Building a College List for Creative Writing/History Major [VA resident, 3.9 GPA, 1420+? SAT, <$50k]

College Search & Lists
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For creative writing: UVa, Pitt, Maryland, Bucknell, George Mason (though not on your list), Johns Hopkins and UPenn would be the best. UVa and JHU have storied programs, UMd and Pitt are excellent, UPenn for poetry. If you stretch to NYC, both NYU and Columbia have great programs, esp. Columbia. North of NYC, Bard College has one of the best CW programs in America and is not extremely rejective. To the south UNC and UNC-Wilmington have good programs. Wesleyan to the east.

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Bing is very residential (almost all students live on or after 1st year on or near campus).
It has a research program for Humanities/Social Science first year students, it’s by invitation but students are recommended to express interest beforehand.

As well as a more typical Honors program (by invitation)

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UNCW is a good one I missed. Just under six hours and under $50k b4 merit.

The rest, other than in state, won’t achieve the budget.

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Has he considered the University of Iowa? They have one of the best writing programs in the country.

My D24 did their summer workshop (Iowa Young Writer’s Studio) after her HS sophmore year. She had a great experience.

Their writing program is highly ranked and very well respected.

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@CFP He has not considered Iowa because of how far it is from home. I was hoping he would apply for their young writer’s workshop to get a feel for the school, but he didn’t - not sure why. I may have him look at it as I’ve heard they’re the best for writing in the country. Thank you!

@tsbna44 - we’ll look into UNCW, that’s great to know. Thanks!

@MYOS1634 - thanks for the info on Bing!

@wesbound25 - yes, we have George Mason (GMU) on our list. They have a BFA in Creative Writing. We will check out Bard, UNCW and Wesleyan! I told my son to keep options open (not limit in terms of distance from home). Thanks for the suggestions!

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William and Mary in-state really seems like the “bang for your buck” option here. Has he looked at their history pre-college program for high school students? Pre-College Program in American History | NIAHD | Arts & Sciences | William & Mary Might be worth applying if it wouldn’t conflict with the Kenyon thing.

In terms of safeties, Appalachian State is just barely in geographical range, and has a creative writing major… and this cool variant of the history major might dovetail nicely with writing, if it appeals to him: Appalachian State University / History (BS) - Applied and Public History Total OOS sticker price is under 40K, and there’s merit potential, and an Honors College. Worth a side-by-side comparison with JMU, IMO. (Both have great marching band programs fwiw!)

Affordability is going to be the sticking point with many/most of the otherwise-appropriate reaches. That said, admissions to the top VA publics can be dicey for NoVA kids. If he looks closely at W&M and finds a really good fit, an ED application may be worth considering. My NoVA nephew took that path (intended history major, but I think he ended up in poli sci) and is graduating this year, having had an excellent and affordable college experience.

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Wesleyan has no merit and Bard won’t hit. They have very little aid. They actually claim to only give need aid but their 2 year old CDS shows 11 merit awards at $21k.

When you are building a list for a budget, you need to build a list for a budget !!

Many of the suggestions coming in won’t work for a full pay family with budget.

To give credit where due UNCW came from @wesbound25.

Btw if you get wait list at UVA, you can go to Wise for a year and transfer in. Or simply go there.

One last - if the student likes urban, how about very creative and in state VCU. Has a minor. And an mfa so maybe you can take advanced classes.

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If you go northeast it will obviously be further than 4-6 hours from home but opens up lots of options.

Edited to remove redundant question- thanks @tsbna44

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Full pay family that wrote

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I might have missed a recommendation above, but if Kenyon is a possibility, then what about Oberlin? Strong in history and creative writing, and offers some merit. Conn College also offers merit, which could get you below $50k.

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Another LAC that will definitely give big merit - Washington College in Chestertown Maryland. It has a minor. It and Susquehanna are likely the two most aggressive suggested. But it doesn’t seem like an LAC would be the right fit given the like of Pitt and Va Tech. Muhlenberg is another - not sure if would go sub $50k.

Mid size and maybe too local - TCNJ has a minor.

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@aquapt He didn’t know about W&M’s history pre-college program. Thank you! Unfortunately, he’s unable to do it due to a schedule conflict. He toured W&M. He’s interested, but not ED interested, but we will see! I see your point about W&M being a good option. I will share that with him and hopefully he’ll reconsider ED-ing since that would give him a better chance of getting in. Will check out Appalachian State. Yes, too competitive here in NoVA!

@tsbna44 Too bad about Wesleyan and Bard! I heard about the UVA-Wise option. Thanks! Unfortunately, my son isn’t too crazy about VCU, but thanks! Yes, they have an MFA in Creative Writing!

@tweee That’s what I told him, but I think he’s considering one day bringing a car to college…

@Shelby_Balik yes, we have Oberlin on our list. Will look at Conn College. Thank you!

