Suggestions for Colleges? Journalism Major- 3.63 UW

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My first choice school, I think, is UW-Madison. But when I do college searches on College Board and such I get very few results. </p>

<p>Major: Journalism (and?) Music, possible Pre-Med
Female, Indian</p>

<p>My Stats:
GPA UW: 3.63
My school doesn't weight, but according to my calculation, my weighted is a
4.06. </p>

<p>Courses: I take a full, rigorous classload to adequately challenge myself; this includes AP science, accelerated Math, AP English and Social Studies courses. I've taken French for four years and will continue for a fifth. I've taken 2 art classes and am completing an independent study of art next year. I take choir at school as well.
My grades were worst my freshman year, my GPA for sophomore and junior years is 3.7. </p>

<p>SAT- plan on taking again ASAP
SAT Math: 570
SAT Reading: 750
SAT Writing: 800
SAT IIs: 670 Literature, 570 Chemistry, 580 World History
ACT- 28 (also plan on retaking)</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars
Forensics: 3 years, winning numerous awards for events including Play Acting, Prose, Four Minute Speaking and Oratory
National Forensics League: Point Leader with Special Distinction
Stage Crew-- advertising committee for last year's musical;
crew for 3 school productions
Fall Play this year
State Wide Choir: 6 years, now in highest level ensemble
School choir: 2 years
School Newspaper: Reporter 1 year
Independent Paper :1 year
Guitar: 1 year
Piano: 8 years
Poems in School Literary Magazine: 2 years
Yearbook Staff: 1 year
Science Olympiad:1 year
Summer Music Camp: 2 years
Summer Drama School: 4 years
National Honor Society: inducted this year
School Volunteer Organization: 1 year
French Honor Society: 2 years
Journalism Internship at the New Indian Express in Bangalore, India (1 month)</p>

<p>Also 50+(approx) hours community service
-School Service Organization
-Volunteer Coach for Forensics
-Hospital
-Food Pantry Gardens
-Habitat For Humanity</p>

<p>APs (so far)
World History (4)
Microeconomics (4)
Biology (5)
English Language and Comp (5)
Psychology (5)</p>

<p>Essay:
I've started to write essays, although I haven't gotten really far.
I feel confident that I'll have a great personal statement (because I pretty much won't be able to live with myself if it isn't.). For the time being, I'm thinking it's going to be a little light-hearted, but it depends on the school. </p>

<p>I'd like to know what my chances for UW-Madison are.
A couple questions:
Are hobbies such as songwriting, blogging, performing music with bands worth noting?
Do Colleges look at AP scores and SAT II scores?</p>

<p>I'm not sure what colleges I should consider a reach, sure thing, etc.
Some schools that I like are Northwestern, NYU, UChicago... etc. I'm generally open.
Suggestions?
(Thank you so much for reading all of this!)</p>

2

<p>Chicago does not offer a journalism/communications major. Doesn’t mean you can’t write for publications and go into journalism after graduation, but it’s just not something you study as an undergrad.</p>

3

<p>I don’t understand why so many students include Forensics as one of many activities on their resume and grant it legitimacy simply by putting the degree of NFL points. COLLEGES DO NOT CARE ABOUT NFL DEGREE. Have you qualified to the TOC, made it to late outrounds at major national invitationals, nationals or at state championship tournament? If your answer is no, do not include this on your app. </p>

<p>BTW I was superior distinction after a string of JV outrounds after freshman year, which goes to show you that NFL points do not mean ****, especially because some coaches are less proactive than others.</p>

4

<p>As much as I agree that NFL points don’t mean much, they are a bit of a measure of how well you do and also how much you speak in your community. My school has a really really competitive team, so being one of the members with more points does mean something. Also, I doubt that colleges are going to be like, “OH MY GOD, why did you put that on your application?” Besides the fact that I didn’t even really look at my points before putting that down. </p>

<p>But I really do care about my chances, so if anyone could offer some suggestions on how I could make my chances better, or tell me what I should prepare for in the process, I’d be greatly obliged.</p>

5

<p>how on earth did you get below a 600 for math? and a 580 in world history even though you got a 4 on the ap test?</p>

<p>Anyway, i’ll reserve judgement until i have more info about how rigorous your school is (any idea on rank?)</p>

6

<p>waitttt
unnecessarily rude ^</p>

<p>but anyway, you should try the University of Maryland, which has an EXCELLENT journalism program, even though it’s not that hard to get into the school
goos luck sista</p>

