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Creative Writing: Free Verse Poetry
A creative writing summer course focused on free verse, with published-author guidance, peer review, and work toward an original poetry collection.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Creative Writing at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Academically advanced students
Age range / Year group
Ages 12-14
Location / Region
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Cost
$2,150
Duration
1 week
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
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Accommodation: Ingram Commons residence halls
Meals: All meals provided
Outcome: Poems and instructor evaluation
Tutors / faculty: Jan Harris, Ph.D.
Teaching support: Instructor and teaching assistant
Sessions / cadence: Approximately 6 hours each weekday
Residential support: Proctor groups of approximately 6-14
Creative Writing summary
Vanderbilt Summer Academy's poetry course combines creative writing with close analysis, collaboration, and peer review. Its focus is finding a personal voice in free verse.
Students work toward a collection of original poems with expert feedback from a published author. The experience suits writers who want to share their work and learn from other perspectives.
What is Creative Writing: Free Verse Poetry?
Creative Writing: Free Verse Poetry is a Vanderbilt Summer Academy course organized by Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth. It explores different kinds of poetry while giving particular attention to free verse, poetry beyond meter, and the development of an individual poetic voice.
Students combine creative writing activities with analysis, group collaboration, and peer review. Published-author instruction provides expert feedback as they work toward a collection of original poems. The residential VSA experience adds campus living and organized activities alongside focused academic study.
Why Succeed highlights Creative Writing
The specific focus on free verse gives students a clear writing direction while encouraging an individual voice.
Jan Harris brings published poetry and university writing instruction to the course.
Peer review and expert feedback make writing a shared process rather than an isolated exercise.
Working toward original poems gives students material they can continue developing afterward.
Written performance evaluations provide constructive feedback without grades or academic credit.
Who is Creative Writing for?
Best for
Writers who want to explore poetic voice, create original poems, and discuss their work with classmates.
Not ideal if
You mainly want fiction writing, a relaxed academic pace, or substantial unsupervised time.
Is Creative Writing worth it?
This is a strong option to consider if a student wants concentrated poetry practice with both expert and peer feedback. The combination of writing, analysis, and collaboration offers several ways to develop a voice rather than simply accumulate writing exercises.
The intensive academic schedule and closely supervised residential setting require a good personal fit. VSA does not award academic credit, and attendance does not indicate admission to Vanderbilt University. Judge its value by the writing experience and feedback a student wants to gain.
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Cost and what is included
$2,150; includes Course instruction and materials., Residential housing., Meals., Residential outings and activities..
Accommodation
Ingram Commons residence halls
Meals
All meals provided
Provider details
Review the Vanderbilt Summer Academy provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week; Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 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 Creative Writing need?
Effort level
High, with approximately six hours of class each weekday.
Best started
Begin gathering documents four to six weeks before a future priority application window.
Main challenge
Developing your own poems while discussing writing and responding to feedback.
Typical preparation
Choose the test-score or portfolio application route and gather the relevant transcript and supporting materials.
If using the portfolio route, allow time for educator recommendations and the essay under 600 words.
Read several free verse poems and practice explaining which choices make their voices distinctive.
Discuss the supervised residential routine with your family and review the student handbook before travel.
Useful if
You want sustained practice expressing ideas through poetry.
What do students do on Creative Writing?
You study poetry while developing original work through creative activities, collaboration, analysis, and peer review. Free verse is the central focus, with expert feedback supporting your poetic voice.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Study different kinds of poetry, paying particular attention to free verse.
- 2
Explore your own voice through creative writing activities.
- 3
Collaborate with classmates and analyze poetry together.
- 4
Share work through peer review and receive expert feedback.
- 5
Work toward a comprehensive collection of original poems.
Creative Writing 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
14-19 June 2026
Applications open
7 January 2026
The VSA priority application window begins.
Admission notifications
29 January–16 February 2026
Notification window for priority applicants.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 14-19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 7 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Admission notifications | 29 January–16 February 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students must be rising seventh or eighth graders.
Qualifying academic documentation is required.
Submit a transcript with test scores or portfolio materials.
Portfolio applicants provide educator recommendations and an essay.
English proficiency documentation is required when applicable.
International applicants may apply.
Health insurance and required participation forms are mandatory.
How much does Creative Writing cost?
Application fee
$50 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- International application fee: $100 — Nonrefundable.
