Application deadline
15 May 2026
General Brown Pre-College deadline; course enrollment is separate.
In-person Program
Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between
An experimental art and creative writing course combining words and images, with daily making, library visits, personal feedback, and a final portfolio.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Beyond the Book at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Students completing grades 9-12
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Cost
$8,372; $6,416
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person
ArtCreative WritingLiterature
Accommodation: Single, double, or triple rooms
Meals: Residential: three daily; commuter: one
Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
Campus experience: Library visits; workshops; campus activities
Tutors / faculty: Molly Schaeffer
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:20 a.m.; 2-3 hours homework
Academic credit: Non-credit
Beyond the Book summary
Brown's course treats writing and visual art as materials to combine, reshape, and experiment with. Graphic novels, illustrated essays, zines, and artist books provide starting points.
You make creative work daily, visit local collections, and develop a final portfolio and an unconventional book. It suits students who want to explore across genres rather than perfect one familiar technique.
What is Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between?
Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between is a Brown University Pre-College course exploring the relationship between writing and visual art. Students study graphic novels, illustrated essays, zines, and artist books while creating their own cross-genre work.
Discussion, small-group work, daily exercises, and visits to local collections connect creative practice with direct observation. Short readings lead to creative responses, a final portfolio, and a self-designed book that can take forms such as a website, map, or box of stories and objects.
Why Succeed highlights Beyond the Book
Daily making connects the study of experimental books with students' own original work.
Visits to three named collections give students concrete material to observe and respond to.
Flexible visual approaches, including collage and found images, make experimentation accessible beyond drawing.
A portfolio and self-designed book provide tangible work to revisit after the course.
Personal feedback and creative-process exercises support habits students can continue independently.
Who is Beyond the Book for?
Best for
Students curious about combining writing and images who enjoy experimenting, discussing ideas, and developing original work.
Not ideal if
You want a single-medium technical course or prefer working entirely alone; collaboration and unfamiliar formats are central.
Is Beyond the Book worth it?
The strongest reason to choose this course is the combination of sustained creative practice, personal feedback, and access to local collections. Students who want to connect literary and visual interests can leave with original work and practical ways to restart their creative process.
Its value depends on whether that exploratory approach fits your goals and family budget. It is non-credit, and Brown explicitly separates Pre-College participation from undergraduate recruitment, so the creative experience should justify the decision on its own.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$8,372; $6,416; includes One three-week on-campus course., Residential option: housing and three meals daily., Commuter option: one on-campus meal daily., Fitness, athletic, and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions..
Accommodation
Single, double, or triple rooms
Meals
Residential: three daily; commuter: one
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Beyond the Book need?
Effort level
High during the course.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before a published application deadline for the essay, academic records, and any language testing.
Main challenge
Making work consistently while trying unfamiliar forms and managing your own time.
Typical preparation
Draft your application essay around a specific academic curiosity or learning experience.
Gather current and previous academic-year grades, and arrange applicable English proficiency testing early.
Try a short word-and-image experiment to identify what you enjoy and what challenges you.
Review course-material instructions two weeks before arrival and agree on a family communication plan.
Useful if
You want to build a sustainable creative practice across writing and visual art.
What do students do on Beyond the Book?
You gather inspiration from experimental books and local collections, then turn it into original writing and visual work. Discussion, collaboration, and personal feedback help you develop a portfolio and your own interpretation of a book.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore graphic novels, illustrated essays, zines, artist books, poetry, and prose.
- 2
Visit RISD special collections, John Hay Library, and the Providence Athenaeum.
- 3
Complete generative exercises and creative responses to short readings.
- 4
Discuss creative practice and collaborate in small groups.
- 5
Develop a final portfolio and an experimental book in a form you choose.
Beyond the Book dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
6-24 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
Brown Pre-College application cycle.
Final admissions decisions
22 May 2026
Final decisions sent to applicants.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 15 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 6-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final admissions decisions | 22 May 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Complete grades 9-12; ages 14-18 by 14 June 2026.
Be open-minded and willing to experiment creatively.
Participate in discussion and class collaboration.
No prior artistic talents or knowledge required.
Have strong English language proficiency.
Gain Brown Pre-College admission and enroll separately.
Meet required immunization requirements for in-person participation.
How much does Beyond the Book cost?
Residential program fee
$8,372 — 2026 total for one three-week course with housing and meals.
Funding or discounts
- Commuter program fee: $6,416 — 2026 total including one daily campus meal.
- Application fee: $80 — Fee waivers are available for eligible applicants.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required after admission; nonrefundable except qualifying course cancellation.
- Scholarships: Sibley and PPSD — Separate application and eligibility requirements apply.
- Conditional insurance charge: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without adequate coverage.
