PGDE Trinity Interviews

Sharmon1

Hi
I was just wondering, those of you who applied to Trinity to do the PGDE 09/10, has anyone heard if they got called for interview yet? I know its around this time that were supposed to hear.

sitstill

When I applied a few years ago I heard from them in mid February and my interview was early March. It could vary each year though I don't know.

Síle28

When I did it a few years ago I heard more or less this week and did it last day of January so it must vary each year. No word as of yet this time round for me either.

a.auhl

I got a letter for the pgde interview yesterday 18.02.....this was my 1st time applying and i really didnt expect an interview.im worried now as iv never done an interview before!can someone please give me some information on the interview eg. is it just an oral interview or are there any other forms of testing. what kind of q's do they ask apart from the norm. my subject area is business studies, do they ask q's on the business syllabus.......iv so many q's but i would be delighted with any relevant feedback from people who may have done the interview before and know 1st hand.........thanks

Dionysus

Why does Trinners have an interview but UCD doesn't? Do they not have a points entry?

Powerhouse

Maybe Trinity has a wild notion of trying to ensure that applicants are reasonably suitable for the job.

The real question is the opposite to the one asked - why on earth do the other colleges not have an interview?

ShaneU

Anyone still not got a letter from them?

Empsey

I applied for the Dip in Trinity for business and accounting and i still have not heard anything either way

lena-bell

I heard last week for an interview on the 11th of March. I'm getting very nervous. I'm cutting out anything related to teaching in the paper so I am up to date on current topics.
The stats from last year said that Trinity got over a 1000 applicants and interviewed 2/3 of them so 666 for 130 places!! and I am sure more people would have applied this year!:(

Maynooth, UCC, UCD, NUIG work off of the CAO. Trinity work off of experience, essay, academic results and the interview.

ShaneU

Okay I'm getting worried now. where's my letter.

delta_bravo

A guy i know has his interview tomorrow evening. He said that 75% of candidates are given an interview

ShaneU

Yes but surely I should be given notification of some sort.

leann

Hi

Doin the dip in TCD at the moment, all theletters have been sent out and the interviews go on over the next three weeks.

Make sure you know all the rubbish you put in your personal statement and try to think why they should pick you over the the others that want the spot!

ICT? Sport? Debating?

Above all, make them think that you're already a teacher and just need a few pointers!

Good luck

Rosita

Even allowing for the varying accounts of the numbers of people interviewed for this course, it seems extraordinary that they allocate resources to interviewing so many. Considering how much time and effort they expect to be put into the application form I'd have thought it'd be a far more effective screening mechanism than to leave them with 600-800 to plough through, having had over two months to consider the application forms. I know they need all the boxes ticked so that they are fairly sure that an applicant is who they say they are etc. but it seems illogical to look for such a comprehensive application form, take two months to go through them and then not reject at least half of them.

Somebody here said that Trinity work off experience (inter alia) but that seems a rather curious criterion to place very much weight on as it means they are disciminating against fresh under-graduates who you'd normally expect to be the backbone of a H Dip applicant cohort.

This "experience" factor also appears to favour people who have been subbing for years because they have been unable to get into the H Dip previously throught their results or interviews. It seems odd that suddenly this is an advantage. On the other hand, in fairness I suppose, at least such people have demonstrated a practical interest and commitment to the job.

Of course, I am assuming that the information posted here is genuine and has come either directly or indirectly from people who are involved in the selection process for the course.

smurfette2212

I was just wondering...my cousin has an interview either this week or next - his degree was in languages... Do they accept people regardless of subject, or would they take a certain number from each category - English, Maths, Italian etc. ?? Also, has anyone ever got accepted the first time that they have applied? He's dying to do the course, but isn't too confident given that this was his first time applying. Thanks

jck

I did an interview last year for History. They told me in the interview that 600 had applied for History as the main teaching subject, they interviewed 60 people, and then 10 got places on the course.

It was a really good interview, very professional. They basically told me that I wouldn't be getting a place last year because of my age (I was still in my final year in college) and I lacked experience in teaching (I'd taught in Paris for a year) but they told me to go and get as much experience by subbing for the year. The places are really in demand so they want to be sure the people they choose are the right candidates in their eyes for the job.

I'm back next week for my repeat interview. Needless to say the experience I've gained over the last year will be invaluable. But then again applications increased this year so competition will be high.

To my knowledge placement is based alot on the interview. I prefer that to the CAO placements! Just because you have the points doesn't mean a person is going to be suitable for teaching or even going to like teaching!!

Rosita

[QUOTE=jck;59251335

To my knowledge placement is based alot on the interview. I prefer that to the CAO placements! Just because you have the points doesn't mean a person is going to be suitable for teaching or even going to like teaching!!
[/QUOTE]



The only problem with this is that as you experienced yourself they can essentially have somebody dismissed before they walk into the interview on the basis of a criterion such as age or experience. In that sense the interview seems to mean more in theory than practice.

lena-bell

I know people who have gotten in with no teaching experience but had done volunteer work and also done lot's of coaching etc. If you are an active person that will stand to you.
Rosita, have you applied for Trinity too?

How many applications were there this year people keep saying it was higher. I am just curious how large the jump was.

I am getting nervous about the interview. I am away at the weekend so going to be hard to prepare.

Rosita

lena-bell wrote: »

I know people who have gotten in with no teaching experience but had done volunteer work and also done lot's of coaching etc. If you are an active person that will stand to you.
Rosita, have you applied for Trinity too?

How many applications were there this year people keep saying it was higher. I am just curious how large the jump was.

I am getting nervous about the interview. I am away at the weekend so going to be hard to prepare.

Yes, I have an interview on Friday week. I have zero teaching experience (apart from some teaching practice on a TEFL course I'm doing but that won't count for anything really) so we'll see how it goes. I work as a journalist so I have plenty of professional practice at appearing plausible so hopefully that will stand me in good stead.;)

I wouldn't worry about the numbers applying, just give it the best shot you can and steer away from any statistical analysis of your chances.

I also have applied to the NUI colleges (Maynooth and UCD) so hopefully one of them will turn up trumps! That takes the edge of my Trinity nerves but I suppose they'll emerge on the day of the interview.

cazawazza

Has anyone else got accepted to Trinity for Business PGDE 2010/2011?

sjms

Hey, i am new to all of this, I was just wondering if there is anyone who will be doing the PGDE next year in Trinity? My subject is science. And for people looking into doing it next year, I am 21, just finished my final undergraduate exams last week and got the place, so nothing like that should put you off.