<p>The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program is selective, all-expense paid, and very prestigious. </p>
<p>Summer</a> Journalism Program: The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program </p>
<p>Applications are now available online. </p>
<p>More information: </p>
<p>The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program is an all-expenses-paid summer program for high school student journalists from underresourced financial backgrounds that will take place for 10 days in August on the campus of Princeton University. The program is entering its eighth year; during the past eight years, more than 140 students from high schools across the country have been selected to participate in the program. They were taught by journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, The New Republic and The New Yorker; they covered Yankees, Mets, Jets and Liberty games and held a press conference with New Jersey's secretary of state; they met with Princeton University's president and dean of admissions; they received counseling on their college applications from our staff, which consists of Princeton University alumni and undergraduates; and they published their own newspaper. We hope that you will consider nominating some of your students to participate in this exciting program for aspiring young journalists.</p>
<p>Below is a quick list of instructions and pointers for having your students fill out the applications:</p>
<p>Please feel free to nominate as many students as you have who are interested. We will happily accept several students from the same school, so there is no need to worry about your own students competing for slots in the program.</p>
<p>The application process will take place in two parts this year. For the first part, students should fill out the attached application, and then email it to <a href="mailto:sjpapplication@gmail.com">sjpapplication@gmail.com</a> as a Microsoft Word attachment. Before emailing us theapplication, students should name the document using the following format: Lastname.Firstname.doc. So, if the student's name is Mary Jones, the title of the document will be Jones.Mary.doc. In addition, the student should type his or her name and high school in the body of the email and put only the name of the Word document (e.g., Jones.Mary.doc) in the subject line of the email. We must receive the application by 11:59 p.m. on January 23, 2009. No extensions will be given for any reason.</p>
<p>In the second round of the application process, finalists will be interviewed by the program directors—either in person or over the phone—and they will be asked to provide printed copies of the following items via U.S. mail: an official transcript; the first page of the 2007 income-tax return form (the 1040 or 1040EZ form) of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s), or a signed statement by their parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that their income is below the level at which they would be required to file income tax returns; a recommendation letter from a teacher; and clips from their high school newspaper or other publication (optional).</p>
<p>To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following qualifications:
- They must currently be juniors in high school.
- They must live in the continental United States.
- They must have at least an unweighted 3.5 grade point average (out of 4.0).
- They must have an interest in journalism.
- The combined income of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, must not exceed $45,000.
Note: This program is for students from under-resourced financial backgrounds. If the combined income of the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, exceeds $45,000 and a student still wishes to apply, he or she may attach a letter explaining why his or her family qualifies as financially under-resourced.</p>
<p>If you have questions, the best way to reach me is via email at <a href="mailto:sjp@princeton.edu">sjp@princeton.edu</a>. Please note that applications should be sent to <a href="mailto:sjpapplication@gmail.com">sjpapplication@gmail.com</a>, which is a GMAIL address. Questions should be sent to <a href="mailto:sjp@princeton.edu">sjp@princeton.edu</a>, which is a PRINCETON address.</p>
<p>All application materials—as well as additional information about the program—are available at Summer Journalism Program: The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program.</p>
<p>A final word: We know that the process of applying to any selective program can be stressful, not to mention a lot of work—for students as well as their teachers. But, over the years, the students we have had come through our program have told us that, ultimately, the work they put into their application was worth it. And I can attest to this personally—since I am a graduate of the program.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Tasnim Shamma
Program Staff Associate
Princeton Class of 2011
Princeton Summer Journalism Program Alum '06</p>
<p>To read what alumni say of the program: Summer</a> Journalism Program: Alumni Reflect on Their SJP Experience</p>