Application for the Online Certificate Program in Novel Writing

Transcription

1 1 of 8 Application for the Online Certificate Program in Novel Writing Before mailing this application and the accompanying materials, you must register for OWA 001: OWC Certificate Application at the Continuing Studies website: continuingstudies.stanford.edu. Please Type or Print Last Name First Name M.I. Street Address City State Zip/Mailing Code Country Telephone Blogs or Websites Other names or pseudonyms used Checklist I have registered and enrolled in OWA 001: OWC Certificate Application at continuingstudies.stanford.edu and paid the required $80 application fee. In a single envelope, I am mailing the following five forms: Application Form (this page) References and Education Policies and Honor Code Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement (limit 500 words) Writing Sample (limit 6000 words) Sample Feedback Exercise (Please keep the Student Code of Conduct for your records.) Please address your application to: Stanford Continuing Studies Certificate Program in Novel Writing 365 Lasuen Street Littlefield Center, Garden Level Stanford, CA 94305

2 2 of 8 References and Education References Anyone who can speak objectively toward your qualities as a potential member of the program will make a good reference. This list could include former instructors in writing or other fields, but doesn t need to. Name Relationship Telephone Name Relationship Telephone Education Degree Programs Date Degree/Program Completed Name of Institution Other Date Name of Course(s) Completed Name of Institution (Please list all coursework relevant to the Certificate Program, including writing courses you have already taken with The Online Writer s Studio through Continuing Studies.) Language Proficiency If you are a non- native speaker of English, please briefly describe your proficiency with the language:

3 3 of 8 Policies and Honor Code I understand and agree that I must maintain a B average throughout the program, weekly attendance and effort will be required in each course I take, and that absences or lack of sufficient effort will result in lowered grades. I understand and agree that since the Certificate Program is a workshop- based model, I will bring respect and attention to my cohort s work. I also understand that it is my responsibility to contribute constructively to the course environment. My failure to meet these standards, as well as any disruptive or hostile behavior on my part (as determined by Continuing Studies), may result in immediate removal from the program and full forfeiture of all tuition and fees paid. I have read, and agree to abide by, the Student Code of Conduct that applies to all Stanford Continuing Studies students. I further understand that failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct may result in my removal from the Certificate Program. I understand that the curriculum and format of the Certificate Program may be adjusted as the program evolves. I understand that the instructor of each course will set forth his or her own guidelines, which I agree to abide by. I agree that I will submit only original work that I have authored. In the interest of building trust and community, I will use my real name. I have read, and agree to abide by, the policies and honor code as detailed on the Certificate Program website. I,, have read the above provisions detailing the Certificate Program honor code. I understand all the provisions contained in this application, and agree that upon admittance to the program I will abide by them. I also agree that a violation of the honor code may result in the immediate and full forfeiture of all tuition and fees I ve paid, as well as my removal from the classroom and the program. I, the undersigned, attest that all the information included in this packet is accurate and truthful. Signature Date

4 4 of 8 Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement In 500 words or less, describe yourself as a person, student, and potential member of the Certificate cohort. Why do you want to enroll in the program? What will you bring to the community and classes in the Certificate, and what are your goals for yourself while in the program? Finally, please briefly describe the project you want to pursue while in the program.

5 5 of 8 Writing Sample Please attach a fiction writing sample between 3000 and 6000 words, double- spaced. Please do NOT include your name on the actual writing sample. Your name should appear nowhere on the writing sample.