- Financial assistance: Need-based aid — For qualifying families; international applicants are ineligible.
- Airport shuttle: $75 — Required round-trip service for students flying alone.
What's included
Course instruction and materials., Residential housing., Meals., Residential outings and activities.
How to apply to Creative Writing
- 1
Review VSA's grade-level eligibility and course descriptions before choosing courses.
- 2
Choose the test-score or portfolio route and gather its academic documentation.
- 3
Create or reuse a SchoolDoc account through VSA's application instructions.
- 4
Rank up to four courses that you would be willing to attend.
- 5
Upload required documents, request financial aid if needed, and pay the application fee.
- 6
After placement, follow the admission notice for the tuition deposit and required forms.
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What does Creative Writing cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Free verse
Explore free verse and the possibilities of poetry beyond meter.
Poetic voice
Use creative writing activities to find and express your own voice.
Poetry analysis
Study different kinds of poetry through analysis and group collaboration.
Peer review and original poems
Share writing and receive feedback while working toward an original collection.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Creative Writing?
A typical day during the program.
Academic classes
Approximately six hours of accelerated, single-subject study each weekday.
Residential activities
Organized activities take place with PTY staff supervision.
Residence hall routine
Younger students remain in their hall after activities until breakfast.
Who teaches on Creative Writing?
The 2026 instructor, Jan Harris, Ph.D., is a Professor of Writing at Lipscomb University and a published poet. Her chapbook, Isolating One’s Priorities, was published by Finishing Line Press, and her poems have appeared in multiple literary journals.
Each VSA course has a dedicated instructor and teaching assistant.
Where do students stay on Creative Writing?
Residential plan
- Ingram Commons housing: Stay five nights in Vanderbilt's first-year residential community.
- Campus meals: Meals run from arrival-day dinner through departure-day breakfast.
- Residential supervision: PTY staff accompany younger students, with proctors supporting evenings and overnight.
- Organized campus activities: Scheduled recreational and social activities are part of the VSA experience.
Roommates are assigned randomly and disclosed at arrival; most rooms are doubles, with some triples.
What happens after Creative Writing?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Develop original poems to continue working on after the course.
Build confidence expressing your poetic voice.
Strengthen poetry analysis and peer-review skills.
Use written instructor feedback to understand your progress.
VSA awards no academic credit, and attendance is not an indicator of admission to Vanderbilt University.
Where does Creative Writing take place?
The course is part of Vanderbilt Summer Academy's residential experience in Nashville, Tennessee, with university classrooms and housing at the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Nashville International Airport is approximately 20 minutes from campus, and students flying alone use PTY's staff-supported shuttle service.
VSA cannot provide airline Unaccompanied Minor escorts.
Creative Writing FAQs
The course concentrates on poetry, especially free verse and writing beyond meter. Students study different kinds of poetry while developing their own voice.
The 2026 instructor is Jan Harris, Ph.D., a published poet and Professor of Writing at Lipscomb University. VSA courses and instructors are subject to change.
Students work toward a comprehensive collection of original poems through writing activities, collaboration, analysis, and peer review.
Yes. The rising seventh- and eighth-grade VSA experience includes five nights on Vanderbilt's campus, with housing at the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.
VSA classes meet approximately six hours each weekday. Courses are accelerated and designed for academically advanced learners.
VSA does not award grades or academic credit. Students receive written instructor feedback and a performance evaluation.
Seventh- through tenth-grade students are accompanied by PTY staff during the academic day and afternoon and evening activities. Each student also has a classroom assistant and residential proctor.
Need-based aid is available for qualifying families with adjusted gross income of $105,000 or less, or severe hardship. Financial aid requires supporting documentation, and international students are not eligible for PTY financial assistance.
Alternatives to Creative Writing
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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
- PTY Precollege Admitted Students - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Apply to a PTY Program | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Vanderbilt Summer Academy - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- VSA Frequently Asked Questions - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Apply to VSA! - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- VSA Tuition & Financial Assistance - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Eligibility & Session Dates - Program for Talented Youth | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
- Vanderbilt Summer Academy Summer 2026 Precollege Courses | Program for Talented Youth | Vanderbilt University
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)
Course identity checked
Grade-level eligibility reviewed
Session dates checked
Tuition cycle distinguished
Financial assistance reviewed
Residential supervision reviewed
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.
Creative Writing: Free Verse Poetry
by Vanderbilt Summer Academy
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