Transferring Course After Christmas

Ilyana

Sorry to resurrect such a common thread, but I'm in a bit of a pickle and need of some advice!
Having dithered around for nearly three months, I'm pretty sure I want to change course (I'm a JF, by the way). I've missed the last deadline to change after Christmas, but there may be a possibilty that I could still transfer, depending on availabilty of places, attitudes of departments etc.

But I do have some questions, even after speaking to my tutor...

• If I were to transfer after Christmas, would I be liable to pay any fees? (my tutor wasn't clear on this)
• Seeing as no allowances will be made for me in summer exams, can anyone tell me if it'll be really tough to catch up on what I've missed in half a year (though I have covered some material in my current course anyway)
• Is there any leeway at all regarding paying full fees next year if I can't transfer until then? Money's tight but I don't think I'd be eligible for the grant...

Thanks so much for any advice at all, TCD isn't great at providing it :pac:

GlasnevinRed

What course are you in and what course are you looking to transfer in to?

Afaik if the transfer was successful you wouldn't be liable for full fees (unless for example you were told you had to start in first year again next year in which case you'd have to pay full fees for first year).

One of my friends switched course after first year. Switched from MSISS to BESS after passing his first year exams and went into second year BESS. Afaik these courses are similar enough so that's why he was able to switch across.

Ilyana

Ah right, I see. It would be nice not to have to finish out the year on my current course, but I'll probably have to.

I want to switch from European Studies (French and Spanish) to TSM English and Spanish. I've been told that English is fairly oversubscribed though

Gae

EmilyO wrote: »

Ah right, I see. It would be nice not to have to finish out the year on my current course, but I'll probably have to.

Why will you probably have to? As I see it, there are two scenarios:

1. You are allowed transfer now and do the second half of first year in the new course after Christmas.

2. You have to wait and do the whole of first year in the new course next year. However, this doesn't mean you have to finish this year on the old course, and in fact, if you withdraw before the second semester, you will only have to pay half of the (full) fees next year.

Of course, both of these scenarios assume that you will be allowed into the new course - do you have the points?

purpleglory

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine. swapped into second year of history having finished first year in another arts based subject. You should approach both departments and see if they would have room for you to transfer. If they do and the courses are broadly similar then I would say that you have a fair shot at being let switch w/o missing a year.

Ilyana

Gae wrote: »

Why will you probably have to? As I see it, there are two scenarios:

1. You are allowed transfer now and do the second half of first year in the new course after Christmas.

2. You have to wait and do the whole of first year in the new course next year. However, this doesn't mean you have to finish this year on the old course, and in fact, if you withdraw before the second semester, you will only have to pay half of the (full) fees next year.

Of course, both of these scenarios assume that you will be allowed into the new course - do you have the points?

Yeah, thankfully I do have more than enough points, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm worried about catching up on the work though, as I will have missed a whole semester...is it possible?

Gae

It's probably possible if you work hard. You should get advice from the lecturers on the new course and see what they think.

P.S. they probably won't let you transfer after Christmas unless they're convinced you can catch up

Brainy

The final date for transfer requests has passed.

It was 19th November, 2010.

http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/faq/#Q5

Ilyana

Brainy wrote: »

The final date for transfer requests has passed.

It was 19th November, 2010.

http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/faq/#Q5

Yeah my tutor told me that, but he's hopeful we can sort something out

djcervi

EmilyO wrote: »

Ah right, I see. It would be nice not to have to finish out the year on my current course, but I'll probably have to.

I want to switch from European Studies (French and Spanish) to TSM English and Spanish. I've been told that English is fairly oversubscribed though

This was me exactly last year. I started JF in European Studies last year (French and Spanish). I transferred after reading week to TSM French and Spanish. What I would say to you is go to Admissions ASAP, and tell them your story. It might not be too late, regardless of the official deadline (I had made the transfer before reading week). Be very insistent!! For Spanish i'd say you wouldn't have a problem, as all the essays are due after christmas. Also since you've been doing Spanish grammar/language work already, you have been doing part of the course (stress this entirely). For Spanish TSM in first year exams, the most important thing is to pass language. Literature/ Modern Spain only 'in theory' dictates the type of grade (although you still have to do alright in the essays/exams). When I started TSM Spanish, they had finished poetry. I got in contact with Ciara O'Hagan (she teaches Spanish poetry this term) she gave me the powerpoint presentations to study myself. Ask her if you can come to her office to discuss things. Also Susana Bayó teaches Modern Spain (If you're in ES, you study this anyway!), so stress that as well. Get in contact with the head Ciarán Cosgrove (e-mail is on the TCD Spanish site), so he know who you are when deciding whether to allow you to do TSM.

