Transferring to DCU- Communications

MsDarcy

Hey guys..

Just inquiring about transferring to DCU to do either communications or Journalism. I'm just finishing up first year in NUI Maynooth where I was doing English, History and Medieval Irish and cultural studies. Really enjoyed the year but I know my gut that I really want to study media/Journalism.

Does anybody know what their stance is on taking transfer students? Do they have many applicants..how much do they take on? etc..

Would I stand a chance against students applying from the Ballyfermot media courses? I know the year I've spent wasn't directly to do with Journalism/communications but having looked at the modules etc in detail some of it definitely overlaps which was a nice surprise.

Is it a matter of persuading/demonstrating my passion for writing and the media?... Could I slip one or two un-published sample articles in the application envelope just to demonstrate my writing abilities? I wasn't extremely academic in school, I achieved 375points and a B2 in English (which on par the LC requirements) so I hope they mightn't take that into account but rather what I've learned this year in Maynooth.


Sorry for all the questions... Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Ps: I'm fully aware of the lack jobs in Journalism/Media but the way its seems be is that it's the same everywhere I may as well take the chance when I'm young and have no family depending on me!...at least this is what I'm telling myself

phasers

Ps: I'm fully aware of the lack jobs in Journalism/Media but the way its seems be is that it's the same everywhere I may as well take the chance when I'm young and have no family depending on me!...at least this is what I'm telling myself

Ah there was no need to throw that in, some of us are Communications students in denial you know!

MsDarcy

Haha .. I was just expecting to get a load of "don't bother ..no jobs etc" so I thought I'd save them the hassle

Any thoughts of whether I should leave my cosy nest in Maynooth and take a risk?... I am mainly looking for other people in denial to convince me by saying "YESSSSS go for it.. feck the recession and all its no job stories"


But some honest answers would suffice also :cool:

Benny Lava

There was just one thing that DCU failed to make obvious in the prospectus.

CS isn't exactly what you would call a serious course.


Maybe second year will be better but some of the modules we had this year were pure tripe!

MsDarcy

Yeah have been lurking through old threads and get that impression. Have a friend in 1st year cs and she loves it so far. I gather its the type of course what you put in you get out.

Think I'm give that Des Mc Guiness chap an email in the morning and ask about the transfers etc.

Benny Lava

He's a sound man.

If there were 80 places at the beginning there is less than 80 now because there were at least three dropouts.

phasers

Go for it! To be honest CS1 was ridiculous (good fun though), we didn't really do much. You could catch up in one weekend if you wanted
Learn the basics of Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Garageband and php web design and you're right up to speed (We use Macs A LOT by the way, if you haven't used them get some practise)

Join us in CS2! It's when we move more into our chosen specialties - audio, video or photography. I can't wait!

Des is really lovely, he'll help you as much as he can.

Definitely go for it. I'm not sure about DCU but when my brother wanted to transfer to Maynooth from another college they took his college experience into account

MsDarcy

Might sound weird but I think I'd actually like to start from the start !! Although there is definitely some of the modules I could be fine without as they are quite similar to things I've done in history and English this year. They might perhaps let me take one of the Journo modules like the American politics one which sounds brilliant...

Saying all this now and I mightn't even have a hope of getting in haha :pac:

mehfesto

Im in CS2 now myself - transferred from nursing.
First year is good if you havnt a clue of any technical stuff and it eases you into the academic side of things too. CS2 is where the fun is at.

But it is a course where you only get out of it what you put in. A lot of people just turn up to class and be done with it. Some people put in lots of extra hours to DCUfm,(including a certain mod around here ), MPS or outside college stuff and have been reaping the rewards already for it. There's people working for magazines, webistes, broadsheet newspapers, radio stations, television shows and more in my class. So don't think it's all alcoholics! There's a lot of commited people in the year.

There are jobs out there if you want it in any field. If you're looking for a good time and want to drink etc, do it - it's easy to pass lots of the exams/assignments, but don't be disappointed when you've **** all to show for it in three years time.

If you've covered similar topics to the ones already in fist year, you can get an exemption for some classes. Having done phychiatric nursing modules, I didn't have to do psychology, etc. So if you do get in have a word with Des about it. Makes life a little handier - gives you more time to study for other things too!

At the end of the day, you're best of doing a course in what you don't mind putting the hours in for - It's why I left nursing. This course allows to better myself in a field where I actually want to work.

MsDarcy

Thanks Mehfesto .. did you reaply through the CAO or directly to DCU to transfer?

Yeah def would like to get involved with the like of the MPS, DCUFM and the drama soc ... Although I'm trying not to get to excited lol ... Have to pass these exams first and foremost

mehfesto

MsDarcy wrote: »

Thanks Mehfesto .. did you reaply through the CAO or directly to DCU to transfer?

Yeah def would like to get involved with the like of the MPS, DCUFM and the drama soc ... Although I'm trying not to get to excited lol ... Have to pass these exams first and foremost

I transfered internally. I passed my exams and then had an interview with Debbie Ging. Think Des will be doing the interviews this time 'round. It was basically just to make sure you were really interested in the course.

It's not as scary as it all sounds though!

OctavarIan

mehfesto wrote: »

I transfered internally. I passed my exams and then had an interview with Debbie Ging. Think Des will be doing the interviews this time 'round. It was basically just to make sure you were really interested in the course.

It's not as scary as it all sounds though!

Do you know if interviews are mandatory for all applicants? I'm applying to transfer into Multimedia (Comms as 2nd choice), but I won't be in the country for most of the summer so I can't physically attend any interviews.

I more than meet the entry requirements though so do you think they'd settle for even a phone interview?

mehfesto

OctavarIan wrote: »

Do you know if interviews are mandatory for all applicants? I'm applying to transfer into Multimedia (Comms as 2nd choice), but I won't be in the country for most of the summer so I can't physically attend any interviews.

I more than meet the entry requirements though so do you think they'd settle for even a phone interview?

Can't imagine why not, but I wouldn't really know. They asked me nothing that couldnt have been answered over the phone, but they might want to have a goo at you. Make sure your not a sketchy fecker, like.

I'd get onto them asap, make out that you're uber enthusiastic and really, really want it. Tell them your situation and see what happens. I know of at least one person who didn't meet some requirements (LC points) who got into their course after a transfer, when they persuaded them that they *REALLY* wanted it. Might be an idea!

MsDarcy

Thanks for all the info! I iniatially emailed the journalism co-ordinator and he got back to me there yesterday. Told me i obviously had to pass all my exams with a few honours ...feck!!:eek: .... gotta get the head in the books so. Also aparently regarding the mature students only one in ten applicants get called for an interview so god only knows what the chances are for me ... although this was for journalism so it might (well i hope) different with communications!