You might be a high school junior who writes for the school newspaper but still feels unsure about pursuing journalism as a career. Or maybe you already know you want to work in the field of journalism and want to improve and learn skills. Either way, Medill Cherubs is a summer program that will immerse you in all things journalism.
This article will talk about what you can expect when you participate in Medill Cherubs and how you can apply for the program.
- What Is Medill Cherubs?
- Medill Cherubs Acceptance Rate
- Medill Cherubs Application Deadline
- Medill Cherubs Requirements
- How to Get into the Medill Cherubs
- Why Join the Medill Cherubs?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Is Medill Cherubs?
Medill Cherubs (or the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute) is a four-week summer journalism institute for rising high school seniors, hosted by the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University’s campus in Evanston, Illinois. The program dates for 2026 are June 28 to July 24.
During the program, you’ll learn from accomplished journalists and university professors, gaining practical experience through a mix of classroom instruction and real-world reporting assignments.
Academically, the Northwestern Medill Cherubs offers an intensive curriculum covering all aspects of journalism. You’ll focus on core skills like reporting, writing, and editing for print, broadcast, and online media, while also touching on video, audio, photojournalism, and digital storytelling.
Over the four weeks, participants attend around 50 sessions. These include lectures by Northwestern faculty and visiting journalists, hands-on labs and workshops, discussion groups, film screenings, and field trips to Chicago.
Despite the rigorous program, you still get some free time. As long as you manage your assignments well, you can visit downtown Evanston, hang out in the dorm lounges, or enjoy the campus facilities.
The program also organizes field trips to Chicago, giving you a chance to visit major news outlets or city landmarks as part of your learning. On Saturdays, you and your peers meet one-on-one with your instructors in the morning and typically enjoy a social event in the evening. Sundays might include optional classes or group activities.
Check out their 2025 brochure to learn more about the program.
Medill Cherubs Acceptance Rate
Every year, the Northwestern Medill Cherubs accepts only 84 students, even though many more apply. For example, in 2024, the program received 230 applications, resulting in a 37% acceptance rate.
Admissions are merit-based, so having a strong academic record and good journalism experience can help increase your chances of getting in the program.
Medill Cherubs Application Deadline
The Medill Cherubs application deadline for their 2026 program is March 2, 4pm US Central Time Zone. The school doesn’t accept applications received by fax or email.
Decision letters will be mailed to applicants on or before March 25, 2026.
Medill Cherubs Requirements
Before applying to Medill Cherubs, you should first be aware of its requirements.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Medill Cherubs, you must:
- Be a rising high school senior
- Academically rank in the top 25% of your high school class
- Show a background or special talent in journalism
Required documents
To apply to Medill Cherubs, you should submit the following:
- Application form. The program uploads the official application form for the 2026 cycle in October 2025.
- Personal essay. This essay will be about why you want to attend the program.
- Journalism activity list. This lists your activities, roles, or awards in journalism
- Writing samples. While not really required, you’re still highly encouraged to submit three samples of your journalistic writing.
- Official high school transcript. This should include your mid-year junior year grades
- Test scores. These aren’t required if you haven’t taken them yet, but you should include score reports if you have them already.
- Recommendation letter. This can come from your guidance counselor or teacher.
- School profile. This is a brief profile of your high school.
- Application fee. A fee of $50, typically paid by check, should be mailed with your application
Program cost
The program cost for Medill Cherubs is $5,000, which covers the four-week program’s instruction, housing, meals, field trips, and group activities.
Northwestern University has up to $100,000 in need-based financial aid and scholarships available for Cherubs each summer. Students who request aid are automatically considered for several named scholarships associated with the program.
How to Get into the Medill Cherubs
Medill Cherubs accepts applicants based on merit, so admissions can get really competitive. Mailing a complete and organized application packet is a good last-minute way to set a good impression. Here are the steps to help you get into Medill Cherubs:
Step 1: Write your essay.
The program requires you to write a 150- to 200-word essay explaining why you want to attend Medill Cherubs. Here are tips to help you write a good response for that:
- Show your passion for journalism. Describe specific experiences that made you curious about reporting or storytelling. For example, you can mention a story you covered for your school paper, a podcast you helped produce, or a news issue you’ve been following closely.
- Connect your goals to Medill Cherubs. Explain how the program’s structure fits your ambitions. All the applicants love journalism, so what makes you different? Do you want to improve interview techniques, practice multimedia storytelling, or refine editorial judgment?
- Be personal and concrete. Admissions officers want to see your voice. Avoid clichés about “giving a voice to the voiceless.” Instead, write about a specific time when reporting changed how you saw your community or shaped your identity as a writer.
- Stay within word limits. Being concise shows you can write tightly, which is an important skill in journalism. Edit your essay for clarity, polish grammar, and cut filler phrases.
If you’d like expert guidance in shaping your essay to stand out, we can help you brainstorm, refine, and polish every word until your application shines.
Step 2: Request documents from your guidance counselor.
Ask your guidance counselor for the following:
- High school transcript (including mid-year grades from your current academic year)
- GPA and (if available) class rank
- Standardized test scores (if available)
- School profile
Give your counselor a stamped envelope addressed to Northwestern so they can easily mail it.
Step 3: Ask for a letter of recommendation.
The program requires one recommendation letter, which should ideally come from your journalism teacher, newspaper adviser, or English teacher. Ask your mentor for a letter, where they should talk about your abilities in journalism and writing, and your personal characteristics that make you a good fit for the program.
They can email the letter to [email protected]. If they prefer to send the letter through the mail, same as for your guidance counselor, give them a stamped envelope addressed to Northwestern.
Step 4: Prepare writing samples and a list of your journalism activities.
Prepare a list of your journalism activities, including positions, projects, or awards. Maybe you’re a member of school media or organizations like the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, got a high grade in a related English project, or participated in other journalism programs like the Princeton Summer Journalism Program.
Aside from that, while not strictly required, you’re still strongly encouraged to submit three samples of your journalistic writing. These can be articles from your school newspaper, yearbook, or community publications. Try to choose samples that show your ability to report, write, and edit well.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline.
Answer the application form. If you already have your test scores but your guidance counselor doesn’t have them, you can screenshot your results and print it. Enclose a $50 check made payable to Northwestern University.
Double-check all your documents then send the packet here:
Professor Roger Boye
450 Davis Street,
Suite 859
Evanston, IL 60201
Remind your guidance counselor and teacher to send their documents as soon as they can as well. Remember that all your materials should be received by the deadline. Mail your application days before the deadline to give it enough time to arrive to Northwestern University.
Why Join the Medill Cherubs?
Participating in Medill Cherubs is a great experience for aspiring journalists. Here are some of the benefits you can get from the program:
1. Intensive journalism training
Northwestern has one of the best journalism schools. So, you can expect Medill Cherubs to have a rigorous, hands-on education in journalism that goes far beyond what a high school classroom (or even your journalism club) can provide. You’ll report, write, and edit stories on tight deadlines across different media formats.
Seasoned journalists and Medill professors lead classes and workshops on topics ranging from investigative reporting techniques to ethical journalism, giving you exposure to industry standards and new storytelling methods. In fact, you can expect to take around 50 different classes in the span of four weeks.
Thanks to small class sizes, you also get one-on-one mentorship on your work. The faculty-to-student ratio of about 1:10 means instructors can really dedicate time to individual critiques.
2. College campus experience
During the program, you’ll live in a Northwestern dorm and eat in the campus dining halls, just like a real college freshman. You’ll learn to be independent by managing your own schedule, doing your laundry, and even finding the best campus study spots, while still having guidance from staff and sharing the experience with peers.
The daily schedule of classes and assignments is admittedly quite demanding. However, it mirrors the pace of college coursework, so you get a taste of what it’s like to juggle academic and social responsibilities in a university setting.
Participating in Medill Cherubs also gives you some insight into Northwestern’s culture, which is helpful if you’re considering Northwestern for college. You can also confirm your interest in studying journalism or communications in college.
3. Networking and community
Medill Cherubs brings together students from around the world who also aspire to thrive in the field of journalism. You’ll collaborate in academics and explore downtown Evanston with new friends on a free afternoon.
Aside from forming friendships with classmates, you’ll also connect with instructors and guest speakers. These networks can earn you a recommendation letter, internship, or job down the line.
4. Portfolio and real-world opportunities
Over the summer, you will produce a variety of journalistic works under professional guidance. These can include news articles, opinion pieces, features, photos, videos, and maybe even podcasts. By the program’s end, you’ll have a collection of polished pieces that you can use for college applications, internships, or future publication.
In fact, the institute encourages students to publish their work. You’ll get advice on how to pitch stories for publication or continue developing them after Medill Cherubs. Their website even presents students who have published their works on media outlets (like The Daily Northwestern and LA Times) as a direct result of participating in the program.
Even if your work doesn’t get published immediately, the experience of writing on deadline, editing intensively, and adhering to journalistic standards will make you a much stronger reporter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How competitive is the Medill Cherubs program?
Medill Cherubs can be quite competitive since admissions are based on a student’s merit. Every year, the program only accepts 84 students.
2. How do I get into Medill Cherubs?
For a good chance of getting into Medill Cherubs, you’ll need strong grades and a solid journalism background. Of course, make sure the school receives all your materials by the application deadline as well.
3. Is Northwestern a good school for journalism?
Yes, Northwestern is a good school for journalism. In fact, the Medill School of Journalism is ranked as one of the best in the country.
4. Does participating in Medill Cherubs guarantee admission to Northwestern?
No, participating in Medill Cherubs doesn’t guarantee admission to Northwestern since the admissions processes are completely separate. You also don’t receive college credit from the program.
Takeaways
- Medill Cherubs is a four-week summer journalism institute for rising high school seniors, held at Northwestern University. Participants live on campus in Evanston and learn reporting, writing, and multimedia storytelling through intensive classes and hands-on projects.
- Only about 84 students are admitted each year out of a few hundred applicants. You’ll need to be in the top 25% of your class and have substantial journalism experience to be a good candidate for the program.
- Benefits of joining Medill Cherubs include having intensive journalism training, college campus experience, networking and community, and portfolio and real-world opportunities.
- Looking for similar opportunities? We can help you choose summer programs that can keep nurturing your journalism skills.
