HARVARD INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM ACADEMY
The Harvard Independent Journalism Academy is a two-day 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.
Program dates for 2024:
March 23-24
April 6-7
April 20-21
Applications are now open!
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
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM: Welcome Remarks by Harvard Independent President
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM: History of the Harvard Independent, Introduction to Journalism
12:30 AM – 12:45 PM: Break
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM: Workshop, “The Art of Writing Compelling News Stories”, (beats, lede, finding stories)
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Lunch Break
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM: Fireside Chat, Discussion with Harvard Independent Staff Members (one member from each Board)
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Break
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Guest Speaker Address
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM Closing Remarks
Day 2: Sunday
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM: Opening Remarks by Harvard Independent
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Guest Speaker Address
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM: Break
12:15 PM -2:00 PM: Activities: Mock storyboard, Creating an article
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Lunch Break
3:00 PM -4:30 PM: Activities: Writing an article, Editing an article
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Reflection, Harvard Independent
FAQ
Q: Who can apply to the Harvard Independent Journalism Academy?
A: The program welcomes high school students from all journalism backgrounds. Motivated middle schoolers have been successful in the past.
Q: What types of programming will the academy have?
A: The program will include workshops and Q+A sessions with Harvard Independent writers and editors, keynote speeches from professionals in the field, 1:1 editing of students’ articles, and lectures on critical elements of journalism.
Q: Can I attend more than one program session?
A: Each weekend session will cover the same material, so students need only attend one of the three program dates. Students will be able to rank whichever dates they prefer in the application.
Q: What will students get out of the program?
A: 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.
Q: What do students need to prepare before the conference? How much time can they expect to dedicate to the program?
A: 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 around 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. 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.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Applications are due one week before the start date of the student’s desired conference. (March 17th for Session 1, March 30th for Session 2, April 14th for Session 3)
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: Financial assistance is available on a limited basis so our tuition of $250 does not create a barrier to entry for accepted students. Please fill out the financial aid application linked here at least one week before the start of your assigned program.
Q: Will students receive a certificate at the end of the program?
A: No, this isn’t a formal training program with academic credit. The workshop is designed for young people with a genuine interest in journalism and its inner workings to learn more, not build their resume.