HARVARD INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM ACADEMY

Apply Here

Spring Program Dates:
Virtual: March 8th and 9th
In-person (Cambridge): March 29th

The Harvard Independent Journalism Academy is a weekend program for high school students interested in learning more about the craft of journalism.

The program is designed to be engaging and informative, and it will provide students with some of the foundational skills they need to get their start in journalism.

“I enjoyed learning new things about journalism, and I look forward to applying them to my writing.” (2024)

“I took away skills and information that I can now use for the rest of my high school career and for the rest of my life.” (2024)

“I enjoyed learning about all the different aspects of journalism and what this field has to offer. Hearing from a professional in the field was extremely inspiring.” (2023)

“It was a great learning experience, and I loved applying the knowledge we learned to our writing.” (2023)

“I learned so much invaluable information that I can carry with me for the rest of my life!” (2023)

“I gained insight into how to create a lede and now understand how to structure a paper successfully!” (2023)

“It was a great learning experience, and I loved applying the knowledge we learned to our writing.” (2023)

Impact

The Harvard Independent Journalism Academy provides students with hands-on experience in journalism. Students will leave the workshop with a new article after attending workshops on topics like investigative journalism or digital media. This practical experience allows students to develop essential journalism skills, such as interviewing, research, and storytelling.

The program exposes students to the professional world of journalism. Participants meet with professionals and professors in the field, like journalists, editors, and publishers. This interaction allows students to learn about the different career paths available in journalism and gain insight into the industry’s inner workings.

The Harvard Independent Journalism Academy provides a unique opportunity for students to network with other aspiring journalists. The program brings together students from different parts of the country, allowing them to share their experiences and learn from one another. This network can be invaluable as students move forward towards college and progress in journalism.

Sample Schedule

Day 1: Saturday (virtual)

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Opening Remarks by Harvard Independent

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Guest Speaker Address

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: History of the Harvard Independent, Introduction to Journalism

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch Break

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Introduction to Sections (News, Opinion, Sports + Entertainment)

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Break

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Guest Speaker Address

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM: Closing Remarks and Day 1 Reflection by Harvard Independent

Day 2: Sunday (virtual)

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Opening Remarks and Review by Harvard Independent

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Guest Speaker Address

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Break

11:45 AM -1:30 PM: Activities: Mock storyboard, Writing an article, Editing an article

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Lunch Break

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Article Wrap-Up and Presentation, Editorial Reflection

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Fireside Chat, Discussion with Harvard Independent Staff Members

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Closing Remarks and Program Reflection by Harvard Independent

Day 1: Saturday (in-person)

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Opening Remarks and History of the Harvard Independent

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Introduction to Journalism

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Introduction to Sections (News, Opinion, Sports + Entertainment)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Guest Speaker Address

1:30 PM -2:30 PM: Mock storyboard

2:30 PM -3:00 PM: Article Writing Time

3:00 PM -4:30 PM: Editor check-in with Harvard Independent staff + Article Writing Time

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Article Wrap-Up and Presentation, Program Reflection Harvard Independent

Note: All times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Details of presentations subject to change. Sessions will be conducted on Zoom, and links will be shared with registered participants prior to the program.

FAQ

Who can apply to the Harvard Independent Journalism Academy?
What types of programming will the academy have?
Can I attend more than one program session?
What will students get out of the program?

Students will leave the program with a better understanding of the world of journalism, and a deeper appreciation of the art. They will learn about a college paper’s inner workings, including common sections and article types. They will also develop the skills to write and edit articles, including completing one of their own during the weekend. Students will also have the chance to connect with Harvard students and their journalism-interested peers from across the country. After an immersive weekend, students will be ready to bring a fresh perspective and skillset back to their academics and high school newspapers.
What do students need to prepare before the conference? How much time can they expect to dedicate to the program?

Beyond the application, students will not need to complete any additional work before the program. All work including writing, editing, and reading articles and other activities will take place during the conference. The program will take place over the course of a weekend. Students can expect to be in the program from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday for the in person program and 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday for the virtual program. All times are in EST and are subject to change. See the attached sample schedule for more specific details on how time will be spent.
When is the application deadline?
Is financial aid available?