<p>Ever since I first picked up a copy of AdWeek in the dentist's office when I was in 4th grade (I can feel everyone reading this collectively rolling their eyes...I'm sorry, just trying to create some background here!) I've wanted to go into advertising as a career. When everyone else wanted to grow up to be a famous soccer or had a legitimate hope of becoming a Broadway actor, I dreamed of working for BBDO, (yeah, yeah yeah, I'm done. Again, I apologize for the sap factor). However, as I am now that preemptively striking sophomore that this website seems to hate, I have some legitimate questions about choosing a college (provided you read this far). Ever since I attended my uncle's CAA picnic, Columbia has been my dream school (Okay, I'm done with anecdotes now). And, according to my college advisor, I have a legitimate chance of attending (I scored a 209 on my PSATs, which is in the middle range for attendees, won quite a few regional and state art and photography contests and have a 3.9 GPA in all honor classes. As well, I'm an editor of my school newspaper, the two-year secretary for my class, a member of the school film and photography club, the secretary of a volunteer club whose punny name shall not be mentioned, and a pretty run-of-the-mill field hockey & tennis player--again, I beg you not to hate me. I need to state facts, I really don't mean to be the "I'm so fantastic...but I'm really just an internet troll sitting in my basement" type). So, as much as advertising is my dream and Columbia is my dream school, they simply don't fall in line together. That being said, are there any majors that would be equivalent to an advertising major in the real world? And, if the answer is a resounding no, are there any schools that would sound like a good fit with a top-notch marketing program? Thank you for dealing with my relentlessly exclamatory sentences and endless parenthetical notes.</p>
<p>Try learning about top ad people, where they went to school, and what they majored in. See if you can find out what colleges they recruit at and what they look for.</p>
<p>I have a gut feeling top ad people all didn’t start out by getting advertising degrees.</p>
<p>The two top colleges you should be aiming for are Syracuse and Northwestern! They are rivals in the world of communications! Columbia also does have a great communications program due to it being an awesome college. I would go to Columbia (since I live in NYC) but the tuition is just too much for me. I’ve applied to Syracuse’s Newhouse, but Newhouse is so much more competitive than Syracuse Unversity as a whole. For Newhouse, you should have a 3.8-4.0 GPA, a 1290+ SAT (Reading + Math), or a 29+ on ACT. Focus on your English!</p>
<p>But as a said before, Syracuse and Northwestern are the two universities you should be setting your eyes on. They are the “Ivy Leagues” of communications. I have a friend who graduated from Newhouse and is now working at a top ad agency (360i) as a social media publicist (PR major). Newhouse has a huge networking alumni and will really help you get into a top ad agency. My friend who works at 360i says that the interns that come from Syracuse are easy to spot because they are overly-qualified.</p>
<p>It’s great that you’re thinking about this so early in your life! Your stats look really good so far and hopefully you’ll get into a top communications college and then a top ad agency like BBDO!</p>