Congratulations on being accepted into the Alpha Writers Workshop this year. This page includes a bunch of information about the workshop including next steps (forms and payment), travel directions, packing suggestions, and a general overview of the workshop. Please read all of it!
The next steps are permission forms for you to sign and tuition payment. The permission forms will be emailed to you.
There are two forms: one for the code of conduct, parental permission, COVID waiver, and medical insurance information, and one for our COVID protocols and waiver. Please email a signed copy of both forms to admissions@alphawritersworkshop.org. (You can print and scan them, take pictures of the pages with your phone, or sign digitally and email that: as long as we get signed forms somehow we’re happy.)
Tuition for the workshop is $1,500 USD. Payment can be sent via Paypal. If we have not received the form and payment by May 31st and we haven’t been able to get ahold of you so that other arrangements can be made, we’ll release your space to the next person in line on the waitlist.
You can pay via PayPal here: [LINK]
If you applied for scholarship aid, you will receive a separate email about this and what payment (if any) you need to make!
The 2024 workshop runs from July 24th through Aug 4th. Please plan to arrive on Wednesday the 24th between 9:00am EST and 4:00pm EST. Departure times on Sunday the 4th August are more flexible, but we suggest planning to leave between 11:00am EST and 6:00pm EST. Workshop staff will provide transport to and from the Greensburg campus. Students who are not driving directly to campus usually arrive via the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, the Greensburg Greyhound bus station, the Pittsburgh MegaBus stop, or the Greensburg Amtrak station. Detailed travel directions and a map of campus will be attached to your information email.
Please fill out this form with your travel information by two weeks before the workshop (July 10th). Sooner is better if you know it! It’s very important that we know when and how you’ll be arriving at UPG. If you do not send this information we will pester you by email, and then, if that doesn’t work, we will call you on your telephone (I know, spooky). If you will be arriving in high exotic fashion, such as by riverboat or dirigible, or if you have extra-complex travel that might require an overnight stay in Pittsburgh or arrival at a different time on the 19th let us know as soon as possible so we can make sure we’re prepared for you.
As everyone arrives, Alpha staff will be outside our dorm, handing out keys and pointing everyone to their rooms. After that, there’ll be dinner, a quick orientation, and we’re on our way!
A list of helpful packing instructions and a quick overview of Alpha will be attached to your information email.
If you have questions about travel, the workshop, how to use Discord, or anything else at all, please reach out to AJ at admissions@alphawritersworkshop.org. You can expect a few more emails from us as Alpha approaches about things like pre-workshop story critiques, our discord server, and dorm preferences. If you (or your parent/guardian) would like to speak to a real live person on the phone, you will find a real life phone number in your info email too.
Looking forward to seeing you this summer!
PS if you prefer to send your forms and the tuition via snail mail – please mail to the following address:
The Alpha Workshop
P.O. Box 7770
Pittsburgh PA 15215-0770
Checks should be made payable to “Alpha.”