Admissions & Student Life Question

Char4457

Hi, all! I'm an American with Irish dual citizenship, and may be interested in TCD. In general, would you say that it's difficult for Americans at TCD? (ex. overcoming American stereotypes.) What is the social life like- lots of going out in Dublin, or do people entertain themselves on campus a lot of the time?

Also, how hard is it to get into Trinity? I don't know if there are any other Americans here who would be able to judge based on my performance, but here's what part of my transcript would look like:

ACT- 30
3.7 GPA
Valedictorian of class
Very active in clubs/sports (founder/president of some)
Plan to study history of art & architecture and possibly history or sociology.

Also, is there any financial aid for foreigners? I would be non-EU seeing as I'm not a resident of Ireland, though I have citizenship and a passport.

I'm taking a gap year this year and may be spending some time in Ireland and would be able to check out Trinity at that point.

Thanks:)

Jimdw

Char4457 wrote: »

Hi, all! I'm an American with Irish dual citizenship, and may be interested in TCD. In general, would you say that it's difficult for Americans at TCD? (ex. overcoming American stereotypes.) What is the social life like- lots of going out in Dublin, or do people entertain themselves on campus a lot of the time?

Also, how hard is it to get into Trinity? I don't know if there are any other Americans here who would be able to judge based on my performance, but here's what part of my transcript would look like:

ACT- 30
3.7 GPA
Valedictorian of class
Very active in clubs/sports (founder/president of some)
Plan to study history of art & architecture and possibly history or sociology.

Also, is there any financial aid for foreigners? I would be non-EU seeing as I'm not a resident of Ireland, though I have citizenship and a passport.

I'm taking a gap year this year and may be spending some time in Ireland and would be able to check out Trinity at that point.

Thanks:)

As an Irish citizen you would be entitled to free education in Ireland provided that you remain in Ireland for 3 years, working for yourself and things.
Americans are cool cause they already speak English and many Irish in the past had a history of emigration to America. So Irish tend to be cool about Americans, however they are strongly critical about the Iraq War, so as long you keep quiet about the Iraq and say that you are against it, you will be ok.
What goes to the how hard it is to get into Trinity, as far as I know if you already have an undergraduate in similar subject like English you won't have a problem getting into History of Art&Architecture.

By they way, how come do you have an Irish citizenship and passport if not a secret?

Char4457

Jimdw wrote: »

As an Irish citizen you would be entitled to free education in Ireland provided that you remain in Ireland for 3 years, working for yourself and things.
Americans are cool cause they already speak English and many Irish in the past had a history of emigration to America. So Irish tend to be cool about Americans, however they are strongly critical about the Iraq War, so as long you keep quiet about the Iraq and say that you are against it, you will be ok.
What goes to the how hard it is to get into Trinity, as far as I know if you already have an undergraduate in similar subject like English you won't have a problem getting into History of Art&Architecture.

By they way, how come do you have an Irish citizenship and passport if not a secret?

Well, I'd actually be applying for undergraduate and we don't have any specific concentrations or anything in high school if that's what you mean? Free education?! On the TCD website there are all the course fees, etc. though? Could somebody clarify all of the fees for me? I thought the only way to get EU status would be to have resided in Ireland for 3 years before applying or something like that, which obviously isn't my case! & even then, there are fees listed for EU students.

As far as the Iraq War goes, I'm totally against it as well so I suppose I'd fit in quite well in Ireland. My grandparents were some of those emigrees actually, and I received citizenship through them/because of them.

raah!

Those are the fees that you would pay, if they weren't free. Repeat students loose their entitlement to free fees(I think).

CaramelBear

Char4457 wrote: »

Well, I'd actually be applying for undergraduate and we don't have any specific concentrations or anything in high school if that's what you mean? Free education?! On the TCD website there are all the course fees, etc. though? Could somebody clarify all of the fees for me? I thought the only way to get EU status would be to have resided in Ireland for 3 years before applying or something like that, which obviously isn't my case! & even then, there are fees listed for EU students.

As far as the Iraq War goes, I'm totally against it as well so I suppose I'd fit in quite well in Ireland. My grandparents were some of those emigrees actually, and I received citizenship through them/because of them.

You would come under non-EU. I'm not an E.U national, but my parents have worked in Ireland for 4 years now. And I have attended secondary school for 3 of the 5 years. The EU fees applies to me. The non-EU fees was scary to be honest. You'd be better off contacting the Treasurer's Office where the fees and issues relating to it are handled. E-mail: treasurers.office@tcd.ie

As for finance, I assume you could try the banks for student loans. I wouldn't be an expert on that since I will be receiving financial support from my parents for the duration of my 3rd level education and didn't have to try. Someone who needed financial help might come across this thread ^_^

I have a mixed accent. American is one of them. I often use words which have been stereotyped as American. And I get made fun of for that >.> It could just be a strange idiosnycracy of my friends. For the most part, Dubliners are far more open-minded than those in Tralee. You could expect a warm welcome [=

Jimdw

Char4457 wrote: »

Well, I'd actually be applying for undergraduate and we don't have any specific concentrations or anything in high school if that's what you mean? Free education?! On the TCD website there are all the course fees, etc. though? Could somebody clarify all of the fees for me? I thought the only way to get EU status would be to have resided in Ireland for 3 years before applying or something like that, which obviously isn't my case! & even then, there are fees listed for EU students.

As far as the Iraq War goes, I'm totally against it as well so I suppose I'd fit in quite well in Ireland. My grandparents were some of those emigrees actually, and I received citizenship through them/because of them.

You are on a good start.
You already have EU status since you hold an Irish citizenship you will be eligible for EU fees which are about €5,000 a year. EU fees are for those EU citizens who have not been resident in Ireland for 3 years of the last 5 years BUT ARE EU CITIZENS.
Free-Fees on the other hand is free education for all EU nationals who have been resident in Ireland for 3 years of the last 5 years.
Non-EU fees are for non EU nationals and who HAVE NOT been in Ireland for 3 years of the last 5 years and they pay full price about €25,000 per year. Those Non-EU nationals who have been resident in Ireland for 3 years out of the last 5 years are eligible for EU Fees (€5,000 per year).
Well free fees are for All EU nationals who have been resident in Ireland for 3 years out of the last 5 years. Irish nationality is also included in EU nationality. So Even if you are Irish but went to live in France for five years and came back you would have to live in Ireland for 3 years before you will be eligible for free fees, although you will still have EU Fees when you come back from France (€5,000 per year).
Hope that clears up a little bit for you

What goes with getting into undergraduate with results from school (that you got in America) - I know almost nothing about, since I did my school in Dublin. Email Trinity College admissions office, they know admissions@tcd.ie

jack90210

Jimdw wrote: »

however they are strongly critical about the Iraq War, so as long you keep quiet about the Iraq and say that you are against it, you will be ok.

Thanks for speaking for the whole country. I support the Iraq war and I'm Irish.

Mark200

jack90210 wrote: »

Thanks for speaking for the whole country. I support the Iraq war and I'm Irish.

Well no one likes you here

Char4457

I think CaramelBear may be right, after investigating some more on the TCD website. I have never lived or received any schooling in Ireland or any EU country-- I've been in America. It says EU fees are for those who HAVE lived 3 of 5 years before admission. If you're under 23 (me), you have to have been a resident in an EU state and gone to high school in the EU and your parents must have lived there as well. This is disappointing- I really wish there was some way to get reduced tuition or SOMETHING for being a citizen, even though I'm not a resident. The website is confusing on the fee-front though.

CaramelBear

I think there are other institutions that allow something for the fact that you're an Irish citizen. I don't think TCD does. You could try some of the other 3rd level institutions maybe?

Unless you're set about going to Trinity =D

Jegger

So you want to come to Ireland and have the irish tax payer pay your 5,000 fees......wonderful!:rolleyes:

I wonder if i go to the US will the american tax payers pay for my fees? hahaha

AlanSparrowhawk

Trinity may indeed be cheaper for you than a big American University if you don't get any financial support or scholarships. To qualify for free fees as the lads have said you need to be resident in ireland for 3 of the last 4 years or something like that so I don't think you'll quality.

Plenty of Americans doing their thing in TCD and Irish universities in general, if you get any Anti-American **** from ppl just throw your diet soda over them.

Char4457

I'm not trying to go for free- I'm just wondering how hard it is to get into and what the fees are like. I'm confused about whether I'm EU or non-EU is all!!

CaramelBear

Char4457 wrote: »

I'm not trying to go for free- I'm just wondering how hard it is to get into and what the fees are like. I'm confused about whether I'm EU or non-EU is all!!

If it's TCD, I think I can bet on it that you don't come under EU. Non-EU. And like I said, the Fees Office [Treasurer's] would be your best bet. Contact them and see what they say. And if you're still confused, come back to us =]

And if you need a place to stay, you're always welcome in our apartment.

Jimdw

JonGaffer wrote: »

So you want to come to Ireland and have the irish tax payer pay your 5,000 fees......wonderful!:rolleyes:

I wonder if i go to the US will the american tax payers pay for my fees? hahaha

US doesn't have free fees initiative for American citizens. The same situation Ireland used to be in 1970s
So even if you come to US you will still pay the same money for university as Americans themselves.

Ron DMC

jack90210 wrote: »

Thanks for speaking for the whole country. I support the Iraq war and I'm Irish.

+1

You won't get free fees mate - I know someone who applied to another major Irish University in the same situation as you and has to pay.

Scarinae

I think it's established that she won't be eligible for free fees, the question now is whether she is eligible for EU fees (~5k) or non-EU fees (~25k).

OP, I think your best bet would be to actually contact the treasurers office at treasurers.office@tcd.ie and ask them, they will be able to tell you clearly if the website is too confusing!

Well excuse me for answering the question.

Boston

Deleted User wrote: »

Well excuse me for answering the question.

You're excused, but don't let me catch you being helpful again.

Jimdw

I looked it up in TCD 2009 Prospectus and looks like you have non-EU (€25,000/annum) even though you hold an EU passport cause you didn't receive your schooling in EU state.
The only way to qualify for a discount is to live in EU state for 3 years.
I would got for Cambridge university in England if I were you cause they are ranking 2nd in the World. Harvard in US if first.

gaybitch

Char4457 wrote: »

In general, would you say that it's difficult for Americans at TCD? (ex. overcoming American stereotypes.) What is the social life like- lots of going out in Dublin, or do people entertain themselves on campus a lot of the time?

The social life is great in Dublin - depends on the type of person, but most college students would go out to pubs, clubs and house parties. There's student nights on during the week with cheaper drinks and free entry etc, and there's <snip>. Don't worry about being from the US either, you'd most likely fit in grand. You might get a bit of slagging for your accent, but it'd be a novelty more than anything!

YogiBoy

Jimdw wrote: »

Free-Fees is free education for all EU nationals who have been resident in blah blah

Not true, luckily. Non-Irish EU and Irish students are treated identically.

Just go to
http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/fees/#free-fees
or like the above posts point out, email the Treasurer's Office if not clear.