Expert: Susie Watts - 11/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hey .. I'm a student of an online high school (Ashworth High School) and I love writing and being creative. With no help from a guidance counselor I'm unsure about what I want to major in when I apply to college. I want to write for magazines or newspapers or things like that. Any Advice? P.S. : I live in New York and I'm thinking of going to New York University. Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Anthony,
If writing is something you are passionate about and you would like to write for a magazine or newspaper, you should probably look at schools that have good journalism departments.  A journalism major is one where you learn all different styles of writing and get experience with a great number of writing classes.  There are many schools with strong journalism programs.  Don't limit yourself to NYU, but do a little research to find the school that is the best fit for you.

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QUESTION: thanks for your response! following up on my questions.. if I major in journalism, should I take it all 4 years or how would I work that out ???

ANSWER: The first two years of college are usually spent taking the core classes you need in order to graduate.  These include required English, math, natural science, social science, foreign language, and electives.
You usually also take a class or two in an area that you think you might like to major.  When you are a junior and senior in college, you start taking mostly journalism classes.  You might also do an internship with a magazine or newspaper so that when you graduate you have some experience.  You probably also would try to get involved with the school newspaper and get some experience there.

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QUESTION: thanks for the advice! I didn't know we had to take math in college (I'm dreading that lol) As you know I do schooling at home online, do you have any advice that you could give me about the applying to college process, like what should I do in preparation? BTW your a great help!

Answer
Hi Anthony,
I have a website http://www.collegedirection.org that has a lot of information about the college process and many articles and videos that you can read or look at with information on doing a college search, applications and essays and college planning in general.  I also have a college planning newsletter which might be helpful.  I work with students throughout the U.S. to help with this process, but I don't know whether your family would be interested in this or not.