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Sadly, this is proving difficult. I have read both on this site and others about various schools reccomended for journalism majors, but things aren't that easy for me.

First of all, I am attending a junior college in Alabama; my mother is skeptical of me going out of the South East for my last years of college. If the school is good, though, I know that I can work around that.

What I can't work around, though, is cost. I have suggested student loans to her, but even with that, she was very upset when I mentioned going somewhere that cost $25,000 a year including room and board. And that's pretty much the cheap ones I have found.

What I would like to know is if anyone has any suggestions on a school that's great for my major and A) is reasonably priced, B) has good scholarship oppurtunities, or C) both.

By Barrons (Barrons) on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 08:06 pm: Edit

UGA

By Willywonka (Willywonka) on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 09:09 pm: Edit

I don't know much in-depth information about schools other than the ones I've fallen in love with. If you like liberal arts colleges and journalism, the only option in the US News Top 25 is Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. It's about as far away from Alabama you can go and still be in the southeast. From what I glean, the journalism department is very well thought-of.

Cost is a problem. It's 25k in tuition alone, but there are ample scholarship opportunities.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 09:27 pm: Edit

University of Florida

By Imnofrenchman (Imnofrenchman) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 03:38 am: Edit

I don't think I worded things well. Let me try again. ><

I would like a good -- it doesn't have to be Ivy league or US News top 25. I'd just like it's journalism program to have a respectable reputation -- college for a Journalism major that is cost effecient.

My mother nearly had a heartattack at a school whose room and board + tuition was a little under $25,000. So, schools like this that do not offer great scholarship oppurtunities for (probably out-of-state) *transfer students* are out of my budget.

I'm hoping to find schools in the South East, but I am not ruling out schools in other regions entirely. If the price is right, and the school good, I would be more than willing to attempt to persuade my mother.

Thanks for the help so far.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:07 am: Edit

I second Northstarmom's recommendation of the University of Florida. Also check out Flagler in Florida - www.flagler.edu - it has very reasonable tuition because they concentrate on selected career-focused majors, including communications/journalism. Good little school for communications and the price is right at $8,000 a year for tuition (yes, you read that right).

And, actually, the U of Alabama has a very well-respected journalism program as well.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:13 am: Edit

And one other suggestion as well - not in the southeast, but also look into the journalism program at the University of South Dakota (Tom Brokaw's alma mater). Well-respected program and out of state tuition and costs are well under $20,000 a year with scholarships available.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:16 am: Edit

One last suggestion: a bit more expensive (about $25,000 a year including room/board for out of state students) is the University of Missouri-Columbia's Journalism program. One of the top journalism schools in the country.

By Buddnutz (Buddnutz) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 12:20 pm: Edit

I think Flager is a great choice, its very small, and quickly gaining reputation. It is cheaper than attending out of state universities as well. It is very respected here in Florida.

By Celebrian23 (Celebrian23) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 03:44 pm: Edit

well unc-ch has a great journalism program with an emphasis on liberal arts

By Ivysearch (Ivysearch) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 05:39 pm: Edit

Isn't out-of-state tution at University of Florida pricey? I think you should look at schools that you may be able to get a scholarship. University of Florida is very competitive and you probably will not be offered money. I take it you are an Alabama resident. I would try for in-state at U of Alabama or a less competitive out-of-state that would want to offer you money to go to their school...maybe U of Iowa -they give a lot of scholarship money and have an excellent Journalism program.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 07:36 pm: Edit

UNC is pretty expensive out of state, however. Or, at least, above the original poster's max of $25,000 (its $27,000 or so plus books and travel). U of Florida is pricey but comes in within his budget.

Really, cost wise and program wise, the posters best bet is going to be the University of Alabama with its excellent and well-respected journalism program. After that, Flagler (well under $20,000) followed by someplace like U of Florida or U of Missouri (both over $20,000 though). The U of South Dakota would come in at under $20,000 for out of state...but you have to factor in travel AND winter clothes --- LOL! But, still worth looking at, in my opinion, as there aren't many inexpensive journalism options out there.

