Public Relations portfolio
This page offers detailed information about what's required in your portfolio as part of your application to the Public Relations program. Information on the program itself can be found on the Public Relations program page.
Applying to the Public Relations program? The program’s admission requirements include a portfolio submission.
Public Relations students should be able to communicate ideas in verbal form. The form and content of your portfolio are very important. Your portfolio helps NSCC evaluate your abilities to ensure you have a reasonable probability of success in this program and demonstrates your potential to build on your skills during the program.
If your portfolio is not successful, deficiencies will be noted and you will be given the opportunity to address them and re-submit your application, as time permits.
Portfolio contents
Your portfolio consists of the following items, to be submitted digitally. Early preparation and submission are recommended.
- An original, 300-word (minimum length) essay on why you would like to pursue an education and career in public relations.
- 3 additional writing samples (not including your original essay) for assessment. Writing samples that reflect your experience in a variety of styles are of particular interest and can include business writing, academic papers, journalistic writing or any public relations or promotional pieces you’ve written.
Note that any violations of our Academic Integrity Policy could impact your ability to enter this program.
How to submit your portfolio
To submit your portfolio:
- Collect all files and merge them into 1 PDF document.
- Each portfolio section must be clearly labelled using the titles “Essay” and “Writing sample 1”, "Writing sample 2" and "Writing sample 3".
- Your assignments must be added under their respective titles.
- Send your PDF as an attachment to . Add “Public Relations portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number and the program you are applying to in the body of the email.
Note that you may not alter your portfolio once it has been submitted (it will be screen captured to ensure it hasn’t been modified in any way).
| Excellent | Above Average | Average | Below Average | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original essay Understanding of personal essay topic: To what extent did the applicant demonstrate a clear understanding of the question and respond with details about their experience? |
In-depth understanding: key ideas related to the question are identified and fully defined; applicant relates their personal experience or reflection | Key concepts related to the question are adequately identified and defined; applicant draws on some personal experience or reflection | Key concepts are partially identified and defined; little to no personal reflection | Relies heavily on topic research with no evidence of personal reflection or experience. | Doesn’t answer the question |
| Original thinking relative to personal essay topic: To what extent was the original thinking relative to the subject? | Fully relative to the topic with no errors | Mostly relative to the topic with only one or two errors | Partially relative to topic with more than 3 errors | Somewhat relative with significant errors | Not relative to the topic |
| Writing samples | Writing samples show a breadth of writing styles; applicant’s role in creating each piece is identified; all sources credited | Some breadth in writing samples; applicant’s role in developing most pieces is identified; some sources credited. | Writing samples are similar in nature; one or two sources credited | Writing samples are similar; no sources credited | Writing samples appear to have been written specifically to apply to the program; Sources unclear |
| Agree | Somewhat Agree | Disagree | |||
| Overall Submissions are neat with few typos |
|||||
| Submissions are clearly written with proper paragraph breaks, clear transitions and logical flow | |||||
| No sentence fragments |
Contact us
For inquiries and assistance, contact