Minors

Choose the path that fits you best. Browse all current English curriculums and courses.

Creative Writing

Bachelor of Arts Minor

In this program, you’ll develop talents in writing fiction, poetry, screenplays and creative nonfiction. While studying with faculty members who are skilled writers themselves, you’ll read a wide range of literature and genres, sharpen your critical and verbal skills, better explore the resources and potential of imagination and develop a professional attitude towards writing. Extracurricular activities and a variety of internships available on and off campus will give you valuable experiences for planning both your professional and academic futures. After graduation, you might join the many other creative writing majors who go on to graduate writing programs, or to careers in teaching, publishing, public relations, advertising, TV and film, or freelance writing and editing.

Film and Visual Media

This program allows for a complex blend of creative, professional and technical competencies. You’ll take courses in all things related to film and visual media, from theoretical framing and historical-cultural contextualization, to training skills in creating, analyzing, and developing film. You’ll find the Department of English to be an ideal home for the film and visual media major, due to its diverse complement of creative writers, film and media scholars, filmmakers, digital humanities instructors, and visual communication researchers.

Literature and Culture

This undergraduate program trains agile interpreters of and writers about literature and culture, teaching you skills that you can apply to a wide range of situations in your professional life and beyond. In pursuing this degree, you’ll learn how to read, interpret and write persuasively about novels, poems, plays and other imaginative works across a variety of genres and media. Along with analytical and methodological tools for interpreting literature, you’ll learn to delve deeper into these works, in order to better understand their cultural and historical contexts. Plus, you’ll get better at critical thinking, inductive reasoning and persuasive argumentation, all of which will serve you well in any career you choose to pursue.

Professional Writing

Our most flexible program focuses on the analysis, production and research of written, oral and visual communication that is clear and effective. As a professional writing scholar, you’ll undertake rigorous study in rhetoric, argument, genre studies and plain language — learning how to make your words more powerful by putting your audience and your purpose at the center of your communication strategies. Ultimately, you’ll gain the skills you’ll need for a wide range of careers in writing, communications and information design, as well as in fields like law, medicine and nonprofit advocacy.

Technical Writing

Bachelor of Science Minor

If your interests lie in both writing and STEM fields — or if you want to strengthen your STEM major with the communication skills expected of team members and managers — you’re a perfect fit for this program. It blends coursework in writing, document design and user experience with additional work in computer science, mathematics and statistics, teaching you how to make complex, technical information accessible and navigable to both users and stakeholders. The skills you gain will make you a highly sought-after professional in fields like instructional design, medicine, insurance, engineering and government.

Additional Minor Options

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High School Course Requirements

**Three years of mathematics should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, elementary functions as well as pre-calculus. Advanced mathematics courses are encouraged.

Submit your application for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

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You’re not just one thing. You’re a scientist. An artist. A technologist. A maker. A writer. Carnegie Mellon has been mixing it up for decades, and whatever you want to pursue, we’ve got the right mix for you.

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Carnegie Mellon University BA in Creative Writing

Creative Writing is a concentration offered under the writing studies major at Carnegie Mellon University. We’ve pulled together some essential information you should know about the bachelor’s degree program in creative writing, including how many students graduate each year, the ethnic diversity of these students, whether or not the degree is offered online, and more.

You can jump to any section of this page using the links below:

• Undergraduate Cost
• Online Learning
• Student Diversity
• Related Majors

Featured Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

BA in Creative Writing & English

Develop your creativity and gain practical skills with a creative writing degree program –featuring 100% online classes – through a bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon Cost?

Carnegie mellon undergraduate tuition and fees.

During the 2019-2020 academic year, part-time undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon paid an average of $800 per credit hour. No discount was available for in-state students. The average full-time tuition and fees for undergraduates are shown in the table below.

Learn more about Carnegie Mellon tuition and fees.

Does Carnegie Mellon Offer an Online BA in Creative Writing?

Carnegie Mellon does not offer an online option for its creative writing bachelor’s degree program at this time. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the Carnegie Mellon Online Learning page.

Carnegie Mellon Bachelor’s Student Diversity for Creative Writing

Male-to-female ratio.

