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How to Apply -- Important Information For Seminar Applicants

At Poynter, we keep our classes small (most consist of 16-18 participants) to encourage lively discussions and to allow faculty members to give focused attention to individual participants. Here are some helpful hints to assist you in applying for a Poynter seminar.

  • Are you eligible? Generally, participants for Poynter seminars and conferences should be full-time employees of a print, broadcast, or online news organization, or journalism educators. Free-lancers, however, are welcome to apply. For additional information, check the "Who will benefit" section for each course in the Poynter catalog or visit the seminar sites at www.poynter.org. If you're still not sure if you're eligible, telephone or e-mail the contact person listed for each seminar.

  • Don't procrastinate. Allow yourself sufficient time to develop a package of informative application materials. Send the entire package all at once, and be sure you get it to Poynter by the deadline date.

  • Information, please. Complete ALL questions on the application form. We encourage the application of women, minorities, persons attending a Poynter seminar for the first time, organizations nominating a staff member for the first time, and individuals who have applied for previous seminars but were not accepted.

    Generally, we accept only one participant from a newsroom (except for conferences and seminars designated for teams), however more than one candidate from an organization may apply. We're also sensitive to how many participants we accept from a single ownership group. We try to create a seminar group that reflects a rich mix of people, and we consider the factors of experience, race, gender, ethnicity, circulation/market size, and geography.

  • Polish up your resume. Be sure it is up to date and presents your experience and accomplishments in their best light.

  • Introduce yourself. Write a brief professional biography (about 100 words) for us to include in the seminar syllabus. This is not the same as (or in place of) your resume.

  • The boss's letter counts. Your boss's recommendation letter is every bit as important as the other pieces of your application package. The letter should provide details about your strengths, your value to your newsroom, and your commitment to journalism.

  • Now it's your turn. Develop a terrific 250-500 word essay describing your daily duties, how this seminar is relevant to your job, your goals for the seminar, and how you will apply your training when you get back to your newsroom. Tell us about your journalistic passions and how you'll take back what you learn to your colleagues.

  • And don't forget! Some seminars require you to include samples of your work. If so, take the time to put together examples of your best work that meet the requirements of the seminar.

How To Apply for Seminars

You may complete an online form and submit it over the Internet. If you choose this method, you should print out the form before clicking "Submit" and send a copy with your other application materials. We will not consider an application to be complete unless all required materials are received before the seminar application deadline.

If you'd prefer to send your entire application by mail or fax, you can access an application form for printing: 2004 Seminar Application Form (PDF). Please submit the application to the address or fax number listed below.

Please observe deadlines shown in the course descriptions. It is important that you check the course descriptions for detailed information and required supporting materials before submitting your application.

Send applications to:
Seminar Admissions
The Poynter Institute
801 Third Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 821-9494
Toll Free: (888) POYNTER (888/769-6837)
Fax: (727) 821-0583

QUESTIONS? If you would like more information on which seminar is best for you or your staff, contact the appropriate faculty member or program assistant listed on the page of the seminar you are interested in.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • Tuition & Fees. Tuition for professional seminars in 2004 is $575; conference tuition is $275 & $375. Tuition covers all materials, instruction, and hotel for a predetermined number of nights, depending upon the length of the program (see section on Accommodations).

    NOTE: Please do not send a check for tuition until you are notified of acceptance into the seminar for which you are applying and you receive an invoice for the total amount.

  • Financial Assistance. A limited number of fellowships will be available for those in need of assistance. Applicants seeking financial assistance should attach a letter to their application form stating the particular aid they are seeking (tuition and housing waiver and/or help with travel costs), and explaining why their organization is unable to pay should they be selected.

  • Cancellations. A $100 cancellation fee is retained for cancellations within three weeks of the beginning of a seminar, unless a substitute attends. Refunds will be made within 30 days.

  • Schedule. Most seminars begin on Sunday evening and end the following Friday afternoon. Daily sessions usually begin promptly at 9 a.m. and last until at least 5 p.m., with some evening meetings. Dress throughout the week is casual.

  • Participants are urged to attend seminars without family members or other company, prepared to devote full attention to the seminar.

  • Accommodations. All participants and visiting faculty stay in the same hotel, and informal evening and breakfast conversations are part of the learning experience. Lodging is included in tuition fees. Additional hotel nights in St. Petersburg are $77 plus tax, unless otherwise noted.

  • Travel and Transportation. St. Petersburg is served by the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and the Tampa International Airport, located 25 miles from Poynter. Transportation from the airport to the hotel is available by taxi ($30-$45) and van/limo ($15). Hotels are within walking distance of restaurants, and the Institute provides transportation when necessary, so there is no need to rent a car.

Information for Applicants who are Educators or Students

  • Selection. Participants in all fellowship seminars for journalism educators and students are selected competitively from among nominees, without regard to the date of application.

  • Fees. Poynter waives tuition and pays hotel for journalism educators. A limited amount of financial assistance for travel is available and is based on need. Applicants must submit a letter from their dean or department head requesting travel assistance. A Saturday night stayover may be required to take advantage of the best airline fares.

  • Stipends and Fellowships. Participants selected for the two six-week summer fellowship programs receive a modest stipend to help cover living expenses while attending.

  • Transportation and Accommodations. Poynter arranges for a block of rooms in a St. Petersburg hotel for educators. Hotels are within walking distance, so there is no need to rent a car. Students selected for longer programs must provide their own local transportation. We will assist students in finding suitable housing.

  • Academic Credit. The Poynter Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, but is not a degree-granting institution. Universities have granted undergraduate or graduate credit for Institute programs. The Poynter staff can provide specific information and assistance, but in most cases, participants must make prior arrangements to receive credit with their college or university.

Note to Applicants from Outside the United States

Due to current restrictions on student visas, Poynter can be of very limited assistance in helping you obtain travel documents. When applying for a seminar at Poynter, please remember that:

  • Early notification is not possible because faculty members choose participants from the full pool of applicants and the selection is not made until 45 to 60 days prior to the start of the seminar.
  • Participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel documents and visas.
  • Participants are responsible for making and funding their own travel arrangements.
  • A tuition waiver is possible, but not always available.
  • A fellowship for travel inside the continental United States is also possible, but not always available. Normally, we do not provide fellowships for international travel.
  • For help on making travel arrangements, you may check the website for the U.S. Embassy in your country. Here are two links that can help: http://travel.state.gov/links.html and http://travel.state.gov/visa;immigrants.html.


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