Repeating Final Year

DerrickJay

Hi,

So long story short, I messed up my final year of my Bachelor's degree, barely passing only a few subjects between the two semesters, failing the rest, including my project and thesis.

I was a decent student the past three years, having never failed one subject, but I suffered from some psychological issues this past year, and neglected much of the curriculum as a result.

Suffice to say, even if I repeat in August and pass the several failed modules, I'll still be left with an incomplete thesis and a weak GPA. I'll be unattractive in the eyes of just about any employer on the market.

Im now considering repeating the final year outright. I know my honours degree will be downgraded and I will have to pay tuition, with no grants going into my account, but my choices are limited, as you can see.

Question is, can I do it, and if so, who would I have to talk to? Head of Department? A lecturer? Never had to repeat anything before, and repeat-related information is scarce on the AIT website. Can someone help?

Cheers.

paul9mm

Hi Derrick
I have no specific knowledge of what AIT's policy/rules on repeats are, but this is what I have been able to find, hope it helps?

-Re fees, are you on BTEA? This is the official policy: http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7928/back-to-education-allowance/index.html
"If I have to repeat a year of an approved course and was in receipt of the BTEA, will I continue to receive payment during the repeat year?
Yes, as long as you are registered as full-time on the repeat year and are repeating the year of the course in full (all modules). A person will only be allowed to repeat one academic year of their course on the basis of exam failure. Do remember however that the student must pay tuition fees to repeat a year. The BTEA cannot assist with this charge."

-This is the official info on AIT repeat process: http://www.ait.ie/currentstudents/examinations/examinationresultsandonlinerepeatapplication/

-From the feedback from some in my year, the max. you can get from a repeat (ie you failed the May exam (<40% pass score, and took August repeat of same) is 40%. So even if you do an amazing August repeat exam, it is deliberately capped at 40% for that module's overall score.) [Again, this may be incorrect, just repeating back what I have heard from others.]

My suggestions? Call the admissions office [Norrie O’Callaghan is the #1 person there, (090) 646 8130], ask to talk to someone about exam results, and make an appointment to meet with someone face-to-face and have your concerns answered clearly and directly asap. That's their job and one of their functions are answering students/applicants concerns. My advice? Don't phone looking for yes/no answers, as you'll forget/be embarrassed to be blunt about your concerns and feel even worse afterwards. From my experiences, the admissions office staff are polite and helpful, if you are also polite and prepared.
You are not the first person to be in this situation and they have also dealt with a lot of similar cases, so don't feel that this is something to be embarrassed or ashamed of. You know you could have done better, things happened and you'll get over them.
Ask if you can talk directly to someone face-to-face in admissions, ask for a time and day that suits you & them, write out your concerns and meet with them to answer these questions. The few times I have done this, it was a case of, "call in any time, after such a time & ask fro Norrie/Siobhan etc".
At the moment, post exams and pre start of semester in September, things are usally a little more relaxed (offers for add-ons and Masters are being processed at moment, so you'll get a fast answer.)
Good luck, don't stress out too much if you can.

DerrickJay

Cheers, Paul. I'll drop them a call and see what happens. Hopefully it won't prove to be a complicated process.