Iowa Young Writers' Studio — Residential Program

The Iowa Young Writers' Studio (IYWS) is a two-week residential summer creative writing program for high school students, housed in the University of Iowa's Office of Writing and Communication.

Core courses:

Students choose one core course for concentrated study:

• Poetry
• Fiction
• Creative Writing (a survey spanning poetry, fiction, and personal essay)
• TV Writing (Writers' Room)
• Playwriting

Each student works within a single course track. The program emphasizes revision, workshop critique, and craft.

Program structure:

Each session runs two weeks. Students live on the University of Iowa campus, attend daily workshops with a small cohort, participate in one-on-one conferences with instructors, and attend readings and craft talks by visiting writers. The residential environment is designed to replicate the experience of a graduate writing program — immersive, peer-driven, and craft-focused.

2026 sessions (reference):

2026 applications have closed. The 2027 cycle is expected to open in January 2027.

Faculty:

Teachers and counselors are chosen, with rare exceptions, from among students and graduates of the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. Classes are capped at 10 or fewer students, divided between a seminar and a workshop component taught by the same instructor.

Fees and financial aid:

The 2026 session fee was $2,500, covering room and board, instruction and materials, and access to extracurricular camp events. There is also a $10 reading fee to apply, which can be waived without penalty for applicants who are unable to pay. Each year IYWS grants several full-tuition and several partial-tuition need-based grants; accepted students fill out a financial aid application after admission, with awards made in the spring.

International students:

IYWS welcomes applications from students outside the United States. The residential campus setting at the University of Iowa provides housing and meals for the program duration.