About

The Yale Young Writers’ Workshop (YYWW) is a one-week summer program designed for high-school students seeking a concentrated introduction to creative writing within a collegiate setting. Hosted by Yale University, the program offers both residential and online formats and provides structured, genre-specific instruction in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Participants work with published authors and experienced instructors who guide students through daily workshops, craft seminars, and structured writing time. Although short in duration, the program emphasizes serious engagement with writing craft and exposes students to the expectations of a university-level literary environment.

Admission to YYWW is selective and based primarily on the strength of a student’s writing. Applicants submit a writing sample aligned with their chosen genre, along with high-school transcripts and recommendation letters. While the program does not publish acceptance rates or cohort data, its writing-sample–based admissions structure and Yale affiliation contribute to a competitive applicant pool. Students accepted to the residential program must meet age and grade thresholds for on-campus participation, while the online track typically accommodates a broader range of students.

During the program, participants engage in a mix of workshop critique, independent writing time, instructor-led discussions on technique, and readings that illustrate key elements of craft. Workshops are small and interactive, enabling students to receive close feedback on their writing and to learn how to revise effectively. Visiting authors provide additional craft talks and Q&A sessions, offering insight into the writing process, publication, and the contemporary literary landscape. Residential students also take part in evening activities, informal readings, and community-building events on Yale’s campus.

YYWW stands out for its focused, high-intensity structure and for delivering meaningful craft instruction without the extended duration of multi-week programs. Its genre-specific approach, faculty involvement, and immersive workshop model make it a strong enrichment program for motivated young writers. While the workshop is not intended to function as a research or portfolio-development program, it offers a genuine writing workshop experience: making YYWW one of the top choices for high-schoolers eager to immerse themselves in this discipline.