Application Requirements
a.) For Writing Staff - accomplished online application form*
- to be submitted on panel interview phase: photocopy of most recent report card and registration form
b.) For Photojournalist
- accomplished online application form*
- to be submitted on panel interview phase: photocopy of most recent report card and registration form
- optional, to be submitted on panel interview phase: portfolio of previous works or projects
c.) For Artist
- accomplished online application form*
- to be submitted on panel interview phase: photocopy of most recent report card and registration form
- optional, to be submitted on panel interview phase: portfolio of previous works or projects
The Writing Staff Examination
The applicant is required to take a qualifying examination (composed of two phases: a writing examination and a panel interview). All the applicants are required to take the writing examination. The writing examination will be composed of News Writing (30 percent), Feature Writing (25 percent), Editorial Writing (25 percent), Grammar Test (10 percent), and Dummy-making/Copy Reading (10 percent).
Only the top 25 during the writing examination will be moving on to the panel interview phase. Those who top the qualifying examination will then be assigned to open positions or slots.
Only the top 25 during the writing examination will be moving on to the panel interview phase. Those who top the qualifying examination will then be assigned to open positions or slots.
The remaining staff who do not get a slot for scholarship may be admitted as apprentice in the staff through the discretion of the incumbent editors-in-chief and the moderator. The apprentices will not receive scholarships but their names will be included in the staff box, they can use the exclusive facilities of the USA Publications, and they can also attend training ranging from local to national seminar and conventions.
Photojournalist and Artist Examination
Applicants who passed the specialized qualifying examination will be admitted as photojournalists and artists. The topnotcher or the first placer in each examination shall be given the post of photography editor (photojournalist examination) and art director (artist examination)
The applicants for photojournalists will be evaluated based on their submitted portfolio of works (30 percent), interview (20 percent), and on-the-spot photo essay making (50 percent).
The applicants for artists will also be evaluated based on their submitted portfolio of works (30 percent), interview (20 percent), on-the-spot editorial cartooning (30 percent), and layout and graphic design (20 percent).
* Exam details may change without prior notice.
University Rules and Regulations for Student Publications Scholars
- Senior USA Publications Staff, after having qualified and duly endorsed, are entitled to FREE TUITION and MISCELLANEOUS FEES. Laboratory Fees are not included in the scholarship grant.
- They should carry a minimum of fifteen (15) units per semester.
- They should maintain a general weighted average (GWA) of not less than 2.5 or 80 percent every semester or summer, and must not receive a FAILING GRADE, DROPPED, or HNA (Has Never Attended). Incomplete grade/s must be completed within one month after the opening of classes of the succeeding semester/summer. Those who fail to observe the provision will be dropped from the scholarship. However, upon compliance, they may be reinstated and they can avail of the scholarship. Reinstatement is only given once.
- The privilege must be renewed every semester/summer of the academic year. They must present to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs their grades of the previous semester/summer. The privilege must be renewed within the deadline set. Failure to renew the scholarship privilege during the said period will result in the forfeiture of the privilege.
- They can avail of the scholarship for a limited period of time: four (4) years for those taking a four-year course, and five (5) years for those taking a five-year course (e.g. Engineering and Architecture). Second coursers and those taking up law or graduate degrees are not qualified for the scholarship grants.
- They must be loyal to the University. They must observe good behavior in and out of the campus, must be honest and dedicated in their craft.
- Any falsification/withholding of information in connection with the terms and conditions of the Scholarship and Financial Aid Program will be considered as ground for disqualification/forfeiture.