Women made up around 68.8% of the creative writing students who took home a bachelor’s degree in 2019-2020. This is less than the nationwide number of 72.8%.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

Of those graduates who received a bachelor’s degree in creative writing at Carnegie Mellon in 2019-2020, 68.8% were racial-ethnic minorities*. This is higher than the nationwide number of 26%.

Majors Related to a BA in Creative Writing From Carnegie Mellon

You may also be interested in one of these majors related to creative writing.

View All Creative Writing Related Majors >

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

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How to Write the Carnegie Mellon University Essays 2023-2024

Tucked away in Steelers country, otherwise known as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lies the 153 acre campus of Carnegie Mellon University. CMU is home to just under 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled across its seven schools and colleges.

Priding itself on copious opportunities as a research university, as well as the achievements of its student body and alumni, Carnegie Mellon offers students the opportunity to pursue real-world solutions alongside award-winning faculty across all disciplines. In fact, CMU is consistently ranked in the top 30 universities and is considered one of the very best for computer science. 

As part of the application process, prospective students are required to respond to three 300-word prompts, and one optional 150-word prompt. However, students shouldn’t look at the supplements as a chore. As the admission process for CMU becomes more selective, its supplemental essays provide an increasingly vital opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from the pack. Keep reading for our suggestions on how to tackle this year’s supplemental responses.

Read these Carnegie Mellon essay examples to inspire your own writing.

Carnegie Mellon University Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 2 (required): Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. Whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. As you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience? (300 words)

Prompt 3 (required): Consider your application as a whole. What do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration? Highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. Tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words)

Prompt 4 (optional): When it comes to deciding whether to submit standardized test scores, occasionally applicants want us to better understand the individual context of their decision. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, please share any information about your decision here. This is an optional question for those who may want to provide additional context for consideration. (150 words)

Prompt 1 (Required)

Most students choose their intended major or area of study based on a passion or inspiration that’s developed over time – what passion or inspiration led you to choose this area of study (300 words).

Many schools require a “ Why This Major? ” prompt to assess your interest in your chosen area of study. This prompt asks this standard question, but with a particular emphasis on how past experiences have influenced your desire to study your prospective major, rather than what you hope to achieve by studying it.

A successful execution of this prompt will:

• Elaborate on the path that led you to choose your major
• Show the admissions committee why you deserve to pursue this major at their school.

The latter doesn’t necessarily need to be explicit. Instead, reflect on your path in a way that demonstrates intellectual curiosity, creativity, and passion for what it is you hope to pursue at the college level. 

You can take a few different approaches when answering this prompt. The first is a narrative arc or anecdote. Think back to a salient moment in which you realized the importance of your prospective major to you. Perhaps you were in a robotics competition and after weeks of laboring, your robot finally moved. Maybe that was the moment when you knew for sure that this was the path you needed to pursue. This response could start something like this: 

“I couldn’t believe my ears the first time Sparky whirred to life. After weeks of toiling, I watched him wheel across the classroom floor, rhythmically belting out the tell-tale beeps I had coded him to make with each turn.”

Here’s what telling that story does. First, it shows tenacity—even after weeks of failure, you didn’t give up. Second, it shows innovation. And third, CMU just happens to be known for offering a robotics major, so even without being explicit, you just told the admissions committee exactly why you belong at CMU!

Stories are a great method for drawing in your reader and creating pathos. The trick, however, is to not get so caught up in the narration that you fill your 300 words without actually saying anything. If you’re going the anecdote route, ask yourself the following questions:

• Did I answer the prompt?
• Does the story I just told show why I’m passionate about the major I’ve chosen?
• Have I demonstrated that CMU is the right place for me?

Don’t say you want to pursue a major in underwater basket-weaving if CMU doesn’t offer that (just an example, but you get the idea).

Do mention, either briefly or implicitly, how CMU would allow you to continue pursuing and developing your passion.

Let’s move on to the second method of answering this prompt, we’ll refer to it as the chronological method.

You may not be able to fully answer the prompt with just one moment or story. That’s okay! An alternative is to briefly list key moments, progressions, or accomplishments leading up to your decision. Here’s an example:

“From writing short stories as a seven year old to winning my first prose contest in high school, creative writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

Unlike the narrative arc method, this example is neither a story nor a specific event. Instead, it shows how creative writing has been pivotal to your life for years. Though arguably less compelling than a story, this method has the bonus of demonstrating growth, long-term commitment, and development. Being that CMU is one of the only universities to offer a BA in creative writing, it also shows why you’d be applying.

