First 2026 session
8-16 July 2026
Nine-day residential session at Columbia University.
Journalism & Broadcasting
by National Student Leadership Conference
A residential pre-college programme where students practise reporting, interviewing, fact-checking and broadcast production through newsroom simulations and industry visits.

by National Student Leadership Conference
A residential pre-college programme where students practise reporting, interviewing, fact-checking and broadcast production through newsroom simulations and industry visits.

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We review public programme details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
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Current status
Past
Eligibility
High school students
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
New York, NY
Cost
$4,495
Duration
9 days
Format
Residential
Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory
Meals: On-campus meals included
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Campus experience: Classes, simulations and media visits
This immersive pre-college programme introduces journalism across print, digital and on-air media through practical newsroom and broadcast simulations.
Students investigate stories, conduct interviews, write reports and scripts, capture footage, deliver on-air segments and pitch polished stories as part of a media team.
It suits curious aspiring journalists who want career exploration, campus living, leadership development and behind-the-scenes exposure to major media organisations.
Journalism & Broadcasting is a National Student Leadership Conference pre-college programme focused on how stories are researched, verified and presented across print, digital and on-air media. Students explore the methods and professional standards behind accurate reporting.
The practical experience centres on newsroom and broadcast simulations. Participants work in media teams to investigate stories, conduct interviews, write scripts and reports, capture footage, present on air and pitch completed stories.
The simulations follow a recognisable newsroom process, from investigation and interviewing to reporting and pitching.
Students practise both written journalism and broadcast production rather than observing the industry only through lectures.
Guest speakers bring professional perspectives from journalism and media organisations.
Visits may include NBC Studios, the New York Times, Columbia Journalism School and the Paley Center for Media.
The programme pairs subject exploration with a wider leadership curriculum covering communication, listening, resilience and empathy.
Students who want hands-on experience with reporting, interviewing, newsroom teamwork, broadcast production and media careers.
You want a non-residential course, a narrowly academic writing seminar or a formally assessed journalism qualification.
This programme may be worthwhile for a student who wants to test journalism through realistic production tasks rather than classroom theory alone. Its mix of reporting, broadcasting, industry perspectives and media visits can help students understand which parts of the field genuinely interest them.
The limitation is value for money: it is a short, high-cost residential experience and does not advertise a formal journalism credential. Families should judge whether the practical exposure, accommodation and included activities justify the fee for the student's goals.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$4,495; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Transport for off-campus programme events.
Accommodation
Supervised campus dormitory
Meals
On-campus meals included
Provider details
Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
9 days; New York, NY.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programmesEffort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before a future session, allowing time for enrolment, payment, travel and residential arrangements.
Main challenge
Producing accurate, engaging work under newsroom-style time pressure.
Read several styles of news reporting and note how facts are attributed.
Practise preparing concise interview questions and follow-up prompts.
Try recording a short news report and review its clarity, pacing and accuracy.
Plan travel only after acceptance and after checking the student portal for session details.
Useful if
You already follow current affairs or enjoy writing, video, photography or public speaking.
Students follow stories through a newsroom-style workflow, combining investigation, interviewing, writing and broadcast production with leadership workshops, speaker sessions and media visits.
Investigate simulated live events and press updates to gather footage and information.
Plan interview requests, select questions and lead conversations.
Write news stories and scripts using findings and interview material.
Capture photographs, video and broadcast-quality audio for reports.
Present completed stories and on-air segments for a media group.
Polish team reports and pitch stories for an overall broadcast.
Attend leadership workshops, professional talks and media-focused trips.
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
First 2026 session
8-16 July 2026
Nine-day residential session at Columbia University.
Second 2026 session
20-28 July 2026
Nine-day residential session at Columbia University.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First 2026 session | 8-16 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Second 2026 session | 20-28 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Students aged 14-18
At least one year of high school completed
Attendance allowed through summer after graduation
Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged
Current ninth to twelfth graders for high-school sessions
2026 residential tuition
$4,495 — Published fee for each nine-day session.
Funding or discounts
What's included
Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Transport for off-campus programme events
Open the NSLC online enrolment portal.
Create or retrieve an NSLC ID.
Enter the student's birth date, gender and current grade.
Select Journalism & Broadcasting and an available session.
Complete the online application and place the required deposit.
Check the student account for availability and further instructions.
The programme covers the following focus areas.
Newswriting and investigation
Practise research, fact-checking, multimedia reporting and accurate source use.
Broadcast journalism
Develop field reports using broadcast-quality film, audio and teleprompter delivery.
Interviewing and reporting
Prepare questions, lead interviews and report stories using gathered evidence.
Visual storytelling
Capture photographs and video while considering composition, lighting and ethics.
Leadership skills
Explore communication, listening, resilience, empathy and personality styles.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
The programme includes guest speakers from journalism and media backgrounds who share practical knowledge and industry experience. Past speakers have represented organisations including CNN, NPR, The Washington Post and the National Press Club Journalism Institute.
Guest-speaker line-ups can change between sessions.
NSLC states that it is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Columbia University.
After completing this programme, participants often pursue:
Use newsroom simulations to test interest in journalism careers.
Develop examples to discuss in applications and interviews.
Build confidence in reporting, interviewing and media teamwork.
Explore written, broadcast, photo and sports journalism pathways.
Optionally take a separate American University online credit course.
The optional one-credit course requires separate tuition and work outside the residential programme dates.
The programme runs in New York City using facilities on Columbia University's campus. Media-focused trips may include NBC Studios, the New York Times headquarters, Columbia Journalism School, the Paley Center for Media and Times Square.
Trips are listed as possible inclusions and may vary by session.
Compare these Succeed-listed programmes if you want a related route into media, film, public speaking or communication.
Creative film study with career-focused exploration
Best for
Students more interested in film than news reporting.
Focused practice in public speaking and communication
Best for
Students who prioritise presenting over reporting.
Politics, debate and media-focused communication
Best for
Students drawn to political reporting and current affairs.
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Content reviewed by
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
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We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.