西北大学Cherubs暑期项目与本科录取：招生办主任称无因果关系、仅存在相关性

From cherub to ’Cat: NU community talks role of cherubs programs in University admissions process
From cherub to ’Cat: NU community talks role of cherubs programs in University admissions process
Illustration by Lucas Kubovchik
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute admits 90 students each year for their in-person program.
Lydia Park, Assistant Campus Editor
October 16, 2026
From journalism to film, Northwestern’s pre-college summer cherubs programs introduce high school students to college life. Some participants question their impact on elite university admissions. 
Currently, NU offers the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute — also known as the Medill cherubs program — as well as the School of Communication’s National High School Institute, featuring courses on theatre, film, debate and playwriting. 
Program Assistant for NHSI Cherubs Samantha Kingzette wrote in an Oct. 12 statement to The Daily that more than 30 NHSI participants have returned to the University as first-year students every year since 2023.
“Year after year students in each division describe the Cherub experience as ‘life changing,’ due in equal parts to the rigorous, hands-on curriculum we offer and the community of like-minded, high-achieving peers they encounter on campus,” Kingzette wrote. “Students form close connections in their short time in Evanston that they carry with them long after the summer ends.”
Communication sophomore and former NHSI theatre arts cherub Dahlia Saffouri said she applied early decision to the University because she loved her experience in the program. 
She said she does not know whether being a cherub specifically boosted her application. Still, Saffouri speculated that it contributed to her acceptance by demonstrating her interest in the University. 
“There is a high percentage of, at least in my year, people who went to the theatre cherub program that are now studying theatre at Northwestern who also applied early decision,” Saffouri said. “I do think there is some sort of correlation, but I don’t know if it’s specifically the Northwestern cherubs program or if it’s just doing a summer program.” 
Saffouri said her parents were initially hesitant about the program’s cost, but they were ultimately convinced by her interest in the program, believing it could strengthen her college applications. 
The NHSI’s Theatre Arts Division and Film and Video Division five-week programs cost $8,000 each. Its Debate Division costs $3,500 for four weeks and $5,000 for six. NHSI’s playwriting program costs $5,000 for three weeks.
For Medill cherubs, the four-week program costs $5,000. 
“The people that tend to go to these programs have the means to do so,” Saffouri said. “There is an opportunity to get a scholarship or some sort of financial aid from the program itself, but even so, (the cost) definitely deters individuals from doing these programs.”
According to the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute’s website, more than 25% of the program’s cherubs return to NU, and during the 2025-26 school year, about 150 former Medill cherubs made up nearly 2% of the University’s entire undergraduate population.
Roger Boye, who has been director of the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute program since 1985, said many Medill cherubs come back to the University because of their outstanding academic records. 
“In the past, when this has come up in admissions offices, (they) would say something like, ‘It shows that the applicant did something very productive with their summer. It shows their extra layer of interest, not only in journalism but Northwestern,’” Boye said. “Having said that, cherubs who apply don’t get any special treatment.” 
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute admits up to 90 students each year for its in-person program. Out of the 90 students from last summer, Boye said 51 returned to NU.
In a Thursday statement to The Daily, Dean of Admissions Liz Kinsley wrote there is “no casual relationship between participating in Cherubs and gaining admission to Northwestern,” noting that many factors prevent qualified NU applicants from taking part. 
She also wrote that “it’s safe to say there’s a correlative relationship at play,” adding that students who participate in NU’s “selective” and “formative” summer experiences are frequently drawn to the University.
“In fact, many of them feel so strongly connected to Northwestern following their time as a Cherub that they choose to apply Early Decision, and those we admit through Regular Decision are more likely than not to enroll,” she wrote. 
Medill first-year Logan Kreisberg said his dad encouraged him to look into Medill’s cherubs program. 
He said the program was unlike other experiences on his high school resume, adding that his participation confirmed NU was his top choice. 
“I’ve encountered, existing in the world of college admissions, so many strategies to get into these top schools,” Kreisberg said. “Being at cherubs, it didn’t feel like it was a means to an end. It just felt like we were all spending the summer together doing what we loved and having fun.” 
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Related Stories:
— Northwestern summer program helps high school students REACH for science and art education
— Center for Talent Development academic summer camps give young participants college-like experience
— Manley: Cherubs is a growing Northwestern community that’s cultivating a love for journalism
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