Successful flexible entry application to USYD's BA (Media and Communications) (1 Viewer)

jaimebien

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I just received the good news that I got into USYD's BA (Media and Communications). Now, my UAI was 96.75 but together with my written application and portfolio, I have made it!

For anyone interested, I am posting some things I learnt about the flexible entry (and also about the Broadway scheme) and also some tips that are not shown on the USYD website. I know that everyone's really caught up with uni offers now and this may be outdated for my peers, but I feel it'll be useful for future students and I want to write it while it's fresh in my mind. (When I was preparing my entry, there was very little information available here.) Hopefully this thread will still be visible next year for hopefuls.

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Why BA (Media and Communications) at USYD?
A common question asked by students wishing to pursue journalism (especially here in Sydney) is whether USYD or UTS would be a better place to study for journalism. The truth is, in journalism, your work experience counts more than your degree. (In fact, you can be a journalist without a university degree. Popular freelance journalist Sam de Brito, who authors the blog All Men Are Liars and comes from a family of journalists, is a good example.)

Having said that, one of the most significant choices I had to make after getting my UAI was between USYD's BA (Media and Communications) and UTS' BA Communications (Journalism).

A quick rundown:

BA (Media and Communications) @ USYD
-UAI cut-off in 2009 is 98.45*
-4 year course. If you wish to pursue a post-graduate degree in America (as many people do), your undergraduate degree in journalism has to have been at least 4 years long.
-May be combined with Law (UAI 99.55)
-Was revamped in response to many journalism degree around Australia (see UTS below). In particular, it seeks to provide students with a broader understanding an appreciation of the arts.
-Work experience completed in the final year of the degree. Arguably, students are less well-equipped then as they have to learn on the job.

BA Communications (Journalism) @ UTS
-UAI cut-off in 2009 is 95.05
-3 year course
-May be combined with Law (UAI 97.20) or International Studies (UAI 95.30). Combining Journalism with either Law or International Studies will make your double degree a 5 year course.
-Combining with Law offers an understanding of legal boundaries which would be useful in journalism.
-In combining with International Studies, you learn another language and another culture, which will enable you to move into foreign correspondence in future.
-Work experience is built up over the course of your degree.
-Unlike USYD's degree, this degree has is highly specialised with little or no focus on literature or the arts.
-Essentially, this degree is very focused on producing a journalist ready for the workforce.

*all UAIs listed are for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Why I chose USYD finally
As a writer, I felt it was important to have a solid education in literature that only USYD would be able to provide. At the end of the day, to be a journalist, work experience counts more than anything and even though USYD does not provide as strong a journalism degree as UTS, I felt that I would be able to get work experience on my own throughout my degree anyway. Hence, USYD provided the right balance between journalism and arts in general for me.

What is flexible entry?
If your UAI is 5 points below the cut-off, you are eligible to apply for flexible entry to USYD's BA (Media and Communications) course. (International students are ineligible.) This involves submitting a personal statement and a portfolio of relevant work.

Forms for flexible entry application are available from September and must be returned to USYD's art faculty early January (generally the day UAC preferences for the main round offers must be finalised).

I'm told by lecturers that if you submit your flexible application but your UAI is below the cut-off, that they do not really consider your UAI with your application. Rather, they consider the merit of your portfolio, work experience and your personal statement.

Allocation of places
There are about 90-100 places in the course. Each year, about a dozen of these places are allocated to flexible entry entrants and about half a dozen are allocated to ACCESS students. It is important to note that these places are allocated, so that the UAI cut-off only applies to the rest of the students. It means that your chances with flexible entry do not depend on whether there are vacancies, but on your merit in your statement and your portfolio.


A note about ACCESS students. These are students who apply through UAC by the end of Septemeber because of extreme circumstances they may have faced during the year or two leading up to the HSC. If deemed deserving, they become eligible for the ACCESS scheme. By the time UAC applications close in September, if they have placed at least one USYD course amongst their preferences and they are later eligible for ACCESS, they will then be eligible for USYD's Broadway scheme.

If you qualify for the Broadway scheme, it means that even if your UAI is 5 points under the cut-off, you may still be eligible for consideration. This is not a guarantee of admission. After UAC preferences for the main round close, the university will gather the names of Broadway applicants who also applied for BA (Media and Communications) and rank them in order of UAI. Half a dozen or so students usually enter through this scheme, meaning the top half a dozen Broadway students will gain entry.

