Why is WI so hard to get into from DC area?

Medill is gold standard for undergrad, with Mizzou/Newhouse a close second. For grad, Columbia and Medill are all fantastic choices but I must reiterate that the cheapest option is usually your best!

Syracuse is great but location and weather is terrible. Personally I think if you are going to pay for private Medill or just choose public. I will forewarn you that UT is next to impossible to get into OOS and WI is very hard from the DC area. If she is strong enough for either of those she can get into Medill.

Honestly? Go to strongest states undergrad (name, regardless of Journalism strength) than Medill grad. Sadly grad is a must for journalism now.

Is USC known for Journalism? How does it compare to the big states above?

Northwestern’s Medill School seems to be having some fairly significant staff attrition. Wonder what that’s about?

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2021/11/21/campus/medill-academic-and-career-advising-understaffed-after-several-advisers-depart/?fbclid=IwAR2pNflQ1QaV4fHJf5i7sYZbyqUn3HNpeZCRlyqV9eSgaos-a_s28LiAi2U

OP here: DD raised in DC so she prefers being in a “real city”, if given a choice, post graduation.

Wisconsin is cutting edge for digital media and has long been strong in "regular" journalism, with two campus daily newspapers and a host of other opportunities.

Newhouse is fantastic and nationally know, so there aren't bad options, but the other factor, where would she like to live for her college time?

^^^

Mizzou?

The only ugrad journalism school I'd pay a premium for (and even then, not *that* much of a premium) is Northwestern, and that's because career outcomes beyond journalism are pretty solid for Medill, their journalism school. Otherwise, state school is the way to go!

Depends on which state school.

The state schools you named are very good for journalism. I went to Syracuse (Newhouse) and I had a great experience ... I'm still working in the industry. But it is VERY expensive. How do the state school costs stack up for you? (Not sure where you live.)

Syracuse is also not all that academic. Does ED help kids get into Newhouse, more than the university as a whole? If so, sure, go ahead and use it. But Syracuse is not that hard to get into.

Syracuse is ridiculously over priced for what it is

I went to UNC for journalism and I highly recommend. Excellent overall school, good standard college experience and excellent j-school. Worked for several top news outlets. (I'm now a comms sellout, but that's beside the point...)

DD is struggling with decision whether to apply to Syracuse ED II, or to focus her sites on the big state schools she’s already applied to EA. Her biggest question is whether or not the experience at Newhouse is markedly better in terms of instruction and internship opportunities than the experience she’d get at a Wisconsin, a UT Austin, Mizzou, or other. Please no comments on journalism is a “dying profession” or “not a good major.” Really just looking for first hand experience and thoughts about Newhouse (is the weather and isolation really that bad?) and/or other big state options for someone committed to a career in journalism, who also wants the complete college experience (school spirit, sports, things to do in town, etc.) Thank you!