<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am an aspiring fashion/editorial/human-interest journalist. Currently, I am a first year student at a small, but pretty prestigious liberal arts college in the midwest. My stats are not perfect, but definitely top-college worthy.</p>
<p>My question is this: As much as I am enjoying my college, I honestly and truly do not feel like this is the place for me. I do not quite fit into the college vibe and am seriously considering a transfer. Because I am so interested in journalism, I'd like to apply to a school with a pretty decent journalism program. Do you think that is a solid choice? Or would any old English degree be enough to break me into the business?</p>
<p>With that being said, I realize that I have missed many deadlines for schools that would potentially be interesting. Medill, for example, has a May 1st deadline. Whoops. And I know that they recommend that you transfer sophomore year and into the fall term.</p>
<p>I know that to really break into a business like Magazines, I should be in New York. That is very far from home, and while I think I could do it, I'd still like to be somewhere where I will feel like I'm having the "college experience" as a transfer student. I know that many large, in-city schools have a lot of students living off-campus and not interacting on a regular basis, which is something I do love about my small, close-knit college.</p>
<p>Does anyone have advice concerning where I should be aspiring to go and how I can get there? I really, really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I’ve heard from several graduated journalism majors that what people are really looking for are other degrees. Like, if you wanted to go into news, you would major in political science or economics.<br>
Where in the country are you looking to go, region wise? Do you want to stay in the midwest, or go elsewhere?</p>
<p>Yes some people are looking to other majors because the job market is poor. However, being a journalism major would give you the chance to qcquirer great verbal and written skills. </p>
<p>With that being said, the universities I recommend in the Midwest region are Cleveland State, Northwestern, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio University, Kent State University, Indiana, Central Michigan, Kansas, and Missouri (the best choice for you if you are looking to stay in the midwest).</p>
<p>The best place in the Pacific region would be either Southern California or Stanford.</p>
<p>In the Eastern region, I would say Columbia or North Carolina.</p>
<p>In the Southeast, defininately look at the University of Florida and Miami University.</p>
<p>If you’d rather major in business, I highly recommend the University of Florida. I know they have a top 10 MBA program and they are highly recommended by Forbes Magazine.</p>
<p>An MBA program doesn’t do the OP any good - she’s an undergraduate.</p>
<p>The first thing you need to think about is finances. Are you getting aid and do you need aid? Schools generally offer very little aid to transfer students.</p>
<p>OK. Well i’m sure Florida has a great undergraduate business program too.</p>
<p>Yes finances are extremely important. Do not take out too many student loans. Big mistake. Look for grants and scholarships.</p>
<p>Yes, money is indeed an issue for me. I’m receiving A LOT of financial help at my current institution, and that would be a factor in whether or not I transfer. At this point, I doubt I’ll be transferring until my junior year, if I decide to do so at all. Should I just wait for graduate school to move locations? I know many programs don’t like people coming in so late in the game, and I’d rather not spend more than 4 years at college. As far as alternative options, what’s out there? Are there some fabulous summer programs I could involve myself in? I’m jumping into internships here in the midwest as we speak</p>
<p>If you haven’t already, I would join the Society of Professional Journalists and they have tons of workshops throughout the year. It looks great on your resume too. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would wait until graduate school. If you can, attempt to get an assistantship. My thought is if a graduate school wants me bad enough, then they can dangle a carrot in front of me with the best financial aid package possible. If not an assistantship, then certainly as many scholarships and grants as possible. I am not too crazy about student loans anymore. I used enough of those. I think this is the approach you should take.</p>
<p>I know it sounds tough but you should try to hang in there.</p>
<p>In the meantime, talk to graduate programs now. They shouldn’t be too terribly busy since spring semester is over. Now is the time to call or email them. I started emailing and calling graduate programs as a Junior at Cleveland State. I honestly thought I didn’t have a chance beacause I never had a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. I ended with a 2.64 because I didn’t start strong but I finished strong.</p>
<p>Some graduate programs look beyond G.P.A. So, if you don’t have a shining G.P.A. make up for it by having of the nation’s top portfolios for any candidate. It’s working perfectly for me.</p>
<p>Do not transfer. It is likely that you would get little or no aid at any institution you transfer to. You would be stuck with much bigger loans and out-of-pocket costs.</p>
<p>Polarscribe is right. It’s not a great idea to transfer. If you were going to school in the 80’s or 90’s it might have been a different story. However, with the terrible economy trying to pick up, you are better off waiting.</p>