7

<p>Replies:
Rigorous school: I go to a really rigorous school, really excellent teachers, really excellent students, one of the best public schools.
Rank wise: I’m in the top 25, which isn’t enormously great. I do go to a very competitive school though and I live in Wisconsin, which I’ve heard, helps for Madison admittance.</p>

<p>Yeah, PBailey I think you’re getting at the fact that I don’t test well. Tests pretty much are the bain of my existence if they require a great deal of logic.
The reason I do well on some tests just comes from my intelligence of the subject matter (writing, crit.reading, AP tests) which in abundance, tends to correct for my error-prone ways. </p>

<p>I’m great with concepts.. perhaps I need to practice more for a math section. </p>

<p>As for the WHSATII, I took it a while after taking the AP test, and mostly as an afterthought. </p>

<p>Thanks unalove for the info on UChicago (I think I overlooked that or somehow thought I saw a communications major), it’s kind of sad though, because I was really looking forward to writing that essay.</p>

8

<p>So write it, modify it a bit to bury the “I GOT THIS PROMPT FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL!” smell, and use it!</p>

9

<p>@Oprah!: I was just surprised at the huge discrepancy between CR and W scores compared to Math, especially as he takes accelerated math.</p>

<p>How big is your class size? If it is really big, I think you look really strong. If not…your GPA could pull you down a bit. Still, your CR and Writing scores are excellent. I don’t know how forgiving schools are for bad math scores if you are intending to major in journalism. That might make a significant difference.</p>

10

<p>Wait…I have a feeling I know you…my cousin lives in Wisconsin too (AND we’re Indian :P). Which part are you in?
Also, Your SAT score is REALLY good for Madison (2120), the only problem is your splits. A lot of universities don’t consider the writing score (don’t worry, I have the same problem because I scored the highest on my writing).
Have you considered retaking SAT II literature though? I reckon you should. Nice EC’s though :)</p>

11

<p>umm, ilovebabypink, I doubt I know you, but I live in the Madison area… (creepy interneters -don’t stalk me please, I’m really not that hot)–PM me if you think you know me. </p>

<p>he? I’m a she. haha.<br>
Yeah, I could take the SAT II Lit again, but the score is still relatively high.. so I’m not sure, because I already have strong English scores. When I took my SAT II’s I wasn’t really motivated by it (because I didn’t think I’d apply to a school that required them). I might consider taking Chem again, because I’m taking AP Chem this year. That test was hard; a mess of equations. The questions were easy but long. </p>

<p>Yeah it bugs me that colleges don’t look at writing. It is SUCH a valuable skill, and sorry if it seems biased. I was considering a science major though so I don’t think it’s the end-all be-all, but I still think it is infinitely important to be able to communicate effectively. </p>

<p>I know that if you have 700+ averages, it’s good for you. If you actually average it, I do have 700 average… it’s just widely skewed. So I think I’ll definitely try to improve it..</p>

<p>I also was talking to a couple of my journalist friends and they said I should consider majoring in something like Anthropology or Sociology and then become a Journalist. So maybe Chicago’s still in.</p>

12

<p>Northwestern - Probably Not
U Chicago - Unlikely (Scores/GPA probably keep you out since the school has gained popularity over the last few years and is becoming much more competitive)
NYU - Reach (you have a shot and it’s a great school for your intended major; your essays and recs plus higher SATs might swing it)
UW Madison - In</p>

<p>Suggestions:</p>

<p>*Some schools consistently at the top for journalism.</p>

<p>Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism
[Medill</a> - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/]Medill”>http://www.medill.northwestern.edu/)</p>

<p>University of Missouri at Columbia
[Missouri</a> School of Journalism](<a href=“http://www.journalism.missouri.edu/]Missouri”>http://www.journalism.missouri.edu/)</p>

<p>University of Georgia – Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass
Communication
[Welcome</a> To Grady College](<a href=“http://www.grady.uga.edu/]Welcome”>http://www.grady.uga.edu/)</p>

<p>Ohio University, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
[E.W</a>. Scripps School of Journalism](<a href=“E.W. Scripps School of Journalism | Ohio University”>http://scrippsjschool.org/)</p>

<p>Arizona State University - Cronkite School
[Cronkite</a> School redirect](<a href=“http://www.asu.edu/cronkite/]Cronkite”>Your Future Starts Here | ASU Cronkite School)</p>

