<p>I hope you guys can help. I feel like I'm stuck right now. I applied to a lot of schools, and I've finally narrowed it down to five: OSU, American, Northeastern, Boston U, and NYU. I plan to major in journalism. My financial situation is bleak at best. Despite what my EFC might reflect, my parents will not be able to support me at all financially. OSU is my in-state safety, and I would've readily agreed to go there... but their journalism program is very, very weak and I would still be $50k in debt upon graduation. Obviously, the out-of-state schools like AU, NEU, BU, and NYU are much more expensive, and I'd be looking at a six-figure debt after four years. NYU is my top choice, and I'm sure you're all familiar with how gracious they are with their money... or there's NEU with their great co-op program which could help me gain experience in the field and possibly land me a great job after I graduate. There's drawbacks to every single one, and I don't know what is more important. I also realize that I'm only 17, I can't grasp what debt really is, and that because I'm eager to get out of Ohio, my judgment is a little clouded.</p>
<p>Now that I've typed this all out, the answer seems obvious, but... I don't know. It's hard to let go of a dream (NYU). I've worked so hard for it. It's a shame that the only thing standing in my way is money.</p>
<p>Maybe this was just more therapeutic than anything else.</p>
<p>Okay, you need to really think this through: "...and I'd be looking at a six-figure debt after four years." </p>
<p>No. Way.</p>
<p>You can not expect to live very well as a journalist with that kind of an obligation. Most journalists make less than $35K a year. You most likely would have to go live at home with your parents and work for your local community paper (I did exactly this for six months, and it was not fun after four years of being independent). </p>
<p>My advice: go to OSU and major in English or one of the other liberal arts. Read the best of humankind's literature, study history, politics, psychology, music, poetry. Expose yourself to the greatest and longest-lasting ideas. You will have wisdom as your foundation and hopefully find your voice. Work on the college paper, free-lance and intern at the local community papers. Build up your by-lined clips. After four years of a fine education and some on-the-job experience, you will be snapped up by papers (same applies to radio or broadcast), especially if you are willing to move anywhere. </p>
<p>But don't get into more than about $10K - $20K debt if you really want to be a journalist. Even if you have to go to community college first and then transfer. You do not need to major in journalism to become a journalist. In fact, it can be detrimental. All the techincal stuff (interviewing, editing, writing, photographing, etc...) can be learned in the first six months of a job/internship. What will distinguish you is this: can you think? can you communicate? do you have the drive it takes to put yourself out there every day? </p>
<p>The rule of thumb on undergraduate debt is not to take on more than your expected first year's salary. If you are majoring in Engineering or Comp Sci you can handle $50-$60K, but most liberal arts grads will be making far less so shoot for $40K or less. That's only $10K per year in loans.</p>
<p>I agree with Momof2--don't worry about the major, focus on educating yourself and working on a school or community paper while you are in college. </p>
<p>I would also look at some lesser-known schools, especially if you have high grades and test scores. My D. got a huge merit award from Knox, and quite honestly it will be just as good an experience for her as any other school she applied to, and better than the big state school she picked as a safety.</p>
<p>money matters --but play the hand dealt --osu is for 90% of the country a very good public school.</p>
<p>Even in journalism your job interviews will go
"so Betty i see you went to ohio state how about those buckeyes in the xyz bowl this year...now tell me about your experience on the school paper what was your best story ......"</p>
<p>at Northeastern
"so Betty i see you went to northeastern, isnt that in Boston?...now tell me about your experience on the school paper what was your best story ......"</p>
<p>you don't need to be a journalism major to become a journalist. Experience and internships are going to be the key, not your major. </p>
<p>And for that matter if you have an aptitude for science or languages it would be better to major on one of those fields AND pursue journalism via the school paper and internships. Lots of humanities majors are scared of numbers and science, a reporter who can cover the science beat or businesses that have a tech product are much rarer than journalism majors. Same with foreign languages; how many reporters in this increasingly international world can speak anything but english?</p>
