Schols 09/10

Aldito

Does anyone know when the schols exams are this year???

Realistically how well would you have to have done in the first year summer exams to be in with a chance of getting schols???

tolosenc

Week beginning January 11th.

It's not for the feint of heart. Unless you got a high 2.1, I'd seriously take a look at the amount of work you need to do.

Unregistered.

Aldito wrote: »

Realistically how well would you have to have done in the first year summer exams to be in with a chance of getting schols???

Seeing as how they're not based on first year exam results anybody who takes it seriously and takes their finger out can get them.

Bajingo

I was 1% of a 2.1 in my first year exams but im still going to do schols.

If I get them brilliant..if I dont ill be that little bit more prepared for my second year exams.

Peleus

I dont think im gonna bother. I mean realistically 6 people max in engineering (with 150 or so) would get it. Probably alot less. And i really dont see myself being in the top 6 in my year.

also with no exemptions its basically like studying for the end of year exams twice in one year (assuming you dont get schols.)

ianmull

Any one can go for them realistically. If you are willing to work very, very hard and keep it up consistantly you'd have a very good chance of getting them. It used to be just the entire 2nd year course + plus some advanced stuff that was examined in them (well in Engineering anyway) but now I believe it includes all of the 1st year course aswell as what you do in 2nd year up until the schol exams take place (the lecturer will tell you where he will cut the course off for the exam). I'd say if your going for them next year and committed to doing your best to try to get them you should start revising the 1st year material now, if your absolutly bored and unemployed for the summer theres no harm in it I suppose if it will help you a great deal in the long run for schols!

godtabh

Peleus wrote: »

I dont think im gonna bother. I mean realistically 6 people max in engineering (with 150 or so) would get it. Probably alot less. And i really dont see myself being in the top 6 in my year.

also with no exemptions its basically like studying for the end of year exams twice in one year (assuming you dont get schols.)

I studied for them back in the day. Did the maths paper and it was a disaster and didn’t do any more. Was great preparation for the summer exams and got a first in them

JC 2K3

The lack of exemptions now sucks.

On the other hand, they're earlier in the year and seem like they'll be a more difficult version of your first year exams with a few extra things.

Study consistently from Oct/Nov and you'll have a chance.

And believe me, it's SO worth it, if even for the experience of Trinity Monday alone.

kthnxbai

Peleus wrote: »

I dont think im gonna bother. I mean realistically 6 people max in engineering (with 150 or so) would get it. Probably alot less. And i really dont see myself being in the top 6 in my year.

also with no exemptions its basically like studying for the end of year exams twice in one year (assuming you dont get schols.)

Yeah, I'm going into js in Sept and I chickened out of doing schols last year...

but if you guys have the same Maths lecturers ( others too, but maths in particular), they basically put the schols questions on the end of year.. so it's brilliant practise...

Only thing that I think might be crappy is that you won't have the long Easter break to do them in, so I dunno what way it's gonna work, time-wise

bobboberson

can you do schols on 1st year?

tolosenc

bobboberson wrote: »

can you do schols on 1st year?

Yes. But it's really not a good idea.

mathew

Deffinately give it a shot. As JC 2K3 said its well worth it.. and Trinity Monday is an amazing thing to experience.

I never considered myself in the top 3 of my year, and I still dont. There are many others who probably would have got it had they tried (and done better than me).

For Engineering all the material was stuff we covered in lectures. Most of the calculation etc were very simple, it just required you to think outside the box when looking at the question. Trying loads of past questions, doing the hard questions in tutorials etc is what helps. Your friends, tutors and lecturers are great resources. Even a friend who isnt doing scholls may have an idea about something that you dont see when looking at the question.

The few months hard study really pay off if you get it. In my view its well worth the gamble. If you enjoy the course, like most of the material and are willing to put in a bit of effort.. just go for it. You have nothing to loose at all.. just a lot to gain if you get it!!!

devinejay

I think I'll have a run at it, probably should start soon to make up for a lazy first year.

Me and the lads were debating this the other night, but what do you actually get? Like is it campus accommodation for the five years?

Podge_irl

devinejay wrote: »

I think I'll have a run at it, probably should start soon to make up for a lazy first year.

Me and the lads were debating this the other night, but what do you actually get? Like is it campus accommodation for the five years?

Yeah, as long as you're registered for a course in the university you get free campus accomodation (though you still have to pay a few hundred for light/heat). You can also attend commons every weekday for a free meal. You don't have to pay the registration fee (or full fees if they come in) and you get €250 a year.

ALincoln

if you got 67 without a significant amount of study in the summer exams, would it be a realistic aspiration?

Aldito

devinejay wrote: »

what do you actually get? Like is it campus accommodation for the five years?

You can decline the accommodation for half of its value, i.e.:around €2,500

so assuming you're in 2nd year now,

it's worth

€2,500 x 2 years
€1,500 x 2 years(registration fee)
€250 x 2 years

€8,500 + free evening meals

Liquorice

ALincoln wrote: »

if you got 67 without a significant amount of study in the summer exams, would it be a realistic aspiration?

