Getting Fees Back....

pushpop

Hi all,


I've already posted about my masters applications in another thread, but there are a couple of issues which have arisen in the meantime which I need to deal with and am not quite sure how to.

I applied to two computing masters in DCU and two in TCD. DCU wanted me to pay a €1K deposit up front on my first choice so I did. I got declined from that as I didnt meet admission requirements so I am now being considered for the second choice. Meanwhile, it's looking likely (but not definite) that I may be accepted into TCD.

At this point in time I think if I was given the choice I'd prefer TCD, but it's not a straightforward matter of getting the 1K I paid back. One part of DCU's site says it's out and out non-refundable, whereas another says the refund would be a decreasing percentage of what I paid, depending on how long there is left between the time I withdraw and the date of the start of the courses I have applied for. This seems to make sense if you have been offered a place, accepted it and then changed your mind, but because I have not been accepted into either course and am currently in limbo so to speak, it seems only fair that I can get my money back.

If anyone could clear this mess up for me or if they have dealt with this situation before and have some advice to offer I would be very grateful if you help me figure this out!

Thanks

markpb

Sucky answer but the best place to ask questions about the Registry is to ring the Registry.

pushpop

Yeah you're right, I am just hesitant to do so unless I get a concrete offer from TCD!

H2G2

pushpop wrote:

DCU wanted me to pay a €1K deposit up front on my first choice so I did. I got declined from that as I didnt meet admission requirements so I am now being considered for the second choice

I don’t understand. If you are offered and you accept a place, then you must pay a 1k non-refundable deposit. So why did you pay if you were not accepted? Was that just a mistake by you? If so, that would strike me as grounds for a refund, as you shouldn’t have paid in the first place.

As an aside, if you were not accepted onto one programme such as MSSF, then its unlikely you would get onto another such as MSE, MBIO, etc. But you never know. You could always ask the PB chair directly what your chances of an accept are. Worst case, they won’t tell you anything.

pushpop

No you see what happened was, I was conditionally offered a place on the PAC website, and had to pay the deposit within two weeks of accepting that conditional place. I did that but subsequently did not get the place, and have been put forward but *not* accepted for the MSE programme. So what I'm wondering now is if I would be able to a refund given that I have no actual commitment to either course.

In response to your aside, one lecturer emailed me regarding my unsuccessful application, and reckoned I was "more suitable" for the MSE. The MSE has an admission requirement of a second class honours degree which I do have, and I know for a fact that someone who got a lower position on the passlist than myself got a place in it so fingers crossed :-D

Really I am just trying to keep my options open, as it is a big decision to make, just as choosing DCU was on my CAO application.

H2G2

A conditional offer which turns out to be reject sounds to me like a refund should be given. Talk to finance office directly rather than Registry.
On the side point: The MSE has taken people with a 2.2, but usually it depnds on teh candidate. Suggest you talk to Michale Ryan, who is the PB chair. Some personal contact may help get you a quick answer, before TCD come back to you. Good luck.