Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Anyone could help for the most current ranking of top schools for communication major?!

By Collegeparent (Collegeparent) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 11:50 am: Edit

There are several threads in the archives on this subject so you might look there. In the meantime, for the top undergraduate journalism and communication schools, look at the University of Missouri, Northwestern, University of Georgia, UNC, Syracuse, NYU and BU. Also consider such schools in the Northeast as Emerson, Endicott, Quinnipiac, UMass, and URI among others.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 12:20 pm: Edit

I'd also add the University of Southern California, Ithaca College, and the University of Missouri-Columbia to the list of top schools. There are, obviously, many schools that offer communications - in sorting them out, look carefully at the following: availability of internships, availability of equipment/resources (if you want to do broadcasting, make sure there's a good broadcast facility on campus), depth of courses (look for schools that offer classes in particular areas of communications - i.e., magazine journalism, advertising, public relations, broadcast journalism, etc.), background of faculty (if possible choose a school where many of the faculty have hands-on industry working experience, not one where the faculty are mostly academics), whether classes are focused on theory or actual employable skills in communications (schools where you take lots of writing, graphic design, and editing classes are preferrable to ones where many of the classes focus on things like "mass communications theory" or "modern propoganda"), size of faculty, size of student body...and JOB PLACEMENT in communications jobs after graduation.

By Alan5 (Alan5) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 01:42 pm: Edit

Also add Northeastern. The school is planning to devote substantial resources over the next couple of years to strengthen its communications program as well as its other programs. Northeastern also has the best co-op/internship program in the country.

By Savedbythebell7 (Savedbythebell7) on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 04:57 pm: Edit

If you're looking on the westcoast, you might wanna check out San Diego State. Although, it's an impacted major there, if you're persistent about it, you can get your classes and you should be taught many employable skills.

By Kstar (Kstar) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 06:38 pm: Edit

Ohio University in Athens is also up there. Sure it doesn't have the outstanding reputation for other majors, but the Scripps School is excellent. Also, full ride for ACT 32+ or 1400+ plus decent class rank (top 15 or 10%, I forget which one). In addition, a gorgeous campus with happy students!

By Redbarn (Redbarn) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit

Carolyn (and others)- What is your feeling on the communications department at Penn, that is, the Annenberg School of Communications, which offers a two-year major during the junior and senior years?

By Chriscornelluv (Chriscornelluv) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has a great communications department.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 01:04 pm: Edit

Redbarn - I happen to have a close friend (also a journalist) whose daughter is currently in the Annenberg program at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been very pleased with her experiences in the program. They have been excellent about lining her up with some terrific internships. This summer, for example, she's doing a paid internship in media relations at the Republican convention. From what I've heard through her, I think it is an excellent program.

By Scubasteve (Scubasteve) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 02:27 pm: Edit

you have to be careful in choosing a communications program

some programs are heavy theoretically based while others are more practical and hands on

i personallly prefer the latter because i believe the communications field is constantly changing... thus the theory side of the major often becomes antiquated very quickly... while the more practical approach will leave you adequately prepared upon entrance to the field

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 05:07 pm: Edit

Scubasteve is absolutely correct. Always look at the opportunities for "hands on" learning and experiences.

Another good thing to look for is the career experience of those teaching in the program. Ideally, you want to have a substantial number of professors who have worked in a communications industry job (i.e., they've actually been journalists or public relations pro's or advertising executives at some point). Most schools post the bio's of professors on their web sites - check them out. And, ask when you visit! If it seems that most of the professors have educational backgrounds but little or NO actual real world experience, keep looking.

By Cama (Cama) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 07:56 am: Edit

What about Syracuse University Newhouse School( don't know if I spelled it correctly)

By Redbarn (Redbarn) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 01:00 pm: Edit

Thanks for the input. I've visited Penn and Northwestern and love both. Can't beat the Medill School at NU, but I've got ties to Penn with legacy and other such connections. I'm leaning heavily towards applying early to Penn and eventually joining the Annenberg School of Communications.

By Kk19131 (Kk19131) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Redbarn: I really don’t see how you can go wrong with either; both are phenomenal programs, and offer tons of opportunities, however, at NU, you will be in the most respected school, whereas if you go to Penn, most (if not all) of its schools are pushed out of the limelight by Wharton.

By Lenk58 (Lenk58) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 12:20 pm: Edit

If you look at Alan5 posts you will see that he cheerleads Northeastern in every field. what he doesn't tell you about NEU is that it is a tier 3 school. Neu is having trouble filling spots and went deep into it's waitlist very early.

By Alan5 (Alan5) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 12:41 pm: Edit

Lenk stop lying. You have no evidence that NEU is having trouble filling spots. There are still over 1000 people on the waitlist. Call the admissions office if you don't believe me. By the way, I "cheerlead" as you call it for NEU becuase its a great school that is currently underrated (third tier ranking is based on stats that are now two years old).

By Scubasteve (Scubasteve) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 01:42 pm: Edit

(every ranking is based on stats that are now two years old)

so dont say it like they face some significant disadvatange because of that... all schools are on an objective playing field when ranked

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 01:52 pm: Edit

Cama, The Newhouse School at Syracuse is outstanding. Of course, I'm biased, having graduated from there myself. LOL! Seriously, Newhouse typically is ranked among the top 3-4 communications schools in the country. It is an excellent program with exceptional facilities and many illustrious graduates. It should be on the list for anyone who is serious about majoring in a communications field.

Potential drawbacks to SU: the weather is horrible; Newhouse is very difficult to get into - much harder than Syracuse overall; Syracuse is not the most exciting city in the world but really not all that bad; the weather is horrible; Syracuse is expensive but financial aid is usually pretty generous; did I mention the weather is horrible?

Overall, I enjoyed my time at Syracuse and still use the skills I learned at Newhouse nearly every day - it's a wonderful school for communications.

By Lenk58 (Lenk58) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 11:15 am: Edit

exactly scubasteve, Alan 5 just doesn't like the fact that NEU is a tier 3 school that is deep into it's waitlist in order to fill spots.