Information request

crfcaio

Hello, I am a Brazilian-raised student studying in US. I am 16 years old and I am planning to attend Trinity College Dublin in 2012 (don't have any idea of major yet, but I probably will within the next two years).

I've been checking many websites about Ireland, studying in Ireland, living in Ireland, working in Ireland, etc, but I still didn't find what I was looking for.


- Is there any other requirements to be accepted by TCD apart from the ones listed on the website for US students?
- Does the Admission Officers consider my extracurricular activies and/or community service (volunteer work) as a plus? What I mean is, does this kind of stuff help me get into TCD?
- Would it be better if I submitted both SAT and ACT test scores or is it as good as just sending one of the tests' scores?
- On TCD's website, there is a list of tuition fees. Am I paying for all the four years of course or each year?
- How is the education on Trinity? What about the sports?
- Since I was a kid, I don't know why but I loved Ireland. How is the lifestyle in Dublin? What are the people in there like? What about TCD's students?
- If I work, will I have time for studies and social life?
- Is there anything else I should know? Tips are welcome.

Sorry for so many questions, I just want to be sure of my choice, I really-really-really want to study there. TCD is my first-choice university

Thanks for the help!

El Siglo

crfcaio wrote: »

Hello, I am a Brazilian-raised student studying in US. I am 16 years old and I am planning to attend Trinity College Dublin in 2012 (don't have any idea of major yet, but I probably will within the next two years).

I've been checking many websites about Ireland, studying in Ireland, living in Ireland, working in Ireland, etc, but I still didn't find what I was looking for.


- Is there any other requirements to be accepted by TCD apart from the ones listed on the website for US students?

Whatever it says on the website, you can always contact the undergraduate admissions office: http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/contact-us/

- Does the Admission Officers consider my extracurricular activies and/or community service (volunteer work) as a plus? What I mean is, does this kind of stuff help me get into TCD?

No, just whatever your grades are. That's the way they look at everyone here anyway.

- Would it be better if I submitted both SAT and ACT test scores or is it as good as just sending one of the tests' scores?

It depends on which one you did better in, both are equally accepted.

- On TCD's website, there is a list of tuition fees. Am I paying for all the four years of course or each year?

It goes year by year, not all at once.

- How is the education on Trinity? What about the sports?

It's a university, it's good I suppose... Sport is aright as well. Decent enough facilities.

- Since I was a kid, I don't know why but I loved Ireland. How is the lifestyle in Dublin? What are the people in there like? What about TCD's students?

Nice city, it grows on you. The people are fine too.

- If I work, will I have time for studies and social life?

Yes. You just have to balance things but you should be fine.

- Is there anything else I should know? Tips are welcome.

Probably a good idea to come over to Dublin and see the place for yourself.

Sorry for so many questions, I just want to be sure of my choice, I really-really-really want to study there. TCD is my first-choice university

Thanks for the help!

Okay so.

crfcaio

Actually I do am going to Dublin next summer, I was invited to be a Student Ambassador so I am probably make my final choice next year.

Oh, if I apply for TCD next year, if accepted, I begin my studies in the Fall of 2012 right?

ApeXaviour

crfcaio wrote: »

Oh, if I apply for TCD next year, if accepted, I begin my studies in the Fall of 2012 right?

Yes, end of September. The teaching term ends in April and exams finish up in May.

You'd probably enjoy staying in Trinity Halls for your first year accommodation at least. It's off-campus but they're decent rooms and it's a good way to meet other first-years (junior freshmen). After a year or so of living in the city you can figure out where's best to rent a room.

crfcaio

Well, so, let's see, if I choose for Medicine, i gotta pay $31,000 EVERY year? That's a lot of cash.

ApeXaviour wrote: »

Yes, end of September. The teaching term ends in April and exams finish up in May.

You'd probably enjoy staying in Trinity Halls for your first year accommodation at least. It's off-campus but they're decent rooms and it's a good way to meet other first-years (junior freshmen). After a year or so of living in the city you can figure out where's best to rent a room.

Actually I was thinking about renting a flat for me. Do we divide all the campus' dorms or are there single dorms available?
Is not that I am anti-social, is just that I'd rather have my own place to do whatever I wanted to.

ApeXaviour

American-style dorms are not the norm here, though you can request to share a room if you desire. If you lived in Halls you would have your own bedroom with an ensuite toilet and shower, but would share a kitchen and living-room type area with about 3-5 other students (I believe), likely of both genders.

I'd recommend it, will likely do wonders for your student experience and social life, especially in a new country.

zam

As far as I know, things like extra-curriculars are taken into account. I was talking to an American girl doing Law and Politics and her admissions process sounded quite complicated. Talk to the admissions office I guess!

Groinshot

ApeXaviour wrote: »

American-style dorms are not the norm here, though you can request to share a room if you desire. If you lived in Halls you would have your own bedroom with an ensuite toilet and shower, but would share a kitchen and living-room type area with about 3-5 other students (I believe), likely of both genders.

I'd recommend it, will likely do wonders for your student experience and social life, especially in a new country.

if youi live in halls, you can either share a room, or have a single room (btoh ensuite) and share a living space with either 5 or 6 people, depending on your luck. Or, you can have a room to yourself, share a bahtroom with 4(I think) and a kitchen and living area with 16... that's cunningham house.

goingnowhere

The College has a cautious view of the US education system and in many cases seeks a year at a US College first before acceptance.

It is case by case and likely they will seek a large volume of information as its not a common process

http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/requirements/matriculation/other/

You may also need to provide evidence of your English standard as your country of birth does not have English as its first language
http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/requirements/english/

Darkglasses

Regarding accommodation, foreign students can get on-campus accommodation easier. Trinity Halls is a 40 minute walk from the College itself.

If it makes any difference, we have the best American Football team in the country! We're not quite so good at soccer, that's more UCD's territory. But I think you'd like Trinity!

Brunhein

crfcaio wrote: »

Well, so, let's see, if I choose for Medicine, i gotta pay $31,000 EVERY year? That's a lot of cash.



Actually I was thinking about renting a flat for me. Do we divide all the campus' dorms or are there single dorms available?
Is not that I am anti-social, is just that I'd rather have my own place to do whatever I wanted to.

They don't take American internationals for medicine out of high school....I'm sorry but it just doesnt happen. You might want to consider applying for a science course.
-a fellow american

gamma23

If you email international@tcdsu.org you can expect a detailed response to all these questions. The new student officer is from the US and it's her job to help you answer these questions.

I will look through this thread again after the labor day weekend, and see if I can add anything for you but you've plenty of time to find your answers, enjoy your summer!

Brainy

TCD does not take US students into Medicine or Dental Science straight from high school. You have to have a Science degree.

For other courses there are minimum SAT/ACT requirements and a minimum GPA of 3.3.

Depending on the courses applied for they may also look for AP or SAT II exams in specific subjects to satisfy course requirements.

Hope this helps

crfcaio

Thanks everybody for the replies, they were really helpful (:
I just would like to ask for one more little thing...
Is there any website to people from outside Ireland to meet Irish people? I was thinking in meeting people in Ireland (more exactly Dublin) that are planning to attend TCD aswell, so they could give me a better insight of how is life in Dublin and education and money, etc...

Again, thanks for the replies! (: