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Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Overview
A two-week residential or online creative writing program for high school students (grades 9–12) offering fiction and poetry instruction, craft sessions, and participant readings. The program is competitive and offers merit-based scholarships to approximately 30% of participants annually.
At a glance
Deadline
Mar 16125 days
Sessions
Jul–Aug2 wk sessions
Formats
Residential / Online
Location
Amherst, MA
Cost
$3,000–$6,999from $5,200
Entering grades
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Acceptance
Competitive admission; limited spots available
Application requirements
Writing Sample
3–5 pages of fiction (double-spaced) or poetry (up to 5 pages total) in creative work only; no essays or playwriting; saved in doc, docx, pdf, rtf, or txt format with name and email in header/footer
Writer's Statement
300–500 words describing current writing projects, goals, identities that inform work, and what writing community means to applicant
Recommendation Letter
One letter from teacher, educational consultant, professional tutor, or guidance counselor (due within 7 days of application; required for application completeness)
Cost & sessions
Full tuition not stated. $500 non-refundable deposit required within two weeks of enrollment for residential program (waived for full-scholarship awardees). Full balance due by June 30. Online program requires non-refundable enrollment deposit (amount unspecified; waived for full-scholarship awardees).
Financial aid
Scholarships available; approximately 30% of participants attend with funding annually. Several full scholarships offered for both two-week residential and online programs. Award based on strength and promise of application (no financial information requested). BIPOC and writers of marginalized groups especially encouraged to apply for funding.
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