Hey guys, I'm a high school junior planning to study journalism in college. I'm interested in the University of Chicago, but I can't seem to find much info about their journalism program. Does anybody have any experience or insights about it? Thanks!
The University of Chicago doesn't offer a specific journalism major or dedicated program. However, they do have a strong English and Creative Writing program that could provide a solid foundation for your journalistic pursuits. Additionally, the University of Chicago offers some individual courses and workshops related to journalism, and students interested in journalism could pursue these opportunities to hone their skills.
Getting involved in campus publications, such as The Chicago Maroon newspaper or Chicago Review literary magazine, can also be a great way to develop your journalism skills and build a portfolio. You might also want to consider internships and summer programs at various news organizations, which can provide excellent hands-on journalistic experience.
If you are set on pursuing a dedicated journalism program, you might want to explore other colleges that have well-regarded journalism schools, such as Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, or the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism (for a graduate-level program).
Remember that while a dedicated journalism program may provide more targeted training, a strong English or writing program at a school like the University of Chicago can still prepare you well for a career in journalism through critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills development.
Finally, if you want to start delving more deeply into the field of journalism while still in high school, consider taking part in a journalism summer program. Doing so could connect you with journalism professionals and educators, who can give you more personalized advice on how to reach your career goals. Summer programs can even boost your chances during the college process, as admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your interests outside of the classroom!
For a list of reputable summer journalism programs for high schoolers, check out the blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-journalism-summer-programs
Or, if you do end up applying to the University of Chicago despite their lack of a journalism program, and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their infamously quirky supplemental essay prompts: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-uchicago-essays-2023-2024/.
The post will be updated once the prompts for the coming admissions cycle are released, but in the meantime you can get a general sense of what your application will need to include, and you can also get a sense of the University of Chicago's unique brand of intellectualism, which would undoubtedly help you on your journey to becoming a journalist!
Good luck with your college search, and future pursuits in the honorable field of journalism!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.