The OP would probably have to raise his/her standardized testing a good bit (1190 superscored SAT, 23 ACT per other posts) to be competitive for UF (or other schools on his/her list unless they are test optional).
Well…if the student isn’t competitive for UF…what makes her think she is competitive for OOS Private universities?
UF is definitely a reach school for you. If you do get in and have bright futures, I’d consider very seriously. It’s the #9 public school in the country. In order to get merit money you would have to go to a much lower ranked school. Even with merit you would probably be paying triple the cost of attendance for UF.
I
100%. I’m a journalist. Don’t major in journalism. Or, if you do, double-major with any liberal arts discipline (history, political science, philosophy, economics, anthropology, psychology, etc.) The number-one most important way to prepare yourself for a career in journalism is to go to a college with a DAILY, student-run, independent newspaper. An independent student newspaper is one that does not have a “faculty adviser,” is not a project of a journalism class, and is not in any way subject to censorship by the university. Based on what one poster above said, it seems that UF has that. You’re in luck. Walk into the paper’s office on day one and join the staff. Stick with it, Rise up through various editorial positions. Graduate with a bucket-load of clips. There you go.
Huh? Fundamental journalism skills are the same as they’ve always been. You need digital skills in addition, yes. But not necessarily super-duper expertise. Depends what you want to do in the newsroom.