About

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio (IYWS) is arguably the single most prestigious creative writing program for high school students. Founded in 1999, IYWS is hosted by the University of Iowa—whose Iowa Writers’ Workshop is the most storied MFA creative writing program in the country. IYWS runs two-week summer sessions that immerse students in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, or hybrid forms. Tuition is about $2,500, with need-based financial aid available, and students spend their days in Iowa City, which has been a creative writing hub since the MFA program was founded in the 1930’s.

In keeping with its reputation IYWS is highly selective. While it does not publish acceptance numbers, the program notes that it receives far more applications than it can admit, and acceptance is believed to be in the 15–20% range. Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors and submit transcripts, recommendations, personal essays, and a substantive writing portfolio. Admissions hinge heavily on the strength and originality of the applicant’s creative work rather than on GPA or test scores.

Students live on the University of Iowa campus and join intensive writing workshops led by published authors and experienced instructors. Workshops focus on close reading, intensive drafting, and peer critique, with students expected to produce significant new writing during the two weeks. The program also includes craft seminars, visiting author readings, open mics, and community writing sessions. IYWS is deliberately immersive—students spend nearly all day in the company of fellow writers, mentors, and faculty, with evenings often filled with reading and writing activities.

Because of its connection to the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, IYWS has an unusually strong reputation in both literary and admissions circles. Alumni often continue into creative writing at selective colleges, and admissions officers recognize the Iowa name as shorthand for literary seriousness. While shorter in length than some STEM research programs, IYWS is considered a top credential in creative writing for high school students.