Interview - M.A Journalism

Tusky · 11-05-2010 11:47AM #1

Got en email yesterday saying that Ive got an interview for this course. First of all, does everyone get an interview or are they only given to applications which they liked in some way ?

Secondly, can anyone give me any pointers on what to expect ?

Cheers.

Ooonie · 12-05-2010 11:15AM

Hi Tusky,

Nope, not everyone gets an interview. Only the applicants that the college want to see more of. I've gotten an interview for DCU myself, and would love to hear some pointers on what to expect as well. I'm feeling nervous about it and have no idea what they may ask. I also applied for the M.A in Journalism in DIT too, has anyone heard anything back about that yet?

Innisfallen · 13-05-2010 01:59PM

Interviews are there for some courses to make sure you are actually interested.

Have something good on why that particular course, why DCU, and what experience and interests in the area you have, and your sorted...

Tusky · 13-05-2010 05:21PM

Innisfallen wrote: »

Interviews are there for some courses to make sure you are actually interested.

Have something good on why that particular course, why DCU, and what experience and interests in the area you have, and your sorted...

Journalism (as far as I know) is notoriously difficult though. They get lots of applications and theres only something like 12-15 places.

beanyb · 16-05-2010 04:20PM

There are definitely more than 12-15 places. I'm doing another masters in the school of communications and I was in some classes with MAJ students, and there was at least 30 of them.

Tusky · 16-05-2010 11:13PM

beanyb wrote: »

There are definitely more than 12-15 places. I'm doing another masters in the school of communications and I was in some classes with MAJ students, and there was at least 30 of them.

Hmm - In that case I was misinformed. I was told a maximum of 15 places.

mccarn22 · 17-05-2010 12:14AM

Tusky wrote: »

Got en email yesterday saying that Ive got an interview for this course. First of all, does everyone get an interview or are they only given to applications which they liked in some way ?

Secondly, can anyone give me any pointers on what to expect ?

Cheers.

It is one of the most competitive courses out there... im in my undergrade and am totally put off an MA in Jour... its very difficult to "stand out from the crowd" as such...
experience in journalism is the main thing they look for... I feel that DCU are looking for the 'creme de la creme' of students to up their recognition... although in my books, they don't need to...

also creative writing, self expression would be other qualities they'd look at... i heard the mention of 'Gonzo' journalism.... or new journalism... been mentioned as a new up and coming trend.. don't quote me on that.. just canteen talk..

good luck with the interview.

Tusky · 19-05-2010 02:15PM

mccarn22 wrote: »

It is one of the most competitive courses out there... im in my undergrade and am totally put off an MA in Jour... its very difficult to "stand out from the crowd" as such...
experience in journalism is the main thing they look for... I feel that DCU are looking for the 'creme de la creme' of students to up their recognition... although in my books, they don't need to...

also creative writing, self expression would be other qualities they'd look at... i heard the mention of 'Gonzo' journalism.... or new journalism... been mentioned as a new up and coming trend.. don't quote me on that.. just canteen talk..

good luck with the interview.

Thanks for the input.

RichTea · 20-05-2010 10:35AM

I'm down for this interview as well. Bit of a mundane and unimportant question but does anyone know if there is a dress code for this interview or is it just a case of wear whatever you usually wear?

Choc123 · 21-05-2010 01:21PM

I would dress well but that's just going on knowing what the interviewers are like and will expect from being in the BAJ.
Probably one of the most intense and heavy programmes in DCU, being trained to be a journalist in one year is tall order in my view.

RichTea · 21-05-2010 03:21PM

Choc123 wrote: »

I would dress well but that's just going on knowing what the interviewers are like and will expect from being in the BAJ.
Probably one of the most intense and heavy programmes in DCU, being trained to be a journalist in one year is tall order in my view.

Great, thanks.

Tusky · 23-05-2010 02:24PM

Choc123 wrote: »

Probably one of the most intense and heavy programmes in DCU, being trained to be a journalist in one year is tall order in my view.

Yikes...I'm hoping to work as well as doing the masters. Do you think this is unrealistic ?

