Barnard Pre-College Program – Young Writers Institute

The Writing and Literature track encourages writers to find their voice and share it with the world. Students will spend their mornings learning from Barnard instructors in courses such as Screenwriting, Dystopia in the Margins, and Poetry, on the same campus where writers like Greta Gerwig, Zora Neale Hurson, Jhumpa Lahiri got their start. Afternoons will be spent in intensives focused on developing a writing portfolio, getting published, and careers for writers.

This track is residential with the option of commuting. Classes take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 AM- 12:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:00- 4:30 PM EST. Enrichment and student life activities will be held in both the early day and evening time frames (10am EST- 8pm EST)

​

Course offerings include:

• Screenwriting: The Short Form
• Writing Harlem: Identity, Image, and Ideology in the Capital of Black America
• Dystopia in the Margins
• The Arguments in Your Head: Playwriting Workshop
• Poetry on Page and Stage: Spoken Word Poetics
• Citizen Sleuth: Writing Compelling True Crime Stories from New York City Cases

​

All classes and workshops are hosted in person. However, our instructors have worked to create robust lessons that utilize various technology capabilities and platforms such as Zoom, Twine, Canva, and even apps developed by our professors! 

Successful applicants are:

• Completing academically rigorous coursework and maintaining strong grades
• Well rounded: able to excel in the classroom and in extra-curriculars, volunteer positions, after school jobs, community engagement, etc. 
• Ready to learn and grow in a community of diverse young women! 
• Enrolled in a robust courseload (AP classes in area of interest and/or enrollment in an IB program)
• Demonstrate strong competency in the area of study they are choosing to apply to
• At least 14 years old at the start of the program

​

• April 15

• Online Application Form
• Unofficial High School Transcript
• List of Extracurricular Activities
• Recommendations 
• 500-Word Statement of Purpose
• Application Fee

• Applicants should receive a decision within 15 business days of the office receiving a completed application.

The program is able to provide a limited amount of need-based financial aid to students. The aid is need based ONLY, and international students are not eligible for financial aid.

​

To be considered for financial aid, students must submit the required financial aid application and documents along with their Pre-College Program Application. Financial aid applications, like program applications, are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible if they wish to apply for financial aid. After a student is accepted to the program, they will receive a follow up email letting them know whether or not we are able to award them aid. Students who receive aid will receive a voucher code to reduce their tuition at the time of registration.

​

Financial Aid Application Requirements:

• Financial Aid Form 
• 2021 Parent/Guardian Tax Returns
• 2021 Parent/Guardian W2s
• A brief letter explaining any major family financial changes in 2022 (optional) 

• Applications open in December, and the application fee is waived for applications submitted before the priority deadline in Mid-February