<p>Im interested in becoming a beat writer for any sort of team after I get out of college, but first I have to decide where I am going. Can anyone help me?</p>
<p>All AP classes possible
GPA: 3.85 out of 4
Rank: 6 out of 479</p>
<p>SAT: CR-560 M-680 W-600 (total: 1840, CR and M: 1240...Taking it again soon!!)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Marching Band (leadership), NHS, History Club (leadership), Spanish Honors Society, Society of Fine Arts Students, Youth Group (leadership), sports website devoted to my articles</p>
<p>I know about the good ones in Mizzou (#1) and Northwestern, but how about some smaller colleges with good journalism programs? Are there any Christian schools with good journalism programs? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>What's the difference between majoring in journalism or majoring in communications?
It depends on the school. Sometimes, there can be very little difference. Generally, however, a major in communication tends to focus more on the theories behind how people and societies communicate, rather than on "hands on" skills such as writing, interviewing, and editing. It is important to take a close look at the classes offered and the focus of the program when looking at a commmunications major. Some communications programs are focused more on preparing students to do graduate level work in communications theory than they are on preparing students to find jobs as journalists. Finally, keep in mind that it is not absolutely necessary to major in either journalism or communicatons if you want to work in journalism. Other majors - when combined with work in campus media or journalism-related internships - can also be a foundation for a career in journalism.</p>
<p>When looking at any journalism or communications program, there are a few important questions to ask to help you evaluate the program's quality and how well it will prepare you to find a job after graduation:</p>
<p>[ul][<em>]Is the curriculum emphasis on actual "real world" journalism skills or on communications theory (i.e., "mass communications")
[</em>]What percentage of the faculty has "real world" experience, i.e., they've actually been journalists or in communications? (You want a program where a higher percentage have experience and working knowledge, not just theoretical knowledge)
[<em>]What opportunities are there to work in on campus media? (At some schools, getting a reporter or editor position at the student newspaper or radio station can be very competitive)
[</em>]How up to date is the equipment in the program? (Esp. important if you are interested in broadcast journalism) Are the facilities adequate for the number of majors? (If you never get into use the facilities because they're tied up for grad students, they won't help you)
[<em>]How many opportunities are there for internships? How many students actually do internships? Is it realistic to combine an internship with the level of academic effort required? How do you get internships?
[</em>]What size are the classes? How much writing and editing do you actually do in the classes? How good are the professors at giving you feedback about your writing and editing?
[li]What is the career placement office like? Does the journalism program have its own career placement/advising program or do you go through the school's "general" career office? Where did last year's graduates end up working immediately after graduation? Where do alumni work?[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>So, how do you track down good schools for journalism? Start by looking over the 110 colleges and universities that have programs accredited by The</a> Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. </p>
<p>I promised a list of what I consider the best undergraduate journalism programs in the country. Here it is, in no particular order: University of Missouri-Columbia, Syracuse University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, Boston University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, New York University, University of Oregon, Indiana University, U of Maryland-College Park, Ithaca College, Emerson College, Washington and Lee University, U of Wisconsin-Madison, Pepperdine University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Georgia, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas-Austin. Other excellent journalism and communications programs include: Susquehanna University, Muhlenberg College, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara University, Loyola University (Maryland), Simmons College, San Diego State University, Temple, American University, the University of Pennsylvania, Creighton University, Marquette University, Villanova University, and Ohio University.
There are several Christian schools on carolyn's list- Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, Loyala (MD), Marquette, Villanova, and Creighton.</p>
<p>Syracuse isn't small, but it has one of the best journalism schools in the country. 'Cuse just opened the Newhouse III, the third building of our journalism school. You should check it out, Syracuse is right up there with Mizzou and Northwestern.</p>
<p>We just looked at Mizzou and Northwestern. Mizzou is the only school in the country with their own NBC affiliate tv station, several university owned radio stations (not just "student" stations) and they have owned and operated the daily newspaper for Columbia, MO since they opened the journalism school in the early 1900's. It is completely hands on, and S2 was very impressed with the whole campus, but particularly with the people he met at the J school and the facilities. (I'm a little biased because it's my Alma Mater--though I was not in the j-school. It has changed quite a bit since I went there--for the better!!!)</p>
<p>Northwestern has a great reputation, but we could not see the J school, nor were they giving a j-school talk during the summer--not sure why they only do the presentation for Medill during the school year--maybe it's hard to staff, but with the distance and the heavy course load S2 has we cannot get out there this fall. He will probably apply there regular decision, and if accepted we'll go out again (if he wants to). </p>
<p>We will also be looking at UNC (Chapel Hill) next month (it's closer, and it will be on a day off).</p>