I’m a junior in high school looking to be a journalist / go into communications. My All Subject GPA is a 3.6 and my academic GPA is a 4.2. My ACT is a 35 and SAT is a 1570. ECs show an interest/commitment to writing and social issues but they aren’t stellar. I’m likely going to be a National Merit Semifinalist.
My current list (minus safeties) is:
Boston University
Syracuse University
Vassar College
American University
Occidental College
George Washington University
Fordham University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
I’m contemplating also applying to UNC - Chapel Hill, University of Maryland - College Park, and/or USC? Are these schools attainable? I visited UNC last weekend and loved it, so it’s up there with BU, Vassar, and Syracuse on top choice schools, but it’s crazy selective for OOS applicants. (I live in Illinois)
Maybe through the Border War you’ve been taught to hate the Tigers, but for J school, putting Mizzou on the list is certainly reasonable. They have a great J school, always ranked top 10, and depending on the source, sometimes number 1. Plus, it’s easy to establish instate residency just by staying over the summer. It would probably be a safety, but deserving of a serious look to be in contention for your top choice.
@eyemgh It is a safety of mine !! I visited campus a year ago and I liked it, but not as much as I loved the other schools on my list.
I’m sure you’ve considered this, but if not, look at net cost after expected aid too. It’s disappointing to fall in love with a program and then learn that you can’t afford it. Good luck. It’s a fun time!
@eyemgh cost isn’t a huge factor, i have approx 100k of college savings and for most of these schools net price is 25-30k for me
bump?
Mizzou is an obvious safety for journalism.
Denison for non-fiction writing.
Another good way to get into journalism is to choose a school with a good newspaper and major in a specific subject (economics, environmental studies, Russian studies, African American studies…). Therefore you have both broad professional experience and section/area knowledge. Look into rankings of college newspapers.
The Newhouse/Whitman program at Syracuse is excellent.
@MYOS1634 That’s what I’m planning to do if I go to schools like Vassar or Occidental - i’d double major in english and int. relations or poli sci
Syracuse is one of my top three schools !!! It’s up there with BU and Vassar, it ranks high on strength of program plus possibility of getting in with aid, but out of the three I mentioned, I liked its environment/campus the least.) (I was very much considering ED to Boston, but I love Vassar and Syracuse too much to go for ED)
I’m absolutely in love with UNC’s campus + atmosphere (I did a visit there last weekend) though and imo I liked the environment more than Syracuse when I visited, and I need to know whether it’s possible I could be accepted OOS ?? Should I try with my GPA being way below average? (My test scores are well above 75th percentile so i d k)
Your current list appears to be match-plus, in that they are matches and you may get some merit aid due to your test scores. As long as you indeed have a couple of safeties as well (as you say), list looks fine.
UNC is extremely selective for unhooked OOS applicants (think Ivy league) because as a public university for the state of North Carolina, 82% of all admitted students must come from North Carolina. After that they can select athletes and legacies (part of the 18% remaining). Unhooked OOS applicants get the few remaining places.
UofSc has a good J school (now called College of Information and Communication). Brand new facility in old part of campus. You would likely get waiver for OOS tuition and there is a guaranteed scholarship if you are NMF. Honors College is one to top in nation and you would be competitive based on test scores.