What does the contributing author position entail?

The main responsibilities of a contributing author include: surveying fellow students (through an online survey) on campus-life topics at your school, assisting College Prowler's internal editing team with researching and reporting factual information about your school, and writing short editorial reviews summarizing student opinions on campus-life topics like Academics, Nightlife, Guys & Girls, etc.

Students selected for the contributing author internship will be required to review the school using College Prowler's standard online guide template and will also be responsible for having a significant proportion of students visit and complete the online survey.

Is this a paid internship?

No, the contributing author position is an unpaid internship. However, it is a great opportunity to receive possible internship credit, gain resume-building experience and writing exposure, and receive letters of recommendation.

How long is the internship?

The contributing author internship takes place over a six to eight week period with students devoting five to 10 hours per week to internship.

How does the internship work?

The contributing author will work remotely, and all work will be completed through College Prowler's Web site. Further details on the specifics of writing content, updating information, and submitting work will be discussed during the interview process.

What do I need to do to apply?

To apply for a contributing author internship, please email Bridget Daley (bridget@collegeprowler.com). Please include the name of your school in the subject line and submit a resume and writing sample.

What kind of writing sample are you looking for?

A writing sample can include any paper that you have written for a class or any writing you have done that you feel demonstrates your writing abilities.

Who is eligible to apply?

The contributing author internship is open to any currently enrolled college student working toward a degree.

Will I need to come to College Prowler's office for this internship?

No, the entire internship is done remotely. All of the students work will be submitted online through College Prowler's site.

Why is the online survey so important?

The online survey is used to offer a wide range of students' thoughts and opinions on campus. Reponses from the survey will also serve as a resource for contributing authors as they work on completing each section of the guide. For example: When working on the Inside Scoop section, the contributing author is asked to include "Tips to Succeed" at their school. In addition to pulling from their own thoughts and experiences, contributing authors will be able to see what other students who completed the survey suggested as tips to succeed. It is important to note that all responses gathered from the survey remain anonymous.

How will I know what is expected of me and my work?

All students selected as contributing editors will receive a Contributing Author Internship Manual. This document will explain the basics of your assignment, including our expectations, style guidelines, and common errors to avoid. This manual is essential to writing the guide to our specifications. In addition, students will be in full contact with a College Prowler employee who will assist them throughout the internship and answer any questions that may arise.

What's in it for me?

The contributing author position is a great opportunity for you to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized publishing company, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life at college is really like. In addition, all contributing authors who complete their work by the said deadline will be eligible to win a $1,000 Contributing Author Scholarship.

Who is eligible for the $1,000 Contributing Author Scholarship?

All contributing authors who complete the internship by the set deadline will be eligible. The scholarship winner will be chosen by the College Prowler editorial staff based on the quality of his/her writing, the student's ability to complete the internship in a timely manner, and the student's ability to get a significant percentage of their school to fill out surveys.

Will there be an actual hardcopy guide to my school?

In July 2009, College Prowler transitioned all of the content from printed guidebooks to our Web site (collegeprowler.com) and made it available to users for free. Every month, more than 500,000 unique visitors come to check out the nearly 10,000 pages of school content on our site. At the present time, the work contributing author interns complete will be made live on College Prowler's Web site. Though there is potential that some guides may be printed in the future, at this time all new guides will be available only online.

Is the contributing author internship limited to students of a specific major?

The contributing author internship is ideal for journalism, communications, and English majors, though it is not limited to any major. What College Prowler looks for in a contributing author is someone who is able to write well and is enthusiastic about researching, reviewing and sharing what life at his/her campus is like to potential students and those who have never been on campus. In addition to excellent writing skills, the ideal contributing author is organized and outgoing.

I'm a freshman, can I apply?

What is most important to College Prowler when hiring a contributing author is that the student is familiar with his/her campus and is outgoing and motivated to research necessary information included in a College Prowler online guide. So, yes, outgoing freshmen are eligible to apply.

I am a non-traditional student, can I apply?

College Prowler content focuses on the perspective of current college students. Although traditionally many of contributing authors have fallen into the 18-23 year old range, we are not at all limited by this. Anyone able to offer the many views and opinions of an enrolled student are more than welcome to apply.

I go to an online university, am I eligible to apply for the internship?

College Prowler is actively looking to expand our cur collection of online schools reviewed and we encourage interested online students to apply.

I'm also interested in being a photojournalism intern, can I do both?

There is the possibility that a contributing author intern may coordinate with our staff to also work on the photojournalism internship. Photojournalism interns are asked to take a variety of pictures across campus that depicts what life at their campus is like. The photos serve as a visual supplement to each section covered in a College Prowler online guide.

If I do the internship, will I be more likely to win the No Essay Scholarship?

The contributing author internship is completely unaffiliated with the No Essay Scholarship and will not increase a student's chance of winning.

When will I hear back from College Prowler? Should I follow up?

College Prowler's hiring team receives an excess of internship inquires. All students who inquire about internship opportunities will hear back, but please be patient. Typically, students will hear back within two weeks from College Prowler's hiring coordinator. If you don't hear back within two weeks, please feel free to follow up with a short e-mail.

How many contributing authors do you hire from a school?

Each year, only one contributing author is hired from each school College Prowler covers. If a full guide to your school is already up-to-date on our site, please check back next year for more internship opportunities.

What is the hiring process like?

Once a student submits a resume and writing sample, he/she will typically hear back from a College Prowler employee within two weeks. If the position is still available, we will arrange a phone interview to further discuss the position. Once a decision is made, the student will hear back from College Prowler about the internship position.

Can I get college credit for my work?

Many of College Prowler's contributing author interns receive college credit for their work. It is up to the student to contact his/her academic adviser to ensure that all internship requirements are met. Anything that College Prowler can do to help a contributing author receive creditor for his/her work–be it contact an academic adviser, write a letter of recommendation, or further explain the internship to a faculty member–we are eager to help.