“I have only glowing things to say about the professors,” he says.

But Bryant can be seen as representative of both the benefits and drawbacks of the intimate program. Although he numbers the fiction workshops among the best courses he has taken while at Harvard, it took him two tries to gain a seat in the introductory class, and his petition to write a novel for his senior thesis was recently denied.

Moreover, students who are truly interested in pursuing creative writing say that the structure of the English department, and the creative writing program’s position within it, has changed the course of their studies. It is not possible to concentrate in creative writing, and within the English concentration students can only count two semesters of these classes towards the 11 requirements of the non-honors track.

Siena R. Leslie ’12 says she would have concentrated in creative writing, not linguistics, had that been an option.

“I think the whole thing is outrageous, and Harvard should really prioritize its creative writing department and take it far more seriously,” Leslie says. “Because the courses that I’ve taken in creative writing have been among the top courses I’ve taken at Harvard in terms of quality.”

TRY, TRY AGAIN

Daniel says he has applied to “basically all” of the fiction courses that the English department offers. But for the past three semesters, this junior biology concentrator—whose name has been changed to preserve his future chances in the creative writing admissions process—has been denied.

Each time he didn’t find his name on the lists posted in the department’s Barker Center offices, Daniel contacted the courses’ professors to ask how to improve his writing for the next round of applications. His inquiries, he says, were met with one general piece of advice: “just try again.”

For students like Daniel, this guidance may not be helpful. Applications for creative writing classes are denied without any opportunity for official or even informal feedback, leaving many with the impression that natural talent or an extensive background in the subject are key to winning a spot.

A handful or so of beginners are accepted into creative writing courses each semester, according to Burt.

Bret A. Johnston, who serves as director of the creative writing program and teaches two fiction workshops, says that experience is not a factor in a student’s admission.

But while Leslie says there was a range of experience levels in the playwriting class she took in the department, she would have easily called each of her classmates real “writers” before they even stepped in the door. Leslie herself had been writing plays for several years before taking the class, and the national poet of Wales was among her classmates.

“It definitely does neglect the people who don’t have any experience,” Leslie said.

The lack of an open enrollment introductory class can be an insurmountable barrier, semester after semester, for those without any previous training.

“It’s a shame in the sense that talent shouldn’t be the only qualification for creative writing classes,” says Carla S. Ferreira ’12, who has taken two creative writing courses while at the College. “I think that pure interest...and wanting to learn the craft should be an important factor.”