<p>As a journalist, I can confirm that (a) you don't need a journalism degree to get a job in journalism and (b) newspaper jobs pay very very low. On the other hand, I thought one of the Ohio state schools had an excellent communications program -- Ohio University. Did you consider applying there?</p>
<p>There are many journalists out there with a range of degrees from a wide range of schools -- call the editor of your local paper or the anchor of the local TV news, and talk to them about what they look for in hiring new staffers. </p>
<p>I know how hard it must be to not go to NYU -- that's really tough. You might want to call the financial aid office and do some begging. It may get you nowhere, but you may always kick yourself if you don't try. But if you have to finance the entire cost of NYU with loans -- that's not a good idea.</p>
<p>OU has an <em>excellent</em> journalism program; that would give you a reasonably priced option.</p>
<p>Another possibility is to investigate the possibility of transferring to OU after a year of community college (to save money). Unless you are in OSU honors, you cannot assume that you will be placed in the classes you request, so I am not suggesting a OSU/OU transfer.</p>
<p>You mentioned: "Despite what my EFC might reflect, my parents will not be able to support me at all financially."</p>
<p>You need to see if they will provide anything - remind them that you will not be living at home (eating and using utilities), and that will save them some money. If you work during school, and in the summers - that will bring in some money. Will they at least match your earnings?</p>
<p>Lots of good advice here regarding maximum debt levels and journalism.</p>
<p>My son no longer has an interest in journalism, but did a couple years ago and the advice I gave him was exactly that given by mikemac.</p>
<p>Journalism is a tough field with low pay. 10% of the reporting staff at the Washington Post was recently issued their pink slips. Radio news is a virtually non-existent field, with fewer jobs today than when I started more than 30 years ago. TV is a little better, but few openings and lots of competition. </p>
<p>I haven't seen any numbers to substantiate this view, but (having spent a good deal of time in the field) I strongly believe there are far more journalism graduates than journalism jobs.</p>
<p>On the upside - a journalism degree will prepare one well for a variety of occupations - everything from PR work to corporate communications to grant writing. However, as gnu mentions, one has to be realistic about starting salaries and so on.</p>
<p>"I strongly believe there are far more journalism graduates than journalism jobs."</p>
<p>I don't know if that's true either -- but remember that a lot of journalism majors go on to do public relations or development work. </p>
<p>And to continue the dismal outlook: very few magazines have staff writers and many "foreign correspondents" are free lancers like Jill Carroll, given that hardly any news organizations have overseas bureaus anymore. Plus, it's very difficult to make a good living as a freelance writer. </p>
<p>I love my job, but I hope my kid doesn't follow in my footsteps. (Although she is, since she's on her HS paper!)</p>
<p>I did apply to OU actually and was accepted to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. I'm still considering it. However, I visited the campus, and while it's very beautiful, I don't think I'd be happy there. I'm not much into partying, thrive in city life, and was hoping for some internships during the school year. I don't think Athens could offer me that.</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies. Yes, I know, $100,000+ is crazy, and in the end I probably will go to OSU.</p>
<p>I'm a little nervous about heading off into journalism. Is it really that hard to land a job in the field?</p>
<p>Hey, Katie Couric doesn't have a journalism degree, and she's a "journalist". ;)</p>
<p>Trivia: CNN president Reese Schoenfeld once banned Couric from the air after hearing her high-pitched, squeaky voice. So make sure to work on your elocution skills.</p>
<p>"On the upside - a journalism degree will prepare one well for a variety of occupations - everything from PR work to corporate communications to grant writing."</p>
<p>Yes, but an English degree, for example,will prepare you for all that plus law, teaching, etc... If you are at all unsure of your future career plans (which you SHOULD be at this age), a broad degree is more flexible. Plus, most people change careers/jobs several times in their adult lives.</p>
<p>Actually for Northeastern it would be:
"so Betty i see you went to northeastern, isnt that in Boston?...now tell me about your co-op at the Boston Globe what was your best story ......"</p>