<p>First post!!
I don't know what to do to show my passion for journalism?
Will it stand out if I write articles for a UK national newspaper/magazine? eg if I can possibly write an article that gets published in the Times/Guardian will this stand out ?
If I win journalistic awards for my articles? If I write about things compelling to me and relevant to my multicultural history?
Or do they get many applicants who do these things?
I am just asking because I don't know what to pursue.. I haven't done any of these things yet</p>
<p>Writing articles in a real newspaper is considered an excellent EC, even for Harvard. And it doesn’t have to be an internationally recognized newspaper. Winning awards for your articles is not necessary if it’s published in a newspaper. </p>
<p>Frankly, my complaint is that this EC is overrated; articles by high schoolers in the newspaper that I’ve read weren’t impressive. However, in their defense, newspaper writing is not always impressive. Also, I’ve only read the ones by Harvard students who ended up getting in trouble.</p>
<p>But the short answer is, yes, it’s a good EC, though as everyone says the stakes are higher for international students.</p>
<p>Honeybee,</p>
<p>Journalism is an excellent EC as long as you’re not just writing for the local school newspaper and your articles are interesting and well-written. My D wrote a highly-popular monthly column on the high school arts scene for a commercial newspaper with statewide circulation and her admissions officer cited this in her letter to my D after her admission. The reality is that the Crimson is one of Harvard’s flagship undergraduate activities and demonstrated journalistic talent is probably almost as important as athletic talent. Send the AdCom some of your clippings!</p>
<p>Based on a previous response, one of you attached a negative connotation to any newspaper that doesn’t have wide reaches. I started my own online newspaper and I writ for it, along with managing the other 15 writers. The level is pretty good, considering that we are mostly freshmen.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies… 
I am very grateful as no one at my school is thinking of applying to American universities, thus I have no one to discuss this with.
I’d also like to ask one more question if possible:
My GCSE grades were not absolutely amazing: although I did get all As except for two A<em>s and 2 Bs, I know of people who got all A</em>s… However, I was so depressed and had pretty much stopped eating (my doctors noted this and have it on their records)…literally the darkest time of my life, I was very anxious non-stop and developed a stomach condition as a result… and I am sure if I had actually been happy I would have been much more focused on my future instead of my present…
Should I put this in the ‘special circumstances’ section of the application?
Or would it be considered a bad thing to have been through mental instability, also is it maybe not severe enough as a reason for a drop in grades?
Thank you :)</p>
<p>OP,
In case you are not aware, Harvard does not offer an undergraduate degree in journalism. See, [Harvard</a> College Admissions § Applying: International Frequently Asked Questions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/international/faq.html#3]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/international/faq.html#3)</p>
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<p>Of course, that does not mean journalism ECs are not important. Good luck!</p>
<p>Aside from serving in a leadership role (e.g. section editor, editor in chief) for your school newspaper, you could also participate in outside activities validating your interest.
- J-Camp, all expense paid summer camp for high school students interested in pursuing journalism. The application deadline is March 16th - see <a href=“https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE1ETnYtN1VWak95ckM0U0hGRVlJZFE6MQ[/url]”>ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION 2012 J CAMP.
- Submit your articles in journalism category to Alliance for Young Artists and Writers - see <a href=“https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE1ETnYtN1VWak95ckM0U0hGRVlJZFE6MQ[/url]”>ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION 2012 J CAMP;
- Start an online blog. Just google “how to start an online blog” and you’ll find several how to reference websites</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve heard of people getting into Harvard with their main EC being writing for a local paper. So it doesn’t have to be a newspaper with wide circulation.</p>
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<p>Founding and managing your own newspaper shows initiative and organizational skills, so this would be evaluated differently from writing for an established paper.</p>