HOW WE WORK
WJMC staff stay in touch with families from the moment students receive their invitation in the mail. We are available to answer questions, get to know you, and help you through the registration, Conference prep, and arrival and departure processes. We are asking students to trust that they will have a rewarding experience and parents to trust that we will keep their child safe. Our number one priority is our students and their families, from safety and security, to ease of communication, and to overall student experience before, during, and after the Conference.
HOW WE WORK
WJMC staff stay in touch with families from the moment students receive their invitation in the mail. We are available to answer questions, get to know you, and help you through the registration, Conference prep, and arrival and departure processes. We are asking students to trust that they will have a rewarding experience and parents to trust that we will keep their child safe. Our number one priority is our students and their families, from safety and security, to ease of communication, and to overall student experience before, during, and after the Conference.
INVITATIONS TO WJMC
National Youth Correspondents are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or alumni of WJMC, or they are invited by George Mason University to represent their school. Students are sent a formal invitation in the mail and are sent a follow-up email to verify they received their letter. Students may accept their invitation by submitting their registration for the program.
INVITATIONS TO WJMC
National Youth Correspondents are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or alumni of WJMC, or they are invited by George Mason University to represent their school. Students are sent a formal invitation in the mail and are sent a follow-up email to verify they received their letter. Students may accept their invitation by submitting their registration for the program.
STUDENT SELECTION
Students are invited by George Mason University through information we receive about students’ interests and academic ability via college entrance exams such as SAT or ACT, or through data from My College Options, which conducts high school interest and career surveys.
SELF-IDENTIFICATION
WJMC will accept applications directly from students for a select number of spaces. Students must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, experience and interest in journalism and media. Applications will be reviewed by George Mason University Admissions staff and WJMC faculty.
REPRESENTATION
Approximately 300 National Youth Correspondents will be selected to represent their schools and states at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. George Mason University invites students from across the nation and even internationally to attend the Conference. The invitations go to a select number of students who exhibit academic excellence and who express an interest in journalism.
Students are invited by George Mason University through information we receive about students’ interests and academic ability via college entrance exams such as SAT or ACT, or through data from My College Options, which conducts high school interest and career surveys.
WJMC will accept applications directly from students for a select number of spaces. Students must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, experience and interest in journalism and media. Applications will be reviewed by George Mason University Admissions staff and WJMC faculty.
Approximately 300 National Youth Correspondents will be selected to represent their schools and states at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. George Mason University invites students from across the nation and even internationally to attend the Conference. The invitations go to a select number of students who exhibit academic excellence and who express an interest in journalism.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The safety of our students is our staff and faculty’s highest priority. Parents and guardians can reach a member of our leadership team at any point during the conference. Students are supervised during all activities at the Conference, both on and off campus. While students will have some opportunities for independent time, all students will remain in small groups with adult staff at designated meeting spots.
The safety of our students is our staff and faculty’s highest priority. Parents and guardians can reach a member of our leadership team at any point during the Conference. Students are supervised during all activities at the Conference, both on and off campus. While students will have some opportunities for independent time, all students will remain in small groups with adult staff at designated meeting spots.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
All National Youth Correspondents must reside in Mason’s secure residence halls that are monitored at all times by adult faculty members. Residence halls have security cameras, 24-hour desk staff, and individual key card entry access required for building entry, floor entry, and room entry.
STAFFING
The Conference faculty is comprised of a Program Director and a team of trained educators both at the secondary and collegiate levels. All WJMC Program staff reside on the same floors as students and remain with the students at all times. All year-round and summer staff undergo a background check as required by George Mason University.
STUDENT NEEDS
Prior to attending the Conference, all students are required to submit a detailed medical, dietary and emergency contact survey to help staff ensure they have a safe experience on campus. Staff work closely with families to identify medical, dietary, and learning needs and meet students where they are to ensure a successful learning experience.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
All National Youth Correspondents must reside in Mason’s secure residence halls that are monitored at all times by adult faculty members. Residence halls have security cameras, 24-hour desk staff, and individual key card entry access required for building entry, floor entry, and room entry.
STAFFING
The Conference faculty is comprised of a Program Director and a team of trained educators both at the secondary and collegiate levels. All WJMC Program staff reside on the same floors as students and remain with the students at all times. All year-round and summer staff undergo a background check as required by George Mason University.
STUDENT NEEDS
Prior to attending the Conference, all students are required to submit a detailed medical, dietary and emergency contact survey to help staff ensure they have a safe experience on campus. Staff work closely with families to identify medical, dietary, and learning needs and meet students where they are to ensure a successful learning experience.
TRAVEL
National Youth Correspondents travel to WJMC in many ways! All students are required to fill out a travel survey prior to attending the Conference so staff know how and when students plan to arrive to and depart from campus. Staff send out travel information in the spring along with student welcome packets containing very detailed information for program participants.
TRAVEL
National Youth Correspondents travel to WJMC in many ways! All students are required to fill out a travel survey prior to attending the Conference so staff know how and when students plan to arrive to and depart from campus. Staff send out travel information in the spring along with student welcome packets containing very detailed information for program participants.
ARRIVING TO WJMC
Check in is from 12-4 p.m. on arrival day at a designated residence hall on campus.
Students should call WJMC Program staff if they get lost on campus or expect to arrive later than 4 p.m.
WJMC staff members will meet students at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) from 12-4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on arrival day. Students with flights arriving within this time frame will be shuttled to campus by the WJMC program.
Students should contact the WJMC Program in the event of a flight delay.
DEPARTING WJMC
WJMC concludes by 11 a.m., ET on the final day of the Conference. All students departing by car should be picked up at this time and must check out with their designated staff member prior to departing campus.
Shuttles will transport students to Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) with ample time to make their departing flights. The last shuttle leaves campus at 11:30 a.m., ET.
All flights should be scheduled to depart after 2 p.m., ET. in order to ride the WJMC shuttle.
ARRIVING TO WJMC
Check in is from 12-4 p.m. on arrival day at a designated residence hall on campus.
Students should call WJMC Program staff if they get lost on campus or expect to arrive later than 4 p.m.
WJMC staff members will meet students at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) from 12-4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on arrival day. Students with flights arriving within this time frame will be shuttled to campus by the WJMC program.
Students should contact the WJMC Program in the event of a flight delay.
DEPARTING WJMC
WJMC concludes by 11 a.m., ET on the final day of the Conference. All students departing by car should be picked up at this time and must check out with their designated staff member prior to departing campus.
Shuttles will transport students to Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) with ample time to make their departing flights. The last shuttle leaves campus at 11:30 a.m., ET.
All flights should be scheduled to depart after 2 p.m., ET. in order to ride the WJMC shuttle.