Medill, Newhouse, and Fellowships...

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I was recently accepted into the graduate programs of Medill and Newhouse, respectively. I’ve been hearing so many different things about both schools from people everywhere, so I’d appreciate any input from the forum. </p>

<p>For Syracuse, I applied for the Magazine, Print, and Online Journalism program and the TRF program and was accepted to both. I’m a finalist for the Newhouse Fellowship for the former.</p>

<p>Where I’d really like to go is Newhouse for the TRF program. Ultimately I’d like to become a filmmaker/journalist in the nonprofit sector. I like the idea about Doctors with Borders, and I’d like to do something in that vein but with media, making short documentaries on immediate human crises that can be spread virally through social media.</p>

<p>However, the chair of the TRF program has yet to reply to both of my e-mails, so I’m wondering what’s going on. Anyone have any insight on the quality of the TRF program?</p>

<p>Does anyone have any experience with the Magazine and Online Journalism program? While thrilled to be a finalist for the fellowship, I haven’t heard much about this program and I’d love to hear some information about the classes or professors. Also, I’m worried I’ll be pigeonholed into “online magazine making.” </p>

<p>Obviously, Medill would be good for what I’d like to do, as I’ve heard the school is very much focused on investigative storytelling. The academics and reputation of the school, of course, speak for themselves. The question is: would they allow me to branch more into documentaries and filmmaking, as opposed to purely written journalism?</p>

<p>And the last question, but purely for amusement and reflection: If you had a choice between a full ride to Newhouse or Medill with an average financial aid package, where are you going?</p>

<p>I realize my questions are somewhat vague and seemingly all over the place, but I’m always like that so…apologies, haha. Any help or input is appreciated. Thanks everyone.</p>

2

<p>Full ride, no question.</p>

<p>If you haven’t noticed, the job market for journalists is absolutely terrible right now. (I am a recovering journalist.) There is zero guarantee that you will get a job immediately after your master’s, and even less guarantee that it will be some big-name, big-money news outlet. You may end up at The Podunk Bugle making $25,000 and working 60 hours a week. Being saddled with tens of thousands in debt (on top of undergrad loans?) is a recipe for financial disaster.</p>

<p>Take the money and run.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply. </p>

<p>I actually have no undergraduate debt and have about 20K saved up (I worked for 3 years after I graduated from my undergrad). Money isn’t the biggest issue, but I will admit a full-ride fellowship looks better than a debt-ridden stay at Medill.</p>

<p>I agree with you on the job outlook, but I’m not trying to get a conventional job at a newspaper or media company anyway. I’m most likely going freelance/rogue, and I’m doing more digital media/filmmaking than written journalism.</p>

<p>But you’re right. The full ride is too much refuse, but I’m worried the major isn’t even what I really want to do. I want to make films and shorts, not make an online magazine. </p>

<p>It puts me in a difficult spot. Take the fellowship and do a major that may not be something I really want to do?</p>

<p>Anyone know how generous Medill’s average financial package is? Thanks.</p>

4

<p>If you’re going freelance, I’d say it’s even more important to avoid loans. You won’t have a steady, reliable income and those payments are going to come due regardless of whether or not you got an assignment that month.</p>