By Laurie Epps
Choosing a college program is a daunting task for anyone, and with the recent surge of interest in Mathematics and Science degrees you may think that writing positions are obsolete. But yet, someone is writing all the media mail trying to attract you to these colleges, and someone writes the textbooks you are reading.... Surely, somewhere out there is a college waiting to be discovered. Where do you start? Look down at the keyboard, the answers are out there, just start typing.
Choosing a college program is a daunting task for anyone, and with the recent surge of interest in Mathematics and Science degrees you may think that writing positions are obsolete. But yet, someone is writing all the media mail trying to attract you to these colleges, and someone writes the textbooks you are reading.... Surely, somewhere out there is a college waiting to be discovered. Where do you start? Look down at the keyboard, the answers are out there, just start typing.
Scenario 1. You've written most of your life, and you want to get your writing to the next level. You're in a support group, and maybe you've attended a few writers conferences. But you want to kick it up a notch, and the writing jobs you've inquired about require a degree. But how do you start? How do you find a good writing program?
Scenario 2. Your high school student has been looking at colleges. Perhaps they had some moments you doubted they would even go. But now they are here before you, and telling you that they dream of being a writer. While it isn't a requirement that you hold a degree to be a writer, it does give you a head start next to your peers without one.
The First Steps to Finding a Reputable Writing Program
1. Preliminary research. Everyone knows how to use Google. It can be a great starting point. Writers are a narcissistic lot. We write about ourselves, so much so, that is seems to be our favorite topic. There are some great articles out there waiting to be discovered. Here are a couple of links to my favorites:
**Please Note: I am not recommending a link from a specific college, of course they will advocate their particular program.
2. Preview the program. This is two part process. Check the school website and email the admissions office. Most professors will also answer any inquiries you may have via email. Once you know you like the general look of the program, look to attend a preview day or make an appointment to tour the campus. Many times a professor from your department will agree to see you. See how it feels to be there. I am a firm believer in going with your gut instincts. Find a good fit for you.
3. Apply. The most obvious but most unforgotten step. Select between three to five programs, and apply. Within the selected programs, have your own personal rating scale. As the acceptance letters roll in, don't forget to compare it to your personal list. Then you will be on your way to the halls of academia. Good luck.
Laurie Epps is a non-fiction author,
essayist, and poet living in Anderson, South Carolina. A seeker of beauty, her
is dream is to travel the world one day and tell their many stories. To read
more of Laurie's stories visit her Thoughtful Thursday column dedicated to the
art of Poetry at: http://1writerlaurieepps.blogspot.com
Some very important things to consider when you are choosing a school. When I was looking at Catholic colleges in PA I made sure I looked through all of their curriculum first
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