<p>I'm a junior in high school and an aspiring sports journalist, hopefully in print rather than broadcast, etc. My first choice for school would be to stay on the east coast, and I'm confident in my ability to be accepted to most schools. Any suggestions on top schools for the career choice? Also, I've been told to major in english or communications so as to not tie myself down. Good idea? Thanks.</p>
<p>Syracuse would be a good choice. Also Penn State has a Sports Journalism program.</p>
<p>Mitch Albom, probably the country's best sportswriter as well as the author of books like "Tuesdays with Morrie" was a sociology major at Brandeis.</p>
<p>Lots of people don't realize it, but sportswriting is probably the most difficult type of print journalism. One has to write very quickly, accurately and -- in these days in which most people have seen the game already when they read the story -- poetically so that people read your stories because of the beauty of the writing. One also needs an in depth knowledge of fields such as economics, business, criminology, sociology, political science, psychology, etc. because of the economic, legal, etc. aspects of sports. </p>
<p>Consider attending a strong liberal arts school for undergrad then going to a top journalism school like Columbia, Northwestern or U Missouri for grad school.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt has a wonderful sportswriting scholarship that -- if you have a strong background already in sportswriting -- you may be eligible to obtain.</p>