3.5 GPA chance @ Journalism Grad School

Graduate School
1

<p>Interested in Columbia Graduate School of Journalism</p>

<p>Hispanic/Latino with a 3.52 from a public university out west. Wrote for school newspaper, two internships, one high profile internship (great recommendations) in New York and fellowship. Double-majors (broadcast journalism & international studies, fluent in 4+ languages, student internet reporter, produced mini-documentaries, packages, a reel, news clips published, member of SPJ, RTNDA and NAHJ.
What are my chances? Haven't taken GRE yet, Columbia doesn't require it. Is it too out of reach? What can I do?
What other schools should I consider?</p>

2

<p>Where else do you want to live? You may also want to consider Syracuse if you want to stay in the New York area.</p>

<p>Northwestern Medill is another good program. Chicago has a large Hispanic population. There's Berkeley's Journalism program in California (if you want to head out West).</p>

3

<p>What University did you attend out west? A 3.54 might be pushing it for Columbia...but your internships etc, publications etc are VERY important and those will be to your advantage. Take a prep course for the GRE and nail it! Are you applying for an MA or PhD?</p>

<p>Other places to look into
UNC Chapel Hill
Syracuse
Penn State
UPenn
Ohio State
Michigan State</p>

4

<p>Thanks.
I'm not at a prestigious school. I've done extremely well career-wise (not GPA-wise) at a flagship state university out west.</p>

<p>Columbia doesn't require a GRE, but my plan is to do as well as I can on it for other schools.
I've heard great things about Syracuse. What do you guys know?</p>

<p>Ideally, I'd love to live in New York and work there (being I'm from there)... but I go to a state school out west (not in California.) I also like California. </p>

<p>Columbia and Medill seem to be the most competitive. What are my chances?</p>

<p>I should also say I interned at the network level in NY where I got great recommendations, meet people, interviewed, pitched story ideas successfully, produced a segment, great reel, etc. It was an above average internship. I also am a reporter for a college news Web site.
My only weakness, I feel, is my sub par GPA.</p>

<p>Anyway, what about the schools that have ABC News on Campus like Arizona State (Cronkite), Chapel Hill, U of Texas-at Austin, Florida and Syracuse of course.</p>

<p>The reason I ask so many questions is because I strongly feel that a masters in journalism often is not necessary. It's what you do in the field, how thorough, fair, accurate, responsible you are, how you network frankly, etc.</p>

<p>However, I would love to learn more in a reputable setting to become a better journalist... so I feel I can handle the responsibility entrusted to journalists. I would be better prepared and it can't hurt. I know it doesn't help your income.
I know many professional journalists at the network level who do not have masters in journalism or do not recommend it HOWEVER I feel I'd be better with it, which is what matters. </p>

<p>With that said, I don't want to "waste my time" at an OK school because I couldn't get into somewhere exceptional. I hope that makes sense. I don't want a masters in journalism from a "podunk" place... I'd rather just start as a reporter somewhere.</p>

<p>THANK YOU!</p>

<p>Thanks for your input!</p>

5

<p>Honestly, your work experience and your internship sounds exemplary! I think you have a great chance of getting in at Syracuse, and yes, they do have a great journalism program. Make sure to emphasize your internship at NBC...that is HUGE. UNC-Chapel Hill has a great journalism program. Sometimes "OK" schools have fantastic programs. Just because the school is not an IVY it might have a top notch Journalism program. Attending an IVY with an ok journalism school is not as good as attending an "OK" (by okay I am assuming you mean top tier (top 100 National Universities). Florida has a great program as does Arizona...and they are top tier Unis, just not among the "Ivy elite." So, going to an OK school is perfectly fine. I would apply to a range...have a few reaches, a few that you feel you have a good chance of getting into, and then a few where you think you will definitely get in.</p>

6

<p>I'm like all excited about Syracuse now. There have been many Syracuse alums who have excelled in both print and broadcast journalism. Ted Koppel, Bob Costas and Jenna Wolfe come to mind. I also like the fact it's in New York state.
How about Columbia's journalism program. Are my chances really that slim? Or would I be better off working a year or so or just plan on getting the MA there in 10 years or something.
Do you know anything about NYU's and CUNY's programs. They seem to be very specialized.
Thanks for your input!</p>

