November 7, 2007

TIME OUT: Free Princeton Program

More from NAHJ:

Princeton University Summer Journalism Program

Princeton University will again offer it's all-expense paid summer journalism program for high school journalism students.

Now it it's seventh year, the 10-day program targets student journalists from unerresourced financial backgrounds. Eligible students must meet the following qualifications:
  • They must currently be sophomores or juniors in high school.
  • They must live in the continental United States.
  • They must have at least an unweighted 3.5 grade point average (out of 4.0).
  • They must have an interest in journalism.
  • The combined income of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, must not exceed $45,000.
Note: If the combined income of the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, exceeds $45,000 and a student still wishes to apply, he or she may attach a letter explaining why his or her family qualifies as financially underresourced.

The Application
Students must fill download, fill out, and submit the application as a Microsoft Word attachment.
Upon completing the application, students must rename the document using the following format:
Lastname.Firstname.doc
For example, if the student’s name is Maria Sanchez, the title of the renamed document will be:
Sanchez.Maria.doc
Students should type their name and high school in the body of the e-mail. They must also put only the name of the Word document (e.g., Sanchez.Maria.doc) in the subject line of the e-mail. Students must e-mail the renamed MS Word application to sjpapplication@gmail.com (Note: this is a Gmail e-mail address, not a Princeton e-mail address).

Deadline for submitting the application is 11:59 p.m., Feb. 20, 2008.
Program directors will not grant extensions for any reason.

The Interview
Program Directors will interview students either in person or over the phone. Students must provide (via U.S. mail) printed copies of the following:
  • An official high school transcript
  • The first page of the 2006 income-tax return form (the 1040 or 1040EZ form) of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s), or a signed statement by their parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that their income is below the level at which they would be required to file income tax returns
  • A recommendation letter from a teacher
  • Clips from their high school newspaper or other publication (optional)
Questions may be sent to sjp@princeton.edu (Note this is a Princeton e-mail address) or to a voice message at (609) 258-8046.

Download the application here.

For more information about the summer program click here.