This same method will work if you choose to talk about who or what inspired you. However, this comes with a warning. If you choose to talk about a person or work that inspired you, ensure that you don’t only write about said person or work. If the admissions committee learns more about the Pulitzer prize winner whose work inspired you than they do about you and your work, reassess whether this is a beneficial inclusion.

Prompt 2 (Required)

Many students pursue college for a specific degree, career opportunity or personal goal. whichever it may be, learning will be critical to achieve your ultimate goal. as you think ahead to the process of learning during your college years, how will you define a successful college experience (300 words).

This essay provides you with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your passion for CMU and your understanding of its available opportunities. While the prompt doesn’t explicitly ask you “ Why This School? ,” it does asks you to discuss two things:

• The explicit question: what do you hope to accomplish in your undergraduate degree program? 
• The implicit question: how is CMU uniquely equipped to help you realize those goals?

While the explicit question is definitely important to address, tackling the implicit question through the use of specific examples and thoughtful reflection will allow your essay to stand out among other applicants. 

Think about your expectations for your college experience. Perhaps it’s really important to you to have substantive research experiences under your belt as an undergraduate student, since you want to pursue an MD-PhD. 

What specific projects and topics might you be looking to pursue? How will studying at Carnegie Mellon enable you to pursue these projects and ideas? Briefly reflecting on Carnegie Mellon’s financial investment in undergraduate research as you answer this prompt, for example, can help demonstrate both your familiarity with the university and its resources as well as your alignment with its culture and values. 

Perhaps you are hoping to apply your textbook knowledge within a broader context through community engagement. CMU empowers its students to tackle problems and issues that matter in hopes that its students will be leaders in improving the world around them. Consequently, discussing your interest in taking your learning outside of the classroom with the support of the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement would not only speak to your metrics regarding a successful college experience, but also show how you might add to the CMU community as an undergraduate and beyond.

Whatever your goals may be, ensure that your essay has a clear “why.” Rather than simply stating that you want to join the college orchestra, explain that you want to do so because playing the cello in high school has allowed you to form meaningful relationships with other musicians and life mentors. Playing music has taught you the importance of teamwork and dedication, and you want to continue cultivating these relationships and skills in college. 

The point here isn’t to draft a college bucket list, but instead to reflect on what elements of the college experience, outside of the day-to-day coursework, you’re looking forward to as a prospective student. Be true to yourself and your goals, and speak honestly about what it is you hope to accomplish as an undergraduate student at CMU.

Prompt 3 (Required)

Consider your application as a whole. what do you personally want to emphasize about your application for the admission committee’s consideration highlight something that’s important to you or something you haven’t had a chance to share. tell us, don’t show us (no websites please). (300 words).

This is your chance to show the admissions committee exactly what makes you special. Within the confines of the word limit, the options are endless. But don’t get bogged down by the possibilities! 

So, how do you know what’s worth writing about?

Is there something you mentioned on your Common App that you feel the need to elaborate? The topic of this essay should not be even remotely similar to the subject of your personal statement. Think of your essays as a portfolio; they should be complementary without being redundant. For example, if your passions are science and wildlife, and your personal statement is about wildlife, make this prompt about science.

Is there something you haven’t been able to mention anywhere else that you’re dying to talk about? Let your personality shine through. Whether your passion of choice is volunteering with animals, taking apart computers, or almost anything else, it can have a place in this prompt. However, it shouldn’t be so random that it doesn’t say anything about you as an applicant.

Here’s a good example: “I buy postcards but never send them. My collection is from all over the world, ranging from Tanzania to New Caledonia. Each postcard tied to a travel story. The postcard of the Dolomites? That’s where I went on a 3-day backpacking trip with my family. The postcard with a sketch of takoyaki? I bought it because I wanted to remember the delicious meals my Japanese host family made me.”

See how this paints a picture of a student eager to learn and expand their horizons?

Now here’s a bad example: “I like watching Netflix in my free time.”