If the reason you didn't do 'a significant amount of study' is simply because it was first year and you weren't bothered/used to college exams/had non-college-related stuff going on etc., then yeah, 67 is actually a really good springboard mark and it's a pretty realistic aspiration to go for schols. If the reason for your lack of study is because you can't get yourself to settle down to study, or don't know how, or don't find it effective, or whatever, maybe try looking into new ways to study. I don't know what the academic workshops are like in college but there are plenty of blogs out there with decent tips/ideas.

I found this and this to be good food for thought, even if I didn't implement the ideas in their totality.

It's all well and good to be naturally capable of good marks, but schols is a mammoth, marathon task.

Edit: In terms of entitlements, I also believe you can get postgrad fees paid during the 5 years..? Which seems pretty worthwhile.

Edit2: Jaysis people are getting anxious if the schols thread has started this early, though I guess they're earlier this year.

mathew

scholls is for 5 years tho.. So you still get the benefits once you stay a student. You can do a postgrad or something for free (fees are all paid)
The money in lieu of accomodation is 2215 a year, salary is 256 a year, commons every weekday evening (or lunch in the summer), invitation to the provosts garden party on trinity monday every year (i think). Invitation to the trinity monday banquet every decade, you officially own the college, everything is done in the name of the provost, fellows and scholars (read the sign in the nassau entrance). You also get Sch. after your name.
Its a pretty big deal!!

Podge_irl

mathew wrote: »

you officially own the college, everything is done in the name of the provost, fellows and scholars (read the sign in the nassau entrance).

That's only referring to the Foundaion Scholars, whose numbers are kept at 70 (so about 15 new ones every year).

Unregistered.

mathew wrote: »

everything is done in the name of the provost, fellows and scholars

Is that not only the 70 or so foundation scholars?

ALincoln

whats a foundation scholar?

bright

For anyone wonder just how the new schols set up will work, here is some sample info exactly how candidates will be assessed in the BESS course.

http://www.tcd.ie/bess/current/exams/foundationschol.php

and

http://www.tcd.ie/bess/downloads/FoundationScholarship.pdf

This is the first time I have seen it. I think it is a very interesting layout and that the department have done a great job with the changeover. It still seems schol-sy though it has been condensed and the introduction of pre-approved papers is nice. I had heard this was coming in for Philosophy but it is good to see in the BESS exam.

My 2c.

Good luck to all going for it in your respective courses. It is a worthwhile endevour, regardless of your previous results or your eventual result.

andrew

bright wrote: »

For anyone wonder just how the new schols set up will work, here is some sample info exactly how candidates will be assessed in the BESS course.

http://www.tcd.ie/bess/current/exams/foundationschol.php

and

http://www.tcd.ie/bess/downloads/FoundationScholarship.pdf

This is the first time I have seen it. I think it is a very interesting layout and that the department have done a great job with the changeover. It still seems schol-sy though it has been condensed and the introduction of pre-approved papers is nice. I had heard this was coming in for Philosophy but it is good to see in the BESS exam.

My 2c.

Good luck to all going for it in your respective courses. It is a worthwhile endevour, regardless of your previous results or your eventual result.

Argh still pretty vague though. I'm guessing previous papers won't be much use given they've changed now. Does anyone know where to get ESRI reports online without registering with them? It's not clear how to register anyway... :confused

"Questions of a general nature on the discipline of Politics drawing on material covered in the Junior Freshman module P01060 and in the Michaelmas Term of the three Senior Freshman modules PO2610, PO2640, PO2650."

Wow thats real helpful, they couldn't have narrowed it down better at all

Kwekubo

ALincoln wrote: »

whats a foundation scholar?

You'll prob find the details in an archive on this forum somewhere, but...

The statutes of the college place a limit on the number of scholars that form part of the body corporate that owns the college (the aforementioned Provost, Fellows and Scholars). Rather than tinker with this historical number of 70 scholars "on the foundation" of the college, a much larger group of "non-foundation" scholars now exists, so that as many scholarships can be awarded as merit dictates. The scholars with the highest marks every year become foundation scholars, replacing old ones that leave, so that the number is kept at 70 (the vacant places being shared out between the different faculties). It's a tradition thing, an extra gold star on top of the regular scholar whatsits.

mathew

Unregistered. wrote: »

Is that not only the 70 or so foundation scholars?

Not according to the provost. When we were in his house on the tuesday he said the college is owned by all scholars, the foundation scholars get voting rights too..

Craguls

Does anyone have any experience with schols for natural sciences?

I figure they'd be a good idea since places are handed out on an academic basis at the end of second year anyway

Podge_irl

mathew wrote: »

Not according to the provost. When we were in his house on the tuesday he said the college is owned by all scholars, the foundation scholars get voting rights too..

I'm pretty sure he's mistaken. Only the foundation scholars are members of the body corporate as far as I am aware. When the charter refers to scholars it implies foundation scholars, others are explicitly referred to as non-foundation scholars. Course I could be completely wrong too.

