Mary Imacculate College: to go or not to go?

derryo

Hi, I'm a leaving cert student considering going to Mary I. I've heard conflicting rumours about it however. Some people say that its a hole with no facilities or social life, while others say its a nice small college with lots to do. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.

bazz26

My sister went to Mary I, she loved it.

limerick_man

Yeah, I know two people who've gone and both loved it!

Fast_Mover

Replied to this already in the Teaching and Lecturing forum:)

JohnnyBalls

I went there and soon left.

It depends entirely on what type of person you are, for a start are you male or female? The female population far exceeds the male one (7 girls to 1 boy) and that creates a huge social imbalance.

Secondly, if your the type who likes the 'real college' experience Mary I is not for you. There is no social venue on campus i.e. Bar and nightlife is restricted to union organised nights out or the friends you make.

Alot of students there are firmly dedicated to their courses and not much else. If your studious and like the school atmosophere of the place (teacher, classroom, prefab etc) then that suits you.

Dont believe anyone that says you'll spend alot of time in U.L. you WONT.

The infastructure there is terrbile. A building fit for 1000 students catering for 2,500. If your into sports and enjoy the feel of campus go to U.L.

Also there is an annoying gap between B.eds and Ba.s which can border on ridiculous.

It really is down to yourself, view the place first, see what you think. In terms of the course you havent specified what you intend doing but by and large the courses offered are of a high standard and the B.A. is considered one of the better ones out of the 7 universities that offer it.

Best of luck in tyour choice!

Liam Byrne

In terms of the course you havent specified what you intend doing but by and large the courses offered are of a high standard and the B.A. is considered one of the better ones out of the 7 universities that offer it

I love the way that came last, almost as an afterthought. Surely that's the most important part if someone wants to become a teacher, with everything else secondary ?

I'm living nearby and the facilities are improving; new extension nearly finished, new student accommodation at the side gate, and Scotts bar in between the two catering for the nightlife; not "on-campus" but as close as physically possible - just across the road.

limerick_man

B. Ed is for teachers!

Yeah, I remember one guy saying that the B.Ed's are generally stuck up and the B.A's are normal studenty type which creates a slight devide, although he was a guy so the ratio thing was a plus for him!

Also there are two pubs right across from the walls of the college and another about 3 mins walk away, having a pub inside the wall would be pretty pointless as they are well served.

JohnnyBalls

Liam Byrne wrote:

I love the way that came last, almost as an afterthought. Surely that's the most important part if someone wants to become a teacher, with everything else secondary ?

I'm living nearby and the facilities are improving; new extension nearly finished, new student accommodation at the side gate, and Scotts bar in between the two catering for the nightlife; not "on-campus" but as close as physically possible - just across the road.

If you RE-READ my post you'll see I said that I couldn't make the distinction between what TYPE of person the original poster was. College is ALOT more than how good your course is. If you dislike your sorroundings, where you are and the overall life that centres around that course is has a KNOCK-ON effect on that course. Arts is 15 hours a week, if you don't like where you are thats very hard to justify.

The new improvments are welcome but 10 years overdue. Not their problem more a lack of government commitment to funds but it still effects students. For example 1st year psychology is held in a prefab which like it or lump it defies the image many 6th years have of what college is actually like. For SOME Small campus can feel like a regressive step rather than a liberating one, once again its all down to the type of person you are.

Oh and the fact I said it was a highly respected course is irrelevant. An employer wants to see what grade you recieved, what clubs you joined, what skills you pursued extra-curricular of you degree i.e. what overall type of person you are. If you focus soley on your degree and dont participate in college life because you dislike where you were then you could see your career chances surpassed by more active and dynamic graduates ESPECIALLY with an Arts degree.

JohnnyBalls

Liam Byrne wrote:

I love the way that came last, almost as an afterthought. Surely that's the most important part if someone wants to become a teacher, with everything else secondary ?

I'm living nearby and the facilities are improving; new extension nearly finished, new student accommodation at the side gate, and Scotts bar in between the two catering for the nightlife; not "on-campus" but as close as physically possible - just across the road.

If you RE-READ my post you'll see I said that I couldn't make the distinction between what TYPE of person the original poster was. College is ALOT more than how good your course is. If you dislike your sorroundings, where you are and the overall life that centres around that course it has a KNOCK-ON effect on that course. Arts is 15 hours a week, if you don't like where you are thats very hard to justify.

The new improvments are welcome but 10 years overdue. Not their problem more a lack of government commitment to funds but it still effects students. For example 1st year psychology is held in a prefab which like it or lump it defies the image many 6th years have of what college is actually like. For SOME Small campus can feel like a regressive step rather than a liberating one, once again its all down to the type of person you are.