Does that tell the admissions officers something that helps them envision a contributing member of the CMU community? Not particularly.

Basically, use this as an opportunity to show your personality and your passion. Narrow in on something pivotal to your identity, and make sure it still shows CMU why you’re a great fit. If you have a story, accomplishment, or passion that shows you possess drive, an entrepreneurial spirit, or a similar embodiment of the values of CMU, here’s the place to show it. However, if you’ve already said it in another CMU essay or in your personal statement, don’t say it again!

So, there you have it for the required prompts! At the end of the day, you want all three essays to answer the prompts in a way that screams ‘you.’ The more of your personality in the essays, the better. Whether you’re reflecting on how your first broken bone led you to pursue medicine or discussing how synchronized swimming deepened your capacity for empathy and collaboration, remember to always be open and honest as you tell your story.  

Prompt 4 (optional)

When it comes to deciding whether to submit standardized test scores, occasionally applicants want us to better understand the individual context of their decision. if you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, please share any information about your decision here. this is an optional question for those who may want to provide additional context for consideration. (150 words).

This prompt applies to those who have either opted out of taking standardized tests, have chosen not to submit their scores, or have other circumstances surrounding their scores. Here, Carnegie Mellon gives applicants a chance to explain the reasons behind these circumstances. 

Standardized testing disadvantages many groups of people, especially low-income students. With the pandemic, it’s also likely that students won’t have had as many opportunities to take tests, if at all. Students may also have other extenuating life experiences or circumstances that affected their ability to take or do well on the test. 

Whatever your circumstances, Carnegie Mellon gives you 150 words, so avoid including long anecdotes or excess background information. State your reason(s) clearly and concisely, in a matter-of-fact way. This section might be optional, but you should treat it with the same care as your answers to the other prompts. Your writing should carry the same level of poise as your other responses. 

There are some cases, however, where you might choose to forego this prompt. If you chose not to submit a score because you underperformed, and there wasn’t necessarily an extenuating circumstance, then you could leave your response blank. If you performed poorly and didn’t submit your score because you were recovering from a concussion, then you might respond to this essay. Otherwise, telling the admissions office that you got a low score defeats the purpose of not submitting your score.

Where to Get Your Carnegie Mellon Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your CMU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools.  Find the right advisor for you  to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Graduate Programs

Dramatic writing, combining playwriting, screenwriting, and writing for television, the dramatic writing mfa at carnegie mellon university school of drama prepares you for a career in the entertainment industry..

This is a rigorous graduate program with a substantial workload. It fosters the courage to fail and try again; the integrity and flexibility needed for a collaborative practice; and curiosity, because curious people make better things. It is for the writer who revises relentlessly and the leader who is inventing the theater of a better nation. Students are encouraged to pursue their professional careers while enrolled in the MFA program, supported by initiatives that provide access to new play development and production opportunities in the field. Graduate students workshop their plays in collaboration with other artists and teach undergraduate courses in playwriting and screenwriting. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Script Competition awards $35,000 each year to current CMU writers for original screenplays and TV pilots. Alumni have access to an established framework of professional connections. Guest faculty are a vital presence in the program. Recent guests have included Mojisola Adebayo, Mando Alvarado, Clare Barron, Sheila Callaghan, Eisa Davis, Jessica Dickey, Aleshea Harris, Onalee Hunter Hughes, Aurorae Khoo, Carlos Murillo, Jiehae Park, Cori Thomas, Mfoniso Udofia, and Josh Wilder. We are committed to an inclusive theater that resists bigotry and oppression. Our community is one of bold artists and bold citizens.

For more than two decades, the Shubert Foundation has underwritten Dramatic Writing scholarships at Carnegie Mellon University. The program has longstanding ties to Pittsburgh’s City Theatre, which is devoted to the production and commissioning of new plays. There are many possibilities for collaboration with the new-media initiatives taking place across Carnegie Mellon University, which is recognized as a world leader in arts and technology. DOWNLOAD Dramatic Writing Curriculum .

