Empowering Voices Through The Princeton Summer Journalism Program
As the fields of media and journalism continue to evolve, it is imperative that we cultivate a multitude of viewpoints and empower the upcoming generation of storytellers. At the Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) you will find a shining example of opportunity, aimed at offering a life-changing experience to talented high school juniors from historically marginalized backgrounds. Every summer, promising young journalists gather on the prestigious campus of Princeton University for a captivating, all expense paid exploration that transcends traditional classroom learning. Here, diverse voices are given a powerful platform to share their stories.
In this blog post, we are going to explore the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, talk about what it offers and what you will get out of it, how to apply, and other important general information that is necessary to fully understand how much you will benefit from and enjoy this summer program!
Program Mission and Objectives
Housed in the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program has the goal of helping to bridge pathways for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to journalism and other fields that shape our democracy.
The program offers a comprehensive summer intensive that exposes students to various journalism opportunities. The program includes skill-building for newspaper reporting and documentary production, visits to major NYC news outlets, and discussions on post-secondary preparation.
Beyond immediate services, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program has a lasting impact by fostering critical thinking about information's role in democracy. Students engage with college counselors and professional journalists for guidance in the admissions process to selective institutions. The program encourages students to use their voices to empower themselves and others.
Additionally, the Princeton Summer Journalism Program provides a network connecting students with professionals committed to diversifying the journalism field. Alumni outcomes showcase the program's success in shaping the next generation of journalists.
The overall goal for the PJSP is to transport around 40 students to the Princeton campus where they will discover the wonders of journalism and play an active role as a voice in our democracy!
Curriculum and Activities
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program unfolds as a year-long program, with hybrid and virtual components as of 2024. The residential component is approximately ten days during the summer, ensuring an intensive and immersive experience for participants. The virtual component takes place the rest of the time, with online workshops and lectures with renowned journalists from all over the country throughout the month of July.
That’s not all! Throughout the year, students will also work on weekly reading assignments so that they remain up-to-date on current events. This also helps them prepare for writing their own articles with guidance. And best of all, selected students also get the opportunity to work with their assigned college counselor to complete components of their college applications!
The program's structure is meticulously crafted to expose students to a multifaceted curriculum that encompasses workshops, lectures, seminars, and practical activities. During the ten days at Princeton campus, participants at the Princeton Summer Journalism Program are immersed in a dynamic and modern environment. Workshops form a cornerstone of the curriculum, delving into essential journalism skills such as effective writing, investigative reporting, and adept interviewing techniques.
Complementing these workshops are lectures delivered by seasoned journalists, providing invaluable insights into the nuances of the profession. Seminars stimulate in-depth discussions on current issues and emerging trends, fostering critical thinking and a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic landscape.
Furthermore, the program includes visits to newsrooms, offering a firsthand glimpse into the operations of established news organizations. Students will have the opportunity to meet with major news organizations such as The New York Times, Huffington Post and Bloomberg. The culmination of the experience involves collaborative group projects, providing participants with the opportunity to apply their acquired skills in real-world scenarios.
To add onto the activities, participants boost their skills by exploring a variety of activities - from humanities to history, arts to social events. Students also cover sports stories and local news, learn about making online content, watch films or theater shows, and partake in fact-checking work.
As icing on the cake, they team up to maintain a blog and craft Princeton’s newspaper, dubbed "The Princeton Summer Journal,” which gets published on the last day of the program. Through this rich mix of tasks, learners experience an all-around understanding of journalism.
Eligibility and Application Process
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program demonstrates its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity by establishing criteria to discover and support individuals from underrepresented communities.
Designed for high-achieving students in their junior year of high school, who come from low-income backgrounds, this program acknowledges and assists those who may face obstacles in pursuing their aspirations in journalism. Notably the Princeton Summer Journalism Program stands out for its emphasis on both excellence and financial need.
By giving importance to these factors the program aims to offer a transformative experience to its participants empowering them to overcome any challenges that might impede their path in journalism. Through a selection process, the program identifies exceptional individuals providing them with a unique opportunity for growth and success, in the field of journalism. The eligibility requirements are as follows:
Live in the United States and intend to attend college here. Students living and attending school abroad, including U.S. citizens, will not be considered under any circumstances.
Have a minimum unweighted grade point average equivalent to a 3.5* out of 4.0.
Have an interest in journalism.
Meet at least one of the socioeconomic conditions below:
The combined income of your parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, does not exceed $60,000*.
Your family income or circumstances qualify you to receive free or reduced-price lunch in your high school.
Your family income or circumstances qualify you to receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Students who will be first-generation college students are given priority consideration.
The application is typically done in three rounds with Round One for the 2024 Princeton Summer Journalism Program application being due on February 15.
Prospective participants are required to submit an online application, providing information about their academic achievements and family financial situation (Seen above). The application process entails responding to three short prompts and crafting a more extended article.
Alongside these written components, applicants are obliged to furnish the contact details of a designated teacher and high school counselor. These educational professionals play a crucial role in the application process, as they are responsible for submitting a recommendation and the student's school transcript and profile, respectively.
Semi-finalists for the Princeton Summer Journalism Program will receive notification of their status by late March. Successful semi-finalists will then be requested to provide supplementary documentation, which includes federal tax records and details about family income.
A limited number of students will be chosen as finalists and extended invitations to participate in video conference interviews, marking the conclusive stage of the application process.
All students will be informed of their decisions by late May. To learn more about the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, you can check out their website here:
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
