<p>I'm a Coloradan interested in studying journalism in college, and I was thinking about going to Canada to do so. I spent a few days in Toronto a little over a year ago and drove through other parts of Southern Ontario, and I really liked the international aspect of Toronto. You can walk down a block in downtown Toronto and hear a dozen different languages. I would think Toronto would be a great place for connections.</p>
<p>I looked at University of Toronto and wasn't impressed by the fact that their journalism program is just a joint program with a community college. I looked into Ryerson, which I know is from where Monita Rajpal, a CNN anchor, graduated. Their journalism program looked more promising, but I can't find any information about Ryerson from external sources like College Board, Naviance, or here. Is Ryerson setting my sights too low?</p>
<p>I looked into schools in Montr</p>
<p>McGill is vastly superior to Concordia in all academic areas that both schools offer. McGill is ranked first in its category by Maclean’s and Concordia is ranked last in its category. Concordia is not a glorified community college but is is not very highly regarded in Canada and unknown in the US. </p>
<p><a href=“http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/05/our-19th-annual-rankings/[/url]”>http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/11/05/our-19th-annual-rankings/</a></p>
<p>Unfortunately, McGill does not offer journalism but Concordia does. </p>
<p>Also, Ryerson is unknown in the US. That is why it is off the radar in the sources you mentioned.</p>
<p>Thank you for the quick reply!</p>
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<p>So, is it still worth it for me to apply to Concordia then? Or if I sill want to apply to somewhere in Canada, should I apply to McGill and just become a History or Philosophy major and communications minor?</p>
<p>I think Carleton (in Ottawa) is supposed to have a good journalism program. Admittedly I don’t know very much about that area, but maybe look into that?</p>
<p>CharlesCO:</p>
<p>I think for journalism the best preparation would be to learn how to write and to get a broad education. Some communications courses could be added. Journalism is one profession that does not require a degree in that field.</p>
<p>I do believe Carleton in Ottawa is the most highly regarded journalism school in Canada.</p>
<p>Tom, that is a contentious issue in the journalism industry.</p>
<p>What I have concluded is that I think a journalism degree is worth it if I can go to a school that has a really strong journalism program and is in a major city that has a lot of job opportunities, internships, and connections.</p>
<p>I’ve looked into Carleton, too, and I know it has a great program, but it doesn’t have my aforementioned latter criterion. Ottawa is also a smaller city than where I currently live, and I’m looking for something bigger.</p>
<p>So, I guess I’m still at Concordia and Ryerson, but if those aren’t considered to be very good schools, is it still worth it for me to apply to one of them, or would my efforts be better spent applying to another US school instead?</p>
<p>If you want to study journalism in Canada, Carleton U in Ottawa (as tomofboston said) would definitely be your top choice. It’s not a fantastic school in and of itself, but it’s journalism program is internationally renown.</p>
<p>Do not rule out Ottawa because of what you read on the internet. Go to Ottawa and take a look before ruling it out. It is only 2 hours from downtown Montreal and 4.5 hours from downtown Toronto. Ottawa is just as Multicultural but granted it is on a smaller scale. The big difference is that being in a smaller community you are able to to get involved a lot easier than in a bigger city, Ottawa may be right for you but at least look a bit closer because as some have pointed out Carleton has one of the best journalism programs.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight. So do you think it might be a better use of my time to apply to Carleton over Concordia or Ryerson?</p>
<p>I am not a journalist but I do know that Carleton’s program is very well known around the world. Also dont forget that Ottawa is the Nations capital and therefore has a lot international activity as well. I know that many Carleton students get a chance to work with some of the local newspapers as well as with some of the television stations. Depending on what part of Colorado you are from the weather would not be a shock to you. No one can tell you if Carleton is the right fit for you but I would definetly give it a good look before ruling it out.</p>
<p>I believe McGill has a Poli Sci + Journalism joint major.</p>
<p>Nope, no journalism at McGill. You may be thinking of Concordia University.</p>
<p>CharlesCO, if you want to make it big in the field of journalism, the best thing to do is go to the most prestigious/best university you can; major in an analysis-heavy subject like philosophy, history, or anthropology; and become chief editor of a student-run journal or magazine. Then apply for an MA programme in a field you would like to specialize in journalistically. Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism is another option worth checking out.</p>
<p>Many well-known columnists and anchors in the world today have followed the above route.</p>
<p>In other words, go to the University of Toronto or McGill if you have the choice.</p>
<p>Interesting that journalism schools in Canada tend to be at second and third tier universities: Concordia, Ryerson, Carleton, King’s etc. While in the US, some top universities have journalism schools: Columbia, Northwestern, Penn, USC for example.</p>
<p>I live in Canada, and am applying to Ryersons Journalism program next fall.
