Any journalism masters applicants?

[aulacrimosa]

The waiting is torture, and with all this 2016 election coverage all I want to do is report!!

Where did you apply/what's your beat? 

[bunception]

@aulacrimosa I applied to Columbia's MS program as well as the documentary concentration. I studied journalism at Medill (Northwestern) and am interested in honing my portfolio in NYC, which CJS will surely facilitate. Hbu?

[Nirvik]

@aulacrimosa My brother has applied for MS in Sports Journalism. NYU and Boston University has contacted him with positive responses. The Director of Graduate Admissions from BU has spoken about an unofficial invite to the program. Nonetheless, he is waiting for a positive response from NorthWestern. 

I am applying for PhD in Computer Science and currently riding the same anxiety boat.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Nirvik

[bunception]

@Nirvik good luck to your brother for his admissions to Northwestern MSJ! The new dean is interested in building a sports-focused program, so it should be a fun two years.

[Nirvik]

@bunception That's great! And thanks, I will deliver him the good news. Northwestern is his dream school. So he will be thrilled to learn about it.

[vacancies]

On January 26, 2016 at 10:01 PM, aulacrimosa said:

The waiting is torture, and with all this 2016 election coverage all I want to do is report!!

Where did you apply/what's your beat? 

Hi all,

I have applied to Columbia's MS program and also the magazine concentration at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute (NYU). I studied English and biology as an undergraduate. I'm into satirical writing. 

I am waiting for decisions with bated breath. Good luck to the three (two?) of us. 

: ) 

[bunception]

@vacancies Yay! Hang in there! Good luck to you too. I am VERY anxious.

Columbia doesnt interview MS candidates, do they ? 

Edited March 1, 2016 by bunception

[vacancies]

11 hours ago, bunception said:

@vacancies Yay! Hang in there! Good luck to you too. I am VERY anxious.

Columbia doesnt interview MS candidates, do they ? 

: ) Thank you! 

 

Bunception,

I had the same question and this is what I found:

Per the FAQs on Columbia's website : "5. Are interviews required as a part of the application process? 
We do not require an interview for M.S., M.A. or Ph.D. candidates." 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2016 by vacancies

[bunception]

@vacancies thanks, i must've missed that! So I guess there's just waiting left for us to do...

[vacancies]

@bunception You're very welcome. : ) Yes, I fear that's all we can do. Though, I've taken look at Columbia's admission announcements from prior years and it seems, at least in the 2015 cycle, that they send out notifications around March 15. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything! 
 

Edited March 1, 2016 by vacancies

[bunception]

@vacancies yeah I noticed the window is usually from March 10-15, seldom later than that! 1-2 more weeks TOPS. 

Then again, the aid letter will come later, right?

[kaiphi]

 

22 hours ago, vacancies said:

@bunception You're very welcome. : ) Yes, I fear that's all we can do. Though, I've taken look at Columbia's admission announcements from prior years and it seems, at least in the 2015 cycle, that they send out notifications around March 15. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything! 
 

Is it okay if I ask how you prepped to apply to Columbia?

I'm applying this coming fall and am unsure whether or not I'm ready because I haven't interned as a big-name publication (yet).

So far I have had two internships, some freelance bylines, and a couple of editorial positions, but I feel so unprepared!

[vacancies]

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

[SidraTariq]

Hey I got an interview with the director of the program I applied to at NYU. Does this do anything for my chances? I got the impression they try to interview as many students as possible although its not part of the application process.

[aulacrimosa]

Good luck to everyone!! This week I've decided to enroll in Medill at Northwestern's social justice and investigative reporting program. Got the call on Tuesday while I was working in my undergrad's english department and hugged all of my professors. What a great moment.  Let me know if any of you are going to Northwestern! 

[bunception]

@aulacrimosa Hey have fun at Medill! I did my undergrad there and loved every moment. The faculty and peer network I built helped me get great internships and an overseas reporting opportunity as well. Good luck!!

[bunception]

@kaiphi There are so many different ways of preparing for a graduate program in journalism, but I get the feeling Columbia's looking for writing ability and passion for storytelling over, say, someone who already has a burgeoning journalism career and doesn't need further instruction. So even if you haven't interned for a big-name publication, you can show passion and initiative by submitting clips from self-started projects. Just a suggestion! I'm no admissions person!

[vacancies]

@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". 

[vacancies]

@bunception

Hi there,

Hope you are well! Have you heard from Columbia? 

[bunception]

15 hours ago, vacancies said:

@bunception

Hi there,

Hope you are well! Have you heard from Columbia? 

I am! Hope you are too. I have not. Today's the day a lot of results came in last year... Nervous!!!!!

[bunception]

@vacancies have you heard anything?

[bunception]

@vacancies HEY LOOK

 

[vacancies]

@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]

@vacancies i found it on the results page! here is the class of 17 overview:

"The Office of Admission and Financial Aid received more than 900 applications for our four degree programs.

In our largest degree-granting program, the full-time Master of Science, those admitted hail from 33 states and the District of Columbia. The top states represented among the admitted students are New York, California, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Florida and Connecticut. In addition, 32 percent of the class is international representing 41 countries, with the largest groups hailing from China, India, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Canada and Mexico.

This year, 75 percent of those admitted to the M.S. class are female and 25 percent are male. In the Master of Arts class, 31 percent are male and 69 percent are female, with 70 percent coming from outside of the United States representing 22 countries. Of the four students admitted to the doctoral program in communications, one is male and three are female. Two are international students. We admitted 11 students into our M.S. dual degree program with Computer Science. There are five females and six males, with eight international students. In terms of racial diversity of U.S. citizens, more than 40 percent of the entire class identified as African American, Asian, Latino, Native American and/or Pacific Islander."

[vacancies]

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