Candy was collected, pamphlets passed out and wisdom exchanged. Hundreds of students crowded tables and informative displays about colleges and the programs to participate in to get there. Over 3,000 students attending the JEA/NSPA national journalism convention of 2016 in Indianapolis experienced both the sugar highs of the lollipops retrieved from the programs and the lows of not knowing which college, of so many options, to apply to. Thankfully, the college representatives in Griffin Exhibit Hall at the J.W. Marriott were more than willing to help high school journalists achieve a better grasp on how they plan on pursuing their college education.  

Kurt Clements, admissions counselor at the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism, advised applying students that colleges normally seek to find students with the most enthusiasm for their path of study.

“The biggest thing we look for is passion for whatever [the students] want to do, whether that’s journalism or communications or public relations. You don’t have to be an expert in it before you come to campus, but we like to see potential and … students that know it’s something they really like to do and something they can pour themselves into for four years,” he said.

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Pareen Mhatre

A yearbook recreation area by Walsworth at the university fair.

Bobby Steele, from the University of Mississippi Meek School of Journalism and New Media, agreed that enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are the most significant aspects considered by college admissions.

“[Colleges] look for a student that has a vision, is self-driven and has a creative mind and is willing to challenge themselves and keep pushing themselves to do better things.”

The best way, Clements said, for students to display these traits is through their writing.

“[Writing is] really the only way you get to display yourself when you’re applying to colleges —  through that statement and through that application … The better a writer you are, the better of a chance you have of being prepared to apply for school.”

For students that had no prior experience or knowledge on what kind of school they would like to go to, admissions officers and representatives suggested to look at the types of experiences around the campus.

Despite all of the concern over internships, experience, applications and appealing personality characteristics, high schools students still find themselves putting unbelievable amounts of work into applying and choosing a college.

 

Journalists interview a group of high school journalism students about their yearbook at the National High School Journalism Convention in Indianapolis, IN.

A photo posted by West Side Story (@wsspaper) on Nov 11, 2016 at 7:01am PST

 Maureen Langley, representative from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., also thinks that applying students get too anxious about college.

“I think that high school students stress themselves out way too much about admissions and getting into school … All I did [to get into college] was fill out the application.”

As long as a student has good grades and is active in their school and community, they shouldn’t have issues finding a school that’s right for them, Langley added.

Representative Shelby Gluck from Philip Merrill College of Journalism in College Park, Md. suggested that students keep in mind special scholarship opportunities close to home, especially when money becomes a concern for students.