The 2025 Application will be available in December 

Please read this entire page for instructions on how to apply before continuing on to the online application

Institute Dates: June 22 – July 19, 2025

Application Review and Deadlines: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as sections close out quickly; a waiting list for entrance to the program will be established and maintained.  The deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 15 and applicants will be notified of their awards on or before April 1.

Applicants who are not seeking financial assistance will be required to submit:

• A $60 (non-refundable) application fee.
• A brief letter indicating which genre you are applying for (Fiction, Non-Fiction or Poetry) and your relevant background (degrees, previous workshop experience, publications, work experience, etc.).
• A writing sample of 5-20 pages of your best writing if you are applying for Fiction or Non-Fiction or 2-3 poems if you are applying for Poetry.

• A copy of your current transcript if you are a non-matriculated student applying for credit.

• A $40 (non-refundable) application fee.
• A brief letter indicating which genre you are applying for (Fiction, Non-Fiction or Poetry) and your educational background (year in school, what school, studying with whom, etc.).
• A writing sample of 15-25 pages of your best writing if you are applying for Fiction or Non-Fiction or 3-5 poems if you are applying for Poetry.

• A copy of your current transcript if you are a non-matriculated student applying for credit.

FORMATTING WRITING SAMPLES:

• The file name must have your full name and description (JohnSmithwritingstatement.pdf)
• Your full name must be on the first page of the document.
• The document must be 12 pt. type, have one-inch margins, include page numbers and prose must be double-spaced.
• Accepted document types: .DOC, .DOCX, PDF, .TXT

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please make sure you have your documents ready and in the correct format prior to starting the online application process. Once you start your application, you will need to complete it in its entirety. The system will not allow you to make changes once the application has been submitted. If you close the browser, you will lose all of your information. The application will time out after 20 minutes.

International Students:
In accordance with U.S. Federal regulations, all non-U.S. Citizens must have a student visa to study in the United States. You may not attend Skidmore on a tourist visa. If you are an international student applying to the summer program please view International Student Visa Info.

APPLY

It can be hard as an unpublished writer to declare oneself a writer. There’s always the thought, should I say I’m writing a novel or taking writing classes? It was nice to be here with others who wanted to get better at craft and talk about all of the ways we’re going about it without feeling judged.

            -2019 Participant

Thomas Chatterton Williams and John McWhorter discussion, photo by Jim McLaughlin