BA (Communication – Journalism) - UAI? (2 Viewers)

[skh]

Hey guys!

I finish my HSC this year [07] and I am SUPER interested in obtaining a position @ CSU in Bathurst in the communications print journalism strand! I am aware that the admission is based not only upon the UAI, but a questionnaire tooooo. HOWEVER - can someone please inform me:

a) around what UAI will enable entrance into the course.
b) what UAI YOU recieved to get into the course.
AND
c) did you have "work experience relevant to the course".

Thanks so much!!!

 

[just_me]

Hey,

Im currently a third year Journo student at CSU, and i think your making a really good decision considering CSU as your uni next year.

Your right the uni doesnt publish a uai for the course, purely because there is alot more to Journalism than being smart. Like intelligence usually helps but getting 99 doesnt mean you have what it takes to be a Journalist.

When I applied in 04 for the 05 intake, I was asking the same question. Even though you dont pubish a UAI you must consider it. I myself got 70.6 due to picking gay subjects like music and general maths which scale badly. But i got an alright mark of 85 for English and History.

I was told the usual consideration point is 82.00 but this is definitely not true. So dont freak out. There are people in my year who got like 60 something.

My recommendation to you if you are serious about coming here, is get as much work experience as you possibly can before you apply. This will allow you to show that your keen and actually want to do the course. Publish things in the school newspaper, write article and file them etc. Things like this are looked very positively upon.

You are also required to write two essays (only one pages) usually about what you think the definition of news is and something about news values. And also a one page thing about you. Just makes some peope who are not serious not even bother.

but if you have any questions about the course dont hesitate to email me. pcronan@csu.edu.au but make sure you make the subject something like CSU Question because I get alot of other emails each day and might delete it by accident or just ask me on this post.

Good Luck!!

 

[skh]

ah thankyou!!! you covered it all! are you studying print or broadcast?

CSU is my no. 1 preference for '08, i've heard SO many good things about it - academic and social. my only little doubt is moving to such a rural area after living in the big smoke for so long - although i'm sure it would be a very pleasant escape from the city life?

i will definitely take your advice on work exp! i reeeally hope i get in! thanks again!

 

[just_me]

I am sure you will be fine, you seem very enthusiastic.

On the topic of Sydney to Country, It really isnt that bad. I was just like you. Lived in Sydney since birth and did not want to leave!! I mad the leap of faith and have never looked back. You will make so so many close friends and have so much fun that it really isnt an issue. And the other thing is CSU has become a very SYdney uni and what I mean is ALOT of the students are from Sydney. It is only 2.5 hours away which really isnt that far. but you just have to take the risk! haha


CSU also gives you opportunities that other unis dont have. In second year if your doing broadcast (which yes I am doing to answer your question) you have the opportunity to apply for a 15 month PAID cadetship with National Radio News which is a national radio bulletin service. Basically you work in the industry, learn how to work in a professional environment and leave uni with 15 months national producing and presenting experience. I would have to say if your serious about Journalism and getting a job when you finish then you would have to try and get one of the positions.

but again I hope this helps.

 

[Logain]

Hey there, I'm a 2nd year print journo, and as just_me said, UAI plays a very little role. But this doesn't mean the course is easy. Only a few of the 100 or so in my year are going on to becoming journalists. They need to know that you have strong grammar and reporting skills, and are willing to do extra work when it comes to experience at newspapers and TV stations etc.

I myself got a UAI of 91.45, but this doesn't matter as some people in my classes got 98+ and some were in the 60s.

Also, I had experience doing community radio and I did my year 10 work exp at the Northern Daily Leader (tamworth's main newspaper). Try to get something like this and someone to vouch for you -- it'll look very nice on your application.

 

[skh]

ah thankyou! i feel MUCH better knowing that i don't necessarily need to score 90+. haha, i have yr 10 work experience at cleo magazine and a contact with the fashion director but... i plan to do much more before the end of the year. fingers crossed!

 

[amy236]

hi everyone... i'm looking pretty closely at doing this course as well, and i have a few questions too. how many people generally get accepted for it each year? whats bathurst like to live in? i'm coming from a relatively small country town and am kinda using bathurst as a stepping stone to sydney. also, not planning this at the moment, but to keep my options open, is there any chance of transferring to sydney uni or UTS after a certain amount of time in the course?

i know the course is generally pretty well regarded in the fields it relates too, but how many people generally end up being happy with their job prospects at the end of the course? also, is the course work itself hard, or does it just require dedication? sorry about this amount of questions, its just i know no one at the uni and want a student's perspective before i decide for sure. thanks!!

 

[just_me]

Hi amy,

Ill do my best to answer your questions for you.

As for The Journalism Course, I think about 70 people per year. Im not exactly certain about this number, but It is about the intake. You are required to submit two essays (which are fairly easy - 500wds each and submit an application form).

