So let's say...

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>...that one of my long-term goals is to attend Columbia's J-school. I'm only a pre-frosh, so I'm bound to change my mind and won't take this exercise very seriously, but try to indulge me anyways:</p>

<p>What are some things I should do -- from the moment I arrive on-campus to the date of my commencement -- to make this goal happen? It's a given that I want to contribute to the Daily Sun; here I'm looking for ways to go above and beyond the journalistic call of duty. I know Ithaca isn't the best place to sniff out big stories (Headline: New Kind of Cow Spotted), so I'm at a disadvantage compared to, say, NYU or Columbia students, who have the city's resources at their disposal. Considering the Ithac-adversities I will face, what are some things I could accomplish as a Cornell undergraduate to make myself an attractive Columbia applicant four years down the road? And again, I know it's almost certain that my aspirations will change just as soon as I'm exposed to new and groovy courses and people, but I'd still like to play out this scenario in my head. </p>

<p>Any thoughts? Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>You're probably better off discussing these kind of things with your advisor and the career office on campus once you start school, rather than random people on a message board.</p>

3

<p>I would say that you don't need to discover some new species to get into Columbia eventually. You just need to make a jounalistic impact on campus. Like, say, an innovative column contribution that is so good that it makes you chief editor or w/e or the newspaper. You want people to know your name and when they do, you can become more and more involved in the school, from your own angle. I guess that I am talking mostly generally here but I would say just be the most involved jounalist at school, in any capacity, and you will make yourself stand out to Columbia or wherever.</p>