Writer’s Guidelines

Got a story idea or a nontraditional student essay for StudentsOver30.com? Send a pitch to the editor. What is a pitch? A pitch is simply stating that you have an article/essay idea that is relevant for nontraditional students. If the story fits the Web magazine, the editor will give you the okay.

The goal of StudentsOver30.com is to demystify the concerns of potential nontraditional students who might be thinking about going back to college or who are already in college.

 

• Average article length is 400 to 800 words.

• Ask-a-Professor column answers are approx. 200 words (for professors to write only). Professors have two weeks to answer a question.

• Article tone: Conversational-style writing with accessible language is encouraged.

• News articles are mostly written in the third person; personal essays are written in first person; and how-to articles can be written in first, second or third person.

• Unless a writer is speaking from personal experiences (i.e. for the “student stories” section), all references must be cited and quotes must be attributed to its source.

• Student Stories: Nontraditional students can submit personal essays about their experiences of going back to college. We encourage students to submit photos with the essay.

• Editorial Articles: The subject matter must be relevant to mature age students, but the article must not be simply a rant. Present the “problem” then provide why you think it will or will not work. Your argument must be supported with facts.

• The “Editor’s Bin” is a mixed bag of things, from musings, essays, and thoughts about recent education news and the current state of affairs with higher education as it pertains to nontraditional students.

 

Currently, there is no pay for submitting articles to StudentsOver30.com, so writers are encouraged to provide a short (approx. 50 words) bio at the end of each article with their Web site information, services they offer, or contact information.

We ask that the article be original and not published elsewhere online (print is okay). You retain the copyright to the article as we ask for usage rights. Your article or essay may be edited for clarity.

 

*** Articles We Are Actively Seeking ***

 

Job & College Degree Profiles: What’s your job or obtaining your college degree like? What do you do on the day-to-day? Is it challenging? Fun? Are there things about your profession or college degree that you wish you had known before you chose it? Tell us about it in 400 words.