Opportunities

Dramatic Writing MFA candidates compete in the Sloan Script Competition. The program is one of only six leading institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which awards $35,000 in total prize money annually to two students within the Dramatic Writing program. Students in the program are encouraged to pursue professional and academic play development opportunities while enrolled in the MFA program. Current and recent students have been recognized by the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwright Competition; Theater Masters; the WomanWorks residency at the University of Tulsa; the Mid-America Theatre Conference; the Great Plains Theatre Conference; the Last Frontier Theatre Conference; Cinequest Film Festival Short Screenwriting Contest; and been invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's national conference to receive the Lorraine Hansberry Award, the John Cauble Award, the Mark Twain Prize, and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Award. Plays by current and recent students have been published by Samuel French, Vintage Books, Routledge, and Applause Books.

Unique Platforms

All School of Drama students have to opportunities to participate in the following:

DANCE/LIGHT Dance/Light is a performance opportunity for students across all disciplines to collaborate in the creation of original dance and movement pieces. PLAYGROUND A Festival of Independent Student Work: Playground is the annual School of Drama three-day performance festival showcasing independent, student-produced work across multiple disciplines. VISITING ARTISTS PROGRAM The Visiting Artists Program brings distinguished national and international guests on to campus to work with students across all disciplines. SHOWCASE The School of Drama Showcase presentations in New York and Los Angeles are designed to give all graduating students from all disciplines the opportunity to meet with and present work to leading arts and entertainment professionals. When conditions warrant, this Showcase may be augmented by virtual online networking events.

The program is one of only six leading institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which awards $35,000 in total prize money annually to two students within the Dramatic Writing program.

Dramatic Writing Curriculum

Melissa Martin

News & Alumni

Your Future

The Dramatic Writing Option prepares writers to enter the highly competitive field of professional writing, where the expectation is that they will be able to move with assurance and flexibility between writing for the stage, film and television. A focus on the realities of living as a professional writer is one of the distinguishing characteristics of this program. The School of Drama is interested in producing writers who will ultimately see their work produced.

Recent alumni include Liza Birkenmeier (DR. RIDE'S AMERICAN BEACH HOUSE), Gillian Beth Durkee (EST/Youngblood), Leviticus Jelks (Humanitas LA Play Festival, Playwrights Union), Lauren Wimmer (Ars Nova ANT Fest, Playwright's Center), Isabella D'Esposito (Playwrights Realm Fellow), Dan Giles (THE SECOND MAN at NYTW Next Door), Joshua Harmon (BAD JEWS, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, SKINTIGHT), Mora V. Harris (SPACE GIRL), Daniel Hirsch (Tête à Tête opera festival, London), Whitney Rowland (PlayPenn), and Jordan Barsky (Law & Order SVU). Other alumni are writing for television, film, and new media, touring plays for Seder tables and punk rock clubs, and making wild puppet extravaganzas.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Script Competition for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama is one of six institutions chosen to participate in the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film School Awards, which presents $35,000 in prizes annually to current students in the Dramatic Writing program at CMU for their original screenplays or television pilots. The competition encourages the MFA candidates to write scripts that will further the public understanding of science and technology. The Sloan Foundation's goal is to see the resulting scriptsinto commercial production at major studios and networks. To that end, it maintains development programs with the Tribeca, Sundance, and Hamptons film festivals.

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STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance with this statement should be directed to the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX .

Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling 412-268-2000.

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MFA Application

The application for Fall 2024 admission is available from September 5, 2023 to January 16, 2024. The required materials for the application are discussed in detail below. 

Please note: All applicants to the MFA program must have a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants are considered for Fall semester admission only.

With the exception of official transcripts and TOEFL scores, all application materials and portfolios must be submitted through SlideRoom . You will need to submit the following materials in your application:

– Completed application form – Completed portfolio/creative work submission – Professional resume – Official transcripts of all college work – Artist’s Statement (max 500 words) – Statement of Interest (max 500 words) – 3 letters of reference (from professionals who can speak to your work) – TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores (All non-native speakers of English must submit TOEFL or IELTS language assessment scores, regardless of previous U.S. study) – $68 application fee (non-refundable)*

The Portfolio

The portfolio is the most critical component of the application. Applicants need to submit 10-25 slides of their work.

Please note that SlideRoom only accepts images (up to 10MB each), video (up to 500MB each), audio (up to 60MB each) and PDFs (up to 20MB each).