@tsbna44 Another forum recommended Washington College in MD. We will look into it since it’s relatively close to us. My son is open to considering LAC so we will see! I have not heard of Muhlenberg and TCNJ. Thanks for the suggestions again!

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Not a bad reason to want to stay close to home! Do keep in mind some schools do not allow freshmen to have cars on campus in case that is something he is interested in.

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34

Your son sounds like a goof fit for Kenyon but I’m also biased as an alum and current parent. They can be pretty generous with merit for the right student but it can be opaque upfront and he’ll only know after an acceptance.

Bucknell has a merit scholarship specifically for creative writing: Arts Merits Scholarships at Bucknell University.

I have heard great things about Oberlin’s creative writing program as well. Good luck to him.

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I think and maybe i’m wrong- you need to find these - I don’t want to call them third tier - but lower ranked LACs to get to cost - so Wooster, Allegheny, Washington.

I don’t see Oberlin, Kenyon or CC getting there - but perhaps I’m wrong.

You can always look at the CDS for each school to get an idea.

For example, Connecticut College H2A row N gave 206 merit scholarships, averaging $28K (row O) of 451 students Section H2 Row A.

It’s $85,800 tuition, room and board - so it’s unlikely to make budget - but I suppose not impossible. As long as you have a Mary Washington or something (an assured to meet cost), then you can take a chance - but no up front it’s unlikely.

Oberlin gave 393 of 778 so about half - $23K. They’re $86,876 so it’s highly unlikely - again, you can use a hail mary app - but it’s highly unlikely.

I can’t imagine you have a chance but you’d be more likely to hit budget at Wash & Lee if you could win the Johnson Scholarship (full ride). I don’t see it but…

But when you look at a school like Washington College - it’s not as “esteemed” as those above but they gave 46 of 230 kids $37K. Direct costs are $74K - so you have a shot of getting under $40K.

Allegheny on average $33K. Cost is $72,360.

Wooster - those who get merit average $39K. COA is $79,560.

So the reality is - if you want an LAC, you need to look downward.

You can take your shot at an Oberlin or Kenyon and you never know, but you’d have to assume it’s a no. As long as you have an “assured” to barbell it with.

For instance, UMW is $30,440 tuition room and board. Merit is $8K - so you are low 20s.

And if you’re going to say, we can spend $50K - but low $20s - that’s going to win out - that you can really limit yourself to instate publics and a W&L hail mary.

There’s a way to pursue merit - and others can disagree - but I don’t see some of these big names as realistic.

But - you can only attend one - so it’s ok to take those chances with an assured to counter it.

But I do think you need to set your sights lower in the LAC ranks.

Wash & Jefferson outside Pittsburgh has the major. Full price is only $45K. Those who get merit is $14K.

York in PA has a minor - it’s $40K - and merit. It has merit - but no CDS. So you’ll be below $40K.

Roanoke College has the major. It’s costs is $55,036. It looks like you’d get $21K off on the 4.0. So that puts you mid 30s.

So - to hunt for merit - I personally think you need to change gears a bit.

But you really have to decide too - am I willing to take a “lesser ranked” school to go way under $50K - a UMW, CNU, Roanoke…or am I willing to go to $50K or even more??

You can apply to all - but if you know the answer up front, you can reduce your application footprint - or make your effort more effective. It’s nothing worse than getting into schools you can’t afford - and that’s what will happen with the names being bandied about.

Maybe they have a scintilla of a chance - but that’s it. IMHO of course.

Good luck.

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I don’t remember for sure (it’s been two years), but I’m pretty sure that D23 was offered a merit scholarship of $35k at Conn College. I could be wrong, but I do recall it was the second highest merit award she was offered (behind Sarah Lawrence). I don’t know if those offers have changed. But it’s possible, if these amounts have held, to get costs very close to $50k.

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Yep, that’s why I say - it’s possible - but highly unlikely - mainly to say - don’t load your roster with these - maybe take a flyer or two.

Sarah Lawrence - were they mentioned? That’s a good one. $89,546. $29K on average.

So not a good bet - but again, not impossible maybe based on what you say.

But personally, I’d focus on those that hit the #s on the average.

But first I’d determine - if I can do low 20s at solid state schools - will that win out? Because if so - it can be an easy search for OP.

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I’ve been out and about all day, but I saw the tag and wanted to respond before heading to bed.

You’ve gotten lots of good advice already. Additionally, Virginia has some awesome public colleges. It may very well be a challenge to beat them in terms of a value proposition.

With a budget of up to $50k and not qualifying for need-based aid, eliminate CMU, JHU, UPenn, and Cornell.

With your son coming from NoVa, I would talk to the counselors and look at Scoir/Naviance if your school has it in terms of chancing, but especially for UVA and William & Mary. The fact that your son is interested in creative writing and history is probably a boost to his chances (vs. engineering, business, etc).

