Communications students

Daysha

Mazletov wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me intruding here, but I'm hoping to do this course next year. Just wondering about competition for places. I mean there's only 80 places, right? So aiming for 440 mightn't be enough? Anyway how many points did you students get in your leaving cert? Just need to know in terms of target setting.

Well leaving yourself with points to spare would be pretty handy, but it's nigh on impossible to predict whether the points would go up or down. When I considered doing Journalism I was told the points should come down since it's meant to be getting harder for journalists to find employment, yet the course jumped over 20 points this year.

I got 455 myself, so I was still a bit on edge myself until the 1st round offers came in, but it all worked out ok. CS ended up dropping to 435 or so anyway.

There's no point telling yourself just to aim 20 or so points higher than last years offers just so you can be sure, because you can never tell what will happen. Best advice I can give you is just go for the highest points you can get and hope for the best.

Diarmsquid

Mazletov wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me intruding here, but I'm hoping to do this course next year. Just wondering about competition for places. I mean there's only 80 places, right? So aiming for 440 mightn't be enough? Anyway how many points did you students get in your leaving cert? Just need to know in terms of target setting.

You shouldn't just aim for 440 anyway. Set your target for 600.

Future employers are gonna look at your Leaving Cert results and gauge your intelligence/work rate from it, and saying "I got 440, but that's all I needed for my course, so I didn't work as hard as I could have" doesn't fly with employers

P.S. Best Leaving Cert tip ever:

Listen to 2FM's exam radio show around exam time. It's ridiculous how many topics they rightly predicted to come up. It felt like cheating.

G'luck

cunniny3

[QUOTE

Future employers are gonna look at your Leaving Cert results and gauge your intelligence/work rate from it, and saying "I got 440, but that's all I needed for my course, so I didn't work as hard as I could have" doesn't fly with employers

[/QUOTE]

If you have a degree, future employers will have absolutely no interest in your Leaving Cert results, anymore than they would have interest in your Junior Cert results.

Having said that, it is good advice to get the best possible Leaving that you can. Prepare as well as possible, as something could go wrong - you could get a toothache the night before an exam, or a particular paper could be surprisingly tricky.

Also, if its journalism that you're interested in, then don't put all your eggs in one basket, there are many journalism courses available, also you could consider doing a non journalism degree - English, history, or politics for example - followed by a Masters in Journalism.

There is plenty of room on the CAO form.

Regards

YourName

Did anyone get into thsi course through FETAC or Access??? This would be the route for me. Or would you know of anyone who got in through the above???

jdivision

mcgowaner wrote: »

Did anyone get into thsi course through FETAC or Access??? This would be the route for me. Or would you know of anyone who got in through the above???

Is that the Ballyfermot course? I had friends who did. I also had friends who got in with below the required points cos they were from disadvantaged areas (is that Access?). One of them got a first class honours and then a first class honours in her MA

Shell08

Mazletov wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me intruding here, but I'm hoping to do this course next year. Just wondering about competition for places. I mean there's only 80 places, right? So aiming for 440 mightn't be enough? Anyway how many points did you students get in your leaving cert? Just need to know in terms of target setting.

God i haven't visited this thread in a while!:eek:....Answering your question I would agree with Deise. The point system is really unpredictable. Last year I got 480 and was only barely relieved. I had a feeling that the course would jump up 20 points because of demand. But I was completely wrong, it dropped five. So aim high and more than likely you wont be disappointed.
Oh and a tip for when you get into the course. It may be a doss course and 'smooth sailing' for the first two months, but they literally stack assignments on top of each other with deadlines relatively close together. DO NOT EVERYTHING PILE UP! I only came on the thread to look up our old timetable because I've left three months worth of diary entries until the last minute!:mad:....Anyway best of luck

goodgodholmes

Shell08 wrote: »

God i haven't visited this thread in a while!:eek:....Answering your question I would agree with Deise. The point system is really unpredictable. Last year I got 480 and was only barely relieved. I had a feeling that the course would jump up 20 points because of demand. But I was completely wrong, it dropped five. So aim high and more than likely you wont be disappointed.
Oh and a tip for when you get into the course. It may be a doss course and 'smooth sailing' for the first two months, but they literally stack assignments on top of each other with deadlines relatively close together. DO NOT EVERYTHING PILE UP! I only came on the thread to look up our old timetable because I've left three months worth of diary entries until the last minute!:mad:....Anyway best of luck

Best advice you'll get... not that i take my own advice, I ended up with a heap of diary entries as well (I'm in 2nd year and the diary in question was 6000 words.... greeeeeat)

In answer to the above question, I got 530 (only 490 on results day, 530 post-rechecks). But most people I talked to in my class got 440-480.

