Responses
Brian, 2/3/2006, 11:07:05 PM
I'm in high school too and, though I don't really know a whole lot about journalism schools, I've heard the Universtiy of Missouri, University of Georgia, and Columbia University all have top-notch journalism schools. Might be helpful to look for more information on those.
Lauren, 2/4/2006, 1:48:32 PM
Hey, I'm a junior in high school who's been researching this topic a bit recently, so I figured I'd respond. In response to Brian's comment, Columbia only offers a graduate journalism school, so for an undergraduate that would not be the best choice. Though they do have an excellent student newspaper, The Spectator, it's just not the same as majoring in journalism. I've done a bit of research about journalism schools, and Boston University, George Washington University, American University, Northeastern University, New York University, Washington and Lee University, and Temple University all have excellent journalism programs. There are plenty of j-schools out there if you do some searching. Good luck! :)
John, 2/4/2006, 6:28:58 PM
Northwestern's Medill School is definitely one of, if not, the best.
Kim, 2/5/2006, 10:00:17 AM
Lauren -- Have you looked into the new journalism program at Loyola-Chicago? What about the US News & World report 1996 listing which has Marquette, Syracuse, and UNC-Chapel Hill? What do you think about these programs?
Annie, 2/5/2006, 12:14:54 PM
What about USC? And, one of my friends wants to go to Columbia as an undergrad and later Columbia's Graduate Journalism school, possibly get the Dual Degree in Journalism and International Affairs, but she doesn't know what she would possibly major in? Or should she just go to another journalism school and possibly go to Columbia's grad j-school later?
Exactly how much does a master's degree matter compared to a bachelor's in journalism?
John, 2/9/2006, 2:07:19 PM
Don't forget about Drake University in Des Moines. It has a great undergrad j-school.
km, 2/11/2006, 7:19:27 PM
Northwestern's is definitely tops, but Marquette is great too. My daughter attends and has had a great experience, plus they give a lot of financial aid and scholarships.
And what about Ball State in Indiana, and Iowa?
And one not to overlook is in my home state--University of Montana. These graduates get snapped right up, plus if you want an experience in the mountains with skiing, kayaking, camping and mountain and ice climbing out your back door, you can't beat it. It is somewhat of a hippy-feel-to-it campus, with an excellent football team and much team spirit--can't remember a time when they weren't playing for a national championship. Missoula, the town is about 60,000 people and is close to both Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks where many students enjoy summer jobs and play.
Richard, 2/13/2006, 1:54:54 PM
I believe Drake is the best journalism school. I'm an undergrad, and I couldn't be happier. Its price makes it a much better value than Northwestern.
Lily, 2/14/2006, 4:01:59 PM
Ok im in 9th grade and you all seem to be older and yes i am at least 90% sure i am going to be a journalist....i love writing and this website popped up first when i typed in "excellent journalism colleges" soo....graduate and undergraduate are foreign to me (9th grade remember) whats the difference between those two and getting a "major" in journalism??? what is better and more beneficial?? ahhh.
also since this is about the colleges, are there any really good ones around Pennsylvania? or should i go further?
thanks...
G., 2/15/2006, 7:54:15 AM
heard syracuse has a good program. a lot of state schools have good journalism programs, as well. take a look at rugg's recommendations (your guidance counselor probably has a copy).
Susie, 2/18/2006, 3:30:56 PM
So, would you consider these the top Journalism schools? Let me know if you disagree with any.
University of Missouri- Columbia
New York University
University of Southern California
Northwestern University
Any others? Also, would you just major in Journalism or would it help to double major?
Any other tips or suggestions? Is there a website you used to find a list of suggestions of the top j-schools!
Thanks!
brittany, 2/18/2006, 10:59:20 PM
MIssouri sis one of the best of the best, and northwestern, syracuse, and BU. i looked into columbia but hear they only have a grad program.
tg, 2/19/2006, 1:53:33 AM
It's a little late (2:30am) on the East Coast, but let me offer my thoughts on this thread:
- I would not consider NYU to be a 'top' journalism school -- it's pretty good, but not near the top. I would certainly replace it with Syracuse's Newhouse School.
- George Washington's School of Media and Public Affairs is terrific, although not technically a top j-school in the traditional context.
- Many undergrad schools offer much more through their student newspapers; indeed, the Univ. of Pennsylvania's paper is often hailed as the resident journalism department. This is a common comment on many papers. I think the top four are the Daily Pennsylvanian, the Harvard Crimson, the Daily Bruin and Ball State's paper. There are (of course) a veritable plethora of terrific papers out there -- like the Spec, previously mention -- but these four are among the nation's highly lauded publications for good reason.