For English I really can't comment. would you consider French, perhaps? I know if you do French and Spanish, that there's a huge difference between the teaching and the mentalities of the departments. French isn't exactly a easy going department, in comparison to Spanish. But if you're still willing to give it a go, contact Rachel Hoare. She's so nice, and will fight your corner if you show you're determined. I know I make French sound bad there, but it's not too bad as a subject. It's just a lot is expected from the students, a standard which leaving cert doesn't cater for. I'm in second year now, and I'm doing well. Just don't let the French Department bog you down.

If the worst comes to the worst and you can't transfer, if you drop out before christmas, you'll only pay half fees come September. 2bh that was freaking me out when I was applying for the transfer. But take it one step at a time. Be very persistent with regard to your application. If they don't give you the transfer, i'd say it's very petty especially taking Spanish into consideration. You've practically done most of the Spanish TSM course so far.

If you have any questions feel free to PM. I wish you the very best. Remember you're not the only person to leave ES. There were a good few people last year who left along with me. I really do love my course now, and I've absolutely no regrets. Best of luck!!

Ilyana

djcervi wrote: »

This was me exactly last year. I started JF in European Studies last year (French and Spanish). I transferred after reading week to TSM French and Spanish. What I would say to you is go to Admissions ASAP, and tell them your story. It might not be too late, regardless of the official deadline (I had made the transfer before reading week). Be very insistent!! For Spanish i'd say you wouldn't have a problem, as all the essays are due after christmas. Also since you've been doing Spanish grammar/language work already, you have been doing part of the course (stress this entirely). For Spanish TSM in first year exams, the most important thing is to pass language. Literature/ Modern Spain only 'in theory' dictates the type of grade (although you still have to do alright in the essays/exams). When I started TSM Spanish, they had finished poetry. I got in contact with Ciara O'Hagan (she teaches Spanish poetry this term) she gave me the powerpoint presentations to study myself. Ask her if you can come to her office to discuss things. Also Susana Bayó teaches Modern Spain (If you're in ES, you study this anyway!), so stress that as well. Get in contact with the head Ciarán Cosgrove (e-mail is on the TCD Spanish site), so he know who you are when deciding whether to allow you to do TSM.

For English I really can't comment. would you consider French, perhaps? I know if you do French and Spanish, that there's a huge difference between the teaching and the mentalities of the departments. French isn't exactly a easy going department, in comparison to Spanish. But if you're still willing to give it a go, contact Rachel Hoare. She's so nice, and will fight your corner if you show you're determined. I know I make French sound bad there, but it's not too bad as a subject. It's just a lot is expected from the students, a standard which leaving cert doesn't cater for. I'm in second year now, and I'm doing well. Just don't let the French Department bog you down.

If the worst comes to the worst and you can't transfer, if you drop out before christmas, you'll only pay half fees come September. 2bh that was freaking me out when I was applying for the transfer. But take it one step at a time. Be very persistent with regard to your application. If they don't give you the transfer, i'd say it's very petty especially taking Spanish into consideration. You've practically done most of the Spanish TSM course so far.

If you have any questions feel free to PM. I wish you the very best. Remember you're not the only person to leave ES. There were a good few people last year who left along with me. I really do love my course now, and I've absolutely no regrets. Best of luck!!

Thanks so much, your advice really helped! Tbh I wouldn't go back to French, I've been completely put off studying it, by certain lecturers especially. It's a shame, but at least I'll still have one language. The prospect of dropping out is pretty scary, but I'd nearly prefer that to sticking out the year...
It's all up in the air, especially with the college being pretty much closed with the weather. All I can do is wait for the English and Spanish depts to get back to me.

Thanks so so much for everyone's advice!

aas

EmilyO wrote: »

Thanks so much, your advice really helped! Tbh I wouldn't go back to French, I've been completely put off studying it, by certain lecturers especially. It's a shame, but at least I'll still have one language. The prospect of dropping out is pretty scary, but I'd nearly prefer that to sticking out the year...
It's all up in the air, especially with the college being pretty much closed with the weather. All I can do is wait for the English and Spanish depts to get back to me.

