Writing and journalism
Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Residential Workshop
Young Writers is a 2-week residential program run by The Kenyon Review at Kenyon College. Open to: rising juniors, rising seniors and recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 18.
- Last cycle's deadline
- March 1, 2026
- 2027 date not posted yet
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 12
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 2 weeks
- Residential
What students do
Students write new short stories, poems and essays in small multi-genre workshops at Kenyon College. Days include freewriting, prompts, peer discussion and individual conferences with instructors.
- Creative writing
- Short stories
- Poetry
- Essays
Key facts
- Run by
- The Kenyon Review at Kenyon College
- Where
- Gambier, OH (residential)
- Who can apply
- Rising juniors, rising seniors and recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 18Must be 16 to 18 years old; rising sophomores are not eligible and students who attended the residential workshop before cannot reapply.
- Dates
- Session 1: June 21 to July 4, 2026; Session 2: July 12 to 25, 2026These are the 2026 dates. 2027 dates are not posted yet.
- Cost
- $2,575, covers tuition, accommodations, all meals and all activities (travel not included)
- Deadline
- March 1, 2026 (teacher recommendations due March 7)This was last cycle’s deadline. The 2027 date is not posted yet.
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
Submittable form with a 300-word personal statement, a high school transcript and one letter of recommendation; there is no application fee.
How a mentor helps with your Young Writers application
- Decide whether Young Writers fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the Young Writers deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IYWSUniversity of Iowa | Iowa City, IAResidential | Students currently in 10th, 11th or 12th grade | Paid, aid available | February 7, 2027 |
| JCampAsian American Journalists Association | Multiple locationsResidential | Current high school sophomores and juniors | Free | January 11, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| NYT Summer AcademyThe School of The New York Times | New York, NYResidential or commuter | Students entering grades 10 to 12 and graduating seniors, ages 15 to 18 | Paid, aid available | Priority February 27, 2026; Round 1 March 13, 2026; Round 2 April 10, 2026; rolling after April 13, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| PSJPPrinceton University | Princeton, NJHybrid | High school juniors | Free | Round 1 runs November to January; Round 2 February to March; Round 3 in May |
Frequently asked questions
When is the Young Writers application deadline?
The 2027 deadline has not been posted. Last cycle's deadline was March 1, 2026 (teacher recommendations due March 7), and most programs keep a similar date from year to year.
How much does Young Writers cost?
$2,575, covers tuition, accommodations, all meals and all activities (travel not included). Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to Young Writers?
Rising juniors, rising seniors and recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 18. Must be 16 to 18 years old; rising sophomores are not eligible and students who attended the residential workshop before cannot reapply.
What does the Young Writers application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Teacher recommendation. Submittable form with a 300-word personal statement, a high school transcript and one letter of recommendation; there is no application fee.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
