HOW MANY FELLOWS DO YOU CHOOSE?
Q: I noticed on your Web site that you
take 12 finalists, how many of
those get picked?
A: We choose four Fellows each year.
HOW MANY CLIPS SHOULD I SEND?
Q: How many writing samples are you
looking for?
I am trying to gather everything together and didn't want to submit
too much or too little.
A: The best advice I can give on clips is this:
Only send your very best work. If you have 6 great clips and 6 OK
clips, just send the 6 great ones. If you have 15 great clips, send
15, but remember, one mediocre clip can have more impact than a
dozen stellar ones. Often the story you love the most (based on the
joy of doing it or the difficulties you overcame) may not be the
best example of your writing skills
I'd recommend you pull together
12 samples of what you consider your best work. Now take the 12 to one or
two trusted advisors (editor from an internship, your college paper's advisor,
etc.) and tell them you're only allowed to send 8 clips. That frees them up to
pick out the 4 weakest without hurting your feelings/pride, etc.
If you are a photo or graphic
arts applicant, you should send a broader sample of your work that shows
breaking news, features and projects work.
SENDING DVD PORTFOLIOS
Q: Can I send my portfolio on DVD or CD?
A: Certainly. Please make sure
they are well-organized and can be read with a PC (i.e. do no use a Mac-only
format). As stated above, send only your best work and don’t be tempted to fill
the DVD with every picture you’ve ever taken simply because there’s ample
storage space.
FOREIGN
NATIONALS
Q: I was
wondering if Canadians are allowed to apply for the program. I am not an
American citizen or landed immigrant, although I worked in the U.S. this past
summer.
A: Canadians and other foreign-nationals are
certainly able to apply. However, the program does not sponsor visas. You
qualify for the program if you have (or can obtain independently) a U.S. visa
that would allow you to work from August 2006 until September
2008.
PRINT VS. BROADCAST
Q: Does the Hearst Fellowship apply on to
print journalist or broadcast journalist as well?
A: The Fellowship Program only applies to print journalism
and its online components
WHAT’S IN IT FOR
ME?
Q: How
can the Fellowship expand my career goals?
A: The program takes the normal 10-year career arc (2-3
years in a small paper, 4-5 years at a midsized and 1-2 years at a metro paper)
and condenses it into a two-year program designed to accelerate your career. It
is not an internship. Fellows are paid a professional wage, including health
benefits, and are given front-line assignments (no tiger birthday parties at
the zoo). They are working journalists. We've sent Fellows to Iraq and
to cover the Republican National Convention for the paper they were
working for. Fellows differ from other journalists in the newsroom
in one way only: they have an advisor with them who critiques their
work, helps pick their next rotation (each Fellow spends eight
months at three different Hearst newspapers) and generally helps
them achieve success.
DO I HAVE TO BE A RECENT GRADUATE?
Q: Is the fellowship is only open to
recent college graduates? I graduated from college in December 2001 and have
been actively involved in covering issues for a regional newspaper. Can I
still apply for the program?
A: Early career journalists such as yourself are
certainly eligible to apply for the program. One of our 2005 Fellows
had worked at a paper for more than a year before applying for and
being awarded the Fellowship.
Q: I am thinking about applying for the Hearst
Fellowship and would like to know what the eligibility requirements
are. I am a freelance writer in
Wisconsin
with
5 years writing experience, a masters degree and several months
working for local papers. Is the fellowship mostly just for
graduating seniors?
A: The Hearst Fellowship is open to all
applicants who have a college degree. The degree does not have to be from an
accredited school nor does it have to be a journalism degree.
While the program usually attracts candidates
who have recently completed their education, we do receive
applications from more seasoned professionals. One of our 2005
Fellows had been working full-time for a small Western newspaper
when he applied. He quit that job to take the Fellowship.
Please be aware, however, that Fellows are paid
entry-level professional pay (varies by market) with full benefits
(health, dental, vision, paid vacation, etc.).
All Fellows must also be able to move every 8
months to a different assignment. Hearst pays for the move, but the
Fellows are responsible for securing and paying for their own
housing.
If you're willing to accept these conditions, I
encourage you to apply for the Fellowship.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Q: Are
applicants’ letters of recommendation to be mailed by the applicant
himself with the other documents you require or sent separately by
the person writing the letter?
A:
Either is acceptable, although I've found from experience that
sending the package as one piece decreases the chances of one or two
components becoming lost.
Q: While putting together my letters of
recommendation I realized there isn’t an addressee. Please let me know at your
convenience who my recommenders should address.
A: You may have the
recommendation letters addressed to "Whom it May Concern," to the
"Hearst Fellowship Judges" or to me personally at:
Kenn Altine
Director of Editorial Professional Development
Hearst Newspapers
801 Texas Ave.
Houston , TX 77002
WHAT DATE IS
THE CUTOFF FOR GRADUATION
Q: I'll be graduating this May (2206),
although as of Dec. 1 of this year (2205), I will still be in school. Am I
still eligible to submit an application to the fellowship, as long as I will be
graduating in May?
A: Yes, as long
as you have completed your course work and received a degree prior to August 15,
2006, you can
apply for the Fellowship.
Q: I am currently a college junior.
What are the tasks (other than the mid/late August meeting)
that I would have to fulfill if I am still in classes?
A: To be
eligible for the Hearst Fellowship, you must have completed your college
education (undergraduate or graduate) by August 1,
2006.
If you're a
junior in Fall of 2005, you will not be eligible for the 2006 Fellowship. The
application and deadlines for the 2007 Fellowship (must complete education by August 1, 2007) is December 1,
2006.
In the meantime,
I encourage you to apply for one of our Hearst paper's summer internships, by
sending me your resume and work samples by December 1,
2005.
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