Only English concentrators may apply to write a senior thesis in creative writing. Joint concentrators are not permitted to write a creative thesis. Students submit applications in February of their junior year, including first-term juniors who are out of phase. This year's application deadline is Tuesday, February 3, 2009.

Students applying for a creative writing thesis must have completed at least one course in creative writing at Harvard before they apply. No student is guaranteed acceptance. It is strongly suggested that students acquaint themselves with the requirements and guidelines long before the thesis application is due.

The creative writing director and faculty must approve any exceptions to the requirements. Petitions for exceptions to the requirements must be made in writing to the creative writing director by Monday, January 5, 2009. Each petition will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

After students submit applications in February, the creative writing faculty considers the proposal along with the student's overall performance in creative writing and other English courses. Students are notified in early March about the faculty's decision.

Students not chosen to write a creative thesis may still apply to write a critical thesis. Those applications are due, this coming year, on Monday, April 27, 2008.

Since the creative writing thesis is part of the English honors program, acceptance to write a creative writing thesis is conditional upon the student continuing to maintain a 3.40 concentration GPA. If a student's concentration GPA drops below 3.40 after the spring of the junior year (i.e., following notification of conditional acceptance to the program), the student may not be permitted to continue in the thesis program. The same rule applies to students writing critical theses.

Students who have questions about the creative writing thesis should contact the program's Director, Bret Johnston (bajohnst@fas.harvard.edu).

Creative Writing Thesis Application (PDF)