Personal motivation for attending Northwestern University's Medill School

Attending Northwestern

What are your reasons for wanting to attend Northwestern?

I would like to attend Northwestern University for a number of compelling reasons. First, Northwestern is recognized as one of the top universities in the nation, and in the world. It has an excellent academic reputation, and I would feel privileged to attend the university and obtain my degree there. I am particularly interested in the Medill School of Journalism, because it is an exceptional school, and because I hope to work as a journalist after I obtain my degree from Northwestern. Eighteen journalists from the school have won Pulitzer Prizes, and I like the fact that Northwestern stresses a broad background educational experience that can only help the journalist in the foundation of their career. I believe I can obtain a high quality education at Northwestern, and that it is the right school for me.

A also believe I have a lot to bring to the school. I have a high grade point average, and I have contributed to my community by volunteering at my local library and at student-sponsored events, such as the national "Make a Difference Day." I believe in giving back and being involved in my community, and I will continue that tradition during my education at Northwestern by participating in local and student activities. However, my main goal is academic excellent, and I will take a full course load to ensure I graduate in four years. I may also continue my studies at the Masters' level after I complete my undergraduate degree in journalism.

I have been interested in journalism and writing for quite a while. I am an avid reader, and I find that I also enjoy writing. I have worked on school publications in the past, and discovered that I really have an interest in reporting the news and getting it right. I believe that the Medill Journalism School can give me the education I need to further my interests, and the tools I need to become a successful journalist in the future. Eventually, I would like to write for print publications, and work at a top news magazine in the country. Northwestern can help me make that happen in the future, and I look forward to beginning my education at Northwestern, and becoming a promising journalist of the future.

In addition, my aunt attended Northwestern, and studied speech therapy communication. She is doing very well as a speech therapist and has encouraged me to attend Northwestern, because she thinks I would succeed there. Because of her attendance, I am more familiar with the school, its goals and successes, and feel that it is a good match for my own needs and expectations. As an alumnus, my aunt is proud of her school and her education, and I would like to make it a family tradition to attend Northwestern, passed on to my own children someday. I would encourage my children and their children to attend the university, and would help them as much as I possibly could - financially and morally to become successful Northwestern students.