Students may also submit slides that demonstrate their interactive work: Document interactive software projects with screen-captured demonstration videos, ideally with narration. Please keep documentation under 3 minutes in length, and under 500MB. Let us know which programming languages you used.

Statement of Interest (max 500 words)

The Statement of Interest details why you want to attend this particular program and how you see the program furthering your artistic practice.

The Artist Statement (500 words)

The Artist Statement should lay out your working process and critical influences while contextualizing your work in relationship to contemporary artistic, social, and cultural practices.

Official Transcripts

All applicants are required to send official copies of all college transcripts in order to be considered for admission to the MFA program. We prefer transcripts be electronically to our Admissions office: ( [email protected] ). If this is not possible, transcripts may be sent by mail to the following address:

Carnegie Mellon University School of Art Graduate Admissions College of Fine Arts 300 5000 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Non-Native Speakers of English

All applicants who are non-native speakers of English are required to take the TOEFL, Duolingo, or the IELTS examination regardless of previous U.S. study . This year, due to the global pandemic, we are accepting Duolingo test results. The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Carnegie Mellon when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

Please note the minimum acceptable scores:

TOEFL: 25 in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, with a total score no less than 100.

IELTS: 7.5 overall, and with minimum band scores of 7 in Reading, 7 in Listening, 7.5 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing.

Duolingo: 125 overall.

Students can mail all transcripts and TOEFL scores to the School of Art Graduate Admissions address above. Our TOEFL code is 2074 .

Candidates should provide English translations for any transcripts that are not in English.

Please note:

All application materials and portfolios must be submitted through SlideRoom .

Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE) are not required.

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BA in Creative Writing

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Writing & Culture

Are you ready to tell your story writing & culture works to develop skilled, reflective, engaged storytellers who can share our stories well. .

Program Overview

The idea of the attic-bound creative is a myth. Regardless of the medium, filmmakers and writers live their lives out in the world, not hidden behind closed doors.

In this program, students explore writing, film, and culture through traditional, historical, and contemporary lenses on CMU’s campus and throughout Pittsburgh. Over the weeks, students will produce a body of work anchored in digital poetics and short-form writing, film development and production, and preparatory materials setting a strong foundation in the humanities.

But this is not a Language Arts course. By participating in this program, students will learn to think critically, express thoughts creatively, and write effectively for college and beyond.

Pre-College Writing & Culture is an intensive program that introduces students to the range of ways to tell a story. Guided by the mentorship and instruction of the Department of English’s highly distinguished faculty members, students analyze complex, ever-changing problems through astute investigations of culture and society through written text and visual media. Participants also identify how to think through design choices for film production and cutting-edge poetic and short-form writing. Above all, students gain a toolkit that allows them to interpret written and visual stories with fresh eyes and anticipate different viewpoints.

This program provides highly individualized feedback and guidance, drawing on each student’s personal strengths and interests. Through the breadth of experiences in this program, students gather concepts and ideas, using them to fuel their own body of work.

Classes, meetings, and enrichment activities are held Monday through Friday with occasional special events on weekends.

Readings, Performances, and Discussions

Students attend productions through Pittsburgh’s world-class cultural scene to experience storytelling in its numerous forms and from varying perspectives. This includes readings and events with prominent local artists and authors, followed by discussion and analysis in a small group setting. These experiences broaden the way in which students read, understand, discuss, and produce written works and design elements.

Exploration and Investigation

During the program, students tour exhibits and permanent collections at Pittsburgh's many world-class museums.  They will also visit film locations and neighborhoods to explore the connection between words and visual settings. Considering Writing & Culture in a rich historical context across media, exploration often includes hands-on visits to the Carnegie Mellon Archives and Fine & Rare Book Rooms , as well as events that explore book arts, film and filmmaking, and visual storytelling.

Mentorship and Connections

Each student receives personal mentorship and discussion in a creative environment with distinguished faculty from Carnegie Mellon’s Department of English . Faculty include published creative writers, program directors, literary and cultural studies scholars, rhetoricians, and technologists at the cutting edge of digital humanities scholarship.

