Yes, I'm sorry if I came across as very negative. Well, actually, I am very negative. My problem with Medill is a personal conflict. It's true that I probably could "save the world" through journalism if I were willing to be more flexible, but I just don't want to spend my life cutting down stories, adding more graphics, and airing inside elevator and bus TV's (all of these are true examples) so that the new fragmented audience will find them more appealing to read and take interest in.
If you are considering coming to Medill but I've somehow scared the crap out of you, don't be afraid. Just be aware that you need to be more flexible about the field you're going into. We just had a guest speaker today who said, very clearly, that new journalists must be creative, talented, multi-dimensional, and flexible.
If you are like me and your interest lies specifically in print, I've talked to a number of people, including a journalist for the New York Times and Medill staff-members, who admit that freelancers don't necessarily need journalism school if they are talented enough. I'm taking a gamble here in assuming that. I'm also gambling my financial future because freelancing is scary and completely unstable.
I haven't been on the Northwestern home page for ages, but I highly suggest just going to the Medill page and checking things out. If you really want to dig your heels in, contact Steve Duke, who is the professor for 21st Century Media (the first freshman j-class).
www.northwestern.edu/medill I think.