Just thought of one other option that might be worth a look - Elon University in North Carolina. Relatively inexpensive for a private school and they can be generous with financial aid and merit money (check on availablility for transfers though).

By Celebrian23 (Celebrian23) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

unc is a little less than 26k, a little more than 25k

By Feenotype2 (Feenotype2) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 05:27 pm: Edit

ehem...Mercer ;-)

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 10:30 pm: Edit

Celebrian: UNC's web site estimates costs for out of state students to be $27,300 a year. Tuition alone is $16,000 for out of state.

By Aspirer42 (Aspirer42) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:15 pm: Edit

Celebrian's probably citing this year's figures; I forget the exact amounts, but Carolina's bumping out-of-state tuition up about $2000 next year. *grumble*grumble*. Scholarship opportunities are fairly available, but remember the insanely hard requirements for getting in out-of-state. You'll probably have to be good enough to get into a middle Ivy to get a goodly amount of merit aid. And I have no idea how UNC's financial aid program works for transfers.

You may want to consider looking into some good private (or other places with need-blind, theoretically-cover-100%-of-need admissions) colleges and seeing if you could get any need-based aid from them, as well.

But above all, listen well to Carolyn

By Imnofrenchman (Imnofrenchman) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 03:45 am: Edit

Thank you, everyone. Right now Flagler and Mercer appeal to me most.

By Imnofrenchman (Imnofrenchman) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 05:46 am: Edit

And I'm back. The Chance forums doesn't seem to post. I don't know if anyone will see this here, but it's worth a shot:

I noticed that for this year, Flagler College had an acceptance rate of about 29% for transfer students. Collegeboard offered some help, as did Flagler's website itself, but I'm really not sure of my chance at admittance. So, I would appreciate opinions.

Currently, I have a 3.7 GPA. (76-100% of the incoming freshmen had GPAs of 3.0 or higher)

My ACT is a 29. (The middle 50% of ACT scores submitted for first years were 22 -27) I am, however, hoping to take either the SAT or the ACT again.

I'm alright enough in those areas. Where I fall a little short is with the extracurrecular side.

I'm going to attend Phi Theta Kappa orientation this coming Wednesday.
If membership is still open, I hope to join Circle K either this semester or at the start of next.
I'm also meeting with a leader of a Girl Scout leader to help her run her troop.
First semester of last year I tutored at a local elementary school.

That's going to be about it for my college volunteering. My high school achievements are about the same.

Drama Club 10th grade
Engineering Club 11th grade
I was in the top choir my 9th grade year, and we won a "superior" ranking/medal at an ensemble event.
I received a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Additionally, I particiapted in Trumbauer my 10th grade year for Drama, but I made either good or great (I'd have to check the certificate for what the word is) and did not make state. I'm not sure, though, if this should belong in my application.

I believe that is all. And the Chance-a-Meter points to...?

By Pattykk (Pattykk) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 08:06 am: Edit

The University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida have journalism programs and reasonable tuition. I don't know anything about either school, but I have a friend whose daughter is at Central Florida and is very happy.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:15 pm: Edit

Flagler IS very selective, even for freshman (their freshman acceptance rate is only 30%). But I think you would have a shot there. They place a VERY high emphasis on accepting students who "fit" the Flagler philosophy/mission - i.e., students who have clear career goals, are self-motivated, mature, etc. If you can interview, that will help, as will a great recommendation from a current professor.

Mercer is a good back up choice - It's a school that is not often mentioned here on CC but I have looked carefully at what they offer and think they have a solid academic program. Seems like a very nuturing environment as well.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

By Oldman (Oldman) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:24 pm: Edit

Georgia is cheaper than most and journalism program respected

By Celebrian23 (Celebrian23) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 03:50 pm: Edit

also flagler is VERY career oriented, so make sure that is what you are primarily interested in, because that's what they're looking for