College and Career Pathways

From talking with current students to gaining insights into career paths in English and related cross-disciplines, students regularly encounter college-level professional development opportunities. They also access guidance on college application essays and resume writing from Carnegie Mellon’s Writing & Communication faculty, staff, and students. Upon completion of the program, students may request a recommendation letter and are inducted into a growing Pre-College Writing & Culture alumni network that provides continued support for future endeavors.

For questions related to the Pre-College Writing & Culture curriculum, please contact  Jeffrey Hinkelman.

Testimonials

Pre-College at CMU was one of the best experiences in my life. I was able to learn so much and create life-long bonds with many different people. I’ve gained independence and felt I’ve grown and matured into a new version of myself during the program. I will never forget these 6 weeks I spent at CMU. ~ Seena A., Writing & Culture 2022

Hear more from our students and parents   HERE !

Program Schedule

Students learn and engage through several classroom courses and extracurricular activities. While many concepts are fluid across Department of English programs, Pre-College Writing & Culture has been sectioned by specific correlated themes and techniques.

CLASSes & Workshops: UNCOVERING and COMPOSING YOUR STORIES

Creative writing across media.

Engaging in the craft of creative writing, students train their skills to connect individual writing to larger, significant messages, both personal and political. Topics are self-selected based on areas of personal interest and used to inspire poetic and short-form writing. Students have opportunities to learn and practice different presentation techniques for their works.

Film and Visual Media

With a focus on film, students sharpen cultural analysis, critical writing, and interpretive skills. Film is not just cameras, actors, and directors, but a team of artists, working together to bring to life stories which begin in written form. In this approach to studying film and visual media, students will engage in a variety of activities designed to develop skills connected to all aspects of visual media including performance, photography, and production design. In the final analysis, students will understand the ways in which multiple creative skills combine in an interdisciplinary way around film and culture.

Creating Your Own Future in Humanities

Humanities in pittsburgh, exploring & making around the city.

Each week, extracurricular activities occur to enrich students' experiences and expand cultural connections. Although events vary each year, some example activities include attending author readings, touring cultural sites, and engaging in other Pittsburgh-specific experiences and events. 

Eligibility & Application Requirements

Eligibility requirements.

Be at least 16 years old by the program start date.

Be a current sophomore or junior in high school at time of application submission.

Have an academic average of B (3.0/4.0) and/or have received a B or higher in their last English class.

Application Requirements

Completed online application

Unofficial transcript

Standardized test scores (optional)

One letter of recommendation

Responses to essay prompts

Portfolio of selected work that can include at least three samples, such as: videos, written works, or other artistic creations that are relevant to the program

Application Essay Prompts

Essays are required for the following prompts (300-500 words each):

• What do you hope to gain from participating in Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs?
• What kinds of media (film, books, etc.) do you enjoy most and why?
• Tell us about what kinds of work you have produced, whether in writing or across various kinds of media.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I earn college credit from this program?

No, Pre-College Writing & Culture students do not earn college credit. 

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Expanding Creative Horizons

How a cmu scholarship opened doors for an aspiring graphic novelist.

Zeja Z. Copes wears many hats — researcher, artist, writer, leader and thriving CMU scholar.

“My time here at CMU has pushed me forward as a critical thinker in ways I couldn’t have expected,” she says.

Zeja received the Ethel Murdock Kirk and Mary F. Murdock (A 1921) Scholarship, which paved the way for her to study  art  and  creative writing  at CMU. Without this support, Zeja says Carnegie Mellon would have been out of reach for her family.

“It’s hard to put into words just how important this scholarship has been to me,” Zeja says.

This year, Zeja also received a summer undergraduate research apprenticeship from CMU’s  Undergraduate Research Office . The program provided course credit for her to write and illustrate an original fantasy graphic novel set during the Cold War.

“Working on this project allowed me to bridge my art and creative writing practices,” she says. “My research advisor, Jeff Hinkelman, is an excellent resource and has granted me a lot of freedom and autonomy over the course of this project.”

Beyond her research project, Zeja has been expanding her creative horizons at CMU by studying art history for the first time and discovering a new love of oil painting.

Zeja takes her education one step further by engaging with programs that support other students, shaping their experience at CMU. She serves as a member of the Basic Needs Working Group, which established the  CMU Pantry  and is improving emergency aid practices at the university.

