Testimonials & FAQ

Testimonials

"I can't say enough positive things about this experience. Because of these three days I have a stronger foundation for medical reporting."

“Excellent. Should be required of all health reporters and editors. Thanks for the opportunity.”

“One main recommendation: Reach out broadly to mass media journalists in the U.S. and Canada. Demand their involvement. This is important stuff. It should be heard and understood by people who have the potential to reach and affect the decisions of huge audiences.”

“…the diverse backgrounds among the participants really helped bring up ideas that hadn't occurred to me before.”

“Workshop exercises that draw on lectures are the most … rewarding part of the experience. The mix of theory and practice made this memorable and educational.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to apply for the course? Why can't I just sign up?
Space in the course is limited to 50 participants. Over the years we’ve learned that this is the maximum number for which the course content can be provided effectively, in order to allow sufficient discussion between faculty and participants. We’ve also found that more than 50 journalists are interested each year, hence the application process.

How competitive is this—what are my chances of getting in?
In recent years, one-half to one-third of applicants have been admitted. We’ve had as many as 225 applications for the 50 available seats.

What kinds of applicants are you seeking?
We’re looking for journalists and editors who cover health for lay audiences, and who are eager to hone their skills in weighing medical evidence and interpreting scientific findings to better serve the needs and interests of the general public. Overall, our goal is to form a class that includes participants from local, regional, national and international outlets, including newspapers, radio, the internet, magazines, television, that is also diverse in terms of experience covering health and medicine.

I took the course before but I'd like a refresher and I see that it's changed a bit--can I get in again?
Because our space is so limited, our priority is to offer the opportunity first to applicants who have not yet participated in the course. Given application rates in recent years, we would expect to receive at least 50 new applicants this year. That said, if space permits, we would be happy to have you, so please feel free to apply.

Four writers from my organization would like to attend—is there a chance we can all get in? Should just one of us apply?
That depends on how many applications we receive. If there are enough applicants from different organizations to fill the 50 seats, we would likely only admit one of you. If there is space, though, we would conceivably be happy to have you all. If more than one of you applies, please prioritize the applicants from your organization so that if we are only able to admit one or two, we’ll know which you prefer. You can do this using one of the narrative fields in the on-line application, or by sending a separate e-mail to medmedia@od.nih.gov.

I'm a blogger - am I eligible?
Sure – please apply.

I currently work in a different field, but would like to move into health journalism—should I apply?
Specific experience in covering health or science is not a prerequisite for the course, but we do give preference to journalists currently working on health and medicine topics at least part of the time. Nonetheless, you are welcome to apply, and should space be available, you would be considered eligible.

Do you accept editors?
Yes—in fact, we wish more would apply, so please apply and tell your colleagues!

Do you accept international applicants?
Yes. Although we expect the majority of participants to be living and working in the U.S., we have admitted a few international applicants each year.

Do you accept students?
Assuming you’re preparing for a career in health/science journalism, please feel free to apply.

If I attend, will I get some kind of official credit?
Those who complete the course receive a certificate indicating their participation, but the certificate is not associated with any official credentialing body.

How will I know the status of my application?
As soon as you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation via e-mail. You’ll hear from us again via e-mail approximately two months prior to the course with a decision. This will allow 8 weeks prior to the course to make travel and other arrangements. If you have a serious, pressing need to know whether you’ve been accepted at an earlier stage, please write to us at medmedia@od.nih.gov with justification for the early request. Otherwise, please be patient, as repeated inquiries will only slow the process for all applicants.

I can't afford to travel to the course—can you help me?
Sadly, no. We recognize that air travel can be costly and we hope that participants’ employers will consider the travel expense a relatively small price to pay for quality training. Within our resource constraints, we’ve done everything we can to make the course available with minimal cost to participants, including picking up the costs of lodging.

If I get in, what will attending cost me or my employer?
Your meals and lodging will be provided for the duration of the course. You will need to cover your travel expenses to and from the course location (either Bethesda, M.D. or Hanover , N.H.) and ground transportation to and from the airport.

What if I can only attend for part of the course?
The course is designed as a cohesive unit, with all sessions integral to the whole. We expect that participants will arrange to arrive on time and stay for the duration. If you anticipate a conflict, please let us know as part of your application or as soon as possible thereafter.

If I still have questions, what can I do?
Please feel free to write to us at medmedia@od.nih.gov