Medill Cherubs

Medill Cherubs, formally the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, is a four-week summer journalism program at Northwestern University for rising high school seniors. It is run by Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and has operated since 1934. The 2027 program runs June 27 to July 23, 2027, on the Evanston, Illinois campus. Up to 90 students are admitted, and admission is based on merit. Over the four weeks, cherubs take at least 50 classes covering reporting, writing and editing for print, broadcast and online media, along with video, audio and photojournalism. The schedule also includes field trips to Chicago. Participants live in a campus residence hall and eat in a university dining hall. The program does not award college credit. The 2027 cost is $5,000, which covers tuition, housing, meals, field trips and group events. Need-based financial aid and named scholarships totaling $100,000 are available for 2027.

Open only to current high school juniors (rising seniors); students from outside the United States are welcome to apply. Selection looks for a strong academic record and real experience in journalism. The application includes a form, a 200-225 word essay, a list of journalism and writing activities, up to three journalism work samples, a counselor-sent transcript and school profile, test scores if available, and a $55 nonrefundable fee, plus an optional financial-aid form for need-based aid. Applications open December 1, 2026, and are due by noon Central time on March 1, 2027.