Course FAQs

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Frequently asked questions about our courses and seminars

You can always contact our LEARN team with any questions about our courses, but perhaps the answer is below. Read them all (it won't take long), or click to the part of the process that has you scratching your head the most.

Applications      Writing Samples     Courses      3-Hour Seminars     Teaching at mediabistro.com    General Questions

Applications

I keep trying to attach my document but the screen shows an error. Help!

If you have a Mac, please make sure your Word document is saved as .doc. If you are still having problems, please email us with as much detail as possible about the problem. This way we can find the error and make sure it doesn't happen again. Meanwhile, you can also email your document as an attachment.

How will I be notified if I am accepted or not?

Via email within one week of applying. If a week has passed, email us.

It's only a few days before class, and I haven't heard whether or not I'm in. What should I do?

If the class you applied for starts in less than one week, feel free to call us at (212) 547-7890.

Writing Samples

I am applying for a journalism course, but I only have fiction writing samples. Can I send those in?

Yes, you may, though for the journalism courses you would fare better in the application process if you sent in a non-fiction writing sample. For the fiction courses, fiction would obviously be best.

My writing sample is more (or less than) 2,000 words. What should I do?

We only need up to 2,000 words. If your sample is over that, you should only send a part of the sample that does not exceed 2,000 words.

Do my chances of acceptance increase if I send something in that's been published?

For advanced courses, you should try and send in a published piece. For beginner/intermediate courses, published pieces may give you an edge, but are not a defining factor in being accepted.

Can I send in more than one writing sample?

You can only attach one document with your application. If you would like to submit multiple short pieces, you must combine them on one document.

I don't have any electronic writing samples. Can I fax them?

Yes. Fax them to (212) 966-8984, attn: LEARN, and follow up with an email to make sure we received them. Please make sure you indicate in your cover letter which class you are applying to.

I'm applying to a specialty class (food, travel, screenwriting, etc.). Does my writing sample have to be related to the field?

Not at all. Those classes exist so that you can learn those fields; you therefore need not have written on that topic yet. Just send in the clip in which you take most pride.

Courses

How long are classes? How many days? How many classes?

Classes are typically 8 sessions long, but we also have four, five, ten, and twelve week classes. We also have 3-hour seminars. Most classes are once per week, three hours long.

Do you have any day classes?

We offer one-day intensives, which are ideal for students with limited time. Topics include copy editing, media training, and copywriting. We also offer classes on the weekends.

How many people will be in my class?

Depending on the class, it will be capped at 12 or 15. Our 3-hour seminars are open enrollment, though.

Are my classmates going to have the same amount of experience that I have?

Not necessarily. Some of your classmates will be top-level, some low-level. Because mb LEARN classes are workshops, your teachers will be able to evaluate you on your own level. And though your fellow students may not have your level of experience, you can always benefit from their feedback since they are, after all readers. Not only that, but your classmates were hand-selected to be in your class, which means that even if they have less (or more) practical experience, we still found them to be appropriate.

I need a receipt or certificate of completion for my class for tax and/or reimbursement purposes. Who do I ask for that?

You can print out your own receipt at your account. You can also email us with details about which class you took, how much you paid and when, and we'll send you a receipt or certificate of completion. It won't have gold stars on it, but it will get you reimbursed.

Will I be able to contact my instructor between classes if I have any questions?

Yes. Your instructor will supply you with his or her email address, and in some cases, a phone number. You can expect a prompt reply.

3-Hour Seminars

I'm not sure if I can attend. Do I have the option of paying at the door?

You can pay at the door for an additional $5. Please note that the seminar may be full and you are not guaranteed a seat if you do not pay in advance. We encourage students to sign up early, as we have had to cancel seminars in the past due to lack of sign-ups.

Will everyone attending be at the same skill level?

Because our seminars have open registration, there is no guarantee what the general skill level of the audience will be. We do clearly state in our descriptions what the seminar is about and to whom it is geared.

I signed up and realized I cannot go. Can I get a refund?

We do not offer any refunds or credits.

I really want to go but already have plans. Will the seminar be offered again?

After the seminar runs, check back to the site to see the new date. It will usually appear two to three weeks following the original date. Most seminars run every two months or so.

Teaching a Class

How do I let you folks know I want to teach a mediabistro class?

Email us. Send a short course description, with your resume and bio, to Jessica.

What should my application look like?

Include the following:

• Who you are: Remember that all our students are media professionals, so you really have to be a star in order to teach for us. Don't be shy about bragging in your cover letter.
• A resume: We won't consider applications without them. Please attach as a Word document or a PDF. Please don't link to your resume.
• A proposal for the class you want to teach: Check out our class listings and tell us what we're not offering and why we should be offering it. Also tell us why you're the teacher for it. Please search all course listings. Nothing is more frustrating than telling a potential instructor that we already have that class and that it starts next week. Do your homework. It's okay to want to teach an existing class, and it's okay to propose a new class, but make sure you know what we're already offering.

General Questions

Do you have a scholarship program, or financial aid available?

No. Although we continue to explore ways of helping students afford classes, there is no such opportunity at the time.

Do I have to pay the entire tuition up front?

Yes.

I'm not sure if I really want to take a class. Is there a way I can sit in on the first class, and then decide?

Unfortunately, no. Because we cap each class at 12 or 15 students, we can't give away a space in the class that may or may not go to someone else.

Okay, so what if I sign up for the class and I don't like it? Can I get my money back?

No. All mediabistro.com classes are nonrefundable. There are also no credits for classes. This is because there are only a limited number of seats available for each class.

Now I'm scared. How do I know if I'll like it?

Relax. We've got pages of students who were at first apprehensive about the class, but enrolled and say that it's the best money they ever spent. You can find out how our students did in class here.