Choc123 · 24-05-2010 10:35AM

Well it will all depend on how much of a social life you want to have

.
Ah I'm sure you'll be grand to work, as I said I'm only in the BAJ but I do know a good few in the Masters this year and they were often so nackered with the workload in parlicular come November when it really builds up.

Barlett · 25-05-2010 01:36AM

It's fine just know why you want to be a journalist, be aware of the difficulties facing the print industry and the stuff said above and you'll be fine!

Tusky · 25-05-2010 12:35PM

Just back from it now - went well...I think! Hard to know really. They both said 'excellent' at the end but I wouldn't read too much into that. Between 100 - 150 applications in total. Fingers crossed anyway and thanks to everyone for input.

Barlett · 25-05-2010 01:05PM

What kind of questions did they ask you? 150 apps seems higher than usual!

RichTea · 25-05-2010 03:25PM

Barlett wrote: »

What kind of questions did they ask you? 150 apps seems higher than usual!

They're quite individualised.

Tusky · 25-05-2010 05:19PM

RichTea wrote: »

They're quite individualised.

I dont suppose you had your interview at around 12:15 ? I was sitting in the wrong place, directly outside the room and so could hear someone talking about a world cup blog...and also something about South Africa ?

If it was you, I also heard everything they said about you after you left

RichTea · 25-05-2010 10:20PM

Tusky wrote: »

I dont suppose you had your interview at around 12:15 ? I was sitting in the wrong place, directly outside the room and so could hear someone talking about a world cup blog...and also something about South Africa ?

If it was you, I also heard everything they said about you after you left

Oh were you the guy who was moved on? I was the lad in the grey, so I was one of the last in. I didn't actually mention my blog (probably should have in hindsight).

Tusky · 25-05-2010 10:51PM

RichTea wrote: »

Oh were you the guy who was moved on? I was the lad in the grey, so I was one of the last in. I didn't actually mention my blog (probably should have in hindsight).

No, dont think that was me. I was there at around 12:30.

RichTea · 25-05-2010 10:52PM

Tusky wrote: »

No, dont think that was me. I was there at around 12:30.

Would have been about then actually.

Tusky · 26-05-2010 04:30PM

RichTea wrote: »

Would have been about then actually.

hmm - I wasnt moved on though, so dont think it was me.

I just got an email from the post graduate application center, notifying me of a status update to my application - "Congratulations. You have been offered a place on this programme. Further Information (**READ FIRST**)"

I'm a bit suspicious that it might be an error, as my interview was only yesterday and they said they would reply within three weeks.

RichTea · 26-05-2010 05:50PM

Tusky wrote: »

hmm - I wasnt moved on though, so dont think it was me.

I just got an email from the post graduate application center, notifying me of a status update to my application - "Congratulations. You have been offered a place on this programme. Further Information (**READ FIRST**)"

I'm a bit suspicious that it might be an error, as my interview was only yesterday and they said they would reply within three weeks.

Got one as well. Quite surprised because I thought the interview wasn't great.

RichTea · 26-05-2010 06:13PM

Just wondering - if you have applied for both MA Journalism and MA International Journalism Studies and have been offered for MA Journalism is it possible to swap preferences at this late stage?

Not that I'm actually planning on doing so, I'm looking to keep my options open for as long as possible.

Ooonie · 26-05-2010 08:49PM

I got offered a place too, which I'm pretty surprised about as I thought my interview didn't go too great. They literally kept me in for five minutes, and handed me back my portfolio at the end (I assumed they were going to keep them..). To be honest I was expecting it to be a rejection when I saw that my PAC status has changed.

I'm kind of like "hmm...maybe someone made a mistake?" I don't know!

Tusky · 26-05-2010 10:16PM

RichTea wrote: »

Got one as well. Quite surprised because I thought the interview wasn't great.

Ooonie wrote: »

I got offered a place too, which I'm pretty surprised about as I thought my interview didn't go too great. They literally kept me in for five minutes, and handed me back my portfolio at the end (I assumed they were going to keep them..). To be honest I was expecting it to be a rejection when I saw that my PAC status has changed.