Daysha

Shell08 wrote: »

Oh and a tip for when you get into the course. It may be a doss course and 'smooth sailing' for the first two months, but they literally stack assignments on top of each other with deadlines relatively close together. DO NOT EVERYTHING PILE UP! I only came on the thread to look up our old timetable because I've left three months worth of diary entries until the last minute!:mad:....Anyway best of luck

Ugh, gotta agree with you. Whats even worse last August is I had heard from someone else doing the same course that it can happen, so I was telling myself not to let it happen.

Low and behold, it did!

mehfesto2

Just to point out that there are other ways to get into CA if ou dont get the points.

Put CA down as your first choice - if you get it, great, if not dont panic.
Put some other course in DCU down as your second choice - something thats not as many points and something you've an interest in. Accept this course (after rechecks etc) and do 1st year. Pass all your exams and you can transfer in the next year once your exam results are okay and you can do an interview with the head of CA, highlighting why you want to transfer. Trust me - it beats doing the LC again!

sallycinnamon_

Hi guys, I'm a sixth year student from Limerick and have been looking at this course for a good while now. It looks great and reading this thread has just further encouraged me it's the course I want to do. I'm sending CAO off by next week and fairly sure I'll put this first.

There's a problem though; my parents say they can't afford to pay for me to go to college in Dublin, and I'm only eligible for at best a 25% maintenance grant. I'd gladly get a job over summer to raise cash if possible, but in the current climate jobs are few and far between. I reeeeally want to do this course more than any other and so wanted to know if anyone had been in a similar situation? Is DCU life expensive other than accomodation, ie transport etc? Your views are very much appreciated.

Daysha

sallycinnamon_ wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm a sixth year student from Limerick and have been looking at this course for a good while now. It looks great and reading this thread has just further encouraged me it's the course I want to do. I'm sending CAO off by next week and fairly sure I'll put this first.

There's a problem though; my parents say they can't afford to pay for me to go to college in Dublin, and I'm only eligible for at best a 25% maintenance grant. I'd gladly get a job over summer to raise cash if possible, but in the current climate jobs are few and far between. I reeeeally want to do this course more than any other and so wanted to know if anyone had been in a similar situation? Is DCU life expensive other than accomodation, ie transport etc? Your views are very much appreciated.

Hey, welcome to boards.

Larkfield on campus in DCU would probably be your best bet in terms of accomodation. You don't need to pay for transport to and from DCU every day, it's the cheapest of the 3 apartments on campus and it's generally one the cheaper types of college apartments compared to other places like UCC or UCD.

You can get the price list here.

Take a look at this too. DCU offer subsidised accomodation so it'll definitely be worth looking into.

If you end up getting a place outside campus and not within walking distance, you may aswell get a student monthly ticket with Dublin Bus, which has risen to €82 a month. So if you find somewhere cheaper outside campus, take that cost into consideration because if you're buying 6/7 monthly tickets every school year it can really add up.

A lot of people complain about the price of the Spar shop on campus, but I think it's pretty reasonable. You certainly won't find much cheaper shops in other colleges.

As for general living expensive in Dublin, it's too subjective. It totally depends on each persons living habits etc. Obviously the person going out drinking into town every night is going to be spending a lot more than the person being more sensible with their money.

Any other questions, feel free to ask

sallycinnamon_

deise59 wrote: »

Hey, welcome to boards.

Larkfield on campus in DCU would probably be your best bet in terms of accomodation. You don't need to pay for transport to and from DCU every day, it's the cheapest of the 3 apartments on campus and it's generally one the cheaper types of college apartments compared to other places like UCC or UCD.

You can get the price list here.

Take a look at this too. DCU offer subsidised accomodation so it'll definitely be worth looking into.

If you end up getting a place outside campus and not within walking distance, you may aswell get a student monthly ticket with Dublin Bus, which has risen to €82 a month. So if you find somewhere cheaper outside campus, take that cost into consideration because if you're buying 6/7 monthly tickets every school year it can really add up.

