How are Penn State's broadcast journalism programs?

Hey all! I'm looking into Penn State as a potential college option. I'm really interested in broadcast journalism and want to know your thoughts on their program. Has anyone here had any experiences or insights about it? Thanks!

Hey! Penn State has a strong broadcast journalism program within their Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. One of the key aspects you'll appreciate about the program is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. They have an on-campus news station, CommRadio, which is entirely student-run and can give you practical experience in broadcast journalism, podcasting, and sports coverage. This type of experience is invaluable and can help you build a strong portfolio when you start applying for internships.

In addition to CommRadio, the department sponsors the annual Keystone Multimedia Workshop, which offers a skills-based training program and is open to students. If you're eligible, you can also get involved with the Centre County Report, a weekly student-produced TV newsmagazine that is broadcast off-campus on WPSU, the local PBS station.

Furthermore, Penn State has excellent faculty with industry experience, which means their classes tend to be practical and up-to-date with current industry trends. Students also have access to resources such as the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism and the Knight Foundation. These organizations provide additional resources, connections, and networking opportunities.

Lastly, the alumni network and career services at Penn State are robust and can help you make connections within the industry when it's time to explore your career possibilities and land internships.

If you end up applying and want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle Penn State's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-penn-state-essays/

Alternatively, you might consider participating in a summer program related to journalism. CollegeVine's blog has a list of reputable ones for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-journalism-summer-programs/. Many of them will allow you to focus on broadcast journalism in particular, and admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and pursuing your interests outside of the classroom!

Overall, I'd say Penn State's broadcast journalism program stands out due to their focus on real-world experience, resources, and faculty expertise. If you get involved with opportunities they offer, you'll be in a great position to strengthen your skills and make connections in the field. Good luck with your college search!