How to order your UAC preferences
No matter what your UAI is or what the cutoff for the course is, my best advice is to arrange your UAC preferences according to how much you want to get in, not the cutoff of each of your preferences. It's impossible to overstate this. Even if you have fallen under the previous year's cutoff, there are other criteria in determining if you succeed in entering the course. This flexible entry is an example of that, where flexible entry applicants who have fallen under the cutoff are judged based on merit of their portfolio and statement, and not ranked according to UAI.

What they look for
In your application, you must demonstrate:

-work experience
-media portfolio: production, creation, presentation
-references
-personal statement

Word experience
It is any relevant work you have done in the media or public relations field, paid or unpaid. This includes any publicity you may have done for local charity or school events, or, more commonly for people our age, a website you may have been involved in (including designing, writing for it or just managing it in general). If you have made an contacts in the media industry, list them down (and also in the references section--see below) as they may be able to corroborate your work and also provide your statement with weight.

If, up to this point, you have had little or no experience, you should seek to build it up after the HSC. Call around and speak to your local paper or even web design companies and ask if you can get work experience.

Media portfolio
You detailed your portfolio the bottom of the form. You do not submit any documentation other than this form or your personal statement, so list your previous achievements or relevant media work with a succinct description. Any certificates or additional documentation will be discarded. Relevant media work includes any publications in a school newspaper, press releases or even web design work.

While USYD states that any work involving fictional writing (short stories, etc) and acting does not count, lecturers at USYD personally told me to put everything in order to demonstrate your ability to just get out there. Especially if you have won any awards for this work, you should include it as it shows that people of authority recognise your ability and talent.

References
These are people who can corroborate your statements, work or achievements listed above. You should put their name, position, place of employment and telephone number. The only way USYD will verify your application is through these people. In high school, you would probably have gotten a teacher to write a reference for you.

You should put this teacher down, as well as few media contacts. By listing any people in the media industry who know your work and are willing to vouch for you, you demonstrate your aptitude and ability to network (a skill very important in this industry). These weigh more than a teacher who simply verifies information. Of course, these media contacts must be able to verify any work you have done that you have listed.

I was told by USYD lecturers that in most cases, they do not check your references. While the form states that you may only list 3 references, I went ahead and listed about 5 references (one a teacher, and the rest media contacts). There is no harm is showing off as you are competing with many other students and you want to maximise your chances of getting in.

Personal statement
This is where you impress the lecturers who will be judging your application. The limit is 3000 words and my advice is to maximise those 3000 words. There will be other out there who will do so and writing any less puts you at a disadvantage. Of course, may sure it's quality writing.

In your personal statement, you should celebrate yourself and your achievements. They will be judging you on how well you TELL A STORY.

Additionally, I would advise that even as much as you are showing off yourself, that you be honest in your writing. Think about how it would sound to the lecturers reading it. Sounding haughty and insincere would be a great turn off. On the other hand, if you write honestly, you will be able to connect with the lecturers. If they can empathise with you, you are more likely to gain a spot.

Things to include in your personal statement. You should demonstrate an understanding of:
-what media is really about - Many people seem to think it's a high flying job. It is not necessarily. Show that you know what it really involves.
-what is required for the job and for the degree
-your career aspirations and why you think this degree is best suited to your career choice
-evidence that you are one of the best candidates for such a career path - ie. highlights from your work experience and portfolio that are relevant to media and communications that demonstrate what you are able to do
-here, you expand on what you listed in the application, which includes work experience, portfolio and media contacts.
-how you gained an interest in this field
-something that everyone usually forgets: what you can contribute to the degree and the university
-remember, you are also judged on your ability to tell a story and engage your reader

Useful links
General info about the flexible scheme at USYD
More info about the flexible entry for BA (Media and Communications)
General info on BA (Media and Communications)


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Well, that was some post! But, as I said before, when I was preparing my application, there was so little information available. It was only when I spoke to the lecturers on USYD's info day in January that I found out more. You will notice that a lot of what USYD said you should not include is actually worthy to be included. Just go ahead and list everything. In the end, it's about showing your ability to move around, to get out there and to take initiatives.
 
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maz5

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Hi, I got 95.2 and am doing BA(MECO) as well. I filled out a flexible entry, but also received a merit scholarship for the Arts Faculty.

I think future years will definitely benefit from any insightful advice given! :)
 

jaimebien

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Yay! I have finally typed up everything in my brain that I know about this flexible entry. Take a look and tell me if there's anything I should add or that you've learnt, since you too were successful.
 