A lot of people complain about the price of the Spar shop on campus, but I think it's pretty reasonable. You certainly won't find much cheaper shops in other colleges.

As for general living expensive in Dublin, it's too subjective. It totally depends on each persons living habits etc. Obviously the person going out drinking into town every night is going to be spending a lot more than the person being more sensible with their money.

Any other questions, feel free to ask

Thanks for the links they were really helpful. Was wondering about the Larkfield accommodation, where it says
"If you are successful in receiving a room offer you will be required to pay a booking/damage deposit of €300. An energy deposit of €330 is also required"
When is this deposit to be paid? Is that €630 in total? My career guidance teacher couldn't tell me if it was €330 or €630 :mad:

And back to the money issue, if I'm prepared to be a cheapy and not splash out, then do you think I would be able to support myself with minimal or no support from parents? Is part time work in Dublin easy to come by? I'm really determined to do this course, and most college students I know are poor anyway but my parents keep telling me it's never going to happen... :rolleyes:

Daysha

sallycinnamon_ wrote: »

Thanks for the links they were really helpful. Was wondering about the Larkfield accommodation, where it says
"If you are successful in receiving a room offer you will be required to pay a booking/damage deposit of €300. An energy deposit of €330 is also required"
When is this deposit to be paid? Is that €630 in total? My career guidance teacher couldn't tell me if it was €330 or €630 :mad:

And back to the money issue, if I'm prepared to be a cheapy and not splash out, then do you think I would be able to support myself with minimal or no support from parents? Is part time work in Dublin easy to come by? I'm really determined to do this course, and most college students I know are poor anyway but my parents keep telling me it's never going to happen... :rolleyes:

The deposit is 630 yeah, which is paid when you accept your accomodation a week or two after the first round of the CAO offers come out, so late August or thereabouts.

That does seem like a bit of a bummer but it'll sure be great to getting 630 right back into your pocket at the beginning of the summer.

I can't really answer your question about part time jobs since I don't have one in Dublin, but I would imagine that it would be difficult given the current circumstance.

Best bit of advice I'd give you is find a job back home in Limerick (which I'd imagine is easier to do since you know more people, hence better contacts) and just work as many hours as you can until the end of next summer. If you plan on going home most weekends, let them know you're available then also, I know a lot of people that still hold part time jobs whenever they go home at the weekends.

If you find a job in Dublin, all the better. Just remember that you want to enjoy college life too and not be forced to spend every non-lecture time in the workplace.

That said, Communications does have very light hours so that would automatically make you more available than other college students. Its just something to consider.

nips2

i know there's a slim chance of failing a module in communications, but if it did happen, what happens next considering there's no exams???

Daysha

nips2 wrote: »

i know there's a slim chance of failing a module in communications, but if it did happen, what happens next considering there's no exams???

I've wondered that myself. Hopefully neither of us will find out the answer!

irishmonkey

hey lads,

really considering taking this course in september.
been reading up on course content etc, getting really excited about it.

but, im totally torn between this course, and film & tv in IADT.

I just this course would be more enjoyable as its in a larger college, there's nearly three times as many students in this course.
And then of course, the societys; media, drama etc. Radio and dcu tv.

anyone have any advice?

mehfesto2

nips2 wrote: »

i know there's a slim chance of failing a module in communications, but if it did happen, what happens next considering there's no exams???

You just repeat whatever you have failed.
So if it was an assignment *usually* you would get the same topic/list of question titles to repeat. With regards to failing an attendance based class, well I dont know. But lets be honest if anyne fails that, there's questions to be asked about going to college anyway!

9wetfckx43j5rg

Ok I'm still only on page 20 of this thread so bear with me! I was looking for discussion on this course, didn't expect to find this...

Up to three weeks ago I knew nothing about this course, but now thanks to goodgodhomes I'm applying for it in May!

DCU seems a deadly college, I'm looking forward to it and hope I get offered this course!

From being content to get 300 odd points in the LC I now suddenly need 400+!

Heres a question to all the past students. how much money did you have to fork out for this course? I've no idea what college costs....

giveliberty

Jairo Prehistoric Keystroke wrote: »

Ok I'm still only on page 20 of this thread so bear with me! I was looking for discussion on this course, didn't expect to find this...

Up to three weeks ago I knew nothing about this course, but now thanks to goodgodhomes I'm applying for it in May!

DCU seems a deadly college, I'm looking forward to it and hope I get offered this course!

