Deciding to apply to graduate school took a lot of thinking for me. For the past four years I’ve studied newspaper and online journalism, and it’s taken me four years to realize that I don’t want a career in journalism. I love writing, I love reporting, but I don’t enjoy the structure of journalism and the demanding work schedules that wouldn’t fulfill me. Through several internships, I discovered that I wanted to work in public relations. I could write and apply similar skills while doing something I found rewarding.
However, I’m still missing some skills and experience to be successful in PR. I guess I’m going to grad school.
The first thing I did was research some programs. I found a few that matched my interests and goals and found ones that I really could see myself in. Newhouse was my top choice, and I knew the program would help me get closer to my goals. I filled out interest forms on their websites and was able to get more information by speaking to recruiters and getting on their email lists.
Different programs have different requirements so I made sure I met all of the requirements for each one I was interested in. The GRE is currently not required by many graduate programs (thankfully) due to the pandemic.
The next thing I did was look over the applications and what they were asking for. They all needed a statement of purpose. This is the “why” part of the application. Why do you want to pursue a masters? Why do you want to do it at this school? Why should you get in? I had to think about what really motivated me and put that into 500 words. I spent weeks on this part. It was the best way to show each institution who I am and why I’m passionate about pursuing a masters.
The applications also required letters of recommendation. I reached out to colleagues from my internship, old bosses and a professor. I informed them of my decision to apply to graduate school and asked if they would mind writing me a letter. They were all very happy to help and we enjoyed catching up.
After that, I was all ready to send out my applications and get on to the hardest part of the process: waiting.
I tried to forget about it for a month or so, then every day I began feverishly checking my email. I was waiting, hoping for good news. Then, one day when I was least expecting it, I checked my email and there it was. I got into the Newhouse PR Master’s Program, my dream program. I couldn’t have been more excited.
I immediately called my parents and told them the good news. I was excited to take the next step in my life and get closer to creating the career I wanted. I’m now finishing out my senior year and preparing to come back and get focused on launching my career. It was a decision that took a lot of thinking, talking to friends, family and professional connections, but ultimately it was my decision. I knew that the graduate school experience was something I wanted to do, it wasn’t a matter of if, but of when. I’m really excited that the “when” is now, and I’m ecstatic to be returning to SU for another year.
Written by Noah Lowy ’21, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications