FE1 Preparation Courses Griffith-v- Independent College

walrusgumble

Hi

This has probably being asked before, but I hope some people, more in the know, might be helpful.

I know that at the end of the day it is up to the person to do all the heavy studying etc. But as for preparation courses which would be the best, Griffith or Independent in terms of lecturers and the most important of all the manuals and access to their libraries. I hear they will correct exam type questions etc.

I am aware that Griffith has being or is the main place, but isn't it true that some of the main lecturers left to form the Independent College? Does that make a difference because I see that the Griffith heads all have impressive cv's teaching wise.

Whilst I am here, in realation to Propery Law, apart from the "bible" (Wylie) which other books would one recommend buying (at least they can be used in the future) or borrowing?. What other books can cover all the relevant topics comprehensively in one book?. People would hardly be able to afford all of the following (but if they could do the impossible, would it be worth it considering they would be of great use in the future?):

Wylie's land law, Wylie's Conveyance Law and Wylie's Landlord & Tenancy
Various Succession & probate titles from the likes of Keating & Brady
(as for equity & trusts, the thing is probably do equity at same time as doing the property exam - thus making use of delaney & keane?)

cheers

Tom Young

walrusgumble wrote: »

am aware that Griffith has being or is the main place, but isn't it true that some of the main lecturers left to form the Independent College? Does that make a difference because I see that the Griffith heads all have impressive cv's teaching wise.

That is true indeed. Probably not, I'd agree with your assumption about the remaining staff.

walrusgumble wrote: »

Whilst I am here, in realation to Propery Law, apart from the "bible" (Wylie) which other books would one recommend buying (at least they can be used in the future) or borrowing?. What other books can cover all the relevant topics comprehensively in one book?. People would hardly be able to afford all of the following (but if they could do the impossible, would it be worth it considering they would be of great use in the future?):

Wylie's land law, Wylie's Conveyance Law and Wylie's Landlord & Tenancy
Various Succession & probate titles from the likes of Keating & Brady
(as for equity & trusts, the thing is probably do equity at same time as doing the property exam - thus making use of delaney & keane?)

cheers

I am a fan of Paul Coughlan's book and have recently read Fiona De Londras book on Property Law, both are useful. Wylie is available online, so up to you. Most of the Property Law we are dealing with is going to change a lot.

Tom

Font22

I'm defo going to get my hands on the Fiona De Londras book. The woman is a legend. She lectured me last year in Griffith and I thought she was fantastic. Saw some of the extracts from her book and the concepts were very well explained. As for which preparation course is best? They are both the same. The manuals from Independent are pretty much carbon copies of Griffith's as far as I can tell. The plus with Griffith is free parking and the mock exams they are offering now.

risingsun

Have heard great things from pals taking the indo colleges course, but the fe1s are a dreadful slog one way or the other

walrusgumble

Tom Young wrote: »

That is true indeed. Probably not, I'd agree with your assumption about the remaining staff.



I am a fan of Paul Coughlan's book and have recently read Fiona De Londras book on Property Law, both are useful. Wylie is available online, so up to you. Most of the Property Law we are dealing with is going to change a lot.

Tom

cheers for the advice, ye i was looking alot of the law reform commission papers about the changes and remember my lecturer telling us that., so better stall. as for the coughlan book, i have flicked though it, very good, i wished that is spotted it when i was in college. could you pm me (or state here if permitted) the place i can checkout wylie online? (or is it from one of them fee paying sites?) should not be a prob getting either way.

elgransenor

If you just want to pass the FE1s,then you do not need a text book;you do need to know the manual from Griffith or Independent very well though.
I had(not literally I hasten to add) Fiona de Londras last time and passed but it was very tight.
But I passed the 8 in Sept but Property was my worst mark but I relied totally on knowing the Griffith manuals.
Some good lecturers have gone to Indep.,particularly Phillip Burke.
I would prefer to hear the sound of my balls in a blender than listen to the constitutional lecturer from Griffith again (Langwallner) but the criminal lecturer,who has stayed in Griffith is excellent.

Font22

Brian Foley lectures constitutional in Griffith now.

OleLegend

I see Griffith had five FE 1 prize-winners in the recent FE 1 exams.

ciaran patton had two winners in criminal law. i suppose it wont be until next year when we will see how Independent students will fare?

vote4pedro

Does everyone doing their FE-1s do one of thes preparatory courses?
I'll be coming out of my law degree with a good 2.1 from UCD, and the thought of spending a whole summer in class going over subjects I've aleady studied a year or so ago isn't that appealing. I could get a lend of the manuals/books from GCD or Independent Colleges from friends who were doing the subjects, but does anyone go it alone like this? I would have thought all I need were the manuals and some exam advice, not to go back over each subject completely? Are there any week long "crash courses"?

Turbodreams

elgransenor wrote: »

I would prefer to hear the sound of my balls in a blender than listen to the constitutional lecturer from Griffith again (Langwallner) but the criminal lecturer,who has stayed in Griffith is excellent.

i didnt think david was that bad!

Font22 wrote: »

Brian Foley lectures constitutional in Griffith now.

yes and in my opinion, he is not very good! infact, i have just waisted 3 months going to his lectures.

vote4pedro wrote: »

Does everyone doing their FE-1s do one of thes preparatory courses?
I'll be coming out of my law degree with a good 2.1 from UCD, and the thought of spending a whole summer in class going over subjects I've aleady studied a year or so ago isn't that appealing. I could get a lend of the manuals/books from GCD or Independent Colleges from friends who were doing the subjects, but does anyone go it alone like this? I would have thought all I need were the manuals and some exam advice, not to go back over each subject completely? Are there any week long "crash courses"?

my advice is to just buy the manuals! however, it is important to keep up to date with the most recent cases especially for constitution.

Font22

i havent been lectured by him. i did the lectures with David last sitting and passed. i was just commenting as to who was lecturing, i dont have any opinion on what he is like as i dont know!

SteJay

Hey guys was hoping someone could give me some advice regarding the FE1's

Im currently studying in WIT in 3rd yr legal studies, first I done the 2yr Higher Cert in Legal, now im in a 1 yr add on for an ordinary degree.The problem is though that in 4th year the course is called legal studies with business.Whereas for 3rd year the course split in two one for pure law and one with international trade. I dont like the idea of doing any business subjects at all as they will do me no good at all after college when I want to be a solicitor.So my question is would it be possible/feasible for me to not do 4th year and go do the FE1's after 3rd yr?

Thanks in advance for any replies! Appreciate it

Font22

I wouldnt agree with your statement that the business subjects wont help you when you are a solicitor! It all depends on what type of law you end up in. If you go into a large commerical firm some of the things you learn in business modules will be of some benefit. I did business and legal studies and found that some of the things i learnt in my business modules were a great asset. Then again it depends on the business subjects you will be studying i.e. if its management blah blah then you might be better off not doing them!

walrusgumble

SteJay wrote: »

Hey guys was hoping someone could give me some advice regarding the FE1's

Im currently studying in WIT in 3rd yr legal studies, first I done the 2yr Higher Cert in Legal, now im in a 1 yr add on for an ordinary degree.The problem is though that in 4th year the course is called legal studies with business.Whereas for 3rd year the course split in two one for pure law and one with international trade. I dont like the idea of doing any business subjects at all as they will do me no good at all after college when I want to be a solicitor.So my question is would it be possible/feasible for me to not do 4th year and go do the FE1's after 3rd yr?

Thanks in advance for any replies! Appreciate it

they will be of great help to you, especially solicitor accounts-book keeping. i did my course in letterkenny it, where a special emphasis was on taxation (zzzzzzzzz) but that will come in handy or even essential in areas such as probate.

might as well have options open, as the above post stated one may one day decide to go into banking or other commerical areas. at least you get exposed to the basic stuff

SteJay

thanks for the replies guys.Im not really sure what area of law id like to specialize in yet just want to be a solicitor as soon as I can.For that reason id be tempted to study my ass off for a few months solid then sit the FE1's

Jackthe

I was in Griffith for the last sitting of the FE1s and it really was excellent, unfortunately with the change of personal and the fact that most of them went to Independent there was no reason to stay with them, the only reason I would have gone to Griffith was Ciaran Patton who is an excellent lecturer but that's it, Independent have Val Corbett, Anthony Lowery, Philip Burke, Stephan Dowling and the constitutional guy (I've forgotten his name, but I got constitutional on the first go because of him). The course finished on Sunday with tutorials and having already sat two sittings in Griffith there is no comparison. The lectures, notes, DVD's and feedback on homework are excellent and knowing that the lecturer is correcting the homework and is available for follow up is great. Besides the car parking Independent is excellent.

Jackthe

OleLegend wrote: »

I see Griffith had five FE 1 prize-winners in the recent FE 1 exams.

ciaran patton had two winners in criminal law. i suppose it wont be until next year when we will see how Independent students will fare?

http://www.gcd.ie/index.jsp?pID=93&nID=110&aID=1528

This really bugs me, Griffith have a great lecturer in Ciaran Patton who has got prizes almost every year recently, but now Independent have Val, Philip, Stephan and Anthony. It is irrelevant who has a bigger ONE, its how many get through the exams because of the good lecturers. Congratulations to the prize winners but personally my 50% in EU felt like a prize to me. which I wouldn't have got without Anthony Lowery (in Griffith, but now in Independent)

When WE will see how independent fares? From what I've seen they'll fare pretty well, but who is the WE in your post, and do you have permission to put the link from Griffith on your page? Or do you not need it? The permission that is!

The catty comment and the free advertising made me look at your other posts, are you on commission? ACCA, FE1s, attacking portobello and independent, did you not go to Portobello but had a friend that did, like your law friend, your ACCA friend and obviously your friend on the website.

Just a quick word of advice if you are doing the FE1s 'he said she said' is heresay and if you graduated from journalism it might be an idea to preface your opinions with something more than (and I'm paraphrasing here) I didn't do the course but a friend told me. These chat rooms are for students and not for colleges to place sympathetic posts pretending to be students.

HO

Ok, how can people actually care which school has prize winners!!?? If you've any sense you'll realise that the people who got the prizes would have undoubtedly gotten them even without any preparatory course, they probably got 1st's in their law exams in college, probably know it all before they ever set foot in griffith and the likes and probably are smart enough to not follow hints but to cover all topics so that you don't get caught out. Stupid if you let that stuff guide you. It had nothing to do with any course, but their own hard work in college and their own commitment to study. The preparatory colleges are riding on the success wave of work done by college lecturers when the prizewinners got their degress in law, and the students own hard work. Sin e.

myxi

I've just finished EU in Griffith and I was planning on doing Constitutional and Criminal with them over the summer but I've totally changed my mind and I will be giving the Independent College ago. Griffith seem to have built up a good reputation over the years and now they're sitting on it. Homework was rarely corrected, classes were cancelled and moved to days and times that suited no one and also its a good trek out of town on a Thursday evening in traffic!

Also with regards their library (two cramped rooms full of people talking every language possible at top voice), I live down the country and needed a copy of an FE1 paper last week, so I rang the library to check they had them and they said they did. So next morning I headed up to be met with blank faces and lots of head scratching about where they actually keep the copies of the past papers. Finally found them and as I was photocopying them someone else was printing to the photocopier in the middle of my stuff! I thought I was going to have a break down!!

La.m

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had done the Independent lectures in Cork? I did Griffith the last time and Patton was great but the others, not so much. I liked having a base school though as Griffith has an actual school in Cork and their online moodle service is very good and just this year they've made a bank of past paper answers which is very helpful.
Independent are showing their lectures in a hotel so how does their facility to have homework corrected and returned work? Do they have online facilities and how do they rank against Griffith's?

By the looks of the previous posts if i was in Dublin I'd go to Independent but I worry about the lack of facilities in Cork. I'm worried about changing, spending all that money and then realising I had it better off in the first place!

Any guidance would be very much appreciated!

fitzer1982

Interesting to hear the comments about Griffith. I'm doing my first four in March and will be using them. They have a city centre two minutes away from and its beside the train station. As for what was said different lectures coming and going, I won't be abke to comment till I begin next month. i'll let people know, as I have a Business degree and very little Law.

ireland1italy0

fitze69 wrote: »

Interesting to hear the comments about Griffith. I'm doing my first four in March and will be using them. They have a city centre two minutes away from and its beside the train station. As for what was said different lectures coming and going, I won't be abke to comment till I begin next month. i'll let people know, as I have a Business degree and very little Law.

Went to Griffith and certainly noticed a change...i.e. I went there for 4 for the April 2008 exams and then for 4 over the summer. Things had been shaken up re homework getting back very quickly and, from what friends say, the constitutional girl in indep wasn't a patch on him in griffith. May be persuaded by the "just above a coffee shop" aspect of indep (if I don't pass them this time around), but I think griffith has a place beside trinity now.

keithogixer

I'm in the process of studying Land Law myself and find Wyle's book OTT. I personally went for De Londras book. It's clear concise easy to grasp and she takes into consideration the new Land and conveyancing bill 06 that will probably come in shortly.

When I've grasped the concept then I got back to Wyle's book to beaf up the concept with additional information. Best of luck...

Keitho...

Trish21

I did 4 Fe1's this month - Contract,Land, Equity and Company Law. I did the Griffith Course to give me some structure. I was just wondering which course people think is better for the remaining four subjects - Griffith or Independent Colleges.
Providing I have passed 3 exams(hopefully four) this time round I was thinking of only doing 2 subjects as I can't get as much time off work the next time and it is really hard going trying to go to work full-time and go to lectures 3-4 evenings a week. Do you think it would be a mistake only to do 2 subjects in March?Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jackthe

The "constitutional girl"? Who do you mean Mark O'Riordan? Maura Kelly? I have to say your sources are a little off. Glad to see things are looking up in Griffith though, last year was chronic, I think I'm still waiting for homework, that's one of the things that has been good from the start in Independent, the feedback and the correction of homework was bang on.

As far as the comment 'just above the coffee shop', I'd go to a hedge school if Bourke, Corbett, Patton, Dowling, O'Riordan and Lowry were teaching there.

I don't know any of the new crowd in Griffith and now that Patton is gone there's not much of a reputation to stand on, maybe in a year or two. Still Langwallner when he's on form is still good, he's not Val or Philip or Ciaran but.....

One of the best things in griffith is the Lecture hall in the new building, the parking and the other facilities, why are they going 3 miles into the centre of town? It seems an awful waste of money and facilities.

para45

I went to Griffith for my first set of Exams . They are not even on the same par as Independant College.

Griffith was always changing classes. It seamed that some of the lecturers treated it as a nixer at my expense the person that was paying their part time salary .

During the exams I was wondering if Griffith were trying to make their money from education as you would expect from a college or renting the facilities to the highest bidder at the expenses of the students. During studying in the libarary people with cameras were hanging over our desks out the windows trying to catch wanna be pop stars. And the noise from all of this was unbarable in the libary . When complaining to the person in charge in the library they said there is nothing they can do about it . Even went down to some of the people in charge at this popstar "POPIDOL" and was told to complain to the college. These are the same people that I was paying for my exam preparation . And when complaining like loads of people I was told they will look into it

Then a week or two later guess what even after all the complaints from students . They rented the same facility to one of the political parties for one of their meetings.

They dont care about the students its all about money .

Went to Independent college and what a difference . They gave me so much support and encouragement. You are not just a paying number with them but a individual that is valued by them I will definately recomend Independent to anybody

gcorscadden

I must agree with the above. I was a student of Griffith and must say that they are not even in the same league as Independent. I think the fact that all the best lecturers have moved from Griffith to Independent speaks for itself. With Griffith, lectures were cancelled without notice and I know that this hasnt changed as one of my friends (who has now signed up with Independent) had to travel 40 miles, two nights a week to attend lectures to have them cancelled at the last minute. Any college that cancels lectures WITHOUT NOTICE or sending out emails half an hour before lectures begin doesnt rate very highly in my esteem.

I have personally found that independent colleges is run on a more professional structure, their main focus being that of the students. Lecturers being available to assist you out of college hours, homework being delivered within the week, (which I might add I never got back from Griffith and I know is still a major problem) there all adds up to a more professional service.

The fact that Ciaran Patton has now left Griffith college and joined Independent Colleges speaks volumns. Independent also have excellent staff like Pamela to name one, who is on the ball with absolutely everything thats going on in Independent.

Likewise, the comment "over a coffee shop" would not put me off attending lectures in Independent. If lecturers like Philip, Val, Stephen, Mark and Patricia were to lecture in a hayshack I would move with them. The FE1's are hard work particularly if you work full time but with excellent lecturers, the good support and encouragement which they offer, makes attending lectuers more enjoyable. Its obvious they are not there just for them money.

Griffith may have a very high success rate but I think that will soon be surpassed by Independent. I would recommend them to anyone thinking of studying law.

para45

Well Said GCORSCADDEN .

Yes Pamela is some woman . If I had a big firm I would hire her as the Business manager today.:)

With Ciaran gone it must be a sinking ship that is all that I can say . Dont know why he didnt leave when all the lads left last year.

And you are correct when you say Phillip , Val and Co are so helpfull . In this day and age there isnt many orginisations Colleges that will give personal time like they do . Sometimes I was wondering if they are sleeping in that Building because they always seam to be there to help .:)

windofchange

para45 wrote: »

Well Said GCORSCADDEN .

Yes Pamela is some woman . If I had a big firm I would hire her as the Business manager today.:)

With Ciaran gone it must be a sinking ship that is all that I can say . Dont know why he didnt leave when all the lads left last year.

And you are correct when you say Phillip , Val and Co are so helpfull . In this day and age there isnt many orginisations Colleges that will give personal time like they do . Sometimes I was wondering if they are sleeping in that Building because they always seam to be there to help .:)

I just don't get the focus on names like this...I work in a criminal firm (still trying my fe1's though)...does Patton actually practice? Anyway...stuff like this "I don't know any of the new crowd in Griffith and now that Patton is gone there's not much of a reputation to stand on, maybe in a year or two. Still Langwallner when he's on form is still good, he's not Val or Philip or Ciaran but....."

All reads just a little bit ad like...I dunno...sorry if that's offensive, I'm sure we all have our experiences...the library thing noted above sounds crazy...not sure i understood, but mad nonetheless.

ireland1italy0

Jackthe wrote: »

As far as the comment 'just above the coffee shop',

Oh jeez…sorry, no what I meant (no disrespect) was that Independent being over my two favourite coffee shops in Dublin (Lemon and Café Sol) was a plus factor in my view! Damn my pur Engliss.

On the whole “cult of names things” windofchange, I think you have to see it like this. I certainly want to be taught constitutional law by the person whose articles I was forced to read at undergrad. That would be Foley anyday.



On the other hand, now that I know his biography and c.v. I would certainly want to be taught company law by the author of the standard practitioner text on the Commercial Court. That would be Dowling.

I certainly do want to be taught something as practical as contract by someone who hasn’t ever been in court, but I have to respect that many, many people think Corbett is amazing, so its just my preference which is simply that; mine.



Equally, when I doing something like EU the fact that the Griffith Lecturer was actually a referendaire is a plus and when I want to do something like property the fact that the Independent teacher is a solicitor of many years experience (from the indep website) would interest me, assuming, which I hope doesn’t occur, I fail property.

I suppose I’m not zealotic any particular way. I certainly wouldn’t focus on odd events like that popidol thing (????, still headscratching here) as a tilt either way.

Like I said I’ve had experience either side of the “chronic” versus “improved” Griffith. Homework seems to have been an issue for some, not all. I'm sure everyone knows someone, but I had no problems and when I asked the lecturers to correct seperate essays, that happened no problems and quick.

What gets me the most (off topic) is how the Law Soc don’t have my damn results out yet so I can make a flipping decision as to what I have to do!!!!!

Jackthe

windofchange wrote: »

I just don't get the focus on names like this...I work in a criminal firm (still trying my fe1's though)...does Patton actually practice? Anyway...stuff like this "I don't know any of the new crowd in Griffith and now that Patton is gone there's not much of a reputation to stand on, maybe in a year or two. Still Langwallner when he's on form is still good, he's not Val or Philip or Ciaran but....."

All reads just a little bit ad like...I dunno...sorry if that's offensive, I'm sure we all have our experiences...the library thing noted above sounds crazy...not sure i understood, but mad nonetheless.

At the end of the day the FE 1's are such a lottery, on my first sitting I failed criminal, after having Patton in undergrad (2.1) and prep course, when I got the examiners report and checked the paper against it (with cases and dates and quotes written on it the morning in the exam) I had hit all the buttons. Now I Know that my writting is not great but it is not illegible, and I could not understand a mark of 48, (nothing on the recheck).

So my point is, these course are a great help in maintaining focus on a subject and direction in the areas necessary to pass, and if you need every crutch going, like me, you want the best in the business. Val for one is excellent in contract and tort and the feedback he gives (within the week) is excellent. As were most of the other lecturers, (in Griffith at the start) now at Independent.

Like my politics I vote for the people and not the Party (college) and I have to say I make no apologies for the above but my motive is to pass on experience that might point someone in the right direction.

At the end of the day I think the best payback for being well treated in college (or indeed a restaurant) is to tell as many people as possible, so I reiterate the above, and say that the China Sichaun in Sandyford is great.

ireland1italy0

Jackthe wrote: »

At the end of the day the FE 1's are such a lottery, on my first sitting I failed criminal, after having Patton in undergrad (2.1) and prep course, when I got the examiners report and checked the paper against it (with cases and dates and quotes written on it the morning in the exam) I had hit all the buttons. Now I Know that my writting is not great but it is not illegible, and I could not understand a mark of 48, (nothing on the recheck).

So my point is, these course are a great help in maintaining focus on a subject and direction in the areas necessary to pass, and if you need every crutch going, like me, you want the best in the business. Val for one is excellent in contract and tort and the feedback he gives (within the week) is excellent. As were most of the other lecturers, (in Griffith at the start) now at Independent.

Like my politics I vote for the people and not the Party (college) and I have to say I make no apologies for the above but my motive is to pass on experience that might point someone in the right direction.

At the end of the day I think the best payback for being well treated in college (or indeed a restaurant) is to tell as many people as possible, so I reiterate the above, and say that the China Sichaun in Sandyford is great.

For me, this is a post I can respect. I have to explain why, because some of the recent posts in here have more than annoyed me.

I was more than happy with GCD, and I really don't want to get into "my place was better than your place" but I do have to say the following. I might begin with saying you go with what you now - just as Jackthe said...that is the best advice in the world. Exams are about confidence more than anything and support you personally believe in.

However, like I said, I went to GCD and some of the stuff posted here is just wrong. Just made up. I am certain of this. I have no locus standi (lol) to make these points, but I feel like I have to. No...I WANT to...

To the poster above (gcorscadden)who said that lectures were moved and cancelled all the time? I quote (without the html bits)

"With Griffith, lectures were cancelled without notice and I know that this hasnt changed as one of my friends (who has now signed up with Independent) had to travel 40 miles, two nights a week to attend lectures to have them cancelled at the last minute."

What are you talking about? I took 4 this around (i.e. summer) in griffith, and that didn't happen at all? When did it? What days? Are you willing to be certain on this, provide dates etc? I certainly remember extra lectures being arranged after there was a video malfunction on one day, but that was it? I honestly don't believe a word of it, and am highly interested by the fact that you're a "once-off-poster". Jackthe, on the other hand, has a pedigree in his views (look at his previous posts) and they are balanced and reasonable and are based on opinion, not rubbish facts which seem made up to follow an agenda, sadly similar to one which occured before in similar threads.

Very early in this thread, you can see posts noting the "advertising" tone of some the posts in here...need I say more.

I don't even understand what para45 is talking about. Does anyone? It "seams" [sic] to be ludicrous.

I mentioned this in another post in another thread (sorry, no link), but there is a lecturer in GCD who is a mate of mine. I took his class. I know people who took his class. By very definition I sat beside at least two of them each lecture. No-one was unhappy with him - the exam insight was beyond valuable and he cared about each student more than anyone I've known before to the point of freakin obsession with how quickly he would respond to moodle queries and so on. I can say that I know passed the subject simply because of him and his over obsession with the course.

And here's the kicker, he'll read this (of course he will, you don't think the colleges don't look here?) and see how someone goes and says he didnt give a rats ar$e and treated it as a "nixer" (words of para45). Can you back that up? What lecturer (as opposed to the institution) are you accusing of treating you this way? You've said it...now back it up....

If you have concrete, real problems - say so. Don't just tarnish the reputation of people with crap facts. Use reason...say "I went to GCD and I didn't find [lecturer X] helpful, because she tended to focus too much on [insert random topic" or "I prefer the city centre". The posters I'm referring to are making things up. Again...take my words with the mate factor heavily factored in...and I am positively fuming at this point...sorry.

Anyone with a sense of rationality, who took that course could not believe the rubbish above that "everything is crap" in GCD. I had homework returned fine in four subjects. Once an email bounced as the tutors inbox was full.

This is where I am getting annoyed (again, factor in the mate factor). Jackthe, at least, seems to have the undergrad experience of corbett, patton et al. I don't know if you have had the new crowd in GCD, but no-one would begrudge another sticking with what has worked for them. That is a reasoned argument...

What is getting me is what appears to be nothing more than snide comments without a basis and it is what gives boards/fora etc a bad name - i.e. use for ulterior purposes.

I really am ranting here, again (factor in mate factor) but just on para45:-

"It seamed that some of the lecturers treated it as a nixer at my expense the person that was paying their part time salary ."

I couldn't think anything was further from the truth...the fact that you load it with little terms like "part time" suggests ulterior motives to me. Would a normal student make a distinction between those on part time contracts and those full time contracted to a college? It was queried before (see previous) posts whether the colleges are lurking in this forum.

It seems sad but true and only serves to dilute the real debate which I earlier tried to assist in as had Jackthe and others...

Am I way off in this? Or does anyone else just feel that those para45 and gcorscadden posts are nothing more than plugs?

BexN

I studied Company, Property, Contract and Constitutional last term at Griffith and thought the support provided by the lecturers was fantastic. Coming from a business background I thought the notes were concise and understandable. However if I did have a problem the lecturers were always available to answer questions – I even spoke with Brian the evening before the Constitutional exam about an area I was having difficulty with. Caren gave some great tips for Company and Emma made the Property course easy to learn, she always delivered her lectures with energy and enthusiasm.

I will definitely be returning for the next 3 subjects, Griffith are posting all lectures online next term which is a Godsend for anyone with a full time job. Independent Colleges do not provide that facility as far as I know. Hope this helps!

Johnny Utah

para45 wrote: »

I went to Griffith for my first set of Exams . They are not even on the same par as Independant College.

Griffith was always changing classes. It seamed that some of the lecturers treated it as a nixer at my expense the person that was paying their part time salary .

During the exams I was wondering if Griffith were trying to make their money from education as you would expect from a college or renting the facilities to the highest bidder at the expenses of the students. During studying in the libarary people with cameras were hanging over our desks out the windows trying to catch wanna be pop stars. And the noise from all of this was unbarable in the libary . When complaining to the person in charge in the library they said there is nothing they can do about it . Even went down to some of the people in charge at this popstar "POPIDOL" and was told to complain to the college. These are the same people that I was paying for my exam preparation . And when complaining like loads of people I was told they will look into it

Then a week or two later guess what even after all the complaints from students . They rented the same facility to one of the political parties for one of their meetings.

They dont care about the students its all about money .

Went to Independent college and what a difference . They gave me so much support and encouragement. You are not just a paying number with them but a individual that is valued by them I will definately recomend Independent to anybody

gcorscadden wrote: »

I must agree with the above. I was a student of Griffith and must say that they are not even in the same league as Independent. I think the fact that all the best lecturers have moved from Griffith to Independent speaks for itself. With Griffith, lectures were cancelled without notice and I know that this hasnt changed as one of my friends (who has now signed up with Independent) had to travel 40 miles, two nights a week to attend lectures to have them cancelled at the last minute. Any college that cancels lectures WITHOUT NOTICE or sending out emails half an hour before lectures begin doesnt rate very highly in my esteem.

I have personally found that independent colleges is run on a more professional structure, their main focus being that of the students. Lecturers being available to assist you out of college hours, homework being delivered within the week, (which I might add I never got back from Griffith and I know is still a major problem) there all adds up to a more professional service.

The fact that Ciaran Patton has now left Griffith college and joined Independent Colleges speaks volumns. Independent also have excellent staff like Pamela to name one, who is on the ball with absolutely everything thats going on in Independent.

Likewise, the comment "over a coffee shop" would not put me off attending lectures in Independent. If lecturers like Philip, Val, Stephen, Mark and Patricia were to lecture in a hayshack I would move with them. The FE1's are hard work particularly if you work full time but with excellent lecturers, the good support and encouragement which they offer, makes attending lectuers more enjoyable. Its obvious they are not there just for them money.

Griffith may have a very high success rate but I think that will soon be surpassed by Independent. I would recommend them to anyone thinking of studying law.

para45 wrote: »

Well Said GCORSCADDEN .

Yes Pamela is some woman . If I had a big firm I would hire her as the Business manager today.:)

With Ciaran gone it must be a sinking ship that is all that I can say . Dont know why he didnt leave when all the lads left last year.

And you are correct when you say Phillip , Val and Co are so helpfull . In this day and age there isnt many orginisations Colleges that will give personal time like they do . Sometimes I was wondering if they are sleeping in that Building because they always seam to be there to help .:)

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:



Philip, please stop this; it's getting embarassing now! :pac:

Banana-rama

I (aswell as, it seems, others in this post) have been lucky to have the opportunity to study at both the aforementioned colleges.

Undergrad and FE1 lecture in Griffith, and now in Independent Colleges with more FE1s.

There were some good points raised earlier in the discussion (before it began to get a bit 'ranty') but i think the very simple facts are obvious...

The team in Independent Coll are the team to be with. I have to assume that Griffith know and understand this, as they continue to advertise the merits of this team (who have since moved to Independent) when they say Griffith has trained 'whatever' amount of first-placed FE-1 prise-winners.

As somebody else noted, it's not the College ("party") that i look for, its the "people", and the people whose merits and achievements Griffith continue to rely on are those now in Independent. That really is the bottom line...

As for me...having undergrad experience in Griffith and therein getting to know the team i'm talking about, I'd go to any college they're at. Again, it's the people rather than the place, and they are the people to have on your side; the only ones i could recommend. And i do recommend them...

Cheers...

gcorscadden

I must say I fully agree with you, I dont want to get into "my place was better than your place" either. However, I was speaking from my own personal experiece with Griffith and I can stand by what I said. I done the certificate of legal studies and the diploma in Griffith and no matter how I sent in my homework and that of my colleagues it was either mislaid or not returned marked. The homework issue was a major issue amongst many students with the result that students stopped doing the homework as they felt if the lecturers dont care why should they. Having said all that, only a handful of us complained about the homework not being returned but to no avail.

In relation to cancelled lectures in Griffith I note you only quoted part of my post, leaving out the bit about emails being received too late. As far as my friend is concerned, he didnt receive emails about 2 cancelled lectures until after 5.00p.m on both evening, long after he left for college.
I am hoping he will register on this site and give his feedback.

As regards your comment about "advertising", I am not a fan of advertising in any shape or form. My post about the best lecturers having moved from Griffith to Independent is from a personal experience and I will fully sand by it. If they were to leave independent in the morning and set up elsewhere I would move to attend their lectuers. As I said previously its not about the college but about the quality of service you get from lecturers that counts.

It could be said that the "advertising tone" you refer to in your post can also be seen in your comment "there is a lecturer in GCD who is a mate of mine. I took his class. I know people who took his class". You obviously value his ability to lecture in Griffith and that is absolutely fine. Each student is entitled to his or her opinion on lecturers. However, let me make it clear I did not critize any lecturer in Griffith as if I did why would I have moved to Independent. I moved to Independent to be lectured by the Lecturers I held in high esteem and those other lecturers with whom were recommended to me. I stand by what I have said already, I would recommend Philip & Co to anyone wishing to study law JUST as you would recommend your friend and lecturers in Griffith. It boils down to the same thing, we are all there for one reason and that is to pass the FE1's.

ireland1italy0 wrote: »

For me, this is a post I can respect. I have to explain why, because some of the recent posts in here have more than annoyed me.I was more than happy with GCD, and I really don't want to get into "my place was better than your place" but I do have to say the following. I might begin with saying you go with what you now - just as Jackthe said...that is the best advice in the world. Exams are about confidence more than anything and support you personally believe in.

However, like I said, I went to GCD and some of the stuff posted here is just wrong. Just made up. I am certain of this. I have no locus standi (lol) to make these points, but I feel like I have to. No...I WANT to...

To the poster above (gcorscadden)who said that lectures were moved and cancelled all the time? I quote (without the html bits)

"With Griffith, lectures were cancelled without notice and I know that this hasnt changed as one of my friends (who has now signed up with Independent) had to travel 40 miles, two nights a week to attend lectures to have them cancelled at the last minute."

What are you talking about? I took 4 this around (i.e. summer) in griffith, and that didn't happen at all? When did it? What days? Are you willing to be certain on this, provide dates etc? I certainly remember extra lectures being arranged after there was a video malfunction on one day, but that was it? I honestly don't believe a word of it, and am highly interested by the fact that you're a "once-off-poster". Jackthe, on the other hand, has a pedigree in his views (look at his previous posts) and they are balanced and reasonable and are based on opinion, not rubbish facts which seem made up to follow an agenda, sadly similar to one which occured before in similar threads.

Very early in this thread, you can see posts noting the "advertising" tone of some the posts in here...need I say more.

I don't even understand what para45 is talking about. Does anyone? It "seams" [sic] to be ludicrous.

I mentioned this in another post in another thread (sorry, no link), but there is a lecturer in GCD who is a mate of mine. I took his class. I know people who took his class. By very definition I sat beside at least two of them each lecture. No-one was unhappy with him - the exam insight was beyond valuable and he cared about each student more than anyone I've known before to the point of freakin obsession with how quickly he would respond to moodle queries and so on. I can say that I know passed the subject simply because of him and his over obsession with the course.

And here's the kicker, he'll read this (of course he will, you don't think the colleges don't look here?) and see how someone goes and says he didnt give a rats ar$e and treated it as a "nixer" (words of para45). Can you back that up? What lecturer (as opposed to the institution) are you accusing of treating you this way? You've said it...now back it up....

If you have concrete, real problems - say so. Don't just tarnish the reputation of people with crap facts. Use reason...say "I went to GCD and I didn't find [lecturer X] helpful, because she tended to focus too much on [insert random topic" or "I prefer the city centre". The posters I'm referring to are making things up. Again...take my words with the mate factor heavily factored in...and I am positively fuming at this point...sorry.

Anyone with a sense of rationality, who took that course could not believe the rubbish above that "everything is crap" in GCD. I had homework returned fine in four subjects. Once an email bounced as the tutors inbox was full.

This is where I am getting annoyed (again, factor in the mate factor). Jackthe, at least, seems to have the undergrad experience of corbett, patton et al. I don't know if you have had the new crowd in GCD, but no-one would begrudge another sticking with what has worked for them. That is a reasoned argument...

What is getting me is what appears to be nothing more than snide comments without a basis and it is what gives boards/fora etc a bad name - i.e. use for ulterior purposes.

I really am ranting here, again (factor in mate factor) but just on para45:-

"It seamed that some of the lecturers treated it as a nixer at my expense the person that was paying their part time salary ."

I couldn't think anything was further from the truth...the fact that you load it with little terms like "part time" suggests ulterior motives to me. Would a normal student make a distinction between those on part time contracts and those full time contracted to a college? It was queried before (see previous) posts whether the colleges are lurking in this forum.

It seems sad but true and only serves to dilute the real debate which I earlier tried to assist in as had Jackthe and others...

Am I way off in this? Or does anyone else just feel that those para45 and gcorscadden posts are nothing more than plugs?

para45

Johnny Utah wrote: »

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:



Philip, please stop this; it's getting embarassing now! :pac:

This is not Phillip

This is a paying student that went to college and Bothered to take time out on a saterday and go to the Libary and to try and Re Watch DVDs of the Lectures to see if I can pick a last few pointers up as revision for the exams .

The Noise from the "POP IDOl " or what ever you call it talent show POP wannabe creations , CHECK your records. Was so loud that I couldnt even hear the Lecturer on the DVD with the earphones on .

People shouting outside the lIbary and cheering every person on that came from his / her audition , people playing with quitars while waiting in the queue.

Dont try to the deny this who ever you are because the Tv networks have records of this . As it was broadcasted nation wide . You should be ashamed of your self

ireland1italy0

gcorscadden wrote: »

In relation to cancelled lectures in Griffith I note you only quoted part of my post, leaving out the bit about emails being received too late. As far as my friend is concerned, he didnt receive emails about 2 cancelled lectures until after 5.00p.m on both evening, long after he left for college.
I am hoping he will register on this site and give his feedback.

Again...what lectures were these? WHICH ONES? Just interested, since i can't recall it.

[In response to Jackthe's comments below, I have taken out words used here...and apologise]

Jackthe

I have removed the quote mentioned in this post, I have had a few and will look at the rest later, I appreciate the apology to this forum and accept it, but I think you might want to elaborate with the persons mentioned. if you haven't already.

I appreciate what you said earlier on, but this post is outrageous. I do not quote what friends have told me however I have heard numerous stories relating to cancelled lectures and late or disappeared homework (more recently), but I choose to speak from personal experience and not the heresay of third parties.

I have in the past tackled people who I believed were not students posting on boards, but in all the time I've been here I've never seen anything so blantantly defamatory as what you have said above. I believe that what you have said is a serious libel on the reputation of all the lecturers mentioned in previous posts on this stream. The imputation that any of them would breach their professional duty to their students and their employer is absolutely out of order. If you had said something similar to a poster with a screen name there would be no slander however I believe that "Burke et al" is a sufficient identification for the purposes of an action against you.

What you have done above is to slander "Burke et al's [sic]" professional and occupational reputations and you should retract what you have said and apologise immediately, to all the lecturers concerned and to this forum.

If you are studying the Fe1's check out the chapter on defamation. Considering that lecturer's reputations are vital to their careers this is a very serious matter. I will be passing it on. I have complimented griffith and independent in past posts, and some of their lecturers, but where I've criticised anyone or anywhere I've never cast doubts on a persons professionalism or skill. APOLOGISE NOW

Johnny Utah

para45, gcorscadden, and banarama only have a handful of posts between them...... hmmmm- very suspicious!

para45 wrote: »

This is not Phillip

This is a paying student that went to college and Bothered to take time out on a saterday and go to the Libary and to try and Re Watch DVDs of the Lectures to see if I can pick a last few pointers up as revision for the exams .

The Noise from the "POP IDOl " or what ever you call it talent show POP wannabe creations , CHECK your records. Was so loud that I couldnt even hear the Lecturer on the DVD with the earphones on .

People shouting outside the lIbary and cheering every person on that came from his / her audition , people playing with quitars while waiting in the queue.

Dont try to the deny this who ever you are because the Tv networks have records of this . As it was broadcasted nation wide . You should be ashamed of your self

Why should I be ashamed? I wasn't even in POP Idol?






My advice:
Griffith has a free car-park. Ergo, go with Griffith! :pac:

Jackthe

Johnny Utah wrote: »

para45, gcorscadden, and banarama only have a handful of posts between them...... hmmmm- very suspicious!


just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean that no-one is out to get you.

I didn't know that there was a pre- req number of posts before you opinion counted on this forum, I have heard all of these stories already, again third party outside the april fe1s exam, so I didn't repeat them here because it was heresay. But personal accounts are just that, personal.

I would be more worried by a poster asking for information to check their records on. So he can look back at the Griffith records? how can a simple student do that?

ireland1italy0

Jackthe wrote: »

I appreciate what you said earlier on, but this post is outrageous. I do not quote what friends have told me however I have heard numerous stories relating to cancelled lectures and late or disappeared homework (more recently), but I choose to speak from personal experience and not the heresay of third parties.

I have in the past tackled people who I believed were not students posting on boards, but in all the time I've been here I've never seen anything so blantantly defamatory as what you have said above. I believe that what you have said is a serious libel on the reputation of all the lecturers mentioned in previous posts on this stream. The imputation that any of them would breach their professional duty to their students and their employer is absolutely out of order. If you had said something similar to a poster with a screen name there would be no slander however I believe that "Burke et al" is a sufficient identification for the purposes of an action against you.

What you have done above is to slander "Burke et al's [sic]" professional and occupational reputations and you should retract what you have said and apologise immediately, to all the lecturers concerned and to this forum.

If you are studying the Fe1's check out the chapter on defamation. Considering that lecturer's reputations are vital to their careers this is a very serious matter. I will be passing it on. I have complimented griffith and independent in past posts, and some of their lecturers, but where I've criticised anyone or anywhere I've never cast doubts on a persons professionalism or skill. APOLOGISE NOW

Dead right I think I'm more than embarrassed. I reduced myself to what I was giving out about. You're bang on in calling me on it, as I was the very one calling for productive talk. I would state that it is absolutely clear that the people in Independent are clearly at the top of their game - your opinions stand to that. I just felt the same about Griffith. Apology offered.

benco

I really don’t see why people are still talking about lecturers moving to Independent. I did my LLB and sat FE1 classes in Griffith and my best lecturers were Emma Callanan and David Langwallner. I never had Philip B, Lowery or Dowling and had Val in first year only! So based on my experience the only person who has left is Val. I don’t see what all the fuss is about

para45

Johnny Utah wrote: »

para45, gcorscadden, and banarama only have a handful of posts between them...... hmmmm- very suspicious!






Johnny Utah

This discusion is about personal experience , not about how much and how seldom we post on boards. Maybe we dont all have so much time on our hands as you seam to have . It doesnt mean I dont go onto boards to look up interesting things. Considering that I have been on boards since long before this discusion .



I have said what I wanted to say about my personal experience as what this topic was about . And you can let off as much ranting and raving as you want but the facts are the facts and as a prospective solicitor/Barristor you should know that the facts speak for them self.

And at the end of the day we all just want to pass our FE1's and make the right choices and a success of our careers .

Thank you all for listening and goodluck

gcorscadden

Para45 nothing suspicious about me at all. Thats why I gave my name to my post instead of using a made up name. I personally feel if you have an opinon which you believe strongly in, you should be able to put your name to it. Good luck with the rest of your exam.

ireland1italy0

Passing...jesus...yeah...i'd kinda left that out of my mind, but I suppose the D-day is looming. I/we will all find out soon...won't we? Mid Nov? Sorry if off topic...

Banana-rama

Dear Griffith College...oh, i mean Ireland1-Italy0...

You're comments are disgraceful. It is a libelious man indeed that must reply with such outragious allegations as yours supra. It is disgraceful not alone to yourself, but to the others who are interested in this thread and having a (relatively) mature conversation.

And Johnny Utah, man...i'm sorry. I mean, how dare i think that you and I may actually engage equally; what, with my meagre 5 or 6 posts or whatever it is. I, much the same as "Jackthe" obviously didn't read the small print closely enough to see you have to have nothing better to do than post 100 times to cross the "listen to this guy" line. My bad...

Out of interest...would i be lambasted so much, Johnny, if I was in favour of Griffith College over Independent Colleges? No, i dare say i would not. If I were taking the line you were, i'd want commission...

Why should I be ashamed? I wasn't even in POP Idol?






My advice:
Griffith has a free car-park. Ergo, go with Griffith! :pac:

Oh, and Johnny...if the above quote is what I were basing my decision on as to which college to 'invest' the considerable amount of money, time and effort in, i'd be worried...

No, i wont run with the college with the better team, i'll go where they give me free parking...hum...Best of luck with that one pal...

Cheers.

ireland1italy0

hi banana-rama, sorry for offence caused...see apology above.

Dandelion6

I haven't started the FE1s yet, but I did the Legal Executive course at Griffith, which is administered by the same department (the Professional Law School) that does the FE1 course.

I had a lot of the same problems mentioned by previous posters e.g. not getting back homework until after it was too late to be any use, difficulty contacting lecturers. There were a few other problems with their administration (including one big one that could have really f*ked me up if I hadn't been able to fix it in time - no thanks to them). Also, I thought the materials were poor.

Despite their best efforts I managed to do well enough in the course to convince me I should be studying to be a solicitor not just a legal exec. Wasn't too difficult to make the decision to switch to Independent. They couldn't possibly be any worse.

windofchange

On Dandelion6...heartening to see someone making the step up. I'm in the middle of same (but just from office admin to sol). Just one thing though, if you did the legal exec course last year, wouldn't that be the course set up etc by the very people who this whole post are extolling as the ones to follow? I dont even have the diploma and was thinking about trying to get it before FE1's, but I had read your posts in other places re the textbook etc and your problems with it. TI see you're talking about admin here which may be different, but I had read other times on here you were really hammering the manual and the course materials. Am I getting that wrong?

That had me thinking about how, if the course was deficient in the way you say it was, why you would then want to follow the people responsible for setting it up and preparing the materials which were you said in other posts in other threads were bad? Am I making sense? And, did you think the diploma was necessary to move onto Fe1's? Have I missed out not getting an equivlanet qualification, irrespective of where i try to get it?

Dandelion6

Hi windofchange

I guess I'm hoping that the administration problems at Griffith were behind the problems with the materials as well, as in maybe at Independent they at least will have someone edit them before they're finalised (that would have made a big difference in the Griffith materials). The administrators at Griffith haven't moved to Independent so I'm not "following" them ... and it sounds as though Pamela is really on the ball, which has been my experience of her so far as well.

You don't need to get the legal exec diploma before starting the FE1s. Most people don't do it that way. Although I am hoping that, having done it, it will give me a bit of a head start