vacancies

Hey, Sorry for the delayed response, I haven't been on this forum in a bit. Yes, I'm committing to NYU. Is anyone going to the luncheon tomorrow? @Elle Vagabonde @SidraTariq

@bunception YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!!!! So happy for you! I was not accepted, haha. I guess my decision is pretty easy now. To be honest, NYU is a better school for me and I am thrilled to be going there, especially with the financial support. Columbia's open house is during the same time as NYUs, the 8th and 9th of April, I believe. I'll be in NYC from April 5-10 checking out the school, living situation, ect. If you'll be in the city, PM me and I will give you my personal info. We can meet up and grab some food or a drink! Would be awesome to connect with some fellow NYC journalist.

@bunception hahaha! I googled "define bunception" and a bunch of bunnies dressed as bunnies popped up, too funny. As to funding, yes, NYU has offered me a really wonderful scholarship and I don't think Columbia will offer me much, let alone admission. I had more time for the NYU application and my personal essay was much stronger sooooo, we shall see. I'm kind of miffed that CJ has posted the demographics of admitted students but has not sent admission notifications. C'est la vie!

@bunception I am also curious about your sn. What does bunception mean?

@bunception refresh, refresh, refresh! I'm so impatient at this point. I must confess that I am heavily leaning toward NYU but I am totally hoping and wishing you the best! Is this really the only thread about j-school admits?

@bunception whhat, ahhh! you rule! I should log in. If you don't mind me asking, where are you from? I'm from PA.

@bunception I have not heard anything from Columbia. Where did you find the info you posted above? AHH!! Good looking out! Thanks for sharing this

@bunception Hi there, Hope you are well! Have you heard from Columbia?

@kaiphi I'll preface my advice with the following; do some of the things I did, do most of the things I did not. You should also know that I'm no expert and haven't heard a decision from Columbia yet. Nonetheless– 1. Investigate the university; research their programs, courses, and the people who teach them. Doing the latter will help you figure out and focus your interests. It will also supply you with pertinent material for both your professional and personal application essays. First, I read about the journalism school, its history, its programs and various research development centers. Then, with regard to the faculty, I started at the top with Steve Coll. Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 was an exceptional read. Seeing as I am interested in magazine writing, I also scrutinized his work in The New Yorker. 2. Whenever Columbia begins accepting 2017-2018 applications, start your application. You will need time (a lot more time than you think) to write thoughtful and compelling essays. You will need time to choose and edit the three required writing samples or clips (and especially so if you're an English/biology major who had to google the meaning of "clips"). Think about who you will choose as recommenders. Don't seek out big wheel acquaintances. Columbia will not be impressed that you know someone who is important. Choose people who really know you and your work. When you have your recommenders lined up, I, unequivocally, suggest that you send them your application essays (or at least a summation of them) before they write your recommendations. You will want their endorsements to ring with those aspirations set forth in your essays. The application form, itself, is not especially nuanced but if you are pressed for time you will wish you had already completed it. By this point, you may have gleaned that I don't have stellar time management skills. C'est vrai. Minutes before the deadline, I had not completed the basic form questions. I cobbled together very basic and somewhat flip responses; don't do that. 3. Cliched as the next bit of advice is, I don't care, it's important- write from the heart; and write about what you know. Don't simply write what you think or believe they want to hear. One stipulation to the latter is that you must answer the questions they ask of you. Write your creed, but don't wax implastic. Show that you're clever, but also show that you are thoughtful and easy to get along with (even if you're an a-hole). Be creative, and make sure each piece of the application resonates with the whole. Pump yourself up with music playlists (you will find that somehow you'll develop a penchant for music you would not otherwise or frequently listen to and will also be able to listen to the same heartening song over and over and over when writing/thinking becomes frustrating). Read your favorite authors or writers and those works that inspire emulation. You'll need encouragement. These essays beg self-examination, and this sort of introspection is not always comfortable or easy. Don't obsess over the profiles and accomplishments of other admitted applicants. Or, do obsess and lament but then realize that you now have the opportunity to distinguish yourself from the rest. Don't be intimidated by paper or glass profiles. I had an average GPA. I didn't have journalism or publishing experience. I beat myself up until I stopped looking at others and just focused on myself. I reread all those texts and works that I hold sacred to the advancement of my life and writing. That's what propelled me forward. I will close with this; like J. Swift said, "my counsel is, use the point of your pen and not the feather".

thanks so much @SidraTariq Ditto! I am rooting for both of you!

@Elle Vagabonde Thanks so much! I look forward to hearing of your official acceptance soon.

@Elle Vagabonde @Nirvik I'm elated to announce that I was accepted into the magazine program at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute today! I'm over the moon and wish you all the best of luck.

@SidraTariq I would not freak out yet. I believe that the respective concentrations, or programs, announce at different times.

@kaiphi Of course it's okay to ask– just give me some time to think about and offer a proper response.

@Nirvik Thanks Nirvik! Best of luck to you, as well. I did receive a promising letter from the director of the program I applied to in January, so I am with hope. Would you mind sharing what program or concentration your brother applied to, if any? = ]