Bathurst as a town is really not as bad as many may think! I came from Sydney so it was the reverse for me and I felt like I was taking a step backwards. Well I was so wrong. It is the best decision I ever made. I have so so many new friends from all over Australia, I have also made so many good connections for the industry through the course. The social life is fine and most of the people at uni are young students anyways so everyone is here for a good time. (Bathurst also has the most pubs per capita in Australia, that has to say something.)

I really cant say to much about transferring to UTS or another uni. I have never really looked into it and it would be the UTS policies you would have to look at to see if it was possible. I know I have a certain amount of bias but I really would recommend you stay at CSU. It has such a good reputation and allows you so many more opportunities while at uni and after you graduate. I am currently working as a cadet Journalist at National Radio news and this is an opportunity no one else has at a different uni as the studios for this National bulletin service are strictly exclusive to CSU students.

The job prosepcts of students are also very good. I think people tend to realise the course is not one you take for granted. If you get in you have to be keen and dedicated. Most people are very keen to get into the industry after uni. Of course not everyone but most.

The course can be challenging, but any course wether it be business, vet studies or Journalism is going to have it's challenging aspects. If your enthusiastic and want to be a part of it you will excel.

I hope this helps. Like always ask anything you like. I check this every once in a while and dont mind at all helping out because I know it feels to be unsure about the whole deal.

Good Luck!

my email address is pcronan@csu.edu.au, just make sure you label the subject CSU question or something so I dont delete it by accident. You might get a faster response via email.

 

[amy236]

thanks for your help, its much appreciated. i've pretty much decided on CSU, now its just down to the work i do and the amount of dedication i have over the next few months. thanks a heap.

 

[~poshSarah188~]

I am stressing about my application to CSU and really want to get into this course.

I only got a UAI of 65, and think I will be rejected.

My careers advisor told me that journalism was the best at this university, is that right?

What UAI did you all get?

 

[~poshSarah188~]

What did you all write in your essay?

 

[trao06]

Ahhh I'm so keen to get into this course for the 2009 intake! It just sounds SO great =D

Do any of you know of any cadetship opportunities for print journalism students?

Oh also.. what was the interview like? =]

 

[Matt Samson]

I would not do print journalism.

I am not saying this because of any bias, but because it is just the way the industry is going. You wont be able to be just a "print" journalist soon. This is just reality.

I have been told that writing an essay about how much you love to "write" is the worst thing you could do. They personally couldn't give a flying fuck how much a person loves to write, because journalism isn't about writing novels.

I hope this helps.

 

[yourfacehere!]

Why so bitter and twisted about us mere print journalists, Matt? We are people with feelings too, you know...and if writing is so irrelevant in journalism these days, why are professional writing and newswriting both compulsary first year subjects?
And don't forget, newspapers are actually increasingly the more trusted news source, as the 6 o'clock bulletin becomes more show than anything else...

As for the questions being asked in the actual thread, the above people are completely right. From what I know, your UAI is hardly considered in comparison to the attention paid to your essays and any relevant work experience, etc. I personally got 91.7 and had some recent work experience, but i've heard of people getting in without even submitting the essays.

And I've heard of very few people transferring from CSU to Sydney or UTS - in fact, it's very much the other way round; I know a whole bunch of people who've done a year at Sydney, UTS, Canberra and Newcastle only to realise that CSU just offers a whole lot more.

It's worth the move.

 

[Matt Samson]

Why so bitter and twisted about us mere print journalists, Matt? We are people with feelings too, you know...and if writing is so irrelevant in journalism these days, why are professional writing and newswriting both compulsary first year subjects?
And don't forget, newspapers are actually increasingly the more trusted news source, as the 6 o'clock bulletin becomes more show than anything else...

As for the questions being asked in the actual thread, the above people are completely right. From what I know, your UAI is hardly considered in comparison to the attention paid to your essays and any relevant work experience, etc. I personally got 91.7 and had some recent work experience, but i've heard of people getting in without even submitting the essays.

And I've heard of very few people transferring from CSU to Sydney or UTS - in fact, it's very much the other way round; I know a whole bunch of people who've done a year at Sydney, UTS, Canberra and Newcastle only to realise that CSU just offers a whole lot more.

It's worth the move.

I am not being bitter about anything, just stating market reality. I do know a little about the market and the way business works in general.

You should go and ask why they're getting rid of the individual "print" and "broadcast" streams and just creating one degree. The reason for the change is because having students specialising in just one or the other isn't what employers want anymore, as there is no longer a business case for people specialising.

The ABC is a trusted place for news and current affairs, but it does not rate as well as the tabloid current affair shows.

Print might be quality, but it does not mean people are going to go out and buy a newspaper.

 

[Matt Samson]

Why was The Bulletin closed down if there is a commercial case for media organisations to focus exclusively on print?

I am not being bitter on this thread, I am just being a realist and simply pointing out reality and making sure these future journalism students make the best choice for their future.

