<p>Where does PSU's journalism program rank among the best in the country? Is it highly respected, and does it produce journalists with as good of opportunities as Northwestern and other giants? Any input would be nice, thanks!</p>
<p>My D was accepted into PSU's Journalism program and was also accepted at Syracuse's Newhouse School. Due to finances (i.e. a sorry Aid package from SU) she will most likely be attending PSU. PSU's communications school is very good and probably in the top 20 (Northwestern, Syracuse, Mizzou and Maryland are all in the top 10) and boasts the largest undergrad enrollment. PSU students did very well with the recent Hearst Journalism awards <a href="http://hearstfdn.org/hearst_journalism/press_release.php?id=23%5B/url%5D">http://hearstfdn.org/hearst_journalism/press_release.php?id=23</a> We spoke to some Communications students at a recent accepted students day who said they turned down other (top 10) schools for Penn State because they felt they'd have more opportunities to participate at Penn State than other schools.</p>
<p>I'm in the same situation--- Is Newhouse really worth the debt?
After going to the communications accepted student day at Penn State, I am confident that PSU has everything I need to get the same education as a Newhouse student, as long as I use every opportunity.</p>
<pre><code> The equipment isn't as nice at Penn State as Syracuse but it is more than acceptable for an undergrad journalism program. I intern at the local PBS station and their broadcast studio is very similar to Penn State's Innovation Park. Also, as mentioned, because PSU's program isn't as competative as Syracuse's, Maryland's, or Northwestern's, students get more hands-on experience.
Also, State College is a very small market, so they are more willing to let students do real work, than if you tried to get an internship in Chicago at Northwestern.
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<p>My son is a junior looking at journalism. He did a summer camp at Penn State after 9th grade so had seen the campus and liked it, so we weren't planning on visiting before he applies. But now I think we will, because of the good comments here about the journalism program. He needs to fall in love with a "match" school that is closer to home than Mizzou. His other options: UNC Chapel Hill (reach), Wisconsin, Mizzou, Ohio University, and then two privates that would require merit scholarships--BU and Syracuse. Thanks for the positive feedback about PSU.</p>
<p>Geezermom, If your son is at the upper end stats-wise be sure to look at the Honors Program. There is merit money, along with other nice benefits.</p>