The Ursinus College Creative Writing Award is a $40,000 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.  Visit the Ursinus Creative Writing department page.  Many winners and finalists go on to be published in The Lantern and other literary magazines.
 

How to Apply

1. Students must apply to the College Early Action by November 1, 2021 or Early Decision I by December 1, 2021.
2. Complete the short Creative Writing Award application and submit no more than 10 (double spaced) pages of creative writing by January 9, 2022. We accept creative work in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or some combination of genres.
3. To apply students will login with the username and password sent to them upon application submission to Ursinus. Please check the email address associated with your application.
4. Interviews will be held on-campus on February 12, 2022.

What Are the Criteria?

Submit a portfolio of no more than 10 (double spaced) pages of creative work in fiction, poetry, or some combination of genres. Candidates must achieve admission to Ursinus. Standardized test scores are not required for most Ursinus applicants. The winner will be chosen by a committee of past winners, finalists, and faculty.

What Are the Terms of the Scholarship?

1. A $40,000 scholarship, renewable all four years;
2. The opportunity to occupy during her or his first academic year the residence room where J. D. Salinger lived; and
3. Leadership standing in the Ursinus writing community.

The winner will be expected to join the previous award winners in reading subsequent creative portfolios, and will help the Office of Admission in selecting the next winner. Award winners are also expected to be prominent members of Ursinus’ Literary Society, the Lantern, and creative writing community.