Idealism is great.... if it can pay the bills.

Anyway, I am off to read the quality print journalism of the Jerusalem Post, and will not be paying a cent for the privilege of reading it. See what I mean by commercial reality?

 

[eightball]

In this era of 'converged' technologies, I can understand why they're consolidating the degree. But even when the strands were separate, there was always some crossover. I did the (print) journalism course from 1995-1997 and even back then, I was writing essays about online vs offline newspapers. We did some minimal online journalism and in the photojournalism minor, we even did digital photography using one of the first digital cameras (an Apple QuickTake - you put a 3.5" floppy in and the batteries drained after 5 photos). It sounds positively ancient but it was cutting-edge back then!

The main thing is that the uni is still out there teaching core journalism skills - that is, research methodologies, authoritative writing, accurate reportage, law and ethics and practical hands-on experience with new technologies.

After completing my degree I moved into technology journalism and I now have more than a decade of experience in writing about technology both on and offline, and from everything I see - the influx of blogs, DIY publishing and so on - people will still go to a repsected news source for the correct, considered information - and they'll go to blogs if they want to discover insider info or listen to other points of view.

FWIW - I recommend putting CSU first in your choice of unis. I got an UAI of 86.4, but put CSU second and I didn't get offered it in my first round offers because I'd put UTS first which had a really high entrance requrement. A quick phone call to the Uni and a mention of my UAI caused them to offer me a final round place.

 

[Matt Samson]

In this era of 'converged' technologies, I can understand why they're consolidating the degree. But even when the strands were separate, there was always some crossover. I did the (print) journalism course from 1995-1997 and even back then, I was writing essays about online vs offline newspapers. We did some minimal online journalism and in the photojournalism minor, we even did digital photography using one of the first digital cameras (an Apple QuickTake - you put a 3.5" floppy in and the batteries drained after 5 photos). It sounds positively ancient but it was cutting-edge back then!

The main thing is that the uni is still out there teaching core journalism skills - that is, research methodologies, authoritative writing, accurate reportage, law and ethics and practical hands-on experience with new technologies.

After completing my degree I moved into technology journalism and I now have more than a decade of experience in writing about technology both on and offline, and from everything I see - the influx of blogs, DIY publishing and so on - people will still go to a repsected news source for the correct, considered information - and they'll go to blogs if they want to discover insider info or listen to other points of view.

FWIW - I recommend putting CSU first in your choice of unis. I got an UAI of 86.4, but put CSU second and I didn't get offered it in my first round offers because I'd put UTS first which had a really high entrance requrement. A quick phone call to the Uni and a mention of my UAI caused them to offer me a final round place.

I'll also offer some advice.

Don't simply rely on your "UAI" to get into journalism at CSU. The reason why the UAI score for entry into journalism isn't published is because it isn't the only thing considered.

In fact, the UAI is the LAST thing that is considered. The first things they consider are your essay / your interview, and if you make it through those two things then they consider your UAI.

Yes there are some lucky people who do get through without doing all those things, but every year more people apply and it gets tougher.

You don't have to be a brilliant writer to be a journalist, in fact someone from the Sydney Morning Herald told me that it is very hard to find a journalist that is good at both "reporting" and "writing". The point is that the reporting side of things is most important.

 

[LAMBERS16]

I'll also offer some advice.

Don't simply rely on your "UAI" to get into journalism at CSU. The reason why the UAI score for entry into journalism isn't published is because it isn't the only thing considered.

In fact, the UAI is the LAST thing that is considered. The first things they consider are your essay / your interview, and if you make it through those two things then they consider your UAI.

Yes there are some lucky people who do get through without doing all those things, but every year more people apply and it gets tougher.

You don't have to be a brilliant writer to be a journalist, in fact someone from the Sydney Morning Herald told me that it is very hard to find a journalist that is good at both "reporting" and "writing". The point is that the reporting side of things is most important.

Hey Matt,

Thanks for the insight about CSU. I'm really keen to get into CSU for Journalism.. but I'm kinda downhearted now that I know how competitive it is. However, I guess it's kind of stupid for me to say that considering really all courses are of some degree, competitive.

Do you know any approximate numbers of how many people apply to CSU for Journalism, and how much are accepted?

Thanks if you can be bothered to reply!

 

[Matt Samson]

Hey Matt,

Thanks for the insight about CSU. I'm really keen to get into CSU for Journalism.. but I'm kinda downhearted now that I know how competitive it is. However, I guess it's kind of stupid for me to say that considering really all courses are of some degree, competitive.

Do you know any approximate numbers of how many people apply to CSU for Journalism, and how much are accepted?

Thanks if you can be bothered to reply!

I do know but I cant say sorry. That information can only be released after final round offers.

The point is that each year there are different numbers of applicants.

What I can say is that this year will be very competitive across all universities in NSW/ACT.