We can offer reasonable prices because we are a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Donations and tuition from public students help scholarship cancer patients in writing therapy. Wouldn't it be nice to know that you're receiving a good education AND supporting a cancer patient at the same time?

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2. Will I learn as much online as I would if I attended a physical school?

Yes. In fact, you'll learn more from a personal tutor than you would by attending physical classes. Imagine having a tutor at your side every time you need him/her. That's what makes us unique. With this kind of service, you can progress twice as fast in half the time - IF you apply yourself. Note: Our courses are very intense and we'll motive you to deliver your best.

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Even if you don't take writing classes for a vocation, the skills will supply you with a good presentation all of your life. Use them to write essays and articles, business letters, contracts, and agreements. Learn to represent yourself in the best possible way. Everything you learn here will be useful elsewhere.

Creative Writing Institute is the only school that assigns a personal tutor to every student. Our mentors are highly qualified, gifted individuals that focus on two major things: developing your skills and making learning easy. Your tutor will work with you sacrificially, answer your every question, and guide you through the maze of writing rules. He/she willl urge you on when you get discouraged and give you a boost when you get stuck. If you fail, we've failed, and thus we push every student to complete their course and reach for the stars.

Regular terms are eight weeks in length. We also have two-week workshops, three-day workshops, and one-day workshops. Use them as brush-up courses or in-depth study. Whatever your goal, we'll help you meet it.

Do your homework in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, then copy and paste it into the provided space online. New lessons release automatically every seven days.

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Only 12 seats per class. We want you to have all the personal attention and private tutoring that you deserve. Creative Writing Institute prides itself in yielding a fuller, finer service than you will find elsewhere and we offer it at a practical price.  

8. How much does it cost to take a course?

Isn't it strange that you have to go through the sign-up process in other writing schools before you know how much the course is? At Creative Writing Institute, we're very up front.

All courses are available in four ways:

• Term Course - Eight concentrated weeks of action-packed lessons for $200. Covers the subject thoroughly. Unless you have taken other writing classes or have publication experience, this is where you should begin. You will have access to your tutor throughout the entire course. If you need more time to finish, it's not a problem. Time extensions are available at no extra fee.
• Mini-Course - A two-week workshop for $75. Extremely intense with four huge lessons divided over two weeks. Covers a broad scope of the subject chosen. If you're returning to study after a long absence (but you have've taken one or more writing courses), this will be perfect for you.
• Tri-Course - A three-day workshop for $60 - Very intense. Two huge lessons cover the basics. This is a great brush-up course to renew your skills or get your batteries charged in the quickest time possible.
• Flash Course - One day in length for $40 - Need a quick brush-up that hits just the highlights? Then this course is for you. Well worth the money, if only for the mentoring.

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Go to the front page and click on the class of your choice to read the syllabus. If you don't know what level you're on or where to begin, see the front page for details on how to receive a free writing evaluation. We'll be happy to guide you.

Yes, we will! And at no additional charge. See the front page for Free Writing Evaluation Guidelines.

A sample class is available upon request.

Your tutor will give you a progress report at the end of your course. If you want an evaluation before that, please ask for it.

If you complete the course satisfactorily, you will receive a very nice certificate, suitable for framing.

Our programs are so discounted that we can't offer refunds; however, if you decide to withdraw from a course in the first week, you may select another class.

We are a non-profit organization and we provide one free, tutored writing course to cancer patients. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please write to deborahowen@cwinst.com.

Like most writing schools, our classes are not accredited, but we do award certification and 1.6 CEUs (Continuing Education Units).

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17. Regarding scholarships for cancer patients:

What Courses Do You Supply?

Cancer survivors may choose from any course on our menu. We will soon be offering a journaling course, and that would be a wise choice. Journaling is an excellent way to work through your emotions and dig for answers. Any writing course can unleash your fears, boost self-esteem, validate a new identity, and help clarify choices. The more you write, the more you’ll realize how liberating the release is. Everyone harbors a certain amount of anger and frustration. Think of journaling as a safe way to let off steam and form new plans. The combination of less stress and proper treatment can make the difference between giving up and moving forward in life.

What Services Do You Offer?

We provide cancer patients with one free course and offer discounts on consecutive courses. We also provide a full-time tutor that will grade your work and answer questions. However, we are not a group of physicians or counselors. We do not counsel, recommend treatment, or accept responsibility for a student’s emotional or physical state of being. Our function is simple: we befriend needy people and offer them an ear.

Sounds Interesting, but My Writing Skills May Not Qualify

We aren't here to judge your skills. We're here to help. We don’t care if English is your first language, whether you can barely structure a sentence, have poor grammar, or rotten punctuation. We just want to help you through your cancer journey. Only your tutor will see your work. This isn’t a competition.

My Cancer is in Remission. Do I Qualify for a Scholarship?

In a word, yes!

What Methods Do You Use in Journaling?

We will suggest things, such as writing letters to people living or dead, journaling events, writing articles, essays or memoirs, or you may choose any course you like.

We will supply you with a private tutor who will walk every step of the way with you. During your journey, you may or may not choose to discuss your illness, the shock of it, the indignations, discomfort, anger, chemo, radiation, surgery, and your support system. All of that is optional, or you may choose to follow a standard course. Either one is fine.

I Have No Interest in Becoming a Professional Writer. Do I Have to Choose One of the Main Courses?

Yes, but only as a base course. In other words, pick something that sounds interesting to you. The entire course will be available to you, but your tutor will handcraft lessons to meet your specific needs. You may choose to spend little time on the regular course and customary assignments, and that's just fine. You may write about the happiest and saddest days of your life, or you may choose to get more personal, which is fine. It would be good to share an entry that talks about how you will celebrate life and your accomplishments and how your illness effects your family.

How Long Is the Course?  

Courses are eight weeks long and selected participants may receive one scholarship. We only ask that you finish the course because someone purchased it for you. If you need more time to complete the course, that's quite all right. We're very liberal with extensions.

What is the Cost? 

For you? Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Your sponsor paid $200 for it. If we know who sponsored you, we will ask you to send a thank you letter via your tutor.

Who is Eligible for a Scholarship?

You, if you have had or do have cancer and are over the age of 14; however, the committee must approve the participants. If we receive a request to sponsor a child under the age of 14, we will consider adapting a class especially for them as our future plans include children's classes anyway. We have only one request - that they complete the course.

Are Scholarships Available Now?

As of this writing, yes, but you should apply quickly. If scholarships are not available, we’ll place your name on a waiting list and will solicit a donor on your behalf.

If I’m on the Waiting List, Is There Anything I Can Do to Help Locate a Sponsor?

YES! If you give your permission, we'll solicit funds on your behalf by showing prospective donors your picture and a lifted quote from your biography. Donors have the opportunity to select the person they choose to scholarship. Note: If you grant us to permission to use your picture and a lifted quote, we will use ONLY your first name and last initial and will not release further information.

How Do I Apply for a Scholarship? 

Write to deborahowen@cwinst.com and request an application form. We also need a letter from your oncologist (or surgeon) that states your name, stage and type of cancer. That's all there is to it! Write today.