Hey all, I love radio and think it would be great to join a college station if I end up attending that school. Anyone have any idea about which colleges have the most popular or renowned radio stations, or how I could find such a list? Thanks!
There are a number of universities known for their fantastic radio stations, and I'm glad to see your interest in collegiate radio!
1. KEXP at the University of Washington: It's actually a public station but has strong ties to the university and provides a broad range of music choices.
2. WERS at Emerson College: This station is one of the highest-rated college radio stations in the country and also provides practical experience for students interested in radio, journalism and related fields.
3. WICB at Ithaca College: They have won multiple awards for their programming. Also, Ithaca College offers a B.S. in Television-Radio, so there is a strong focus on broadcast media.
4. WVBR at Cornell University: This is an entirely student-run "commercial" station that offers an opportunity for students to get involved in both on-air roles and behind-the-scenes production work.
5. WWVU-FM at West Virginia University: Also known as U92 is particularly well regarded, especially for its new music selections and its sports coverage.
Most college stations have an online stream, so you can certainly listen in to get a feel for them. It might also be worth directly reaching out to current students or alumni from those universities to ask about their personal experiences with the radio stations. Remember, the "best" radio station will really depend on what you're looking to do (DJing, production, on-air talent, management) so be sure to also look at what particular opportunities each station offers in terms of building practical experience!
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