I decided to take a year off. I’m in Ottawa right now for my year off, sort of experiencing the city all over again. I was born here.</p>
<p>Ottawa is very boring - yet their program is strong. When it comes to journalism, locally, all you hear about is Ryerson and Carelton. Concordia isn’t mentioned as much, and DO NOT go to UofT, they accept anyone that applies for their program. A friend of mine got in, after deciding she would apply to a journalism program 3 days before the deadline with barely par marks and no experience. It said a lot about the program to me.</p>
<p>While you are trying to get into Canada, I am trying to get out.
Although slacking for 4 years probably wasn’t the best way to go about it.
Good luck! If you decide on Rye, I’ll see ya there.</p>
<p>Ohh, and one other thing. </p>
<p>Getting involved is easier in Toronto. It has much more outlets and internship opportunities than in Ottawa.</p>
<p>Penn has no journalism program. Temple has one, and it has extensive local alumni networks. Penn does have the Daily Pennsylvanian, a student-run daily. The DP alumni network also is strong and includes graduates working nationwide in all major media.</p>
<p>Wordworker, you are right! I knew that the Annenberg School of Communication at USC had a journalism program so I assumed the Annenberg School of Communication at Penn had one too. It does not.</p>
<p>CharlesCO, if you are still reading this thread, I have a few seasoned words of advice from the vantage as a former journalist, editor, and TA of a journalism program in Canada. Those relying on prestige, rank and all that other USNWR hoopla in the US are a tad misinformed about “the best” schools to attend in Canada when it comes to journalism. Your information about Carleton and Ryerson is accurate – those programs have widely and historically been considered to be the best two programs in Canada. In fact, when I worked at a large Canadian daily, the only other hire in my newsroom came from Columbia (with the masters; as you know, Columbia does not have an undergrad program in journalism.) I would not hesitate to put either program on par with Northwestern or Syracuse, for example. One of my UG lab students gained admission to Ryerson AFTER completing her degree and went on to work for one of the major Toronto dailies. I tell you this so that you understand that just because Ryerson is not a “traditional” university does not mean it is in any way a “lightweight” type of program – so if you like the city of Toronto, then Ryerson is a great bet.</p>
<p>At one point in time, Carleton was considered a little more “serious” or “in-depth” and politically focused (by virtue of being in the country’s capital). However, employers at the time seemed to prefer to hire out of Ryerson because there was a perception of more hands on experience. It is a craft and a vocation in one, and while “anyone” can study “anywhere” and write something, few can meet the exacting pace and demands of daily news.</p>
<p>In addition, today the typical successful reporter has to be comfortable grabbing audio and video clips for the website or broadcast wires (since media convergence), updating website, sending tweets via feed systems such as Hoot Suite, etc. While Canada at least has relatively non-partisan reporting (comparatively) it does still face the same commoditization pressures that have in effect watered down the quality and depth of reporting in the U.S. It is perhaps for this reason that so many Canadian-educated journalists end up working for major media outlets in the U.S. – they have been well-trained to exacting standards ;)</p>
<p>Good luck with your applications. I just wanted you to know that you are definitely on the right track!</p>