Cornell Daily Sun

<p>Glad my comments helped!</p>

<p>I wrote for the Sun, and I actually did not find it to be a ridiculous time commitment. Freshman year, when I wrote for the news, I found it only took up around 6 hours each week. I was also a premed(I’ve moved on to other endeavors now, however), and it did not negatively impact my grades. </p>

<p>Rather, I believe commitment to the Sun more about what you demand from yourself than what the editors demand from you. They’re ultra-flexible on deadline dates, and the only time I found myself bogged down was when I decided to research and write my own topic.</p>

<p>As for the Editorials(aka, Opinions Section), the Sun Staff actually asks you to start a blog before you can actually write in the paper. Since opinions are often touchy subjects, they want to make sure that you can write and convey your opinions with clarity, prudence, a sense of moderation - so no one is overly offended. In case you are desperately aiming to write Editorials, I recommend you get a head start and just scribble(or type) away some ideas about current events, such as Prof. Gates’ Recent Arrest in Cambridge, the political climate in Iran, or your opinion on the US’s foreign policy towards N. Korea. That way, you can present your past work to the Sun, and there’s a shorter wait.</p>

<p>Finally, as a Freshman, I don’t believe one really can attain any form of position. After writing a certain number of articles, you’re promoted to “Sun Staff” rather than “Sun Contributor.” From what I could observe, the people held high positions at the Sun were extremely dedicated to the Sun. When I went down to edit at night(8pm-10pm), they were almost always there.</p>

<p>Thanks again for your input, Hemingway! That’s really interesting that you’re asked to blog before writing opinion pieces for the paper. Are opinion writers also able to give their views about school-related issues, or are they mostly asked to cover topics from outside Cornell? I wrote a lot of editorials and op-eds for my high school paper, but they were all about in-school issues, so I’m not sure that any of them might qualify as “past work.”</p>

<p>Nope, nearly all the of the editorials are going to be regarding Cornell campus issues. Obviously, certain things, like the Prof. Gates arrest issue, might get mentioned because of its domestic nature and its far reaching consequences, but most of the time, its Cornell stuff.</p>

<p>I only mentioned the headlines in the news, since I’m not sure what else you could(or I would) cover for a blog before I headed to the Daily Sun.</p>

<p>Whoops, forgot one part. I’d totally mention and/or bring your old pieces with you when you head to the Daily Sun offices the first time. Not the interest meeting that’s going to take place, but rather, the first time you head to the main office.</p>

<p>anyone have any knowledge/experience in the arts section? Is it less intense than the news/opinion section in terms of committment?</p>

<p>Once again, thanks so much Hemingway!!! Your input has been much appreciated. I’ll be sure to bring photocopies of my past articles and editorials :)</p>

<p>Does anyone know if it’s still true that you can’t work for both the News and Business Departments at the same time? </p>

<p>Also, any insight into the average time commitment of a newcomer to the Business Department would be great.</p>