Trinity Interviews for Undergraduate Entry?

RedMickeyMouse

I remember reading an article last year about how starting with this year's Leaving Cert candidates TCD would trial a programme to hold interviews for Undergraduate entry. Obviously CAO scoring would have an impact as well, but it was definitely something that was mentioned. It was to begin with those trying for Law, I think. Has there been any progress on this idea or was it scrapped?

Anita Blow

Think it's a pilot programme so some of those applying for Law will be offered the option of being included in the programme.

234

Though it won't actually include an interview. It will be a combination of CAO points, relative performance indicators and a personal statement.

There was an interview with Patrick Geoghean in the UT a little while ago which had the detail.

Anita Blow

Actually yea sorry completely forgot about that!

234

It's also important to mention that there will be an internal process that will scrub the applications of any personal details. By the time they are considered at a faculty/school level those making admission decisions will have no idea who they are admitting.

So this will not be a return to a system where trinity becomes a place for the privileged. The relative performance indicators are actually a very progressive step and favour hardworking students from poorly performing schools; a recognition that ability is innate but is can be better cultivated in certain environments and students shouldn't be prejudiced by their educational environment.

STP50

There is good information on the TCD web site. http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/undergraduate/apply/eu/feasibility/
http://www.tcd.ie/undergraduate-studies/assets/documents/adms-feasibility-study-gen-infov1.pdf
Basically there are three courses that are part of the study: History (TR003), Law (TR004), and Ancient and Medieval History and Culture (TR028).

A number of places are reserved on each course for this admission process, students can also apply via CAO and compete for places in both processes.

The three modalities which will be used to assess applicants in the study are as follows:   
 
(a) Leaving Certificate results.   
(b) Relative Performance Rank (RPR) – the performance of the applicant relative to  other  applicants from their school. This scale  looks  at the rank  of the applicant  compared  to  every  other  applicant  from  their school  who  has applied to any course, in any college, through the CAO. 
(c) Personal  and  Contextual  Data  –  provided  via  supplementary  materials submitted by the applicant. 
 
Names of applicants, any identifying information, and the names of schools attended, 
will be made completely anonymous before being evaluated by the review panels.