When do Applications Open?
When do Applications Close?
Applications generally open in early March and close in late March; check this year’s particular dates here. We recommend you start working on your application story in advance!
Am I the right age to apply?
Students must be between 14 and 19 years old (inclusive) on the day the workshop begins. If you are 13 now but will be 14 on the first day of the workshop, apply! If you are 19 now but will be 20 on the first day of the workshop, unfortunately you’re not eligible.
If I submit my story early, will I receive my admission decision early?
Is the application deadline rolling admission?
When can we expect an admissions decision?
All stories are judged simultaneously; submitting early will not result in an early decision. All admissions decisions are sent out mid-April.
What does tuition cover?
Your tuition covers the workshop content, your room, meals, unlimited 24 hour snacks, tech assistance (we have loaner laptops if yours has trouble!), and all things necessary to sustain life. Tuition does not include money to buy books at Barnes & Noble, so you might want to bring some cash or a card.
Will I share a bedroom/bathroom?
Who will I share with?
Everyone at Alpha gets their own bedroom. Students will stay in suites containing four single bedrooms and two shared bathrooms each. Our admitted student survey contains a section on bathroom sharing preferences–you can opt to share with one gender only, or with anyone, regardless of gender.
What should I pack for the workshop?
Will I need money or snacks?
We will send a suggested packing list to admitted students. You will only need to bring money for buying books during our Barnes and Noble trip. We provide snacks but can’t guarantee we will be able to get exactly the snacks any given student wants, so if Orange Fanta flavored poptarts are necessary to your creative process, you might want to pack them.
I don’t own a laptop. Will I need one for the workshop?
Laptops are recommended but not required; we have laptops to loan to students who need them, and in a pinch there is a computer lab on the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg campus.
Who will pick me up at the airport/bus/train station?
Students will be picked up by workshop staff or by local Pittsburgh volunteers. All of our staff and volunteers pass a background check process before they work with students.
Can I attend a concert/have dinner with family/go on a trip/take another summer class during Alpha?
Please do not make alternate plans during the workshop. Pickups and drop offs for dinner, lunch, or other activities are disruptive to the students, staff, and the workshop schedule. Alpha is an intense (but fun!) and tightly-packed workshop. Scheduling off-campus activities will result in you missing workshop programming.
Can I leave early/late?
Pick up is Sunday from 9am to 5pm, and earlier in the day is better. Please do not plan to depart any earlier than Sunday.
Do you offer programs other than your summer workshop?
Not right now! That’s something we’d love to do in the future, though.
Do you offer college credit?
We do not offer college credit, but Alpha does look great on a college app or a résumé!
Will you write a letter of recommendation for a college?
We have had students ask staffers for letters of recommendation in the past, on an individual basis, and the staffers have been glad to write them. We encourage students to think about which staffer(s) they’ve worked closely with, who might best speak to their talents and achievements.
I have money/a computer/skills and services I would like to donate to Alpha—who should I contact?
First of all, thank you very much! If your assistance is monetary, please see our Donate page to give. Otherwise, please reach out to contact@alphawritersworkshop.org.
Have a question not covered by our FAQs?
You can contact the Alpha staff using the form below.