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Funding

Self Funded

Program dates

Jun 27, 2027 – Jul 23, 2027

Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute

Summer SchoolUSA · Evanston

Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism

Application Deadline

Closed · March 2, 2026

Reopens Dec 2026

Official Page

The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, known as Cherubs, is a summer program run by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism since 1934.

Up to 90 rising high school seniors spend four weeks on the Evanston, Illinois campus, taking at least 50 classes in reporting, writing and editing for print, broadcast and online media, with photo, video, podcast and website work.

Benefits & funding

  • Participants pay $5,000 for the four weeks, covering tuition, room and board, field trips and group events.
  • Up to $100,000 in financial aid and scholarships in total for 2027 students; applying for aid needs a financial-aid form and your parents’ 2026 (or 2025) federal income-tax return.

Eligibility

  • Current high school juniors (rising seniors) only, no exceptions.
  • Open to students from any country; no citizenship or residence rule is stated (2026 participants came from 21 US states plus China, Ukraine, the UK and South Korea).

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

“This program is for current high school juniors, that is, rising seniors, no exceptions.” Eligibility

  • Education required

    High School

Check my eligibility — free

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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

  1. 1
    From 1 December 2026, submit the application form with a 200–250-word essay on why you want to attend, a list of journalism and writing activities, and up to three work samples.
  2. 2
    Pay the nonrefundable $55 application fee.
  3. 3
    Ask your school counselor to send your transcript, GPA (and class rank if available), test scores if available, and a school profile.
  4. 4
    All materials must arrive by noon US Central Time on 1 March 2027.

Program timeline

  1. Previous cycle’s deadline (2026 institute)

    Mar 2, 2026

  2. Applications open for 2027

    Dec 1, 2026

  3. Application deadline (noon US Central Time)

    Mar 1, 2027

  4. Decisions

    By Mar 24, 2027

  5. Institute in Evanston

    Jun 27, 2027 to Jul 23, 2027

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