Major in Creative Writing and English

Admission to the selective Creative Writing and English major is by application, normally made after the beginning of a student’s 4th semester; Engl 4220, the senior thesis, may be completed in either the 7th or the 8th semester. To apply, submit a one-page statement of interest and a writing sample (10-15 pp. of poetry, 15-20 pp. of prose fiction or playwriting) by the annually-announced deadline (typically, near the end of February); also, arrange for two letters of recommendation (normally from instructors in the GW Creative Writing program).

This 39-hour major combines the 24 hours of required specific-category courses of the regular English major (as well as the major's foreign language requirement) with 15 hours in Creative Writing at the 2000 level or above, in addition to a Senior Thesis (Engl 4220, a project involving the completion of a manuscript of poetry or fiction under the close supervision of a member of the full-time creative writing staff). All majors must take at least one course in fiction, and one in poetry, at the 2000 level. Admission to the major, restricted to a small number of students, is determined before the senior year, typically in the second semester of a student’s sophomore year. Students interested in applying for this major should speak with the Acting Director of Creative Writing, Professor Lisa Page, at their earliest opportunity.

Students interested in this program should probably declare an English major and a Creative Writing minor, hoping to gain entry into the combined major during their sophomore year.