- If you're looking for journalism, Lauren's post really does cover the spectrum. (Kudos to Lauren!) However, recgonize the weight that geographical location can bear in your search: locales like New York City, Washington D.C, and Boston can provide opportunities like none other. Please don't consider this incendiary -- proximity to high activity can be a tremendous resources, but there's also plenty to be said to discovering stories in a "low activity" area.
- Regarding the theme of the importance of undergrad v. grad degrees.. The biggest mistake one can make is deciding to plunge into a journalism undergrad without discovering the expansive sea of everything else. Many of the world's best journalists have no formal journalism training b/c they put their inquisitiveness to something undergrad. As a beginning student, you have the unlimited power to choose any number of classes to sastify natural curiousity -- there's plenty of time later on to get a Master's, if you think it's ultimately necessary. You'll never know until the final moment when that degree in Art History adds just the right element to the Pulitzer winning story.
- Lastly, KM's post couldn't be more dead-on. Enjoy the years. Don't go to a school for mere name recgonition -- I know plenty of peers at Harvard now lamenting their weekly tithe to the library and having a miserable time. Conversely, I know many at state schools who are having the times of their lives while exploring the world. (and vice-versa).
Thoughts?
km, 2/20/2006, 1:03:16 PM
Another to consider--had a few students go there and report they loved it is the university of minnesota in the twin cities. This is home to the NSPA too.
LDC, 2/25/2006, 11:14:16 AM
I was wondering if anybody knew about the journalism programs at San Francisco and San Jose State Universities, or American University in Cairo's.
Theo, 2/27/2006, 11:15:03 PM
I'm a high school junior and I've done a lot of research into journalism schools recently in the US as well as in Britain. Though there isn't any sort of definitive list of good journalism schools, I'd consider these to be the best:
Northwestern University
University of Southern California
University of Missouri at Columbia
UNC at Chapel Hill
Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada
Cardiff University in Wales
City University London
as well as the grad schools at
Columbia University in New York
UC Berkeley
Also, I couldn't agree with tg more about pursuing a major other than journalism, particulary at a school with a great student newspaper, which is what I am leaning toward. Majoring in English, History, Sociology, or Economics might be smart.
mia, 2/28/2006, 3:00:30 PM
Apropos of what tg said about an undergrad degree in Journalism: most working journalists/editors will tell you that they would prefer an undergrad degree in something other than journalism. They like English, political science, history, sociology, majors that require lots of writing and provide breadth of knowledge, experience, and exposure.
Stephanie, 3/8/2006, 9:20:58 PM
I've done a ton of research on this, and everyone seems to be leaving out Indiana University's school of journalism. UNC, Northwestern, IU and University of Missouri-Columbia have the strongest undergrad programs. However, in all honesty it doesn't matter so much where you go. If you're good, you're good, and you'll get into the industry.
Crystal, 3/21/2006, 1:23:08 AM
I hear that ASU has a pretty good school of Journalism as well. Maybe you could look into that.
Carolyn, 3/29/2006, 12:31:41 AM
I've been accepted to NYU, USC, and Boston University for Grad school in Journalism. Does anyone have any clue, which is the best?
Kourtney GEERS, 3/30/2006, 10:53:39 PM
I've been researching schools in the midwest recently and found it interesting that the University of Kansas has a jump-start on the convergence end of journalistic studies above the University of Missouri-Columbia. My sister attends George Washington University and friends of hers have amazing opportunities for internships (these are also possible to attain through "Semester in D.C." programs through the University of Kansas).
jazzie, 4/2/2006, 2:32:52 PM
does anyone know of any good journalism schools around the north carolina area or any of its surrounding states.
A Journaliam Professional, 4/3/2006, 1:49:34 PM
I am a professional in the business and I can tell you what schools we see the best results from. If I'm hiring and see a journalist from one of these three schools, I almost always give a call back.
American University-Great for Political and International Journalists. They are always hands on and you have a great reel and resume upon graduaton.
Emerson College in Boston- The only College I know who sends their journalism students to cover major events nation wide. Students have covered the Presidential Inauguration, World Series, Super Bowls, the Academy Awards, and Spring training...just to name a few.
University of Missouri-The school has a great reputation and good programs.
Meg, 4/3/2006, 6:10:55 PM
If you are looking for cheaper, but still extremely enriching programs, University of Kansas journalism program is both historically recognized and extremely educational and solid today. I went there for journalism camp over the summer and it was an amazing experience. Both that and University of Nebraska, which has a gorgeous newsroom and an amazing in-depth reporting expericen, are great cheap alternatives. Also consider the university of Maryland!
My sister attends Northwestern, and she said it can't be better - she's had opportunities to meet with journalists from all over the country and work on one of the nation's top newspapers as a freshman as both a designer and writer (although they still use Quark...).