Thanks so so much for everyone's advice!

You can 'drop out' and still continue to go to all your classes, as long as you don't mention the fact that you've dropped out. The only difference is no exams and €3000 in fees.

electrogrimey

aas wrote: »

You can 'drop out' and still continue to go to all your classes, as long as you don't mention the fact that you've dropped out. The only difference is no exams and €3000 in fees.

and no degree...

aas

electrogrimey wrote: »

and no degree...

She's talking about starting again next year. I'm just saying dropping out doesn't have to be particularly daunting if you just continue exactly as you were.

Ilyana

I guess I could still continue to attend classes, but that would require doing exams...!
Tbh it wouldn't be worth paying rent in Dublin when I'm not actually going to get anything out of the semester... I'd more than likely go gome and work towards paying the fees :pac:

djcervi

I know a guy from secondary school who did Law last year, but transferred to English and is doing 1st year again. He is paying full fees, but is genuinely happy now in his course. Like my reasons for leaving European Studies myself were pretty much that I was really only in it for the languages and the guaranteed Erasmus. Although thinking back I should have thought about the content of the course as a whole. Sociology was just a load of crap, and History was interesting but yet it wasn't my cup of tea writing critical essays, reading,etc. I still talk to people from ES, who also changed along with me and don't regret it. There are also people who have considered leaving, but have continued with it and love it. In first year you have to do all the History, Politics, Economics, History of Ideas, etc, but in second year there is more specialisation on Politics, History, International Relations,etc. A lot of people on that course have considered changing/dropping out. However you seem to be very sure, from what you're saying. In that case I would drop out, and maybe look at doing TEFL and do English teaching in Spain. If you're serious about TSM Spanish, time in Spain would be such an advantage. It could count towards the two month residency in Spain you have to do while you study Spanish in TSM. Ask the Department this. Honestly time in Spain would be so good, and give you a great advantage in TSM Spanish, and the earlier the better. I spent a term in secondary school in Spain, and I'm finding that it stands to me in language work.

Best of luck whatever happens!

Ilyana

djcervi wrote: »

I know a guy from secondary school who did Law last year, but transferred to English and is doing 1st year again. He is paying full fees, but is genuinely happy now in his course. Like my reasons for leaving European Studies myself were pretty much that I was really only in it for the languages and the guaranteed Erasmus. Although thinking back I should have thought about the content of the course as a whole. Sociology was just a load of crap, and History was interesting but yet it wasn't my cup of tea writing critical essays, reading,etc. I still talk to people from ES, who also changed along with me and don't regret it. There are also people who have considered leaving, but have continued with it and love it. In first year you have to do all the History, Politics, Economics, History of Ideas, etc, but in second year there is more specialisation on Politics, History, International Relations,etc. A lot of people on that course have considered changing/dropping out. However you seem to be very sure, from what you're saying. In that case I would drop out, and maybe look at doing TEFL and do English teaching in Spain. If you're serious about TSM Spanish, time in Spain would be such an advantage. It could count towards the two month residency in Spain you have to do while you study Spanish in TSM. Ask the Department this. Honestly time in Spain would be so good, and give you a great advantage in TSM Spanish, and the earlier the better. I spent a term in secondary school in Spain, and I'm finding that it stands to me in language work.

Best of luck whatever happens!

Yeah plenty of people, including myself, seem to have totally misinterpreted the course from the prospectus and TCD website, I'm not the only one who expected something totally different.
Your point about studying in Spain is very true, I just need to find the funds from somewhere first! That'll be the next issue on the agenda

Cavehill Red

EmilyO wrote: »

Ah right, I see. It would be nice not to have to finish out the year on my current course, but I'll probably have to.

I want to switch from European Studies (French and Spanish) to TSM English and Spanish. I've been told that English is fairly oversubscribed though

If English let you in, it would be incredibly unfair on all those people for whom English in TCD was their first choice but were refused.

dog_pig

I know for a fact that after a certain date passes (I think it's around Christmas) and you haven't transferred/left your course then you must pay your full first year fees (~€7000) if you go on to do a different course next year.

Ilyana

Well the Admissions Office told me I'd only owe half fees if I didn't register again in January, because I'd still have the other half left to be paid for by the government as I wouldn't have claimed it after Christmas, if that makes sense!