HOW MANY FELLOWS DO YOU CHOOSE?

     Q: I understand that you have up to 12 finalists. How many of those are selected?

     A: Up to four Fellows are selected.

HOW MANY CLIPS SHOULD I SEND?

Q: I am trying to gather everything together and didn't want to submit  too much or too little. How many writing samples are you looking for?

A: Send only 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. Pull together 12 samples of your best work. Now take the 12 to one or two trusted advisors perhaps an editor from an internship, your college paper's advisor, etc. and let them know you're only allowed to send 8 clips. That frees them up to pick out the 4 weakest without hurting your feelings. 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 (do not use a Mac-only format). Send only your best work and don't be tempted to fill the DVD with every picture, video or multimedia presentation you’ve ever taken simply because there’s ample storage space.

FOREIGN NATIONALS

Q: Are Canadians 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 visa that would allow you to work from August (the beginning of your first rotation) until February (the year that your Fellowship ends).

PRINT VS. BROADCAST

Q: Does the Hearst Fellowship apply only to print journalist or broadcast journalist as well?

A: Because the Fellowship is now focusing on multimedia skills, broadcast journalists are encouraged to apply, but successful candidates will be those who show strong writing and technical digital skills. There are no on-air talent positions available as part of the Fellowship Program.

      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 an 18-month 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. Hearst Fellows have gone on assignments to Afghanistan and covered 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 assigned to them who critiques their work, helps pick their second rotation and generally helps them achieve success.

DO I HAVE TO BE A RECENT GRADUATE?

Q: Is the fellowship only open to recent college graduates? I graduated from college in December last year and have been actively involved in covering issues for a regional newspaper. Can I still apply for the program?

A: Early career journalists are certainly eligible to apply for the program. One of our Fellows had worked at a paper for more than a year before applying for and being awarded the Fellowship. Another was a photojournalist who came to that career later in her life.  

   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 master’s 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 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 9 months to a different assignment. Hearst pays for the move, but the Fellows are responsible for securing and paying for their own housing.

ETTERS 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 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 to whom my recommenders should address their letter.

A: You may have the recommendation letters addressed to:

             Hearst Fellowships
             801 Texas Ave. - Room 825
             Houston , TX 77002

WHAT DATE IS THE CUTOFF FOR GRADUATION

Q: I'll be graduating this May, although as of Dec. 1 of this year, 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, 2010,  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, 2010. 

For example, If you're a junior in Fall of 2009, you will not be eligible for the 2010 Fellowship. The application and deadlines for the Fellowship  is January 22, 2010.

In the meantime, you are encouraged  to apply for one of our Hearst paper's summer internships, by sending  resume and work samples by December 1, to the above address.

Make sure to indicate that you're applying for the internship and not the fellowship to avoid any confusion or delay.