Mature Applicant Interview.

peacock169

Hi all. Apologies if this has been asked before, but i have an interview coming up soon, as a mature applicant, and was wondering if anyone has been through this before. What type of questions should i expect? Is it as simple as know the course content and what you want to do etc? Thanks

mickstupp

I was asked about the subjects I wanted to do, my interests generally, but they also asked whether I'd properly thought through how I'd support myself for the three years. Nothing to really worry about. They just want to see how interested you are, whether you've given it proper thought, that kind of thing. I suspect it's mostly just to meet you face to face and make sure you're not a raging psychopath.

If it's a specific course related to your past work experience then you'll have more scope for engaging with them than I did. Mine was very disappointing and lasted literally seven minutes, which made me very angry due to wasted time and missed wages as I'd to take half a day off. But that's me. I expected a full on proper interview. It was nothing like that.

In any case I got in after sitting through a thoroughly brilliant essay writing course in the summer which has helped me immeasurably. I can't imagine doing half as well as I have without that essay course. If you're lucky you'll get to sit it too.

Good luck!

tinru

Hi there,
I'm new to this (this is literally my first post!!), but was just wondering about the essay writing course you said you did?
I am hoping to get into a course in maynooth this year, but feel that my essay writing skills may not be up to scratch - so would be very interested to get details about that course.
thanks in advance for any info.

mickstupp

Hi tinru, it was for mature students only. I was told about it a couple of weeks after my interview. There were two types of students on the course, some were required to pass the course to be allowed into the college, some just had to sit the thing. It was a week long, something like 9.30 till 4 every day. They taught basic grammar, sentence structure, how to arrange your thoughts in paragraphs, structuring an academic essay and whole bunch of other related stuff. Then they gave five essay titles (if I remember correctly) and you had two weeks to submit a 1500 word essay. It wasn't nearly as scary as it might sound, because they prepare you well and you have access to the college library. And I know some people who didn't do very well in their essays, but they rang them and told them what was wrong and gave them another week to improve.

However, it's something they ask you to do, not the other way around. Unless they've changed it. Anyway, it was amazing. The immediate result that I found was when I got assignments in the first semester I wasn't even remotely scared or concerned. I knew exactly what to do and how to do it effectively. It was a confidence booster. Took away the fear. Learning about brainstorming techniques and so on also really helped my exam performance as well. It was a brilliant course that I think everyone should be allowed to do.

BUT! Even if you can't sit the course, they've a writing centre in the college now that gives great advice and help. They have specific opening hours you'll find out about during orientation. Also your teachers/tutors will probably give a bit of advice. And sometimes you're lucky enough to get a lecturer who'll read a first draft and tell you where you're going wrong. There's a lot of resources available to help you with your essays. You don't have to worry about it. You just have to make use of them

peacock169

Thanks for the help. I know there is a forum on here for mature students, just wanted to hear from someone with experience of Maynooth.

tinru

Thanks for all that Mickstupp. Sounds like a great idea for mature students!
I am doing my written exam thingy tomorrow, and if that goes well and i get an interview they might ask me to do it.... i kinda hope they do!
Thanks again.

mickstupp

Good luck!

barry333

tinru wrote: »

Thanks for all that Mickstupp. Sounds like a great idea for mature students!
I am doing my written exam thingy tomorrow, and if that goes well and i get an interview they might ask me to do it.... i kinda hope they do!
Thanks again.

hi there how did you get on with your essay,i will be doing mine in 3 weeks time and im very nervous.what was the essay on?.
i have one interview done ,hopfully i will get another ,
cheers:D

tinru

Hi Barry333,

Sorry only saw your reply there now.
I applied for the Social Science course, so they posted out the topics a couple of weeks before the exam.
I literally wrote an answer before hand and learned it off, and just re-wrote it in the exam. I'm not sure how it went to be honest, but I guess if they liked my essay I will get an interview! I'm keeping everything crossed!
Have you gotten your essay question choices yet?
Best of luck with yours... I'm sure you'll be fine.

barry333

cheers thanks hope you get a place.

Buzz84

How many people usually get called for interview? Ive got called for the Social Science course.

How many places roughly would be open to mature students for this course?

tinru

Hiya Buzz84,

Sorry but I have no idea how many are being interviewed, would like to know myself, as I have mine on tuesday...
I think I heard that there are up to 20 mature student places somewhere along the way at the open day...though I'm not 100% sure...

Moon Indigo

People you will be find did mine for Community and Youth last year and I think with regard to all mature interviews the basics say the same.

Research, Research, Research I think is key. Know what the course is about and why you want to do. I feel having a particular module on the course that interests you and the reason why exemplifies you have done that research and that you are really interested.

The usual stuff will apply such as why NUIM? Have you completed any courses before (in relation or not) to this course. And then a bit about yourself.

End of the day don't panic,breathe all will work out how it is supposed to. Best of luck everyone