The scholars with the highest marks every year become foundation scholars

The foundation scholars are spread around the different faculties somehow, otherwise all the foundation scholars would be in the sciences. It is largely a merit based thing though.

diluvial

mathew wrote: »

scholls is for 5 years tho.. So you still get the benefits once you stay a student. You can do a postgrad or something for free (fees are all paid)
The money in lieu of accomodation is 2215 a year, salary is 256 a year, commons every weekday evening (or lunch in the summer), invitation to the provosts garden party on trinity monday every year (i think). Invitation to the trinity monday banquet every decade, you officially own the college, everything is done in the name of the provost, fellows and scholars (read the sign in the nassau entrance). You also get Sch. after your name.
Its a pretty big deal!!

I seem to remember reading somewhere that entitlements only last until you get a masters. Can anyone confirm or unconfirm this? On my course you enrol for a masters and then if you show sufficient merit you go straight to working on Phd from second post-grad year. Would I then only get free fees for the first year?

antiselfdual

No it lasts for five years (if you're still in Trinity).

See also: http://www.tcdlife.ie/scholars/scholar/about-faq.php

diluvial

antiselfdual wrote: »

No it lasts for five years (if you're still in Trinity).

See also: http://www.tcdlife.ie/scholars/scholar/about-faq.php

Ah, good to know, thanks.

Podge_irl

diluvial wrote: »

I seem to remember reading somewhere that entitlements only last until you get a masters. Can anyone confirm or unconfirm this? On my course you enrol for a masters and then if you show sufficient merit you go straight to working on Phd from second post-grad year. Would I then only get free fees for the first year?

Its for five years or until you're eligible to qualify for an MA. Its referring to the MA you can "buy" after you've left college for three years though I think - so its essentially a five year tenure unless you get schols in 3rd year when its only a 4 year one.

mathew

Does that mean you can buy your MA after your 5 years of scholls are up or do you still need 3 years working in the field to qualify to buy it?

andrew

mathew wrote: »

Does that mean you can buy your MA after your 5 years of scholls are up or do you still need 3 years working in the field to qualify to buy it?

Hey! My MA is not for sale!









I'll get my coat...

Podge_irl

mathew wrote: »

Does that mean you can buy your MA after your 5 years of scholls are up or do you still need 3 years working in the field to qualify to buy it?

As far as I am aware you don't need anything to qualify for it except to have graduated 3 years previously.

diluvial

I apologize in advance for another OT, vague scholy question, but:

Scholars don't have to pay the student charge, correct? What about Usi Levy and Sports centre charge? I received the fee payment form today and am wondering what I need to do with it.

mathew

diluvial wrote: »

I apologize in advance for another OT, vague scholy question, but:

Scholars don't have to pay the student charge, correct? What about Usi Levy and Sports centre charge? I received the fee payment form today and am wondering what I need to do with it.

My fees this year are 85 euro.
77 for the sports centre
8 for the USI
Scholars dont have to pay course fees or registration fees.

A Neurotic

My tour guide at the Open Day told me Scholars got a sword

tolosenc

Oh crap. I just got an urge to do it again...

diluvial

mathew wrote: »

My fees this year are 85 euro.
77 for the sports centre
8 for the USI
Scholars dont have to pay course fees or registration fees.

So there's no mention of the 1,500 fee on your fee payment form? Crud. They've evidently made a mistake with mine.

Kwekubo

A Neurotic wrote: »

My tour guide at the Open Day told me Scholars got a sword

Rule of thumb: any Trinity rumours concerning swords and glasses of sherry/port, hunting Catholics with longbows, or grazing your sheep under the Campanile should be considered false until proved otherwise.

Podge_irl

diluvial wrote: »

So there's no mention of the 1,500 fee on your fee payment form? Crud. They've evidently made a mistake with mine.

Yup, you should only be paying the USI and sports centre charges. Just get onto them about it, it should be easy enough to sort out.

Peleus

yeah screw it Ill do it. I have a habit of regretting things I dont do. Thanks guys. The free commons and the sch. is very tempting.

TheAmateur

Think I'll give it a shot as well. Anyone know if it'll be the same number and type of exams or has the whole structure been changed?

devinejay

Peleus, TheAmateur I'm sorry, but from now on you are now my sworn enemies. This schols race is a cutthroat world, maybe. I don't really know. Hell we could even work together, but no, SWORN ENEMIES!


(I just kinda figured you had to sell your soul for schols and all...:pac:)

Podge_irl

devinejay wrote: »

Peleus, TheAmateur I'm sorry, but from now on you are now my sworn enemies. This schols race is a cutthroat world, maybe. I don't really know. Hell we could even work together, but no, SWORN ENEMIES!


(I just kinda figured you had to sell your soul for schols and all...:pac:)

Schols generally isn't competitive - as many people as deserve it will get it. I realise this was in jest, but working together is actually the best way to work for schols.

devinejay

It was indeed in jest. Or was it?!?!?


(That just reminded me of my really stupid english teacher who used to always say "Or is it!?!?" after anyone made a point, her way of appearing to contribute when in reality she hadn't a clue what was going on.)