From being content to get 300 odd points in the LC I now suddenly need 400+!

Heres a question to all the past students. how much money did you have to fork out for this course? I've no idea what college costs....

That really depends on a few things.....whether you want to live on campus etc. But academically, not much - First Year Social Studies - you are advised to purchase Giddens Sociology - Its a massive book, but comes in handy for a few other subjects down the line - there are plenty of copies in the Library - but I see it as a sound investment.

Otherwise you will do plenty of photocopying - that would be the only other recurring expense. The amount of printing you do is limited to usually articles in Semester 2 and the actual printing of the essays at xmas time.

One thing about this course is that you really only get shown how to use certain equipment and software once - after that its up to you to get the finger out and learn. The problem is as first years we cant actually borrow equipment unless you are in MPS (Media Production Society) - which brings me on to my next cost of this course. If you really want to get the most of this course you need to join a number of societies, namley MPS, StyleSoc, Fotosoc, The College View, DramaSoc etc - you don't have join them all, bust seriously it will help you make friends and you can get involved in TV and radio and the college newspaper and therefore actually get to put into practice what you learn in the lecture hall. Societies cost a few euro to join, can't remember exactly how much.

I have no regrets at all doing this course - it sometimes annoys me as some of the labs are old, no bloody heating!!!! and some of the things they teach us; well to me they aren't relevant to what I want to do, but I'm sure it is to someone.

Lecturers you will love include Des McGuinness - who we all want to take home with us, Eoin Campbell, who tries to be funny, and is a all round nice guy. I will be shot for saying this but I think Jim Rogers is actually a really sound guy (and very interesting to listen too) and Seamus Sweeney - you may have him for Prospectives on (Popular) Culture - he's worth a few laughs.

There are a few other lecturers who IMHO are a bit pushy with their own political affiliations, which can be embarrassing sometimes, but they are all nice people - Daren Drysdale is another good guy - you will have him for Psychology and Team Dynamics - just beware of his Pop Quizzes - don't miss them!!

>>>>>> To my class, anyone made their mind up at all what stream you want to take next year. I know Video is really popular - I'm still tossing between it and Audio!

mehfesto2

Im doing Photography/Imaging... but sure you knew that anyway! :pac:

loumac

Daysha wrote: »

I've wondered that myself. Hopefully neither of us will find out the answer!

Hi there, You have to pick it up the following year and repeat the module with the year behind you. if it's your last year, you may get an essay to do over the Summer holidays. Not 100% on final year details. Check with education & welfare. Hope this helps!

DowneyBookGirl

giveliberty wrote: »

>>>>>> To my class, anyone made their mind up at all what stream you want to take next year. I know Video is really popular - I'm still tossing between it and Audio!

VIDEO
& I've been working my bum off because of it. There's such a huge number gunning for video this year, I'm really trying to keep my grades at a good standard.
I think that's partly because of Eoin Campbell. He definitely focused more so on video than either photography or audio, so its natural people grew to like it.
I dunno what I'll do if I don't get it.

loumac

irishmonkey wrote: »

hey lads,

really considering taking this course in september.
been reading up on course content etc, getting really excited about it.

but, im totally torn between this course, and film & tv in IADT.

I just this course would be more enjoyable as its in a larger college, there's nearly three times as many students in this course.
And then of course, the societys; media, drama etc. Radio and dcu tv.

anyone have any advice?

Hi there,
Having attended Balllyfermot film school and currently in DCU doing Journalism. I may be able to help. Firstly, what exactly are you interested in? DCU is a University, so yes there are many societies, however in film school you will be soooooo busy working on productions as various stages you may as well be in a society! If you are really interested in a specific area of film, say camera, you will get more of a hands on experience in IADT. DCU offers degrees so do bear in mind there is academic criteria which must be met. e.g Many 2,500 word essays on topics ranging from psychology to communication theory.

The second thing to bear in mind is the cursed F word. More than ever making your mind up is important, as a change of mind is going to set you back an extra year of fees.

If you are still not sure, no harm in taking a year out and getting some work experience to decide. Regardless of what you decide there will be plenty of options and interesting subjects to choose from. If you want more info PM me your email address.
Hoe this helps and happy deciding!

Daysha

I'm leaning towards video myself. I already know a bit about audio and photo editing so I'm thinking just do something I've never done before and just give it a shot.