2023 IBA Radio Talent Institute 

Application for Admission

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Institute Details:

• What: IBA Radio Talent Institute
• Where: Columbia College, Chicago, IL
• When: Tuesday, June 20 - Thursday, June 29, 2023
• Attended By: College students, recent graduates, grad students, interns and part-timers at radio or TV stations
• Number of Students Accepted: A maximum of 25
• Registration Cost (does not include housing or parking): $395 per person
• Housing: On-campus housing is available for an additional cost.  
• Application Deadline: April 15, 2023

Qualifications:

• A GPA of 2.5 or higher (you can ask for a waiver if lower)
• A completed application form.
• It is beneficial, though not mandatory, that the student is a broadcast major or minor and/or already works at the college radio station, or interned at a radio station. We have accepted students from other majors including business, marketing, PR, advertising, english, photography, accounting, etc. who are working successfully in the industry.

Please have all of the following available when you begin your application process:

1. Current resume
2. A two-page essay addressing (Double-Spaced) :
   • Why you want to be in this program
   • Why you want to pursue a career in broadcasting
   • What you hope to gain by attending this institute
3. Air check, sales dialogue or other
   • If interested in on-air and programming (news, sports, air talent, etc.), please submit a 2-4 minute air-check.  See the air check section below for guidelines.
   • If interested in sales or management, please submit a resume and a written sales presentation. See the sales dialogue section below for guidelines.
   • Also, submit two references.
   • If interested in other aspects of broadcasting (IT or engineering, writing, promotions/marketing, broadcast law, video) you can submit material that represents your interests, it may be from a class project, podcast, blog, etc.
4. OPTIONAL: One letter of recommendation (this can be from a professor, an employer, etc.)

Curriculum and subject matter: Will range from on-air performance to programming to sales, sports, news, management, production, promotions, social media, digital, video, podcasting, engineering, and practically all aspects of radio. The program will place emphasis on entry-level position preparation to help each student get their career started.

Materials: Each student will receive a notebook, containing the schedule of events, guest speaker bios and photos, Institute student bios and photos, etc., and a t-shirt and bag.

Computer: A laptop / tablet is required.

Acceptance: If accepted, you will be notified within one week of submission. You will then be prompted to register and finalize your acceptance. 

Housing:

If you do not have lodging during the 10 days/9 nights, housing is available on campus at an additional cost. Costs are yet to be determined by the university for 2023.  

Check-in is Tuesday, June 20 and check-out is Thursday, June 29.

Additional Information:

If you are using campus housing you should bring towels, washcloths, twin sheets, a pillow, a pillowcase, shampoo, and soap.

Please label all files with LAST NAME, FIRST NAME_FILE TYPE examples are below.

Smith, Johnny_Resume

Smith, Johnny_Essay

Smith, Johnny_Air Check

Smith, Johnny_Letter of Rec

The essay should address the following:
1--Why you want to be in this program
2--Why you want to pursue a career in broadcasting
3--What you hope to gain by attending this institute

How to create an air check

How to create a sales dialogue

 Air Check

If interested in on-air and programming (news, sports, air talent, etc), please submit a 2-4 minute air check. It can be on any topic you like. Make it about something you are into - whether it's news, sports, music, or anything else for which you are passionate. It can even be recorded on your phone.

Sales Dialogue

If interested in sales, management or other aspects of the industry, please submit resume and a written dialogue of a sales pitch and proposal.

Other

If interested in other aspects of broadcasting (IT or engineering, writing, promotions/marketing, broadcast law, video) you can submit material that represents your interests, it may be from a class project, podcast, blog, etc.

 

Please know that the National Radio Talent System has accepted students from various majors. It is beneficial, though not mandatory, that the student be a broadcast major or minor and/or already work at the college radio station, or interned at a radio station.

Even so, we have accepted students from PR, accounting, business, english, marketing, photography, etc. who have completed the institute and are now working successfully in the broadcast industry. 

Scholarship
A limited number of partial and full registration scholarships are available.

If due to financial harships you are in need of a scholarship, please upload approximately a 500-word essay explaining why you should receive a scholarship. Your scholarship essay will be reviewed along with your completed application. Once your application is reviewed, we will notify you of whether or not you have been accepted into the Radio Talent Institute and if you will be receiving a scholarship to attend.

*A scholarship covers your registration fee. It does NOT include housing or parking.

Returning Student

If you have successfully completed a previous Radio Talent Institute of the National Radio Talent System, you do not need to attach an essay or letter of recommendation. You do have to fill out the application and include an updated resume. It is preferred you update your air check or sales dialogue to attach as well, but it is not required.