Trinity Access Program

Crann na Beatha

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Crann na Beatha

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Unshelved

You can apply directly to the College as a Mature Student and go through the interview process, or - if you feel that you qualify - apply to do the TAP Foundation Year for mature students and then apply to a third level institution as a mature student.

More info here - http://www.tcd.ie/maturestudents/content/pdf/booklet_maturestudents.pdf and here - http://www.tcd.ie/Trinity_Access/prospective/access/mature.php

ThirdMan

It's perfect for people that want to return to education but are not quite ready to start studying at degree level. But make no mistake, it can be very demanding and shouldn't be underestimated. It was a very positive experience for me and it changed my life around in many ways. It's nine months of hard work that will exponentially broaden your horizons. Go for it!

Any questions, just ask...

ThirdMan

I should add this: If you pass TAP you are guaranteed a place in Trinity. Your overall grade will determine which of your preferred courses you get offered, but if you pass, you'll get in. It's as simple as that. Work hard and you're in. Work harder and you'll more than likely get whatever course you want.

Larianne

Access programmes are a really good way to prepare yourself to return to education. Colleges look favourably on them too.

TAP would be the way to go if you want to go to TCD. Just to point out, you can do an access course in another institution and still get accepted to TCD. I did the UCD access to science one. (There's also an Arts course).

Doing one isn't essential but it will definitely increase your chance of getting a place 10-fold.

Crann na Beatha

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ThirdMan

Aquila wrote: »

do you need to be in the social welfare system to take part?

No. These are the only entry requirements.

- show why you want to study in Trinity.

- be 23 years of age on 1st January of the year you apply.

- come from socio-economic background(s) under-represented in third-level education.

- be eligible for the Government Free Fees Scheme and satisfy the EU applications criteria.

Dores

- come from socio-economic background(s) under-represented in third-level education - This is so 'interesting'.

They wants your long birth certificate to check an occupation of your parents when you were born.
I don't know how this is relevant to somebody who is a 30 or 40 years old ?

Larianne

Dores wrote: »

- come from socio-economic background(s) under-represented in third-level education - This is so 'interesting'.

They wants your long birth certificate to check an occupation of your parents when you were born.
I don't know how this is relevant to somebody who is a 30 or 40 years old ?

Because of where/when you grew up/were leaving school, going to college wasn't something that might have been considered in your community/able to do.

Dores

I'm just wondering how it is classified... ?
Those with parents with higher education vs parents with no education?
Or by the postal address? What if you moved and when or many, many different reasons...?
Do they read every single statement and family story before they decide?

Maybe I'm overreacting now.
For the first time I had to write such a personal statement to people I never even saw. But more than that, I feel very uncomfortable, that somebody will be deciding if my past is good (hard) enough to be considered or not. I would prefer to pay for that course, even if I had to take a loan, than 'wash my laundry' like that.

Larianne

You could always do an access course in UCD OR NUI Maynooth if you don't fancy doing that.

Dores

Sorry if I hurt somebody's feelings - it's just my opinion, that an application process is emotionally difficult for me and if I had to ( because I want to get in) go through it I would like to know more about their criteria. That doesn't mean that I do not fancy doing this course or I will prefer a different one.

TrollHammaren

Dores wrote: »

I'm just wondering how it is classified... ?
Those with parents with higher education vs parents with no education?
Or by the postal address? What if you moved and when or many, many different reasons...?
Do they read every single statement and family story before they decide?

Maybe I'm overreacting now.
For the first time I had to write such a personal statement to people I never even saw. But more than that, I feel very uncomfortable, that somebody will be deciding if my past is good (hard) enough to be considered or not. I would prefer to pay for that course, even if I had to take a loan, than 'wash my laundry' like that.

The whole point of an access course is that it's designed to give people an opportunity that they wouldn't otherwise have due to socio-economic circumstances. When applying, they take into account your parents' professions, the area you grew up, the school you went to, and that sort of thing. It's not so much of a "tick boxes" system as it is qualitative. They're not judging how objectively hard your life is but they're attempting to determine whether you were at an educational disadvantage growing up. The system isn't perfect, and I can get why you'd be a bit wary about giving so much personal information, but it's the most fair way they can do it.

I never did the course, but I was a TAP ambassador and I have a few friends who did the course, so feel free to fire a few questions this way if you like.

Dores

I think it is just a different attitude. Maybe it is because I come from a different culture, where people do not like to show that they need help even if they do. It is embarrassing.
But it is good to see, that it's not like that here.
Anyway my application is now in process and I hope I will get in.
Thank you for your support.

ThirdMan

Dores wrote: »

I feel very uncomfortable, that somebody will be deciding if my past is good (hard) enough to be considered or not.

It's not about who has the 'hardest' story. The places can't be allocated arbitrarily. There has to be some type of criteria. That's true of any college/course. With TAP, that criteria is socio-economic status, simply because that is what the course is about. They have to make sure they are getting the people the course was designed to accommodate.

I appreciate that you're from a different culture, and don't want to reveal your past circumstances. But in Ireland (I'm presuming you're not from here) we do things differently. Most working-class/disadvantaged people are very forthright about their financial/social circumstances. TAP relies on that forthrightness in determining who are the best candidates for the programme.

Dores

Thank You for explanation.
This may be funny or annoying for some, but things that are so obvious for you, may be completely 'out of the moon' for people from different countries.
I appreciate your patience and friendly attitude.:)

Coming back to Trinity Access Program I got text message that says 'we will be in touch at the beginning of May to let you know if you have been short-listed for interview.'

