The
Application Process for the Communication Major
***Applications are available, click here (MS word) or here (pdf)
Beginning in Fall 2009, students will have to apply to become PRCM majors. Applications will be accepted only during the first four weeks of each semester, i.e.,
Spring 2010: Tuesday Feb 9th, 3pm
Fall 2010: Friday Sept 17th, 3pm
Spring 2011: Tuesday Feb 8th, 3pm
No late or incomplete applications will be considered. You MUST include supporting evidence with your application.
Admission is competitive and operates on a quota basis: applicants will be ranked and a fixed number of highest ranked applications will be accepted.
Questions
What does a “good” application look
like?
My application was really good but I didn’t
get into the major. How come?
My application was denied, what should I do?
What other majors are options for me if I
don’t get into Comm?
I’m a first semester Freshman, should I apply?
I’m applying to the University of Arizona. Can
I get into the major before I arrive on campus?
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What does a “good” application
look like?
A good application will demonstrate that you have two attributes.
(a) Abilities relevant to the communication discipline – if you have previously taken communication courses and received good grades, if you have good grades in math and English courses (both of which are necessary for success in COMM), and if you have background in social science research methods or statistics, those will all help your application. Make sure that this sort of information is apparent in your application.
(b) Knowledge of the communication discipline and of the major at the University of Arizona. We want majors to know what they’re signing up for when they join our major. We are not a major that trains broadcast journalists, PR professionals, or event planners and some students are frustrated in the major when they discover this. We will be looking for students who know a little about the major and the department. You can find out more about our classes and faculty at www.comm.arizona.edu. You can learn more about the discipline by reading an introductory textbook or taking our introductory class (Comm 101). [back to top]
Good applications will also be presented professionally, will include full supporting evidence for claims (unofficial transcripts, records of SAT/ACT scores, etc.), and will demonstrate good writing skills.
My application was really good
but I didn’t get into the major. How come?
Due to limited resources in the department, only a restricted number of students can become communication majors. Some semesters it is possible that highly qualified students will be shut out because the number of applications far exceeds our capacity. [back to top]
My application was denied, what should I
do?
If you are early in your college career (Freshman/Sophomore) and this was your first application then you can apply again. Before you re-apply you should probably consider what might have been weak points in your application and improve those (see question above on what constitutes a good application). However, you should also probably consider what other majors might be available (see question below).
If this was your second application, or if you are a Junior/Senior, then you need to look for another major immediately. You cannot apply again for the major, and your graduation will be delayed if you decide to try. You should consult with all the resources on campus that can help you select a new major—consider starting with www.advising.arizona.edu [back to top]
What other majors are options for me if I
don’t get into Comm?
There are a huge number of options for you on this campus – a first step might be to go to: http://www.arizona.edu/degrees/undergrad-degrees.php and see if anything on the list looks interesting to you. The “closest” majors to Communication include Linguistics, Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Family Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. Be aware that some of these majors (particularly Journalism, Psychology and Political Science) are also very popular and hence you may struggle to get seats in classes. Some may also have entry requirements which might slow you down. Depending on your specific interests, you could also consider majoring in Women’s Studies, Philosophy, History, Geography, Creative Writing, English, or many other majors on campus. Again, use the resources on campus that can help you, starting with www.advising.arizona.edu [back to top]
I’m a first semester Freshman, should
I apply?
If you have extensive qualifications from high school that are relevant to the discipline of communication, and you have excellent standardized test scores in English and math, then you could apply in your first semester. However, we would recommend that you take a semester or two to work on general education and perhaps take the introductory communication course (COMM 101), and then apply. This will give you the opportunity to explore other potential majors, and perhaps to find out more about the discipline of communication. [back to top]
I’m applying to the University of
Arizona. Can I get into the major before I arrive on campus?
Typically, you cannot. You must apply to the major once you arrive on campus. However, if you are a transfer student who has already completed a number of communication classes, you should discuss your individual situation with a communication advisor during your university orientation. Otherwise, if you want to have a major declared before you arrive on campus, consider some of the other options described above. [back to top]
Links: Communication
Department (undergraduate information)