\u201cI’ve always been very passionate about sports. Before coming here, I didn\u2019t know about so many different aspects of the field, but I\u2019m definitely interested in going into sports reporting,\u201d said Saanvi Lamba, a rising sophomore from North Brunswick Township High School who was part of the Sports Communications cohort. \u201cI made great connections and had professors who specialize in different areas. We received a lot of individual attention and had all our questions answered. The program was amazing (video recap of the Sports Communication program can be found here<\/a>). We learned a lot and connected with people who are always willing to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n Each program offered a field trip, which included trips to CNBC (Film and Television Production), a Red Bulls game (Sports Communication) and PR\/Strategic Communications agencies M Booth and Thatcher + Co. (Social Media Success).<\/p>\n \u201cThe trip to CNBC was really cool,\u201d said Cassandra Orenstein, a rising junior from Warren Hills High School who was part of the Film and Television Production program. \u201cWe saw so much behind-the-scenes work, things I didn\u2019t understand (because you see it from the other side) on television. Learning to work with groups and be around people and how to film and act has been an amazing experience. I spent most of my time in the writing classes and that was a lot of fun for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite part was our trip to New York when we visited the agencies and learned about the different types of jobs available in PR, Social Media or working with influencers,\u201d said Luke Bridges, a rising sophomore from West Orange High School. \u201cIt was interesting to learn how companies find influencers to promote their clients and how much money it costs to have those influencers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the highlights for the Social Media Success group was an unexpected visit from two former Pre-College students. Tori Mcklaine of Sicklerville, NJ enrolled at Montclair for the Fall 2024 semester after participating in the 2023 Pre-College Social Media Success program. Mcklaine contacted the Social Media program director after she learned the 2024 Pre-College program coincided with the University\u2019s Bridge Program<\/a>, which allows students to earn credits toward their degree before their first semester.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to start getting ahead as soon as you can,\u201d the Journalism and Digital Media major told the students. \u201cIt is a foot race to the end when you are in college and there are people that are already putting in the work before they set foot on campus. Take advantage of unique opportunities like this and have fun while you\u2019re doing it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Niles Scott was also part of the Social Media Success program last summer and said the experience factored heavily into his decision to attend Montclair. \u201cBeing here for that week definitely influenced me. I met a couple of students who already committed here, made friends and met some nice professors. And the campus is beautiful. We got to see all of it during that week and that helped, too.\u201d Scott is enrolled in the College of the Arts, pursuing a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in School & Community Settings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think of the Pre-College program as an immersive introduction to being a college student and what it would be like for students to be part of School of Communication and Media and our campus community,\u201d said Dr. Keith Strudler, Director, School of Communication and Media. \u201cThe feedback we received from students and parents has been incredible. It\u2019s exciting for high school students to get a taste of college life, and specifically what Montclair and the School of Communication and Media can offer.\u201d<\/p>\n A critical part of the program is to ensure students feel welcome in a new and uncertain environment. \u201cI never did anything like this before; this was even my first time sleeping out of my house,\u201d said Leidylis Montalbo, a rising senior from Beloved Community Charter High School in Jersey City, NJ. \u201cI was anxious before coming here but as soon as I got to campus, the environment felt very safe and welcoming. All the professors and peer mentors were nice, I made a lot of new friends and learned a lot during the week.\u201d<\/p>\n Students interested in applying to any of the undergraduate programs can find more information here<\/a>. Application information about the 2025 Pre-College Program will be available early in the Spring 2025 semester.<\/p>\n![\"Two](\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/college-of-communication-and-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/Pre-College-CNBC.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\")
![\"A](\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/college-of-communication-and-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/Pre-College-Thatcher-Co.-Times-Square.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\")
![\"Two](\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/college-of-communication-and-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/08\/Tori-and-Niles.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\")