Patricia Cornwell Creative Writing Scholarship
The Patricia Cornwell Creative Writing Scholarship is offered to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and a passion for writing.
The award was established by Patricia Cornwell '79, author of over 30 works—which have been translated into more than 20 languages and are consistently on best-seller lists.
The Cornwell Scholarship is valued at $30,000 annually, and is offered to one student in each first-year class. Up to five students, including the scholarship recipient, are named Cornwell Fellows in recognition of their exceptional talent. All Cornwell Fellows are promised reserved seating in a creative writing class of their choice each semester. In addition, the Cornwell Fellows meet with the many illustrious writers who visit campus—Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award winners, MacArthur Fellows, etc.—for private lunches, small group Q&As, dinners at the President’s house and public events.
The scholarship money is renewable so long as you maintain the required grade point average, make expected progress toward your degree and remain engaged in the writing community.
Cornwell Fellows are not required to major in English.
In addition to the application for admission and scholarship application, you must submit your book list (books read during the last year for school and pleasure) and up to 10 pages of your best creative work in the genre(s) of your choice, which can include spoken-word poetry.
Deadlines
Please submit scholarship application materials no later than your selected application plan deadline.
For questions related to the Patricia Cornwell Creative Writing Scholarship, please contact our scholarships team.