Rafy

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Thanks for this great post! I've moved it to the arts subforum and stickied it so it'll remain visible.
 

maz5

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That was great- it will be very helpful for those wanting to apply in the future.

I'll only make a few comments.
In terms of references- I, personally, would do what they asked. Many of the applicants would have many contacts and chose their best 3 (what I did). The previous section where you listed the work you have been involved in, it would have been obvious you would have more than three contacts.

Also, in regards to the 3,000 words, I would be careful about what you rabbit on about. My personal statement was one single page. I completely sold myself in that one page, and for many of those reading the applications, they can tell who can paint a picture of themselves in the first few paragraphs. I didn't repeat myself in regards to work experience- I only brushed over the fact I had worked in all areas of the media, and hence where I felt most at home.
I dedicated a paragraph to:
a) a critical statement of what I believe the media is, and their role in society.
b) a brief history of involvement- who I am, and why this occupation suits me
c) my career aspirations
d) why Sydney is the place for me.
All up it was 600 words long. (Keep in mind it was only 300 words max in previous years)

Anyway, they are my thoughts, everyone is different- and I suppose it is these differences which make us all unique and an interesting bunch. :)

Good luck to all those in the future.
I'd like to re-iterate what jamiebien said about not changing your preferences. After the exams I thought I had no hope of getting anywhere near high 90s, and was tempted to get rid of Sydney- but I did leave everything in order of what I wanted to do- and I got my first preference! Things find their way of working out. :)
 

jaimebien

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Just a quick reminder to anyone interested in trying out for flexible entry in this course. If you think that there's a chance you may not make the cut-off, start preparing your portfolio now! Just writing, find an internship, anything that you can manage while studying for the HSC. You might find that once your ATAR is release, that you may not make the cut-off and if your portfolio isn't in good shape, you may not have the time to build up something strong and competitive.
 

lala2

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Good work. I initially thought it was just a collection of what you did--I didn't realise it's more like a job application--references, personal statement and all. Though I'm obviously not related in any way to this field, I shall keep this in mind if any prospective students ask me.
 

jaimebien

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Good work. I initially thought it was just a collection of what you did--I didn't realise it's more like a job application--references, personal statement and all. Though I'm obviously not related in any way to this field, I shall keep this in mind if any prospective students ask me.
Yeah, it does seem like a job application, doesn't it. In case anyone is interested, you should compile a list of anything you've done that's relevant, but they don't actually examine your work specifically. That is, say you've written 3 articles for your local paper. You would list and describe them in your application, but you wouldn't attach the articles for them to read because they wouldn't read it at all. It's a shame, but I think they do get a lot of applications each year, so yeah, the ability to present and promote yourself and your work counts for a lot in these applications.
 

yoddle

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Wow I love you! Thank you so much for that information, I had no idea this flexible entry shebang existed!

I submitted my UAC application yesterday, with BA Comn (Journalism) and Int Stud at UTS as number 1 and BA (MECO) as number 2, but now I'm wringing my hands over which one I actually do want the most. The international component of the UTS program appeals to me, as does the year overseas, feeding into the ABC and the reputation of the degree. However it is also true that I want a much broader learning experience in terms of doing philosophy and social science subjects, which I find very interesting. Also USYD has a much more prestigious international reputation and I think a better scholarship program. Oh and it's only four years (as opposed to FIVE mgsyujwe)

Argh should I change my preferences?? Advice please!
Also applied for 50% scholarship to Bond for Journalism/Int.Rel
 

JesseMatheson

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If you have exceptional experiance in the field do you think they will care if your ATAR is more then 5 marks below the cut-off?
I dont think im going to get an exceptional ATAR but i have passion for Journalism...i was just never suited for the HSC. Im more practical, I know what I want to do and I have almost no interest in anything else...which really sucks.
But I have done some amazing and extensive work experiance that I hope will get me into University.
Do you think I have a shot?
 

jaimebien

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If you have exceptional experiance in the field do you think they will care if your ATAR is more then 5 marks below the cut-off?
I dont think im going to get an exceptional ATAR but i have passion for Journalism...i was just never suited for the HSC. Im more practical, I know what I want to do and I have almost no interest in anything else...which really sucks.
But I have done some amazing and extensive work experiance that I hope will get me into University.
Do you think I have a shot?
Your experience and your passion for journalism already puts you at great advantage. However, one of the criteria to apply for flexible entry is that you're within the 5 point range of the ATAR cut-off. Having said that, it seems that the department is fairly flexible with how they judge your application. When I spoke to one of the lecturers last year, she said that if you're applying through flexible entry, they don't actually judge you based on your ATAR (UAI at that time). So I guess the question is, will they agree to look at your application even if you're below the 5 points? You will need to speak with someone from the department to find out.

