Pre-College Summer Programs

Creative Writing: Fiction

Pre-College Summer Programs

The College of Arts & Sciences at Quinnipiac University welcomes high school students who have stories to tell. In this one-week summer program, participants will immerse themselves in the art of short fiction — exploring what makes stories compelling, memorable and uniquely their own. Guided by experienced faculty, students will brainstorm ideas, develop characters and plots, and write daily in a supportive, workshop-style environment.

Registration for 2026 Summer Programs is now closed.

Program Dates: July 27-31, 2026

Overview

Throughout the week, participants will read and discuss examples of great short fiction, learn key techniques for crafting vivid scenes and authentic dialogue, and gain experience giving and receiving constructive feedback. By the end of the program, each student will complete and polish a short story suitable for inclusion in a creative portfolio or college application.

At the end of this program, you’ll walk away with:

A finished short story you’ll be proud to share
Practical tools for creating strong characters, settings, and plots
A deeper understanding of story structure and revision techniques
Experience in a professional-style writers’ workshop
Greater confidence in your voice as a storyteller

Program Dates

July 27, 2026 - July 31, 2026

Sample Daily Schedule: This is only a sample schedule and is subject to change due to a variety of factors.

Day	Theme	Activities
9 a.m.	Morning Meeting and Craft Lesson	Each morning begins with an introduction to a key element of fiction—such as character development, point of view, plot structure, or dialogue—through mini-lessons, examples, and discussion.
10 a.m.	Writing Workshop	Participants write and share their work in a supportive, collaborative environment. Faculty guide students through prompts and exercises designed to spark creativity and deepen storytelling skills.
Noon	Lunch Break	All meals are included for students staying on campus.
1 p.m.	Independent Writing and One-on-One Conferences	Students apply what they’ve learned by drafting or revising their stories. Faculty provide individualized feedback and guidance through one-on-one meetings.
3:30 p.m.	Peer Review and Group Discussion	Participants exchange stories, give constructive feedback, and discuss how to strengthen their writing through revision and reflection.
4 p.m.	Break	Open activities and a break for participants.

Learn from a recognized creative powerhouse

Mindi Rose Englart is a mom, educator, artist, writer and entrepreneur. She is currently an adjunct professor of English at Gateway Community College and previously taught creative writing at Coop High School in New Haven, CT for 21 years. Englart holds a BFA from the Hartford Art School, a MALS from Wesleyan University and a teaching certification from Yale University.

Englart is the founder/CEO of Word Buddy and was the founding editor of Etcetera literary magazine. She is the author of twelve books of nonfiction for children as well as poems, stories, essays and academic publications. Englart was awarded a Vermont Studio Center Fellowship, is a SURDNA Grant recipient and serves as a teacher-consultant for the Connecticut Writing Project. In addition, Englart was a contributing writer for The Feminist Utopia Project and Our Red Book, and is the co-writer of “The Lucretia Society,” a play that addresses sexual violence against women. She recently published her first novel, Stretch, which can be purchased on Amazon.

Participation Requirements

Participants must be current high school students. Typically, participants are between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age at the start of the program.

Equipment and Materials

Quinnipiac University will provide all required materials, including laptops, for students within this program. Students are welcome to bring their own laptops or other devices for use outside of instruction periods or with the approval of their instructor.

Program Costs

Option 1: 1-week overnight program from Sunday to Saturday. Includes full room and board as well as evening and weekend activities: $1,800

Option 2: 1-week on-campus commuter program from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Includes lunch daily: $1,500

All options include:

One week of faculty-designed and delivered programming, administered online or on campus with educational support staff and program materials
Technology and software support
A Quinnipiac T-shirt
A digital badge for use on social media, resumes or portfolios
Access to special Quinnipiac Admissions events

How to Register for Summer Programs

Students must declare if they plan to attend for either the residential (overnight) experience or the commuter experience at the time of registration.

Minimum Required Deposits

If you are not paying in full at the time of registration, you must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to reserve your spot for 30 days. Any student who places the non-refundable deposit must pay the full remaining cost of the program within 30 days from the date of deposit to be enrolled in the program.

Payment Methods and Refund/Cancellation Policy

Discounts and Financial Aid

Partial financial support may be available for those who indicate the need for financial assistance in their online application. Financial support awards are based on a combination of financial need and academic merit.

We are pleased to offer a 15% discount on all summer camps and experiences to current Quinnipiac employees, Quinnipiac alumni and employees of our corporate partners. Please contact summerprograms@qu.edu to request your discount code.

Registration Guide

Having trouble registering? Not sure how to take the next step? Follow this step-by-step guide to finish the process or email us at summerprograms@qu.edu.

Contact Us

Jacque Simpson Gilson

Program Director, Pre-College & Seasonal Programs

(203) 582-7557

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions among prospective students and families regarding our summer programs. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to chat.

Review all FAQ's

Accommodations

Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.

Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.

Rules & Regulations

Read Quinnipiac University’s Summer Camp and Pre-College Program Policies