6 6 of 8 Sample Classroom Feedback Please respond to the sample submission below as if you are a fellow student in the writer's class. Talk about what is working well and what suggestions you would make for improvement. Limit 200 words. Prompt: I d like you to tell us a story an anecdote, if you will from your life. It can be funny, obviously meaningful, seemingly inconsequential, light- hearted or profound: the choice is up to you, but try to pick an episode or experience that will help us to understand (at least something about) who you are. The other key part of this assignment is that I d like you to try and write it in your speaking voice. Be attentive to your typical sentence length, favorite words, energy level, etc I m not asking you to pepper the piece with um and like, but to capture a grammatically correct version of your voice on the page. Writing Exercise: My oldest sister and I were complete opposites and best friends. Maria was shy and feminine. I was a loud tomboy. She was uncoordinated and terrified of water. I was athletic and terrified of itchy dresses and patent leather shoes. She totally avoided the creek in the woods across the street from our house. I spent hours there, pretending I was Huck Finn. One evening Maria came to the creek to fetch me for dinner. Wanting to stay, I jumped on a tree that had fallen across the creek and started to run. Maria shouted for me to come back, but I kept on, reveling in the roughness of the bark on my feet and the cool air rushing past. Halfway across the tree, I slipped, scraping my legs as I tumbled into the swift moving creek. Panicking, I thought for sure I was a goner. I karate chopped the water, gagging as the water slapped into my nose and mouth. Once my head broke the water s surface, I saw something shocking. Maria was running across the fallen tree, her auburn hair flying behind her. Her agility impressed me so much I stopped panicking. She was above me in a second, reaching her arm down, yelling for me to grab hold. I knew how scared she must have been, but in that moment, she was laser- focused and in command. My six- year old brain could not put words to what I was witnessing, but my six- year- old heart recognized a remarkable kind of love a love so powerful it overcame a petrifying, paralyzing fear. Maria s love blazed forth again 17 years later, this time for her two small children. Breast cancer had marched through her body and invaded her brain. She used every particle of strength to ensure that her young children would be cared for. She asked me if my husband and I would raise Sean and Kristen. The image of Maria running across that tree was vivid as I squeezed her hand and said Yes, anything. She gave me just a few instructions. I don t want them ever picked last for a team, so make sure they can play sports. And don t listen to people when they try to tell you what to do, which they will, because they think you re too young for this. Follow your heart. She told me that 18- month old Kristen was already showing signs of being a tomboy. God must have known you wouldn t be able to handle a prissy girl. We laughed because we knew it was true. Sean, she said, was an old soul at the tender age of three. Make sure he laughs and has the chance to be a little boy.

7 7 of 8 Being a newly married mother to two small children at 23 wasn t easy. But I had the example of my sister s courageous love as a guide. It is startling to me that Maria has been gone for 25 years, because her spirit is always with me. I know she would be so proud of Sean and Kristen. They are extraordinary young adults, and have her gift of a no- holds- barred kind of love. Kristen, ironically, is quite a fashion plate, and Sean revels in making happy mischief. (Putting a bow tie on Ernie the dog and making him dance to Ho Hey by the Lumineers, for example.) Sean and Kristen love each other and their younger brother Troy with an infectious joy. They delight in spending time together and I delight in watching my three beautiful young adults giggle like little kids as they plan their next nerf gun battle or tease Sean over his resemblance to Ralphie in The Christmas Story (You re gonna shoot your eye out kid!). When discussing holiday plans for this year, Troy said Mom, do what you always do. Gather your children. We ride at midnight. We all laughed, and I thought to myself, Yes, and Maria rides with us too. Response (200 Word Limit):

8 8 of 8 Student Code of Conduct Stanford Continuing Studies is dedicated to the mission of nurturing a vibrant learning community, nourishing the life of the mind, and promoting the pleasures of intellectual exploration and exchange. Students in our program are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that represents the spirit of this mission. In addition, students are expected to comply with all rules and regulations put forth by Stanford University, including the University s Fundamental Standard, which states that, Students at Stanford are expected to show respect for order, morality, personal honor and the rights of others as is demanded of good citizens. Failure to do this will be sufficient cause for removal from the University. The following behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from our program, and from the university campus, as well as forfeiture of all tuition and fees paid. Unacceptable student behavior includes, but is not limited to: Disruption of teaching, learning, or the free flow of ideas in the classroom; Disorderly conduct and/or disturbing the peace; Dishonesty and/or misrepresenting oneself, both in the classroom and during correspondence with instructors, fellow students and administrative staff; Refusal to adhere to Continuing Studies policies or University policies as stated in printed and online materials; Refusal to comply with instructors parameters for course requirements as stated in a syllabus, course description, or explained in the classroom; Physical abuse; intimidation, harassment, threatening behavior directed toward instructors, fellow students or administrative staff; Unauthorized attendance in classes or paid events without proper registration, and/or misuse of university resources; Sexual misconduct of any kind. Admission to Stanford Continuing Studies courses is discretionary. Continuing Studies reserves the right, at its discretion, to withhold registration from, or require withdrawal from the program of, any student or applicant.