So, I recently got accepted into all three of these schools for journalism, which I was not expecting. Do any of you have an advice/opinions about where I should attend? I’ve been leaning towards Emerson but I truly do not know how to decide.
NU and it’s not even close.
If costs aren’t an issue, I don’t see why you wouldn’t pick Northwestern.
Northwestern. If you are accepted there and can handle the cost, it’s not even a choice.
Northwestern unless that means mega student debt.
What’s the finances with each school?
If affordable (without hardship/debt), I’d go with Northwestern.
I know a lot of people are saying Northwestern - I’m curious to hear about why. Is it simply the prestige of the place or its reputation for journalism?
I think it depends on what you want, OP. Why are you leaning towards Emerson?
@juillet To expand and answer your question, they are all excellent good schools but the journalism program at Northwestern is absolutely outstanding and the school offers a great combination of a traditional campus experience with a major city nearby.
Of course all three are fine choices so if the OP desires to be in Boston or to wants an urban undergrad experience then he/she should choose Emerson or BU. There are many times in this college process when reasonable people will make different decisions when faced with the same choices.
And if they are not equally affordable, finances should factor into the decision as well.
My opinion was based on the experiences of people I know who went through journalism programs at Northwestern and BU and a prof. who teaches at Emerson. And my personal bias towards a traditional campus experience for undergrad was undoubtedly factored in as well. I’d also note that while I like Emerson, it is a highly specialized college so if the OP decides to change focus/major the choices may be limited.
@julliet it’s both. northwestern itself is an elite top-tier school in a great college town with a world city nearby. their journalism school (Medill) is about the best journalism program available for undergrads. Medill has alumni in so many huge media roles (NYTimes, NBC, BBC, etc)
OP, pick Northwestern. You will have so many opportunities with a northwestern and medill degree that you cannot get with a BU or emerson degree (no offense: they are wonderful institutions still though—but it’s just how good NU is for journalism)
@juillet: The equivalent to Medill@Northwestern for journalism is Wharton@Penn for business.
If you look at it from that angle, you’d understand why everyone is advocating for Northwestern.
Hmm, thanks for the extra detail! Frankly, on face I’d pick Northwestern too, but OP said they were leaning towards Emerson and I thought there might be some compelling reason why.
@PurpleTitan: I was sort of thinking of this as like a Wharton vs. Babson question. Yes, Wharton is top-notch in business for sure, but Babson is also great and if a student wanted a small LAC vibe then Babson might be a really good choice for them. Both would have great post-graduation outcomes. (However, I have no idea if Emerson is as big in the journalism world as Babson is in the business world.)
That’s a good point, @happy1, about Northwestern being more well-rounded in case OP changes their mind about their major (or even just wants to double major or minor in something else. A good journalist knows a little about a lot.)
Truth be told, most journalists do not major in journalism. For example, a very large contingent of reporters and editors at the Wall Street Journal are Michigan alumni (no journalism program there). But if you really, really want to major in journalism, Northwestern is the only program I’d recommend.
@juillet: Agree that Babson is small and specialized, but it is also seen as one of the best for a key area of business (entrepreneurship).
I have no idea how Emerson is in journalism either.
Thank you all, for your help! The only issue I’d have with Northwestern is money (my family makes 80k-90k a year)
@juillet I got into the Honors Program at Emerson (24k a year), so I’m leaning towards it for that reason.
After talking to some people irl I’m leaning towards Northwestern now, but that depends how much of my college fund can be applied to it
If Northwestern is unaffordable (would cause great hardship for your family, leave you with a lot of debt) then Emerson is a great school. Congrats on having such great choices.
What are the costs for each after scholarships and grants? Have you got your fin aid package yet? I’d expect NU fin aid to be pretty good for you unless your family has massive savings.
Hold up until you hear from NU about their financial package. NU meets full need with no loans. It could end up being
NU wins in a blowout if cost isn’t a factor.
At 80k per year, you should be going to NU for free.