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<p>Columbia is highly selective, but they take into account many, many things. They look for someone with a clear interest, goal etc. For example, they would take someone with a 3.6 GPA who has had internships, publications, presentations etc. over someone with a 4.0 but no research experience and no clear direction. GPA is not everything! Besides, your GPA is not that low! Admissions counselors take into account the breadth and depth of your studies. If you took diffcult classes and had a 3.5 gpa you are better off than someone who took "basket-weaving 101" and a bunch of easy filler courses and graduated with a 3.9. </p>

<p>I went to Stonehill College for my undergrad. It is a small liberal arts school...a top tier...but low down on the list of top tier lib arts schools. So just because you did not go to Harvard, Duke, Yake, Northwestern etc. doesn't mean you are not qualified.</p>

<p>NYU also has a great program and I am thinking about applying there as well. I think they are also very selective, but slightly less so than Columbia. I don't know much about CUNY. When applying to MA programs I contacted my undergrad professors for advice. They were GREAT! A lot of times your profs may have connections - a good rec from a department head who has published and is well known will be looked upon very favorably.</p>

<p>Another option is to apply to a joint MA/PhD program...research and work your butt off in your MA program and it might be easier to get into a top notch PhD program.</p>

8

<p>Your GPA for Columbia is fine. Not to mention that they are very minority friendly- more so than most Ivy's so I think your chances are higher than most. </p>

<p>The caviat with both Medill and Columbia are their extra application requirements. Columbia's MS program asks for three essays and to take- and do well in- their writing test (which is very, very difficult- check out the 2003 sample <a href="http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/images/jrn/pdfs/prospective_students/practicetest.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/images/jrn/pdfs/prospective_students/practicetest.pdf&lt;/a&gt;)
Medill asks for three essays and an optional fourth. If you can write effectively and articulate your goals, you stand a very strong chance of getting admitted. </p>

<p>As for Admittance rates: Columbia's is 10% while Medill's os closer to 30%. </p>

<p>One more thing: If you are a California resident, then SERIOUSLY consider applying to UC Berkley- their program is just as competitive-if not more so- than both Columbia and Medill- and admittance rates for CA residents is much higher than non residents. </p>

<p>Also consider Missouri Univ Columbia - their program is just as reknowned as Newhouse's, Columbia's and Medill's. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

9

<p>Yes, please don't forget about UMissouri. Their program is ranked at the top nearly every year.</p>

10

<p>Thank you. Thank you.
I keep on hearing great things about UMissouri. It's very respected. I'd have to visit to see how I feel about living there... I guess it's for only a year. Thank you all for the input!</p>

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<p>Why would you want a Master's in Journalism again? Most people I know who get the Master's are career-switchers. You may not need it given your superb work experience in the field already.</p>

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<p>Thank you for that. I agree I may not need it to get a job, but to be more thorough to be a hard-hitting journalist to feel I know my stuff. I'd feel better especially with Columbia. I'd go in debt though, not good, because with a 3.5 I won't get a scholarship... I doubt it.
I agree a masters in journalism isn't necessary.
My degree is in Mass Communication/Broadcast Journalism not specifically Journalism.
So Tenisghs, you agree that if it's not a top journalism school then why even bother if it's most likely not necessary for the profession?</p>

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<p>Don't go into debt for a journalism degree. That's a really, really bad idea. Journalism is having a bit of a crisis right now, with newspapers going under and laying people off. My sister's paper just laid off some of their staff a few months ago. Also, journalists are paid squat. If you put yourself in debt, you will likely find yourself in some real trouble later. I cannot emphasize this enough: Do not count on getting a job in journalism straight out of your program, and do not count on a job paying much when you do get it. My sister is sharing a townhouse with two other people to make ends meet, and she doesn't even have any school debt. She also works far too many hours to take a second job, especially since the layoffs. Don't do it. The "Ivy" thing doesn't mean squat in grad school or journalism. Have a good portfolio, go to a good program, stay out of debt. That's all you need to know.</p>

