<p>i want to be a communications major because i want to be a television news reporter. but i heard that the classes are mainly theoretical. would it still be a good program for me or should i be looking at another school?
also, does penn have good connections to these big television internship places the way columbia or nyu might?</p>
<p>theoretical?</p>
<p>depends on the class - in my political communication class we've had political consultants and pollsters come in to tell us about the specific issues that really made a difference in the campaigns they worked on</p>
<p>and the books we read discuss specific ways that the media carries political messages in advertisements</p>
<p>Annenberg is a great communications school, but Penn's student TV station, where you would get most of your hands on experience, is kind of crappy.</p>
<p>You'll definitely be at a disadvantage for things like local TV broadcasting, where the technical programs will train you directly to the job.</p>
<p>However, you'll be at a definite advantage going into areas like political correspondence for major networks like CNN.</p>
<p>annenberg just got ranked #1 by academic analytics for the doctoral program!</p>
<p>As a Penn Comm grad - the program itself is very based in history and analysis of communications... it is NOT like a "Television & Broadcasting" or similar major, where you learn the ins and outs of a studio/camera/etc. (Typically anyway, there are some courses with those components). The courses at the school can be very fascinating, but they don't get very hands-on technical. </p>
<p>If you want to take a major that has a lot of hands-on production, try looking at schools with majors that have names like Broadcasting or Television-something- things that are explicitly production based. </p>
<p>No matter what school you end up at, I would suggest trying to get some internships - there are a lot of Public TV stations in Philly which is a decent place to start. UTV (the campus station) does suck though. Overall, I think having the theoretical background and real-world experience is the best combo.</p>
<p>If you have more questions, feel free to PM me.</p>