I think it might be a good strategy to go to Sydney Uni Live! (it's on in a few hours!), go up to one of the staff who will be there and talk to them about it. Try to emphasise your love for the field and your exceptional experience, and try to leave an impression so that they remember your name. Like seriously, just ask them for their email address and use that chance to give them your name. When you get home, send a follow-up email. It's good to be known individually, and that might go some way in helping you with your application. (Last year, at the open day in January, the day before the flexible application was due, I actually brought it in and started talking to a lecturer, Megan, who was taking care of the MECO stall. When I mentioned some of the things I'd done and that I was applying for flexible entry, she asked to take a quick look at my application. After that, she gave me some really helpful pointers, which really really helped a great deal. She also took note of my name and after I got in, I met with her to thank her for her advice.)
 

jaimebien

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Yoddle, good question! Mmm, at this point, since you're set on which direction you want to take, your major points of concern should be how and where you can study about international relations best. (The year overseas at UTS is very tempting, but remember that you can do international exchange at USYD too. More info here: Study Abroad and Student Exchange - The University of Sydney) Also, you mentioned scholarships, which in your case could be a good factor to take into consideration. At this point, it doesn't really matter what the order of your preferences are, as long as you've got them in. If I were you, I would wait until the results of the HSC AND scholarship applications are out. (Essentially, you have until January.) Meanwhile, keep investigating all your different options, so that you can make the best choice for yourself when the time comes.
 

yoddle

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Yoddle, good question! Mmm, at this point, since you're set on which direction you want to take, your major points of concern should be how and where you can study about international relations best. (The year overseas at UTS is very tempting, but remember that you can do international exchange at USYD too. More info here: Study Abroad and Student Exchange - The University of Sydney) Also, you mentioned scholarships, which in your case could be a good factor to take into consideration. At this point, it doesn't really matter what the order of your preferences are, as long as you've got them in. If I were you, I would wait until the results of the HSC AND scholarship applications are out. (Essentially, you have until January.) Meanwhile, keep investigating all your different options, so that you can make the best choice for yourself when the time comes.
Thanks for the help!
But surely it does matter what order my preferences are in, because if i make the cut off i get accepted for my number 1 and my number 1 only. ?
Also, it's September tomorrow, will the flexible entry application form/requirements be available from then?
 

JesseMatheson

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Your experience and your passion for journalism already puts you at great advantage. However, one of the criteria to apply for flexible entry is that you're within the 5 point range of the ATAR cut-off. Having said that, it seems that the department is fairly flexible with how they judge your application. When I spoke to one of the lecturers last year, she said that if you're applying through flexible entry, they don't actually judge you based on your ATAR (UAI at that time). So I guess the question is, will they agree to look at your application even if you're below the 5 points? You will need to speak with someone from the department to find out.

I think it might be a good strategy to go to Sydney Uni Live! (it's on in a few hours!), go up to one of the staff who will be there and talk to them about it. Try to emphasise your love for the field and your exceptional experience, and try to leave an impression so that they remember your name. Like seriously, just ask them for their email address and use that chance to give them your name. When you get home, send a follow-up email. It's good to be known individually, and that might go some way in helping you with your application. (Last year, at the open day in January, the day before the flexible application was due, I actually brought it in and started talking to a lecturer, Megan, who was taking care of the MECO stall. When I mentioned some of the things I'd done and that I was applying for flexible entry, she asked to take a quick look at my application. After that, she gave me some really helpful pointers, which really really helped a great deal. She also took note of my name and after I got in, I met with her to thank her for her advice.)
Awesome dude, I have emailed a few people...fingers crossed.
 

jaimebien

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Thanks for the help!
But surely it does matter what order my preferences are in, because if i make the cut off i get accepted for my number 1 and my number 1 only. ?
Also, it's September tomorrow, will the flexible entry application form/requirements be available from then?
Hey yoddle, sorry, I didn't make it clear in my previous post about preferences. Right now, UAC is opening its doors for you to put down your course preferences, which is due by 30 Sept, to be considered for early selections (How to apply through UAC Undergraduate | UAC). However, you can change your preferences or the order of preferences for the final time in January for the main round of selections, which is after HSC results come out and hopefully people get a better idea about what they want to do. You will be selected for courses based on the arrangement of your preferences in January, not at the end of September. So right now, the most important thing is that your UAC application is in order by September (ie that you've registered). And, come January, when you have a clearer idea of what you want to do, put your preferences in the order of what you'd most like to study.

