As a Toronto-native with a strong desire to pursue a career in the media, applying to Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts BA program was a no-brainer for me. Through my high-school internship with a leading production company, I was encouraged to apply to RTA (as it is popularly known in the industry) because it was located in Canada’s media hub and connected to virtually everyone in the business.
With my previous work experience, stellar grades, and strong essay, I thought I would be a shoo-in. I made it to the next round of cuts to the interview stage. Because I normally ace interviews, I thought this was another easy part of the process that I handled naturally and unrehearsed (some may call it unprepared).
I didn’t realize how unprepared I could have come off, until I received the small envelope in the mail. We regret to inform you that you have been put on the waiting list. Should any spots open…” blah blah blah. Rejection. After my two back-ups had accepted me with a full first-year scholarship and priority spot in the residences, I get wait-listed by the only place I want to attend. This is where I learned, it wouldn’t have hurt to come up with a better answer to the question “Why do you want to go to enroll in Radio and Television Arts?” apart from my new age BS – “I have had many opportunities fortunately pop up in my life that I have taken, and they have taken me to this path. Everyone I work with tells me I should be a great fit, and I believe it is meant to happen!” Some advice: Make sure you really know why you want to get into broadcasting, and that it is a valid reason. It should all fall into place after that.
Fortunately, spots did free up and RTA eventually accepted me. With a $4,000 merit scholarship based on my high school GPA. Very interesting turn of events, but I was not going to question it.
Upon experiencing my first week of class, however, I did question how I was waitlisted with my high GPA and work experience, while so many of my idiot peers were accepted on the first cut. I do not mean to sound arrogant, but I was in the gifted program at one of the top public schools in Toronto – I was doing a higher level of work there than what my peers were accomplishing in RTA. I guess the reputation “Rye High” held true.
Nonetheless, I found assignments easy but a little mind-numbing. Within media, adhering to formats is highly emphasized, which allowed for little creativity. Even when I performed below par by my standards, I still received high grades in relation to everyone else. This trend continued all throughout my degree. Maybe it was because I lived in a quiet residential neighborhood in North Toronto, while the majority of my peers lived close to campus in the heart of downtown Toronto, amidst a flurry of distraction. Lots of 24-hour food places to hit within a 4-block radius, and just east of Ryerson was Jarvis and Gerrard, famous for its Hooker Harvey’s (a burger joint catering to interesting clientele).
What also continued throughout my degree was the constant influx of opportunities to intern and work for national projects that were being produced in the city. By second year, I was working part time in the industry, and when I graduated I had a full time job. Needless to say, while the school assignments ranged from menial to professional-standard, I made amazing connections within the Toronto market, which prepared me to make connections in Los Angeles, where I currently reside and attend graduate school.