<p>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism
[School</a> of Journalism and Mass Communication - Home](<a href=“http://www.jomc.unc.edu/]School”>http://www.jomc.unc.edu/)</p>

<p>Syracuse - S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
[Welcome</a> to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications](<a href=“http://newhouse.syr.edu/]Welcome”>http://newhouse.syr.edu/)</p>

<p>University of Maryland – Phillip Merril College of Journalism
[Philip</a> Merrill College of Journalism | University of Maryland](<a href=“http://www.journalism.umd.edu/]Philip”>http://www.journalism.umd.edu/)</p>

<p>University of Kansas – William Allen White School of Journalism
[KU</a> School of Journalism and Mass Communications](<a href=“http://www.ku.edu/~jschool/]KU”>http://www.ku.edu/~jschool/)</p>

<p>Most Recent Rankings I Could Find:</p>

<p>Journalism School Rankings - US News & World Report Rankings (1996):</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Univ. of Missouri at Columbia </p></li>
<li><p>Columbia University (N.Y.) </p></li>
<li><p>Northwestern Univ. (Medill) (Ill.) </p></li>
<li><p>Univ. of N.C. at Chapel Hill </p></li>
<li><p>Indiana Univ. at Bloomington </p></li>
<li><p>University of Florida </p></li>
<li><p>Ohio University (Scripps) </p></li>
<li><p>Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison </p></li>
<li><p>Univ. of California at Berkeley </p></li>
<li><p>University of Kansas (White) </p></li>
<li><p>Univ. of Md. at College Park </p></li>
<li><p>University of Texas at Austin </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Gourman Report 10th Ed. 1998
Top Journalism and Mass Communications Programs:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>University of Missouri-Columbia </p></li>
<li><p>Northwestern University </p></li>
<li><p>Syracuse </p></li>
<li><p>Minnesota </p></li>
<li><p>University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign </p></li>
<li><p>University of North Carolina Chapel Hill </p></li>
<li><p>University of Wisconsin-Madison </p></li>
<li><p>Ohio State University Columbus </p></li>
<li><p>Michigan State University </p></li>
<li><p>University of Southern California </p></li>
</ol>

<p>*Notice #7 according to the Gourman Report 1998 :). A previous poster suggested U Maryland: also a good choice based on the lists I provided. As you can see, you don’t necessarily need to go to a top flight school to get a respectable education in journalism (and it’s the same with many other majors). By the way, you can pay for more recent rankings from US News at their website if you want them.</p>

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<p>Oh my god, nj<em>azn</em>premed, you are amazing! Thank you so much.</p>

14

<p>“A couple questions:
Are hobbies such as songwriting, blogging, performing music with bands worth noting?
Do Colleges look at AP scores and SAT II scores?”</p>

<p>–Answers, please?</p>

15

<p>Thanks for the complement :)!</p>

<p>Q: Are hobbies such as songwriting, blogging, performing music with bands worth noting?</p>

<p>A: Depends on whether or not you can elaborate on them in essays. My guess is that if they’ve developed you in some unique way that you can express with words, they are indeed worth noting.</p>

<p>Q: Do Colleges look at AP scores and SAT II scores?</p>

<p>A: SAT II scores factor in the admissions criteria of many schools (and most of the top ones). AP scores will be requested by many schools when you apply and may or may not be used to judge you (my personal belief is that they cannot hurt you unless you failed a test; other than that, they are merely used for college credit). Your grade in an AP course will probably factor in moreso than the score unless you do exceptionally well in the class but fail the test and vice versa (the first scenario would hurt you while the latter might be of some benefit). Your AP scores are fine, so I don’t think you need to worry.</p>

16

<p>sorry, i have more questions!
Are my Extra Curriculars “strong”?
I have been in a lot of clubs suited to my interests, but I haven’t really been the officer. I’m going to be a section editor of our newspaper this year, but I haven’t had a ton of leadership positions, mainly because I go to a really big school where there’s lots (and lots) of competition (and people become the editor even if they don’t like to write, etc).
Some clubs I have been really really active in, it’s just that I haven’t had a “position”. Is that going to look really bad?</p>

17

<p>bump, please</p>

<p>(I am between really smart and really average… so it’s hard to search for colleges.)</p>

18

<p>Try for NYU and pray.</p>

19

<p>Oh I didn’t see your other post, but I would say that as far as clubs go your EC’s are decent, but won’t get you in to an Ivy.</p>