She’ll also be a mentor this fall for  Tartan Scholars , a new program that empowers high-achieving first-year students from low-income backgrounds to excel at CMU.

“I wish I’d had a program like this as a freshman transitioning to college,” she says. “I’m deeply excited to connect with incoming students and share my experience with them so they can be successful here, too.”

Selected for You

Make it possible.

English: Program - Creative Writing: Websites

• Background Information

Creative Writing Websites/Blogs

Scope: This collection of links provides access to resources that are published by individuals and or organizations within this discipline. However, this list is not intended to be a directory for academic departments. These can be found by searching online by the name of the academic institution and/or department. If you are unable to locate such listing, please feel free to email me .

• Creative Writing - a general site that offers tips, marketing ideas, and much more for creative writers.
• Creative Writing Contests - information about creative writing contests, literary magazines theme issues, writing residencies, etc.. 120,000 views since June 2006.
• Editorial Freelance Association - The free online freelancer directory offers clients instant access to the diverse assortment of highly skilled publishing professionals who make up EFA membership. The free EFA job listing service offers clients another way to find the right freelancer for the job. As a subscription service, it offers EFA members access to a wide variety of project opportunities.
• Narrative Magazine - A free online magazine that publishes first-rank fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It contains an online library of new literature by celebrated authors and by the best new and emerging writers.
• Writers' Resources on the Web
• << Previous: Books
• Last Updated: Jan 5, 2024 2:36 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.cmu.edu/Creative

• Request Info

Creative Writing

Crafting words, inspiring minds.

The Creative Writing major at Western New England University will combine your passion for writing and love of literature to help you hone your writing technique and critical thinking skills to that of a literary professional. You will have training in the art of writing within the context of aesthetics, the literary tradition, and a broad liberal arts education. The major offers a rigorous “apprenticeship” in creative writing, which will develop your understanding of literary forms and tropes, and providing the appropriate background in literary and intellectual history.

Why Choose Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an age-old tradition for self-expression and social commentary. By learning the difference between imitation and innovation by studying the works of great writers and literary techniques, you will increase your imaginative capacity and have the ability to tell stories that endure. Though a solitary art, much of the writing process involves workshopping and collaborating with other writers to obtain constructive feedback and response. Creative writing encompasses many genres and forms of artistic expression and truly captures the ideas and emotions to motivate our actions.

What Will You Study?

You will study the two most important paths in creative writing: reading good writing and writing your own work. Literary surveys in British and American Literature provide a knowledge base for the tradition to which you will contribute. Writing workshops will help you learn the craft and collaborate with other students to create quality works. These workshops highlight the genres of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

Explore More

Unique learning opportunities.

Internships and Field Work

As a Creative Writing student, you'll gain professional skills and experience through internships and writing prospects. These experiential learning opportunities will allow you to take a test drive of your future career in a practical setting. You'll have access to a network of more than 1,000 internship sites where you'll learn from the best. Creative Writing majors have interned with literary agents representing The Seymour Agency, the leading online publication for female entrepreneurs Lioness Magazine, and various small businesses where they have managed web content and social media.

Study Abroad: Become a Global Citizen

Today’s workforce needs professionals who see the big picture. The College of Arts and Sciences will help you to become a student of world cultures and histories as they relate to your studies while making valuable contributions in your explorations. Whether you participate in a faculty-led summer seminar course or spend a semester at an international university, the experience will broaden your horizons and help you compete in the global landscape.

Study Abroad

Career Opportunities

Clubs & organizations.

Creative Writing students may have interests in: Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society
, Tutoring at the Writing Center
,  The Review of Art and Literature  (literary magazine)
,  The Westerner  (the University newspaper)
, and  The Cupola  (yearbook)
. Many of our students also participate in varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, media and arts clubs, and student government.

Clubs and Organizations

Our faculty will guide you on the creative journey to finding and projecting your voice. Not only will they teach you the foundation of literature and writing, but they will also guide you as you learn the process of writing creative personal works. The full-time faculty represents a broad range of writing and literary expertise; they are published poets, critics, and nonfiction writers with years of experience in fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and poetry.

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