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<p>DeepSeekPhD is correct. Since you majored in Broadcast Journalism, you are somewhat lucky because they are generally paid more than Newspaper Journalism majors. (The future of newspaper journalism is somewhat bleak right now.) Just get a job after you graduate from college. Don't be selective. New York is extremely competitive. You may have to get a job in the smaller, less populated areas. Work your way up to the larger cities by getting good experience.</p>

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<p>Wow, I don't really understand why you're even questioning your GPA given your awesome experience! I am a graduating senior at a public institution in CA and am in the process of applying to Medill and UCB's journalism programs. I have little experience with journalism (since my major and career goals are centered around advertising), but when i interviewed at Medill, I KNEW I had a shot at getting in. Now, my GPA is under a 3.5 but as people have already mentioned, GPAs are not the sole determinant of admission. Your experience, recommendations, personal statements and then your GPA are factored in. A combination of my experience and CONFIDENCE is also what has gotten me to build relationships with admissions people at BOTH of my first and second choice schools. </p>

<p>APPLY TO COLUMBIA. Competition should not hinder you from going to the school of your choice. Either you get in or you don't, you don't any anything to loose, esp. if you get into (and you will) the other schools you apply to.</p>

<p>Oh and to the people talking abt Syracuse, Syracuse is #5 of the top 10 Jounalism grad schools. It's not all that LOL Journalism</a> Graduate Schools</p>

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<p>Journalism is not a lucrative field. The OP already has a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Why would the OP put himself into more debt when he can acquire money, references AND experience in the field? He doesn't have to be in NYC. There are other less selective places in this country to find work.</p>

<p>YeeHaw, unlike you who doesn't have a major in journalism, the OP is already a journalism major. The Master's in Journalism is unnecessary for him. Unless he wants more student loan debt (Columbia is not cheap).</p>

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<p>Neither is Art History, or English, or many of the science based PhD's for that matter. Why are J-Schoolers the perpetual scapegoats for those who argue against "frivolous spending" in academia? </p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with furthering a journalist's academic career. Indeed, Columbia has a special program for Mid Careerists which the OP should seriously consider. And regardless of what the naysayers out there beleive- I can personally tout that having a Masters in Journalism is a major leverage in the industry and a door opener to many of the more prestigious jobs out there</p>

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<p>Sheelo81, the OP isn't a mid-careerist.</p>

<p>I graduated from a school with a prestigious journalism program. There are generally more opportunities for BAs than there are for MAs. Yes, the MA may look nicer but it doesn't necessarily mean it will open more doors if you already have a journalism BA.</p>

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<p>This is a good article to read that does not recommend journalism grad school:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Grad school programs in mass communication come in two flavors. One is a traditional scholarly program. Most people who want to become a journalist totally HATE this kind of program. And they make pretty poor students too, because they HATE their classes. A traditional master’s program is about scholarly research and statistics and mass communication theory. It is not, in fact, about how to be a journalist.</p>

<p>The other flavor of master’s degree program is the professional program. And guess what? It’s very, very similar to most undergrad journalism programs in North America. So you would be, duh, taking the same classes AGAIN. How boring would that be? You would be wasting two years of your life not learning anything new. For what? For a degree?</p>

<p>Let’s talk about how highly editors in newsrooms (print, online and broadcast) value that master’s degree.</p>

<p>Not. One. Bit.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Teaching</a> Online Journalism Advice to journalism students: Forget grad school!</p>

<p>As some of us have stated, journalism grad school is only recommended to career-switchers who have little to no background in journalism.</p>

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<p>That's one person's opinion.</p>

<p>I intend to go to grad school because I want to have the opportunity to teach journalism, and getting the master's degree right after my BS will open that door.</p>

<p>I'm also interested in exploring the scholarly side of journalism, examining how the mission of reporting the news is changing in an environment where newsprint is seemingly on its way to obsolescence.</p>