English - Creative Writing
College of Arts & Sciences
The English Creative Writing concentration prepares students not only to be more effective communicators and artists, but also creative problem solvers and more nuanced critical thinkers. By situating small, student-oriented writing workshops alongside literary models, creative writing classes enhance the broader study of literature and critical theory, helping students gain a greater understanding of the social and cultural forces informing their work. A student completing the program is more able to situate themselves in a larger aesthetic and social context and make more meaningful, informed decisions about their own artistic practice. In addition, through the intense practice of creative writing, students are able to see the world more clearly, in a more nuanced and meaningful manner, and apply these skills to a wide variety of work and life situations.
Major category:
Minor available
Curricular options: Creative Writing
Area(s) of interest: Arts, Humanities and Design
websiteDegree requirements
Applicant type
First-year students can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
An application for general admission to the UW is required for all transfer students. UW accepts general applications for Autumn and Winter with some select majors allowing applications in Spring. Review your intended major’s website for information about which quarters it is open for admission.
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
Use the information below to help you prepare for this major. Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses REQUIRED for admission:
Creative Writing option
- Admission to the English major
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all English coursework
- Minimum 2.0 GPA in ENGL 202
- ENGL 283 (beginning verse) and ENGL 284 (beginning short story) or transfer equivalents.
- Submission of an unofficial transcript and a writing sample of 3–5 poems and 5–10 pages of fiction (preferably a complete story) to the Creative Writing office (B-25 Padelford) during the first three weeks of autumn and spring quarters.
Courses RECOMMENDED for admission:
ENGL 202 is usually taken after transfer to the UW. Spaces are reserved for new transfer students in autumn, winter and spring in this pair of courses.
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 56
Total from Washington community colleges: 10
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 5
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5