I'm kind of like "hmm...maybe someone made a mistake?" I don't know!

Congratulations to the both of you! Are either of yea applying for grants ? The realization that I now have to get 8k together is quite grim.

Strange that they gave you back your portfolio - they took mine. Do either of yea know how many places there are on the course, because I know there were between 100-150 applicants.

RichTea · 26-05-2010 10:25PM

Tusky wrote: »

Congratulations to the both of you! Are either of yea applying for grants ? The realization that I now have to get 8k together is quite grim.

Strange that they gave you back your portfolio - they took mine. Do either of yea know how many places there are on the course, because I know there were between 100-150 applicants.

I didn't know we had to bring a portfolio.

There's usually about 25-30 people on the course, not including the International Journalism Studies students.

Sure I might see you guys in September!

Ooonie · 27-05-2010 10:43AM

Yeah, eight grand is a bit steep, but I think the reason why its a bit more expensive compared to other Masters is the fact that its so sought after, and the work experience is a big attraction.

I'm still a little bit shocked that we heard back so quickly, but at least this means we don't have to endure a horrible 2/3 week wait (I hate waiting for stuff!)

Congrats guys, and I'll probably see you in September

jdivision · 27-05-2010 04:36PM

RichTea wrote: »

There's usually about 25-30 people on the course, not including the International Journalism Studies students.

anybody know how many come in through that? As a BA graduate a decade ago I'm seriously concerned by the number of BA and MA graduates coming out of DCU, particularly given standards seem to have slumped (I've said this numerous times so if you're new to here take it with the grain of salt it may deserve, you make your own luck despite what one or two on here would have you believe)

monument · 29-05-2010 01:07PM

mccarn22 wrote: »

experience in journalism is the main thing they look for... I feel that DCU are looking for the 'creme de la creme' of students to up their recognition... although in my books, they don't need to...

They do.

Other colleges -- such as DIT -- seem to have a better rep, and, as jdivision says, there's the view that standards have been down from DCU.

It's worth noting that opinions on this are mixed. And there's also the view that journalism degrees are not needed. Even people with journalism degrees I've talked to say that experience counts and is counted far more than a degree.

jdivision wrote: »

anybody know how many come in through that?

If it's anything like the MA than the majority do. Although there are always some of those who have decided to go a different direction, related or unrelated.

jdivision wrote: »

As a BA graduate a decade ago I'm seriously concerned by the number of BA and MA graduates coming out of DCU particularly given standards seem to have slumped

In DCU alone you have the following:

- BA in Journalism
- BA in Irish and Journalism (small class)
- MA in Journalism
- MA in International Journalism Studies

And you have Communications from which a few will want to be journalists.

jdivision wrote: »

(I've said this numerous times so if you're new to here take it with the grain of salt it may deserve, you make your own luck despite what one or two on here would have you believe)

Plus one to that.

There's people who have said to me that it's unfair to give what I think is a realistic view of the industry to people who want to become journalists. But anybody wanting to study journalism should be told things such as the state of the industry, the high graduate output of colleges, the lack of staff jobs and the need to freelance for years, the depressing amount of new graduates and others who will work for free for way too long, that there's no great need for a journalism degree etc.

RichTea · 02-06-2010 12:53AM

Hi, you know the way in the course requirements it says you need a "second class honours" degree. Does that mean they accept 2.2s if they have already offered you a place conditionally?

Tusky · 02-06-2010 03:14PM

RichTea wrote: »

Hi, you know the way in the course requirements it says you need a "second class honours" degree. Does that mean they accept 2.2s if they have already offered you a place conditionally?

As far as I am aware a 2.2 or higher is what they are after.

RichTea · 03-06-2010 10:36AM

Tusky wrote: »

As far as I am aware a 2.2 or higher is what they are after.

Excellent. Grazie. I had heard on the grapevine that they wanted 2.1s. I guess I'm a step closer to going to DCU so.

Interview - M.A Journalism

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