Institute I: July 5-9, Mon-Fri
Institute II: July 11-15, Sun-Thurs

View Summer Institutes Video >>>

View Institute Brochure >>>

Application Deadline: April 16, 2010
We will begin accepting applications January 4, 2010.

Program
Alfred University welcomes high school students to our beautiful campus each summer to take part in our popular Creative Writing Institutes.

• Each institute provides an introduction to a variety of genres: poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, and drama.
• In morning and afternoon sessions, students participate in writing intensive exercises designed to address the elements of craft: voice, character, image, scene, and setting.
• Students will have an opportunity to participate in workshop sessions in which they will read and discuss each other’s work with an eye towards revision.
• Students will also read and discuss the work of established authors, investigating the strategies they use to craft their poetry and prose. Discussions are lively, and students will have an opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty.

Who Can Attend?
These dynamic institutes are for students entering grades 10-12 who love to write and want to learn new ways to improve their writing skills with others who share their passion!

Schedule
Students attend classes during the day and enjoy recreational activities in the evening. View a sample weekly schedule >>> Further information, including a detailed program schedule and driving directions to campus, will be sent to all students upon acceptance.

Faculty
Dr. Susan Morehouse, AU professor of English and Chair of the AU English Department, is Director of the Summer Creative Writing Institutes. Mr. Rahul Mehta, AU Lecturer in English, serves as Co-Director.

Activities
When not in class, students have lots of fun participating in recreational activities. Living, dining and learning together, students have ample opportunity to get to know each other well and develop lasting friendships. Sample activities include:

• indoor and outdoor games
• movies
• visits to a nearby lake for picnics and campfires
• swimming
• hikes
• social gatherings at the Terra Cotta Coffee House
• farewell party on the last night

Supervision
When institute participants are not in class, they are supervised by specially-trained Resident Directors (RDs) and Resident Assistants (RAs) who serve as camp counselors, positive role models, mentors and friends.

Tuition, Room and Board
Participants will arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. for registration on the first day and leave after lunch on the last day. The institute fee is $795* (includes a non-refundable $100 deposit). This covers tuition, supervision, program materials, recreational activities, room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day. Students stay in residence halls (2 per room). Students must provide their own pillows, blankets and bed/bath linens for the week (bed linens must fit the extra-long twin residence hall beds). Meals are served in the campus dining hall.

The $100 deposit must be submitted with the application. Full payment of the balance ($695) is due May 28, 2010.

Each participant is responsible for transportation, incidentals and extra nights or meals. If, for any reason, a participant must be sent home early, all expenses will be paid by the student/parents.

*There will be a $30 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds.

Financial Aid
Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available for campers in any of our summer programs.

How to Apply
Students who wish to apply must return:

• a completed application form
• copy of an up-to-date transcript (to January 2010) or most recent report card
• two letters of recommendation from teachers (on official school stationery)
• a one-page essay telling us why you would like to attend this institute (in your own words, with your signature at the bottom)
• two samples of your creative writing (not longer than 4 pages each - can be excerpts from longer works)
• a $100 deposit (non-refundable unless student is not accepted into the program).

Application materials should be submitted by April 16, 2010. (Later applications will be considered only if space is available.)

Send to: Office of Summer Programs, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 or fax to 607.871.2045. (Send all items in one packet. Incomplete or illegible applications cannot be considered.)

Acceptance
The Institute Admissions Committee will evaluate all applications and determine which students will be accepted. Acceptance and non-acceptance letters will be mailed by within 2 weeks of the deadline. Students requiring an earlier decision should include a note with the application form indicating the date by which they need to be notified. (If a student is not accepted the $100 deposit will be refunded.)

Accepted students will receive, along with the acceptance letter, additional materials including medical forms, liability releases, emergency notification forms, etc. These materials must be filled out as soon as possible and must be back in our hands by the deadline indicated in the acceptance letter. Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. (If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.)

Cancellation Policy
Refunds, less the $100 non-refundable deposit, will be made for cancellations received by June 4. 50% refunds will be made for cancellations received from June 5-25. We cannot make refunds to students who cancel after June 25 because we must hire staff, purchase materials, arrange for meals and confirm classroom and housing space long before the start of our summer programs. We base all of these arrangements on the number of students accepted into each camp or institute and cannot make changes after contracts are signed and commitments are made.

Questions?
For further general information contact the Office of Summer Programs via email or by calling us at 607.871.2612. A copy of the institute application is available in pdf form at application. If you are not able to open it, please contact us and we will send or fax one to you.

For specific information concerning class content please contact Dr. Susan Morehouse at 607.871.2173 (email), or Mr. Rahul Mehta at 607.871.2267 (email).

Comments from Past Participants:
"It was THE BEST week of my life. I still keep in touch with everyone I met there, and hope to come back next summer. The classes were excellent, and the whole experience was just unforgettable. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart." - Liz S., Ashley, OH

"I think it was the perfect environment for learning. We had the perfect balance of instruction and freedom. Our classes were "laid back" enough to feel comfortable, but professional too, so we were able to learn to write to our full potential. I loved creating my character and hearing other people's ideas and writing. I also enjoyed (and will remember) the tips and advice I got from my teachers!"- Alexandra R., Scranton, PA

"The teachers were great! The classes were interesting and educational. The best thing about the institute was the experience of being at college!" - Bethany Z., Boscawen, NH

"The classes were wonderful. I not only gained some interesting perspectives on writing, but great little tidbits about life too." - Adam I., Rye, NH

"The campus is beautiful and the atmosphere is lovely. I learned a lot and was able to broaden my creative writing skills considerably. I feel good that I chose to come - it was definitely worth it. I made new friends and learned so much." - Colleen T., Rock Hill, NY

"It was not only a good pre-college experience and a place to learn more about what I love to do, but I made so many friends, and had one of the best weeks of my life! Thanks so much!" -Emily T., Hornell, NY

About Alfred
Alfred University is located in the safe, peaceful village of Alfred in Western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about your favorite subject and meeting other students who share your passion for writing!

The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is located just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 miles north). Transportation to and from the airport can be provided for an additional charge if we receive your request by the date indicated in your acceptance letter. After that date students must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.

To read or print documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free.

Program Cancellation: The University may cancel any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.