JOURNALISM

Ontario College Diploma Program Code: PJRNL

Trafalgar Road Campus

Selection Process for Applicants

If you have a mark of 80% or higher in English (ENG4C or ENG4U) and meet all other

requirements, you will be automatically accepted into the program. Students with an English

grade below 80% may be accepted into the program but need to successfully complete a

supplementary questionnaire to ensure admission.

The applicant must show an aptitude for the journalism industry, have a strong grasp of the

English language and demonstrate excellent communication skills. An assessment fee is

required for the review of the questionnaire responses.

Applicants to the program will be notified by mail and their Sheridan email account. These

decisions may not be released over the phone. Fee, registration and timetable information

will follow. Classes for the fall term begin Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Instructions for Applicants

In order that we can continue to process your application, you must:

Fully answer the three questions provided in the questionnaire within three weeks of the

date of the Requirement Letter that referenced this document (ASAP preferred). The

answers should be well-written, persuasive, grammatically correct, and include the following

information:

why you believe you are a good candidate for the Journalism program, including

information about courses you’ve taken that relate to journalism or co-op

placements/volunteer work in the industry

your understanding of current events and how stories are covered by a variety of

media

specific highlights of your personal qualities and talents in relation to the journalism

profession and, particularly, your ability to work in groups

Page 1 of 4

Questionnaire

Please answer the questions below in paragraph form, using full sentences and proper

punctuation:

1. Choose a story currently in the news and describe how it is being covered by a variety

of media outlets (for example, television or radio newscast, web or newspaper stories).

What did you like about the way the story was covered; what didn’t you like? Did the

story receive too much or not enough coverage?

2. Journalism involves constant group work; describe a previous experience working in

a group. What were some of the challenges you overcame and what do you think

makes a group work successfully?

3. Please describe why journalism is the right choice for you. Please include any

courses, volunteer or other exposure to journalism as a field that informed your choice.

Please note:

Complete and enclose the Portfolio Submission Sheet provided

Enclose your typewritten questionnaire responses

Include your name, address, telephone number and student number on each

of your submissions

Enclose a certified cheque or money order for $50 in Canadian funds, payable to

Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning for the

assessment fee. Please note that US Postal money orders are not accepted. If you

have been requested to submit a portfolio for any other Sheridan program, you are

required to enclose the assessment fee once. Please include your Sheridan

student ID# on your payment

Submit your portfolio independent of any other program

Send by mail or courier (or drop off in-person) to:

Journalism Program

Sheridan College

Attn.: Nancy Heath

1430 Trafalgar Road, room A100

Oakville, ON L6H 2L1 Canada

Mobile Computer Technology: Journalism students are required to have a Sheridan

approved MacBook Pro to participate in the program. For more information, check the

Sheridan website at http://it.sheridanc.on.ca/mobile.html

Page 2 of 4

SHERIDAN COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED LEARNING

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION SHEET

Journalism

This sheet must be completed in full (please print)

Name: _____________________________Sheridan Student Number:_________________

Your mailing address:

Street and Number: _______________________________________________________

City:_______________ Prov. /State:____________ Postal Code: _________________

Home Phone:__________________ Business Phone: __________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________________

Indicate the name(s) of the program(s) you are applying to and check the box that

corresponds to program that has received or will be receiving your portfolio fee.

Program(s) you are applying to: Portfolio Fee Paid To

1. ______________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

Please remember to pay $50 (Canadian funds) for the portfolio assessment fee. Payment

can be made by certified cheque or money order and is due with the Portfolio Submission.

Certified cheques or money orders are payable to:

Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Please include your Sheridan student number on your payment.

Page 3 of 4

$50.00 paid

JOURNALISM APPLICANT ASSESSMENT FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2017/2018

APPLICANT NAME: STUDENT #

Applicants to the Journalism program will be evaluated according to academic profile score and the assessment of a personal portfolio. APPLICANT EVALUATION Score 1 Score 2 1. Writing and grammar

(10 marks)

0-3 Multiple grammatical and spelling errors, poor structure and flow

4-7 Some grammatical and spelling errors, acceptable structure and flow

8-10 Few if any grammatical or spelling errors, exceptional structure and flow

2. Exhibits knowledge of current affairs and the role of journalists in Canadian society. (10 marks)

0-3 Shows no knowledge of current events and how they are being covered by Canadian media

4-7 Shows some knowledge of current events and how they are being covered by Canadian media

8-10 Clearly shows a broad knowledge of current events and how they are being covered by Canadian media

3. Demonstrated leadership and team playing qualities (10 marks)

0-3 No examples of leadership and team playing qualities in any aspect of life

4-7 Some examples of leadership and team playing qualities displayed

8-10 Exceptional level of leadership and team playing qualities displayed

4. Suitability for a career in Journalism based on related courses taken in high school, college and/or university, or evidence of volunteer or other exposure to journalism as a field. (5 marks)

0-2 No relevant courses taken or direct experiences listed

3-4 Either a single instance of relevant coursework or experience; or several indirect courses/experiences

5 Directly relevant courses or in-depth, direct experience

Total 35

Eligible applicants will be selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement and the final score of this assessment. In the event that the number of applicants who meet the standard exceeds the number of positions available, the minimum score for admission will rise.

Page 4 of 4