<p>I'm a junior in high school right now, and I'm just beginning to think that I'd like to go to Medill to pursue a major in Radio and Television (specifically TV, which I have been pretty involved with thus far in high school). As the title of this post says, I have not been a part of my school's newspaper or yearbook, but I realize Medill, being a journalism school, considers those to be important. I'm pretty sure my grades and test scores are on par with the rest of Northwestern's students. It'd be really helpful if somebody would let me know if Medill is still possible for me considering my interest in TV broadcasting and not newspaper/magazine writing.</p>
<p>Hey, a topic like this actually came up in my interview.
My interviewer was a Medill grad and said that most to all of her interviews for Medill were very active in their newspapers or other similar ECs. For most of NU’s smaller majors (journalism, theatre, RTVF, music), demonstrated interest is important. Also, I’d actually suggest turning your attention to the Radio, Television, & Film major in the School of Communication if your goal is TV as opposed to a degree in journalism.
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks for the response! I am a little confused though. I thought that majoring in Radio, TV, and Film puts you in a position to have a career in non-news type things, such as a movie or sitcom or something like that. Ideally I’d want to be in a career in television news, so I thought Medill is the best program for that.</p>
<p>@ihavefewECs Ah okay, I misunderstood. I don’t think Medill has a degree especially for Radio & Television news, but yeah, RTVF is meant for non-news production. You can always explain in your NU essay that your goals are to work in TV news and that’s why you want Medill. Apply for what you feel most strongly about and see what happens, what’s the harm?</p>
<p>You are still a junior–you still have time to do something substantial for your college resume. Consider going down to your cable access station and finding out how to volunteer. These stations are filming local city councils, school boards, etc., and you can learn a lot about being at a TV station there. </p>
<p>Do you want to major in journalism or radio/tv? Medill has a broadcast track if that’s the type of news you want to get into, and some people who are in Medill now going down that track have no journalism experience from high school (i’m a freshman in Medill now). But if you want to major in RTVF (radio/television/film) that’s in the school of Communications, not Medill, and no journalism experience would be expected. </p>
<p>I was just accepted into Medill ED with no journalistic experience. This is due to my rigid IB schedule however. My interviewer suggested I apply under a different major but journalism is what I want to do and sticking to it payed off! Just make sure you know that letters of rec, gpa, test scores and other factors besides extra curriculars are taken into consideration!!!</p>
<p>@ihavefewECs Medill has one and only one major: Journalism, which includes broadcast, magazine, print and online. If you want to do TV news directing you could take some Medill classes but probably the School of Communication’s RTVF major is for you. As for the previous experience - I started my own high school newspaper back in Sophomore year and that gained me enough “experience” to be part of the Medill Cherubs journalism program, probably the country’s best summer journalism program for high school students. However, many kids in Cherubs (and in Medill right now) have had little to no experience before yet they’re still here and they’re just as good as everyone else. I would recommend looking at the Cherubs program, it is life-changing and it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Good luck and hope to see you in Medill in a few years, it really is as good as everyone says it is. </p>
<p>source: I’m a Medill Cherub and a Medill freshman. Go 'Cats! </p>
l also am taking IB classes ( I attend the International Academy, which is ranked top 10 public HS in US). I have a 4.0 GPA through 2 years, and will likely get at or near a 4.0 Junior year. I have been Sports Editor for my school's newspaper this year and last (Junior and Sophomore). My ACT is a 33. However, besides for newspaper, my other extra curriculars are just OK. I am in many clubs, but most of them I am just a member and not on board. I also participate in sports and band (just JV sports though). My recommendations will also most likely be OK but not great, though I should have an above average essay. I am applying for Medill Cherubs for this summer, so do you think with that application I have a chance to get in (since the Medill cherubs application and college apps are kind of similar) and eventually a chance to get into Medill?