Extremely Likely (80-99+%)

  • James Madison

  • George Mason

  • Susquehanna

  • U. of Delaware

Likely (60-79%)

  • George Washington (if he shows demonstrated interest)

  • Penn State

  • Pitt

  • Virginia Tech (with his majors)

Toss-Up (40-59%)

  • Kenyon (with the acceptance to the summer program)

  • U. of Maryland

Lower Probability (20-39%)

  • Bucknell

  • Lehigh

  • William & Mary

Low Probability (less than 20%)

  • UVA

  • U. of Richmond

Below are some of my opinions, based on some of my observations of merit aid being given out and on their CDS or similar data.

In terms of the out-of-state public schools, UMD, Pitt, PSU are probably going to be pretty close to their sticker prices, or have very modest merit aid. It’s up to him how many applications that are likely to be over the maximum budget or that might just sneak within budget with merit aid.

In terms of the private schools in the lower and low probability categories, it is possible but pretty unlikely that those schools will come into budget. Ditto with George Washington.

Below are some schools that your son may want to consider, some of which of which have already been mentioned. They have popular majors in his areas of interest, and I suspect that the vast majority of these schools will be under budget after merit aid. They are sorted by my guesses as to his chances for admission and the distance given is from Fairfax, VA (random NOVA location):

Extremely Likely

  • Christopher Newport (VA): About 4400 undergrads; 2h31m

  • Ithaca (NY): About 4400 undergrads; 5h38m. Students can also cross-register at Cornell.

  • Loyola Maryland: About 4k undergrads, 1h1m; part of the Baltimore Collegetown consortium which allows students to take classes at other schools like Johns Hopkins, Goucher, etc.

  • Ohio U.: About 19k undergrads; 5h42m

  • Siena (NY): About 3500 undergrads; 5h52m

  • SUNY Purchase: About 3200 undergrads; 4h14m

  • U. of Mary Washington (VA): About 3600 undergrads; 53m

  • UNC-Wilmington: About 14k undergrads; 5h18m

Likely

  • Gettysburg (PA ): About 2200 undergrads; 1h25m

  • Rutgers (NJ): About 36, undergrads; 3h16m

  • SUNY New Paltz: About 6500 undergrads; 4h51m

  • The College of New Jersey: About 7100 undergrads; 2h58m

Toss-Up

  • Binghamton: About 14k undergrads; 4h57m

Lower Probability

  • Franklin & Marshall (PA ): About 1900 undergrads; 2h13m

  • Oberlin (OH): About 3k undergrads; 6h7m

Low Probability

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I would definitely apply to Kenyon and Oberlin and see how financial aid plays out. Unless you’re super rich, still apply for need-based aid and fill out the FAFSA and the CSS profile. Kenyon was more generous to us than we expected, given our income. Btw, my daughter was a History major at Kenyon (graduated last year), so feel free to pm me with questions. She had an amazing time there. She also loved the History program at Oberlin when we visited. Macalester was another favorite among her acceptances.

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@AustenNut WOW. I so appreciate this so much! Thank you for the detailed insight into this crazy college search process!! Based on your suggestions, we’ve added some, deleted some.

I didn’t share much in terms of our financial situation, but we did qualify for needs-based aid for Pitt for our middle kid. Not sure if that changes the probabilities you listed above. Thank you!

@tsbna44 @Shelby_Balik Sarah Lawrence was not mentioned so we’ll look into that!

@tsbna44 What do you mean if we can “do low 20s at solid state schools?”

I didn’t share this but we did qualify for need based aid at Pitt for our middle kid, bringing the cost down a bit - not a lot, but it met our financial need.

Thanks for sharing about looking into CDS for each school and for giving an example on how to look for the # of merit scholarships awarded! I appreciate that!

I will have to tell my son to add a “hail mary column” to his list! But I understand what you are saying regarding Oberlin. Thank you!

I understand everything you posted. It makes so much sense! (regarding looking at lower LACs to hit our $50K goal or to go for the more mid-rank schools and spend just a bit more). This will be a conversation we would need to have with our son. So thank you SO MUCH!!

@adogwillbesad Getting into Kenyon’s Young Writers Workshop did pique his interest and is considering Kenyon! Thank you for sharing Bucknell’s merit scholarship for writing! I will share that with him!

What is your student majoring at Kenyon?

@Motherprof Thank you! I think my son will go for Kenyon and Oberlin and see how it plays out! We are not super rich (I wish! haha!). We qualified for a need-based aid for Pitt for my middle son - it wasn’t much, but it helped!

That’s great to hear that Kenyon was generous to you! I will PM you with questions! My son wants to double major in History and English/Creative Writing! Thank you!

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