What's included
One three-week on-campus course., Residential option: housing and three meals daily., Commuter option: one on-campus meal daily., Fitness, athletic, and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions.
How to apply to Beyond the Book
- 1
Create one applicant account through Brown's official admissions page.
- 2
Complete the application form and an original 250-500-word essay.
- 3
Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English.
- 4
Pay the $80 application fee or obtain an eligible fee waiver.
- 5
Submit applicable English proficiency results and any selected or requested recommendation.
- 6
Monitor your student portal for missing materials and the admission decision.
- 7
After admission, confirm your course choice before paying the $500 deposit.
- 8
Enroll separately in the course through your student portal and complete required forms.
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What does Beyond the Book cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Words and images
Explore how graphic novels, illustrated essays, zines, and artist books combine text with visual material.
Creative practice
Use daily generative exercises, conversation, and journaling approaches to develop your creative habits.
Collections and observation
Gather inspiration through visits to RISD special collections, John Hay Library, and the Providence Athenaeum.
Portfolio and experimental book
Develop shorter creative pieces into a portfolio and a book in an unconventional form of your choosing.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Beyond the Book?
A typical day during the program.
Course meetings
Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern Time, for discussion, exercises, collaboration, and course visits.
Independent work
Plan two to three hours of homework or project work each day.
Campus activities
Optional workshops, events, and activities fit around academic work.
Residential check in
Check in face to face at 10 p.m. and remain on your floor until 6 a.m.
Who teaches on Beyond the Book?
Molly Schaeffer is the listed instructor for this course. Students receive personal support and feedback, and Brown's on-campus academic resources include instructor office hours and writing support.
Where do students stay on Beyond the Book?
Residential plan
- Residence hall rooms: Single, double, or triple rooms include furniture, wireless internet, and cooling.
- Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in Brown's all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
- Residential support: Trained staff support students, with nightly 10 p.m. check-ins and staff on call 24/7.
- Laundry and recreation: Residence hall laundry and fitness, athletic, and aquatics center access are included.
Non-residential plan
- Day-student option: Commuters attend in-person classes without a campus room assignment.
- Daily campus meal: The commuter option includes one on-campus meal per day.
- Activities and facilities: Commuters can use campus resources, activities, and fitness, athletic, and aquatics centers.
Students bring their own linens; roommate requests are not honored.
What happens after Beyond the Book?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
A portfolio and shorter creative pieces to revisit and develop.
An experimental book expressing your own creative interests.
Prompts and journaling tools for continuing an independent creative practice.
A digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion.
An instructor Course Performance Report on your engagement and work.
The course is non-credit and does not produce a university transcript.
Where does Beyond the Book take place?
The course takes place on Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island, with visits to RISD special collections, John Hay Library, and the Providence Athenaeum. Families arrange transportation to and from campus, and residential check-in takes place at Sayles Hall on the Main Green.
Residential check-in is Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern Time, before classes begin.
Beyond the Book FAQs
No prior talents or knowledge are required. You should be willing to experiment, contribute to discussions, and collaborate; visual work can include collage, found images, or photographs.
The course examines graphic novels, illustrated essays, zines, artist books, poetry, and prose. You use these examples to develop your own combinations of words and images.
You create a final portfolio, shorter creative pieces, and a book of your own. That book can take an unconventional form, such as a website, map, portfolio, or box of stories and objects.
The course meets Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m. Brown's on-campus guidance also expects two to three hours of homework or project work daily.
Summer@Brown offers a commuter option with in-person classes, campus activities, fitness facilities, and one on-campus meal per day. Commuters do not receive a campus room assignment.
The course is non-credit. Successful completion earns a digital CeCertificate of Completion, and this three-week in-person course qualifies for an instructor Course Performance Report.
Trained student-life staff support residence halls, with nightly face-to-face check-ins at 10 p.m. and staff on call around the clock. Students manage their own time outside required classes and residential meetings.
No. Students apply to Brown Pre-College first and complete course enrollment separately after admission and the required deposit; admission does not guarantee a seat in a particular course.
Alternatives to Beyond the Book
Compare an art-focused summer program, individual writing research mentorship, and journalism study to see which creative direction fits your goals.
Alternatives to Beyond the Book
Summer study in art and design
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St Andrews
In-person
Best for
Students prioritizing visual art
Online research mentorship in creative writing and literature
Creative Writing
Deadline: Not announced
From $3900
14-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students exploring writing through research
Journalism summer study covering writing, ethics, and media
Creative Writing
Deadline: Not announced
From £7400
14-18
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students considering journalism
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
- Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between - Pre-College Course Catalog"
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Application timeline reviewed
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Residential and commuter fees checked
Workload and accommodation reviewed
Completion credentials checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between
by Brown Pre-College Programs
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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