The course is primarily aimed at recent college graduates. Other applicants are not discouraged, however. Many students have worked in publishing briefly and would like to broaden their understanding of the field, or have decided to make a career change from an unrelated field. The choice of college major is incidental to acceptance, but applicants must have successfully completed all requirements for a B.A. or B.S. degree by June, 2001.
Publishing is by no means restricted to the editorial function.
In fact, while most applicants have majored in English and the humanities, many have majored in other disciplines. Students with a demonstrated interest in publishing have always gained most directly from the course. Those who have worked on high school or college publications are familiar with publishing's long hours and constant deadline pressure. Likewise, those with bookstore, library, or office experience have skills and insights that publishers find valuable. The Radcliffe Publishing Course should not, however, be confused with a journalism school.