Shouldn't I have heard from them?

Pippa!

I have applied through the CAO to do a degree after the summer, my first choice was at AIT and my second to GMIT etc... As soon as the application went through I got course specific mailings, both email and snail mail, from GMIT, but I've still not heard anything from AIT!

I rang to enquire a week or so ago but wasn't spoken to very nicely so am reluctant to call back.

So, for everyone else who's applied to AIT, have you heard anything from them?

Many htanks :-)

paul9mm

Hi
When I applied (mature student) via CAO, I had an interview in early May, heard back from AIT/CAO first week in July and started in September.
This is the URL for AIT personnel:
http://www.ait.ie/tools/contactus/

The person to talk directly to is:

Admissions Officer
Norrie O’Callaghan
Tel (090) 646 8130
Email admissions@ait.ie

The main AIT site is:
http://www.ait.ie/informationforfuturestudents/

Pippa!

Thanks for that Paul, yeah, I guess I'll just have to wait... Good to know interviews are held in May tho, I'm a (very) mature studen too :-)

paul9mm

Re AIT interviews, basically: mature student = mandatory interview (certainly for Science). For University, no interview, as all based on CAO application.
Don't sweat it though, the interview (usually 2 people, one from the Dept. you are applying for, the other from admission dept.).

Basically, if you emphasise that as a mature student, you have no problem focusing on college work, studies etc, as you are focused on getting a solid degree. In the interview, good to show them that you have looked into the degree you are applying for (ie: read the prospectus in depth and be able to answer the #1 question asked to all: "what do you know about this course and what you will be doing here?" [you would be amazed how many people simply have no idea what the course covers, as you can understand, this annoys the interviews as points to the student applying for a shed-load of courses because they sound good on paper.]

For my course, zero drop outs/fails from mature students after 2 years, as less distractions from studies (Rag Week? No!, no cash and family to be with.)

If you want to calm your nerves, call the admissions, ask to talk to someone about your application and what happens next. Maybe you called at a bad time (rushed?), I find that calling in the morning, before noon gets best response.

Pippa!

Brilliant info, thanks again Paul. Might give admissions a call after all, it was a pretty bad time the last time I called (your one at the reception had to fetch her back from the canteen!).

But it is still strange, I applied for the same course at GMIT (Bachelor in Business in Acc.) and they sent out fancy brochures and invites to info evenings, as well as email thanking me for applying to do their business degree... And they were only my second choice! So it is a bit worrying not to be getting any from AIT.

I'll post again once I get invited to interview (fingers crossed) - thanks :-)

paul9mm

Hmmm...strange. I know that AIT have had a series of open days and evenings where you can talk to the tutors one-on-on and in group discussions.
-Actually, just saw this: http://www.ait.ie/openday/
Happening this weekend, Saturday. Maybe, give admissions a call, ask if you can talk to someone about your concerns?
While I don't know anyone in Business, currently in Science (different campus building), if you get talking to anyone in admissions, be direct (ie polite but firm) and ask about talking with someone about the open day & what you are looking for answers for.

Pippa!

Right, I'm ringing htem first thing in the morning! Was planning on going to the open day on the 29th, but htere's no schedule up for it yet, and it's only 2 weeks away!

Steviemoyne

If you applied through CAO is it not possible that you didn't get into the AIT course? The way I understood CAO to work back when I used it was that you pick a range of choices ordered by what you want to get and then they send you out offers from your choices if you meet the requirements for the course / places have not been filled.

Eg for CAO order where the number is the important (1 is the one I want 5 is the one I least want):
1. AIT - Course x
2. AIT - Course y
3. GMIT Course x
4. Sligo IT - Course x
5. AIT - Course z

Then first round offers come through and providing you meet the requirements for the course and it's not been offered to a maximum number of people with higher marks than you then you get your top choice (1. AIT - Course x).

I mean I might be wrong but it appears that you didn't meet the requirements for your chosen AIT couse (or it was awarded to people with higher markings) and instead you were offered your next choice which was GMIT (or in my example above it would be 2. AIT - Course y).

Pippa!

Thanks Steviemoyne, I broke out in a bit of a cold sweat reading your post! ;-)

Yes, you're right, to my understanding that is how it works, with traditional applications! However, I'm a mature student, for us the normal requrements don't apply, instead it's done on interview basis.

I spoke to admissions this morning and it turns out they don't send out anything at all and that I shouldn't expect to hear from them until I receive my invitation to interview. Glad to know that, should have just rang them in the first place! :-)

Steviemoyne

Pippa! wrote: »

Yes, you're right, to my understanding that is how it works, with traditional applications! However, I'm a mature student, for us the normal requrements don't apply, instead it's done on interview basis.

Ah sorry for the scare. I thought it was just a standard application from reading the first post. Totally missed that you were a mature student.

Glad to hear you got it sorted however.