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General Questions
The Application Process
Portfolio Construction
Course Information

If you cannot find a question or answer you are looking for, please contact Dr. Kryder at bizcomm@kryder.com

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General Questions back to top

1. How does the business communication emphasis differ from the technical communication and professional editing emphases?
The business communication emphasis focuses on the design and development of hardcopy and new media documents.  For example, students work individually and collaboratively on fund-raising letters, media kits, brochures, eNewsletters, procedures and proposals. Students gain experience creating a wide variety of documents commonly used in the business world. 

2. What types of commitments are involved with the minor?
Students should expect to devote a good amount of time (roughly 10 – 15 hours per week) to the minor, maintain constant contact with the professor and peers, and be prepared to commit to an internship during spring quarter (in addition to the capstone course).
                                                             

3. What types of jobs do graduates of the minor go into?
Please see the alumni page.

The Application Process back to top

4. What major should I be in order to be accepted into the minor?
Students from any major are welcome to apply to the minor.

5. Approximately what % of applicants are accepted into the Professional Writing Minor as a whole?
This varies every year. Last year (2005 - 2006) 81% of the applicants were accepted overall.  A maximum of 25 students are admitted to each track for the academic year.

6. Can I apply to more than one track?  If so, do I need to do three separate applications and portfolios?
Apply to only one track, but you are welcome to list one other track you would be interested in taking. Please explain why that track is appealing, but is a secondary choice.

7. There are a lot of writing classes.  How do I know which ones to take for the prerequisites?
Prospective students are required to take Writing 109EC and 110MK.  In addition, students are encouraged to take writing 109ST, 109L, and 109GS from the list of available writing courses. 

8. Where do I get an application?
Go to the Writing Department in South Hall, or online at http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/minor/appl/html

9. Is there a word or page limit to the "writing history" and "selected emphasis" sections of the application?
No.  However, note that the “Statement of Your Goals for Pursuing the Minor in Professional Writing” has a 300 word limit.

10. How will I know if I get in or not?
You will be notified via email within three weeks of turning in your portfolio and application.  If you have not found out prior to your pass time for registration, sign up for alternative classes until you find out.  Should you be accepted, the instructor will give you add codes for the capstone courses. 

Portfolio Construction back to top

11. Can any sort of writing sample go into my portfolio?
No.  The application form lists the specific items to include in your portfolio. The business communication emphasis has different requirements, so be sure to check with the Academic Advisor at the Writing Program. For example, no essays are accepted; we want to see a range of business documents.

12. Is there a single approach recommended for presenting my portfolio?
Most students present their portfolio in a binder with a cover page, but feel free to show creativity in your presentation.

13. When should my portfolio be completed?
Check the Professional Writing Minor website for specific dates.  Applications and portfolios are usually due by the middle of fall quarter senior year. For 2006, the deadline is October 13th.

14. If I finish my portfolio early, can I have it critiqued prior to turn in day?
If you want your portfolio critiqued, seek advice from previous writing professors. 

15. In my portfolio, is it okay if I submit written documents completed at work?
Yes, as long as they fit the requirements, it does not matter if they were completed at school or work.

16. Does it matter how long each preface is, or if they are single or double-spaced?
Try to keep the length of each preface to about a paragraph long, single-spaced.

17. What should I do if I have never completed one of the types of requested documents?
You should prepare yourself for this minor by taking 109 classes that teach this type of writing. Check with your 109 instructor to see if proposals, instructions, brochures, newsletter articles, memos or letters are a part of the curriculum.
If you lack a specific type of document, select something else and be sure to explain why this is missing.

18. If I don't get in, will I be able to get my portfolio back?
Yes. Contact the writing department.

Courses back to top

19. When do you take the required courses, and how many are there?
After the prerequisites have been completed, the two capstone courses are taken during winter and spring of the student's senior year.  The required internship is to be taken in conjunction with the spring capstone course.

20. Do the capstone courses have to be taken in succession?
Yes, during winter and spring of your senior year.

21. Can the internship be completed earlier or later than the time that I am enrolled in the capstone courses?
No, it must be completed in the spring, simultaneously with writing 157B (capstone course). 

22. Do I have to find an internship on my own, or will my instructor assist my efforts?
While finding the internship is your responsibility, your instructor will help guide you and point you in the right direction.