<p>DD has asked me to consult the wisdom of the board! She is a rising HS senior, looking for schools with outstanding journalism programs that also offer very solid liberal arts classes.</p>
<p>Northwestern has long been a favorite, but it is extremely selective, and doesn't offer any merit aid. (Did I mention that I would be oh-so-happy with at least the possibility of merit aid?)</p>
<p>She has been looking at Ithaca College, which seems to have a top-notch journalism program, but we aren't quite sure how to judge the level of the non-journalism curriculum there.</p>
<p>DD is a top student (GPA & scores), and is really hoping to find a best-of-both-worlds school: a stimulating & intellectual environment coupled with a top-notch journalism program. Suggestions?</p>
<p>The University of Missouri School of Journalism is considered by many in the field to be the best in the country. In the Missouri method, students take a solid LA curriculum for two years, then enter the J-School where they serve as reporters, editors, photographers, videographers for a daily metropolitan paper, an NPR radio affiliate, an NBC television affiliate, an ad agency and a news website.</p>
<p>Some who don’t know the campus would say Mizzou is not a stimulating & intellectual environment but as a gradaute and a parent of a student, I would disagree. The merit aid situation is not great. It’s a state school facing state funding. But even with OOS tuition, it’s more reasonable than a private LAC.</p>
<p>If you are not familiar with the strength of the school, here are some pride points from just this year alone. And this doesn’t include that fact that a Mizzou graduate won a Pulitzer prize this year–three years after graduation.</p>
<p>Thanks, Teriwtt – Syracuse is a great suggestion. As far as Kenyon, Erin’s Dad, I know it is a fantastic school, but my DD has her heart set on a hard-core journalism program!</p>
<p>I am an Ithaca College student in the Park school so I can answer the solid liberal arts questions. As a Journalism major at Ithaca College your D would be required to take 75% of her courses designated Liberal Arts and 60 credits outside of Park. She would be required to take language courses up to intermediate. Journalism majors also must declare a minor in a subject outside of Park. [Department</a> of Journalism - Roy H. Park School of Communications - Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012 - Ithaca College](<a href=“http://www.ithaca.edu/catalogs/ug1112/park/journalism/#bajour]Department”>http://www.ithaca.edu/catalogs/ug1112/park/journalism/#bajour)</p>
<p>If your D does have the top notch grades I would encourage her to apply to IC and apply for the Park Scholar program which could grant her a full scholarship to IC including stipends for a laptop and other opportunities. </p>
<p>Ithaca College does have a good liberal arts program because they want to get Park majors outside of Park since sometimes they seem to live there. I’ve taken classes in various departments and have learned a lot from a breadth of classes.</p>
<p>If your D is interested in a top notch Journalism program look into IC. E-mail some professors and ask about the Research paper all majors have to write freshmen year. They choose their own topic and do research through interviews and other sources and then write a 20 page paper. Look into what kind of journalism she wants to go into - print or broadcasting or a mix of both? The Ithacan is a great publication and as a freshmen you can work toward being an editor. ICTV Newswatch 16 is good for majors who want to be onscreen and off.</p>
<p>Boo Syracuse! But as an Ithaca College student that is normal.</p>
<p>You’re welcome. Feel free to send me a message if you want more information. I graduated 35 years ago but still visit campus regulary. More importantly, my Mizzou J-School degree has kept me gainfully employed for 35 in six cities in three different states.</p>
I’ve heard that U. of Missouri is one of the best (if the THE best) school for J-major, meaning graduates from that school get the best J-jobs, statistically. Is it true?</p>
<p>luv2sk8: Mizzou J-School alumni love to hire Mizzou J-School alumni. I have been hired in Missouri, New York and Texas, partially as a result of what we call the “Mizzou Mafia.” It’s a connection between alumni.</p>
<p>Editors who are graduates of other schools know that the Missouri Method of teaching (hands-on experience in citywide, not campuswide, outlets) prepares graduates for success. Every major media outlet in the country recruits from Mizzou’s J-School.</p>
<p>I just hired a recent Mizzou magazine journalism graduate to work for me. She starts tomorrow.</p>
<p>Thank you, because I’d like to be a journalist. This is a digression from OP’s question - but what should I do (in HS) to get prepared? I love to read and write and make movies. At the same time I’m also very good in math, but math is not my passion.</p>
<p>"At the same time I’m also very good in math, but math is not my passion. "</p>
<p>you sound like my daughter…who is a rising senior at Newhouse…extremely strong in math and science; placed out with AP’s; hasn’t taken either in college…</p>
<p>moral of the story: it can never hurt to be “good” at something; she was hired for internships on the science end of advertising last summer…</p>
<p>to the OP: The most selective of the programs are Newhouse, Northwestern and USC-Annenberg…Park Scholar program is right behind…UMissouri is amazing (but unsure if the student wants to return to East Coast)…</p>
<p>luv2sk8 - Get on your high school newspaper staff, video mag, website development team … anything you can do to practice your skill. Local newspapers and television stations also hire freelancer writers - real work experience - mostly in sports - if you like sports, apply for these freelance jobs. Call your local media outlets - ask for Human Resources, ask if you can come in a “job shadow” for a day, most will let you … shadow a reporter, editor, producer - get in the newsroom, learn and observe.</p>
<p>I second OWM. Daughter is about to start at Mizzou in the fall. We had some reservations at first, as she was also an excellent student with great scores, but we were blown away how professional the department is and how they attract top notch scholars. If daughter has really good stats she can join the honors college, and the best students, ACTs > or = 33 are designated Walter Williams scholars. They work closely together in a freshman interest group. The last few years there have been more then 50 WW scholars each year. the curriculum requires about 40 hrs in major and > 80 in other subjects. We just came back from freshman summer welcome and she is super excited to begin in the fall.</p>