<p>I was wondering if any of you knew exactly how difficult it is to be accepted into a joint degree program in Religious Studies and Journalism. I've looked into the programs at NYU and Columbia, but I was curious to know if any of you have any insight as to exactly how hard it is to get into these programs if you are a worthy candidate. </p>
<p>I have a 3.65 at the College of the Holy Cross, Religious Studies major and German minor; 3.9 in my major. </p>
<p>I'm positive I would be able to get excellent recommendations, would do well on my GRE but I of course, I don't think would be in the 99% percentile. </p>
<p>I've written rather irregularly for the school newspaper, but I plan writing more regularly for the next two semesters. I have active involvement with some other organizations on campus, but nothing that stands out...my application would probably indicate that I was "busy" during my college career, but not necessarily a leader with any one particular group/organization.</p>
<p>So, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Should I work first? Do I need to raise my GPA even more?</p>
<p>It's not really possible to "chance" graduate admissions. There are too many factors involved. </p>
<p>But here's what I will say: Your overall GPA is fine, and your major GPA will help you. Your ECs (with the very significant exception of journalistic activity) will be irrelevant. Your writing sample and SOP will be crucial. Work in journalism prior to application could be a huge boost, but may not be necessary. On the GREs, focus on your writing and verbal scores, as your quant scores will be irrelevant.</p>
<p>I would also strongly suggest that you look into the Newhouse School at Syracuse. Gustav Niebuhr (religion writer for the NYT, WSJ, and Washington Post) is on faculty there. You may want to email him and ask about the programs at NYU, Columbia, and of course, Syracuse.</p>
<p>None of the unrelated ecs are important and they don't care about leadership. Spend your time writing -- or, even better, -- working for a campus publication. If you can get an unpaid journalistic internship off campus, that is also worthwhile. Your grades are fine. They will be looking for writing ability in your clips and your personal statement but, also, evidence that you know what reporting and journalism are all about. Many of those applying to Columbia journalism school will already have done internships, and some will have already been working in journalism for a while.</p>
<p>I applied to a joint program at NYU for something else. When I asked how that process worked... it was the same as anywhere else. Your application will be reviewed by each department, in your case, Religion and Journalism, individually. They probably won't collaborate over your application and decision. You're just applying to TWO programs for ONE degree which in this would be MA, right? So the final result would end up with the probability of fliping two coins. You could get in both, or not... or get in one but not in the other.</p>
<p>So look at the departments as two separate thing but writing in your SOP how having a joint degree can benefit you. But definitely contact the Directors in both programs to find out how it works exactly for that school. (That said school told me that one program will look at my application first, and then if I'm accepted, they'll recommend me to the other program who will usually accept also but if not... then it just passes the application over to the other program for individual consideration).</p>