Oh and the fact I said it was a highly respected course is irrelevant. An employer wants to see what grade you recieved, what clubs you joined, what skills you pursued extra-curricular of you degree i.e. what overall type of person you are. If you focus soley on your degree and dont participate in college life because you dislike where you were then you could see your career chances surpassed by more active and dynamic graduates ESPECIALLY with an Arts degree.

JohnnyBalls

limerick_man wrote:

Also there are two pubs right across from the walls of the college and another about 3 mins walk away, having a pub inside the wall would be pretty pointless as they are well served.

Not true.

All pubs on campus in the other universities are run and organised by the STUDENTS UNIONS and generally have a more student friendly price approach, it can also act as more of a common room than an actual licsenced premises where students HAVE TO buy something or get out.

At the end of the day it all depends on what the op wants, if he/she wants to be a primary teacher then its 40 hour week course with a strong workload and very little time for socialising so that aspect shouldnt be considered and Mary I is thus the place to go.

If however the op is an out and about person who wants to do arts then they should seriously consider Cork, Galway, Maynooth or UCD before heading to Mary I as Arts is alot more than just the course (which is 10-15 hours a week) they will have alot of spare time on their hands so they should be wise in where they spend it!

Raiser

Colaiste Mhuire Gan Smal ? - Immaculate ??? Virgin Mary translates as Mary without imperfection [gan smal] and after all is said and done, and lets not forget that even though Mary Immaculate trades and sells itself as a modern University some might see it as an ancient Convent with a seemingly infinite number of prefabs dotted around it.

The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland may well have had to deal with this crowd of enthusiastic 3rd Level recruiters - Someone I once met got stuck there for years on the basis of a student prospectus which they said at the time featured plentiful photos of the Multi Billion Euro infrastructure, cascading fountains, World class Swimming pool & sport facilites and lush green spaces abundant to the the University of Limerick Campus - one of the finest in Europe but unfortunately situated miles away on the complete opposite side of the City & to which Mary I is linked on paper only.....- if you are a student relying on Bus Eireann you may not get to see it for the duration of your Degree :rolleyes:

I've heard manys the tale of woe from past and current students across a number of courses - seems to me that the student population is tolerated and controlled rathar than catered for........Personally I would steer well clear if I had a choice - if not I'd try and make the best of it

UnReg123

I'm a student in Mary I. Listen, it may be small, and there may not be a lot of facilities.... but its still a great college!! Because its smaller, its more personal, you meet more people, and they're generally more friendlier as well!!

The new gym is just finished, a welcome addition. the Prefabs are being removed at the moment, and new buildings are going up.

Your experience at college is what u make it. if u make an effort at making friends, joining societies, sports etc. at the beginning, you'll have no problem!!!!

Same goes for the nightlife, its what u make it!!! yea, so we may not have an on campus bar, but it just means we meet more new people when we head into town. And you have more variety as well... if you're feeling lazy there's a couple of pubs nearby as well, so u wont have to venture far. So dont listen to those who say the nightlife is bad!! I'm in first year, and absolutely LOVING every moment.. and i dont have my head stuck in the books every night. Lost count of the nights i've gone out and had a brilliant night.

yea there is a bit of a divide between B.Eds and B.As but its not a major problem... there's only a few that wont associate with the others! mostly if they know you're in Mary I you're a welcome friend.

Only problem i have is with a minority of UL students who look down their noses at us.... they kinda forget mary I's part of UL as well!!!

Whatever u decide, best of luck. But dont rule Mary I out. It really is a brilliant college

Dayrail

I'm a Mary I student and I think it is far from a hole to be honest. Your social life is up to you to be honest, u could go out 4 times a week if u wanted or take part in some of the societies in the college. There is definately a good social life. the fact that it is a small college means you get to know people way quicker. Also you could easily end up making friends from all years and courses, there isn't a huge distinction between 1st years and 4th years depending on age difference but its really good in that way ya know. if you are considering going to mary I then i dont think you will be disappointed.

bazz26

Ah!

Dayrail

Here Here Bazz:rolleyes:

TestTransmission

2 words,

Virgin Megastore

Fast_Mover

jackncoke wrote: »

2 words,
Virgin Megastore

Jaysus, never heard that one before!:rolleyes:

billy the squid

bazz26 wrote: »

Ah!

Fetch me musket! Fetch me musket!

Mr E

This thread is a year old, Dayrail.... feel free to start a new one if you wish.