I Got In - Now What?

My head was initially filled with warm fuzzies after I was accepted into nearly every journalism program I applied to (Columbia apparently wanted to buck the trend), but that early elation has slowly ebbed away over the last few days to be replaced by an almost physical need to really think about my choices.

My physical needs have been further exacerbated due to some important missing information -- namely financial aid offers -- from several programs. I finished my taxes in record time to speed up the process but another couple of weeks may pass before I have a clearer idea of where I can realistically expect to attend.

However, I do know that CUNY has awarded me a scholarship for full tuition. This means that I would still have to pay for my own books and living expenses but I wouldn't have to spend a penny for any class. This will be key because it's unlikely I'll be able to handle my course load and a job on the side.

I may have a similar arrangement at Northwestern if I'm fortunate enough to win a scholarship for which I've been nominated. The scholarship is based on potential leadership ability so I'm not getting my hopes up. It's nice to think about a potential free ride at Northwestern but the accompanying uncertainty over my chances drives home exactly how precarious my financial situation is.

In the meantime, I'm left to consider all the other ways I can parse my options.

In no particular order, I have the University of Southern California (USC), the City University of New York (CUNY), Medill at Northwestern, and New York University (NYU) to consider as possible destinations.

Based on reputation alone, Northwestern and NYU would probably top the list followed by USC and then CUNY. Judging a program by its reputation may seem shallow but journalism programs are supposed to act as a direct pipeline towards a staff position on a newspaper or magazine and a department's reputation is largely based on its ability to do just that.

Breaking the programs down by curriculum has proved to be more complicated. I applied to schools with a demonstrated emphasis on training professional newsroom skills; attending each program should not only prepare me for a journalism career but each department also offers programs in multimedia and feature-length article writing that would help me find a place within the converging worlds of (multi)media.

Like in other fields, the key to finding a full-time gig after graduating will probably run through an internship. Each department offers assistance in finding internships but only CUNY requires its students to complete one. CUNY has made an internship a required component of its summer session but also guarantees a stipend if the internship doesn't already provide one. The other departments highly recommend internship experience but none offer anything matching CUNY's level of support.

If it sounds like I'm favoring CUNY then we're probably on the same page since I have by far the most experience with the program. I've already sat down on one of their classes and not only felt comfortable doing so but I already feel a strong rapport with some of the teachers. Their program is very new (I would be joining its third class, I think) but it's well-funded, features state of the art equipment, has experienced professionals on staff with strong connections to the rest of the industry, and their department is brimming with the energy and enthusiasm of an entity that is still new and young enough to operate without the burden of excessive bureaucracy.

CUNY stands out in all the important areas but one: reputation. They're still so new that a degree from CUNY won't carry nearly the prestige (or potential hiring strength, which is by far more important) as a degree from another, more established program.

Which takes me back to Medill at Northwestern. Medill is recognized as either the top or number two program in journalism and its facilities are without a doubt comparable to CUNY's. Its staff is probably amongst the most respected in the field, but there is more of an academic bent to the program that isn't as in line with my own interests. I wouldn't be going wrong by receiving my graduate education at Northwestern and they're the only department I'm considering that offers opportunities to travel and work abroad -- something I'm definitely interested in.

On the negative side, I'd have to pick up and relocate to Chicago to attend Medill. I did enjoy the week I spent in the Windy City a few years back and I even have an old friend in the neighborhood, but it's been incredibly helpful living a stone throw away from my dear little brother.

Rounding out my choices are NYU and USC. NYU offers similar advantages to CUNY with unparalleled access to top-flight magazines and newspapers here in New York. Its reputation is greater than CUNY's. Unfortunately, NYU uses the most difficult system for offering financial aid by matching outside offers. I'm not terribly excited about looking for more funding, but I may have to no matter which institution I end up attending.

I probably haven't given USC enough of my attention yet. It ended up on my list because my roommate recommended its program based on its strong connection to LA papers (apparently the LA Times is next door), his sister's referral for the graduate journalism department, and his attendance as an undergrad. I can also add that USC's emphasis on multimedia reporting is among the most innovative in the country and their staff is also well respected. I know I didn't receive any department scholarships but it's also possible that their financial aid offer could be very supportive. I've also been contacted by one of their professors who shares an alma mater with me.

Sometimes -- like right now -- thinking really hard can also be really tiring.

But at least one benefit from all this pondering is the crystallizing sense of what lies before me.

I expect I'll be working my butt off to master those writing techniques I've spent the last several years learning by trial and error. I'll almost certainly have to confront a number of apprehensions about sticking my nose in places it isn't wanted and then voicing questions I'll be terrified to speak.

Without a doubt I will spend at least one night (possibly more like fifty) fretting over an assignment that's due the next day. I know I'll fall in love with a piece I'll be working on only to have it ripped to shreds by an editor with nothing but good intentions. I somehow imagine that I'll finally find a nice pair of shoes I'll enjoy wearing that aren't sneakers.

I also fully expect the journey to be worth every minute and every penny, even if I can't really afford it.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Nearly two weeks have passed since I took Columbia's written application test so I had fallen out of my "professional journalist" mindset by the time I went in for an interview today at CUNY.

I blame my late work hours for part of my lack of focus and I blame my attempt at maintaining a pre-noon wake-up call for the rest -- that misguided project has only succeeded in making me sleepy anytime I'm not physically drooling on my pillow.

I also blame the Super Bowl for being so exciting that I had to watch it and stay out late enough that I had to spend the night at my brother's apartment before dragging myself to my place in the morning. My interview was at 3pm but I always have to set aside an extra four or five hours to dress myself appropriately. Because I suck at dressing appropriately, see.

Case in point: Of all the clothes I wore at my interview today, the shoes, pants, shirt, and sweater were either purchased today or else acquired so recently they had never been worn. I'm pretty certain tags were still sticking out of me when I walked through CUNY's doors.

Despite my inability to dress myself in a professional manner I think I actually made a good impression. I even got the impression that CUNY wants me.

I certainly found a lot to like after touring their facilities. They have state of the art equipment, and by state of the art equipment I mean stuff that flashes and beeps and does things that I can't comprehend. The students were dressed very nicely, which isn't necessarily a positive sign for me, but the faculty members I spoke to were very energetic, experienced, and more than happy to answer my questions.

If I had to compare my interview with a movie, I'd go with The Cutting Edge. I played the role of Doug Dorsey, the hockey player who carries an extra helmet to throw up in before the game because the first ten minutes of my interview I was so nervous and inarticulate that I felt like one of those zoo monkeys that hoots a lot but can't effectively communicate intelligent thought. Thankfully my interviewer was a very kind lady who didn't acknowledge my brief regression into the animal kingdom.

CUNY's program looks fresh (it's less than two years old), hungry, motivated and thorough. It also doesn't hurt that it's a fourth of the cost of any other program I've applied to.

I'll definitely be going back to check out a class or a talk and hopefully I'll remember not to hoot at anyone. Or throw up.