By NAOMI JOYNER

SAIC: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing

Why Did You Choose to Participate In This Program?

I chose to participate in the Creative Writing program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago because I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer. That’s the only thing even at the moment that I know for sure - that I’m a writer. I love learning new forms of writing and new ways to engage with written text.

How Did You Decide Which Program Was Right For You?

I knew SAIC was right for me because I wanted to be surrounded by creatives and creative people who were passionate about their work and SAIC being interdisciplinary allowed people to open themselves up to new things and new experiences.

What Was A Typical Day In Your Program?

A typical class in my program is reading people’s work and critiquing it, and engaging in inspiring works that make us think about things differently or similarly - we read to work our minds.

What Was the Most Memorable Moment of Your Program?

My most memorable moment at SAIC was showing my work in the Residence Hall student-run Siragusa gallery and getting to witness people interacting with my work and enjoying it. It was the first time I really saw what life after SAIC could be.

What Advice Do You Have For Teens Looking For Summer Programs?

My advice for people who are looking at SAIC is make sure you’re serious about this path you want to take. This school doesn’t always make it easy to love it, but when it does, it becomes so worth it. But, you have to put the work in and be ready to fail so you can get better.