It looks like they haven't put up the application on the website (http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/media/media-flexible). Maybe wait a little longer?
 
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epicmel

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Jaimebien,
Thanks for all the advice so far - it's been really useful.
But I was wondering if you could tell me some of the things you put down as work experience/ media portfolio just because I feel like some of the things I will put down sound, how do I put it, inferior? Because it's all just school based things. Anyway I just wanted to know what sort of experience you had - just to put things into perspective for me.
:)
 

jaimebien

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epicmel, school-based work is good. What did you do? Since you have until January next year, you could try looking around for more work experience.

Blogs are also good things to put down. ABC has a blog called Unleashed (Unleashed) which takes submissions from anyone in the public. Worth looking into. I had a contact there who really really wanted me to write about selective schools--well....I didn't really have anything original to say about that, so I didn't submit anything. BUT seeing as HSC results will be out shortly, the topic will be pretty timely.*hint hint* Anyone interested? Just email them a pitch--in fact, I think anything school related come HSC result time will be pretty much in demand. There'll be other people (adults) wanting to write on the topic of course, but anyone here would be a better fit since you are all students.

Here's what I included in my application:

-School newspaper--stories I wrote, my duties, contacts I made (I interviewed the local MP several times, so I put her down)

-Websites I've written for/created/designed--maybe you've written for a blog? I actually used to run a fansite for a musician and, funny thing, after the HSC, Warner Bros in Australia contacted me, met up with me for lunch and gave me free copies of the musician's latest album. I then ran a competition on my site and gave away the CDs to readers. I was pretty psyched that Warner Bros knew my website in the first place, of course, and even better, this meet gave more weight to my fansite.

-Anything I've been published in--I got a short story published in an anthology at the end of last year. It was a fictional story, yes, but still a published work.

I wasn't really involved in any PR-related work, but the application also listed things like helping to organise events for a local charity as valid examples. If you've been involved in such things, it's also worth noting them down.

When you write down something, give a summary about what you did. Try to explain how what you did contributed to the bigger picture and make sure you summary demonstrates the skills you have. Like, for the local charity example above, don't say "helped to give out flyers" because that doesn't demonstrate any valuable skills. Does that make sense?

I mentioned contacts above--that's a pretty big thing in the application. Try to think of the things you've done and people you've come to know. Call them up, ask if it's alright if you list them as contacts (note, contacts, not references). Write down how you got to know them--ideally, you made these contacts through work, not at a party.
 
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epicmel

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Wow you did so much. Looking at my list i feel like i don't really stand a chance and the unfortunate thing is i'm going away at the beginning of December so i don't have time to do work experience which is a bummer.

The things i want to put down are : Work Experience at Disney Adventures magazine, Young Achievers Australia (business program where you create a product, market and sell it to the public), Australian Business Week (simulation business program), written small articles for the school yearbook, contributed a CD review to a music website/ blog and i was a prefect (so we organised/ co-ordinated three whole school concerts)

But that Unleashed thing sounds cool. Especially since I go to a Selective School also - I'll definitely look into that. And try and write a couple more articles here and there before I leave.

As for contacts/ references - I'm running low on those! I have yet to ask people from work experience (but that was last year) and I suppose my prefect co-ordinator.

Thanks for all your help so far!
 

stylishmartin

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Thanks for the great posts! This information is crucial. I still have a year to go, but I guess it's never too early to prepare. I have had two consecutive years' work experience at Girlfriend. Since I ultimately wish to work in magazines, what do you think about it? Thanks x
 

happycupcake

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I've got a question regarding this topic... if anyone could answer it would be really helpful..

I never really considered BA Media & Comm @uSyd because of the high cutoff mark. But I have read about people who have started with a Bachlelor of Arts and then transferred into Media & Comm.
Just wondering, what majors should I do in my first year which are relevant to journalism (specifically print journalism, to write for magazines etc) and will be in the right direction towards Media & Comm? I've looked at the list of majors and I'm not really sure which would be good.

PS Anyone know of any unis in Australia (preferably Sydney) where you can do a combined degree of media/journalism/communication and psychology (besides Notre Dame)?

Thanks so much :D
 

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