Iowa Young Writers' Studio Residential Program

The Iowa Young Writers' Studio Summer Residential Program is a two-week creative writing camp run by the University of Iowa for high school students in 10th, 11th or 12th grade. Students live on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa, for the length of their session. The 2027 program offers two sessions: June 13 to 26, 2027, and July 11 to 24, 2027. Each student focuses on a single core course for the full two weeks, choosing from fiction, poetry, creative writing, TV writing or playwriting. Instructors are graduates of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and of University of Iowa MFA programs in playwriting and nonfiction. In class, students share drafts, get feedback from teachers and peers, and complete writing exercises. Outside class, the schedule includes readings by published authors, craft workshops, group projects, open mics and social events. The 2027 cost is $2,500 per session, which covers housing, meals, instruction and activities. Need-based financial aid is available, including several full and partial tuition grants each year.

Open to students currently in 10th, 11th or 12th grade. Students from outside the United States are welcome to apply. To apply, students submit a writing sample, a statement of purpose and a letter of recommendation through Submittable, along with a $10 reading fee that can be waived. The 2027 application window runs from January 25 to February 7, 2027.