Ursinus College Creative Writing Award
The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award is a $30,000 per year major scholarship for creative writers of outstanding originality and potential. The award winner will have the honor of living in the dorm room once occupied by J.D. Salinger, who attended Ursinus. In the spirit of Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye, we are looking for an unusual perspective, for quirky brilliance, for a voice, not necessarily the kind that can be measured by conventional standards. Mr. Salinger never graduated, but we like to think that if his genius had been recognized with an award like this, he might have.
How to apply
Complete the short Creative Writing Award application form and submit no more than 10 (double spaced) pages of creative writing by January 15. We accept creative work in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or some combination of genres. Submit your portfolio via US Mail or by sending as an attachment to admission@ursinus.edu. The winner of this award will be notified in late February.
What are the criteria for selection?
The major factor is a portfolio of no more than 10 (double spaced) pages of creative work in fiction, poetry, or some combination of genres. While grades and class rank are less important, we will still be looking for marks of academic achievement. Candidates should be comfortably able to achieve admission to Ursinus--that is, they should minimally rank around the top 25% in their class, or own at least a "B" average. The average SAT score (math plus critical reading) at Ursinus is 1,245.
What are the terms of the scholarship?
The annual winner of the Creative Writing Award will receive: 1) a $30,000 scholarship, renewable all four years; 2) the opportunity to occupy during his or her first academic year the residence room where J. D. Salinger lived; and 3) preferred standing of candidacy to be a Summer Fellow; that is, to pursue an independent creative writing project with a member of the creative writing faculty for eight weeks, usually June and July. Summer Fellows receive compensation as well as free room and board, and they satisfy the Independent Learning Experience requirement at Ursinus.
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