<p>I am a rising senior and UA is my top choice for college. I visited the campus back in the spring and absolutely loved it. However I have a question about the journalism (what I plan to major in) and the communications program at UA. This is targeted to people with first hand experience with the journalism/communications program or people who have attended the campus, but how good is the school of communications and particularly the journalism program there? Also does it properly prepare you for a job in the outside world? Did you have a good experience there? I am from Maryland and I know the University of Maryland (my second choice for college) has a great journalism program, but I really like the University of Alabama. My fear is that skipping out on the program at Maryland will come back to haunt me, so I just want some first hand insight on the programs at UA. I am a huge sports fan which makes UA a nice fit for me as I aspire to become a sports anchor or pursue some other sports journalism job. From what I have heard from my Capstone tour leader and read from the UA website, it seems like they have an excellent program at Alabama, but I just want to hear from first hand people from the program(s) or campus. </p>
<p>One more thing. I have a 3.8 GPA and scored a 1740 on the SAT. Am I able to get into the honors program at UA? Thanks!</p>
<p>Since you do not list your SAT breakdown, the only thing I can offer is that to get into UA’s honors college, you need a 1250 on the SAT (CR and M). As for UA’s program, one of my son’s suite mates a year ago seemed very happy with his classes, etc. He did pre-game radio for Alabama’s football team and worked with the softball program, so the opportunities are there to get some airtime. Right now, one of my son’s UA contacts is doing a TV internship this summer in her hometown, and she just completed her freshman year.</p>
<p>I know Maryland’s program is excellent (I lived in Maryland for man years and my husband, who does sports radio, had had several Maryland grads interning for him.) Why not send an e-mail to the communication department and ask some questions about the program? My son did that with one of his majors. The professor did a wonderful job of answering his questions.</p>
<p>I am not a grad of the school of communications (engineering ‘87) but I can give you a couple of data points. Reece Davis (ESPN) and Joe Scarborough (Mornin’ Joe) are both grads of the UA school of communications. I sure there are others on the national scene or larger markets but these are 2 that come to mind. Actually, Reece is from my home town (Muscle Shoals) and I know he speaks very highly of the UA journalism dept.</p>
<p>Will you be taking the SAT again? Also take the ACT, you may do better on that. There is a Sept and Oct ACT that can count for scholarships. The Nov ACT will not count for scholarships. The Nov SAT will count for scholarships. So, plan your testing wisely.</p>
<p>crimsondude thats what i like to hear thank u</p>
<p>mom2collegekids I am out of state as i currently reside in Maryland but right now I don’t have a high enough breakdown to get into the honors program with only 580 on CR and 570 on Math (590 on Writing). I’m definately going to take the Nov SAT again and try to convince my parents to let me take the ACT but money is tight so i don’t know.</p>
<p>If money is tight because of a lowish income then getting an ACT fee waiver may be possible. If money is tight for other reasons then getting a fee waiver isn’t likely.</p>
<p>However, either way, I don’t see how you’d pay for Bama as an OOS student.</p>
<p>OP, if you are poor, i wouldn’t look for journalism schools…most are either part of public colleges that cant pay for, or private colleges that you probably are unlikely to get in to</p>
<p>majoring in english and making some connections might be the best way to dig yourself out of a hole…or don’t give up on maryland and maybe save yourself some money (and terapins athletic isnt that bad)…of course i am still in HS, so take my advice w/ a grain of salt</p>
<p>I am a UA grad who majored in English and minored in Journalism back when the JN school was ridiculed. Would have double-majored but it wasn’t allowed at that time. Back then, you could get a BA without setting foot in a newsroom. But now the school is EXCELLENT and has turned out a LOT of top writers and editors. That said, the journalism business is undergoing a huge upheaval now. Get some training in graphics and computers, because that’s the future. Everything is done via computer. Newspapers are designed, written, and read on computer. Right now writers are losing their jobs, but if you can show you can write quickly and accurately, put the paper on the internet page and make it look good (graphics), you’ve got a chance at a job.</p>
<p>An internship is a must - it will give you real life experience, and start building your connections within the business. I am now proud of my degree from UA…and emphasize the Journalism part. MINOR in English - don’t doom yourself by majoring in it - and MAJOR in JN.</p>
<p>You may not be working for a newspaper. You may be working for an internet news source…or a trade magazine/Web site…or an online magazine.</p>
<p>I worked in the news business for 30+ years, 18 of them part-time. My age worked against me when it was time to go back to work full time. I’m now a bookkeeper. An English major makes an unhappy bookkeeper!</p>