Cherubs is more than a journalism camp. From high schools around the world, we come to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. We immerse ourselves in media for five weeks. We study writing, reporting and editing for print, digital and broadcast. We take pictures, edit videos, and create websites and podcasts. We make lifelong friends. As our instructors say, “Welcome to the best summer of your life.”

Non-credit

Residential

Accepts International Students

Financial Aid

Final project

Application fee waiver

The Institute, also known as “Medill cherubs,” is a summer journalism program for up to 84 rising high school seniors conducted on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Illinois. It is sponsored by Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. Students learn from accomplished journalists and university professors while gaining practical experience in the field. By the end of the program, students create a body of work, build connections and meet aspiring journalists from around the world.

Students will focus on reporting, writing and editing for print, broadcast and online media. In addition, students will study video, audio and photojournalism as well as digital storytelling. The training they will receive in writing clearly, concisely and accurately will serve them for years to come, no matter what their college major or chosen career. Students do not earn college credit but they will receive extensive and thorough evaluation of their work.

Over the four weeks students will take at least 50 classes ranging from lectures by Northwestern faculty and journalists from around the country to labs, workshops, discussion groups and film showings, as well as field trips to Chicago. The ratio of students to faculty who teach full time in the program is 10:1.

Class usually begin at 9 a.m. and run through the evening. Throughout the day, students attend lectures, labs and workshops on a wide variety of journalistic subjects. There also are some classes on the weekends.

As long as students manage their assignments, they have free time to explore Evanston or relax on campus. On weekdays, classes are held in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. Students meet with their assigned instructors on Saturday mornings and there is often a social activity on Saturday evenings. The program offers classes on Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute

Jun 25 - Jul 21

4 weeks

Residential

5000 USD

$5,000, which includes tuition, room and board, field trips and group events. Transportation to and from campus and personal expenses are not included.

Financial Aid

The program has $100,000 in financial aid and scholarships available for 2023. Financial aid is need-based, but there is no set income level necessary to qualify. The program has six named scholarships. Students applying for financial aid are automatically considered for a named scholarship, most of which are given on the basis of need.