This page provides general information about the Summer Writing Institute; please see the Summer Writing Institute 2021 page for detailed information about this summer’s program, including courses offered and tuition.
Established in 1977
The Academic Program
The Summer Writing Institute at Rhodes College takes place annually for two weeks during June and is a residential academic program committed to developing the critical thinking and writing skills of ambitious high school students. Within the college′s liberal arts environment, students sharpen their reading and analytical skills and learn strategies for writing creatively and critically. At the end of the session, students receive a grade for their work and class participation, earn two college credits (transferable to most colleges and universities), and will complete a portfolio of college-level writing.
Approach
The goal of the Institute is to offer a structured, diverse, and inspiring writing community. Sponsored by the Rhodes English Department and First Year Writing Program, the Institute emphasizes writing but also engages faculty from many college disciplines to expose students to a variety of subjects. Students choose between the College Writing Seminar, modeled after Rhodes’ First Year Writing Seminar, and the Creative Writing Workshop. Faculty teaching both types of courses emphasize the entire writing process from the seed of an idea to the completion of a story, poem, or argumentative essay. Through class discussions and peer workshops, each professor guides students in understanding others′ writing and in creating their own writing-expressing ideas, finding a voice, discovering a style, building a structure, and developing a theme or position.
In addition to coursework and writing seminars, students have the opportunity attend lectures, take advantage of Rhodes' world class facilities, and receive college prep advice from faculty and staff.
The Institute invites any interested rising high school junior or senior to apply. Financial aid is available.
Learn more about Institute students, campus living, academic work, and extracurricular activities during the program.
If you have applied and been accepted, please click on the Campus and Program Policies & Guidelines Information link below for more detailed information.
Campus and Program Policies & Guidelines Information
Institute students experience life on campus as if they were Rhodes undergraduates, taking advantage of both the beautiful gothic architecture and state of the art academic and recreational facilities, including tennis and racquetball courts, basketball courts, a weight and exercise room, and a swimming pool. Students take their classes in Southwestern, Robertson, and Clough Halls, the central academic buildings on campus, eat meals in the refectory, and live with roommates in the residence halls. Select Rhodes undergraduates serve as Resident Assistants who supervise, live and dine with the students. On the weekends and after daily activities, students come together in social settings. Favorite annual events include trips to Memphis landmarks and Open Mic Night.
Hear from past Institute students about the benefits of their SWI experience.
See what a day is like as part of the Rhodes Summer Writing Institute.