ThirdMan

Regarding the interview: Do show them how interested you are, but also try to relax and be yourself. It isn't a job interview. They want you to do well.

Report back and tell us how it went.

Good luck!

Crann na Beatha

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endasmail

Absolutely deadly
am over half way through a TAP course now
highly recommend it for some one who has been out of education for a while and wants to get back in to it

Crann na Beatha

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endasmail

Phoenix wrote: »

Can you talk about your experiences from the application process to actually taking part,would be great if you could,or if youd rather pm me thanks!

The application process is an interview and a written one page essay about some thing random thats in the news. It just to see how your essay writing skills are.
Get some one in education or college to read it for you and make adjustments to it. It was my essay that got me in. I`ve been out of school since 1997.

Some of the modules: Philosophy, Statistics, History, English,Psychology along with a few non-academic subjects.
It is hard going with heavy workload, with a bit of consistency and get-up-and-go in you, you will be ok and able to manage it.
Other institutes have different modules like Plunkett college and the actual Trinity access program in Trinity, so have a look at them all.
Any more queries let me know.

Crann na Beatha

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endasmail

Phoenix wrote: »

If you could offer 5 nuggets of advice for someone wanting to get in as part of TAP what would it be?

5 nuggets of advice?

Get in an apply, Do all it takes to get in. It is going to be an enjoyable shock to the system to those who are used to building sites all their life.
Try and have your finances sorted out and support from your family is a must.
Dont go in expecting a walk in the park, heavy workload and hard work, you must achieve 3 distinctions (80%) in 3 academic subjects to qualify for acceptance in to Trinity
Im just talking about Trinity, other colleges have different requirements

Dont bother applying if your not gonna give it 100% , its a big commitment and sacrifice and will take alot out of you.

I hope I`m frightening anyone, It is what it is. So far, I have to say I`m loving the challenge and loving college. Looking forward to next year in Trinity hopefully.

Crann na Beatha

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endasmail

Phoenix wrote: »

Thank you so much for your answers,did you share lectures with other first years in those subjects also did you have to buy lots of books etc?

Yes well I am in a class for the year, books are supplied free of charge because it is a VTOS program

Crann na Beatha

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endasmail

Phoenix wrote: »

So can you apply for BTEA and also get other grants specific to TAP?

you are not eligible for BTEA because it is not a degree
Any other allowances you can get are a small few quid for lunch and travel
not a lot though

Juxtapose

Anyone know when they decide on the applications for this course?

Also was only able to get 1 reference, will that badly effect my application?

Thanks, really hoping i get in!

endasmail

Juxtapose wrote: »

Anyone know when they decide on the applications for this course?

Also was only able to get 1 reference, will that badly effect my application?

Thanks, really hoping i get in!

Write a good essay
Get in for interview, you should be ok

ThirdMan

endasmail wrote: »

you are not eligible for BTEA because it is not a degree
Any other allowances you can get are a small few quid for lunch and travel
not a lot though

Are we still talking about the actual TAP course, or one of the affiliated courses? It's been three years since I came through TAP, but at the time I was entitled to BTEA. I also received a very substantial bursary allowance from TAP themselves. I think it was about €800.

endasmail

ThirdMan wrote: »

Are we still talking about the actual TAP course, or one of the affiliated courses? It's been three years since I came through TAP, but at the time I was entitled to BTEA. I also received a very substantial bursary allowance from TAP themselves. I think it was about €800.

An affiliated course, I cannot comment on the actual TAP course with in Trinity, but it sounds as if you done well getting that much from them.

ThirdMan

endasmail wrote: »

An affiliated course, I cannot comment on the actual TAP course with in Trinity, but it sounds as if you done well getting that much from them.

Cool. Yeah TAP have been great. I'm in my third year now, and I've received a payment each year so far. I live outside of Dublin, so I get a higher rate because of the commute. It works out at about €800 per year. That combined with the BTEA is a good few quid.

If you're studying at Trinity next year you should see if you're entitled to anything. There's a general fund in Trinity for students that meet certain criteria. I think that's where the TAP money comes from (or maybe you're only entitled to one of them, it's something like that). The fact that you're on a TAP affiliated course means you probably meet the criteria. So make sure to look into it.

endasmail

ThirdMan wrote: »

Cool. Yeah TAP have been great. I'm in my third year now, and I've received a payment each year so far. I live outside of Dublin, so I get a higher rate because of the commute. It works out at about €800 per year. That combined with the BTEA is a good few quid.

If you're studying at Trinity next year you should see if you're entitled to anything. There's a general fund in Trinity for students that meet certain criteria. I think that's where the TAP money comes from (or maybe you're only entitled to one of them, it's something like that). The fact that you're on a TAP affiliated course means you probably meet the criteria. So make sure to look into it.

I will do, ill be hoping for Maynooth or Trinity
Out of curiosity what course did you go for?

ThirdMan

endasmail wrote: »

I will do, ill be hoping for Maynooth or Trinity
Out of curiosity what course did you go for?

I'm studying law.

I've heard great things about Maynooth. I do drop a guy off there occasionally. Great buzz around the place. I commute to Dublin, and I wasn't driving at the time I finished TAP, so Trinity was the easiest option. But if I had been driving back then I would have seriously considered Maynooth.

Apparently they take attendance for all their lectures. That sounds like a pain, but trust me, you'll be glad of it come exam time. Attendance was taken in TAP, and it really does make a difference. People perform well when they're under the spotlight.