Higher education Access routes. HEAR / DARE 2010!!

Piste · 23-11-2008 01:36PM

Why bythewoods, you're quite the detective! Your post aroused my suspicions, so I did a muppet check on thomasdubary and guess what? Also goes by the name of howtobeknown. Funny old world.

Banned.

23-11-2008 01:38PM

Hahaha, that's brilliant!

AK4400 · 23-11-2008 04:37PM

The HEAR scheme is actually the only way into univeristy for students of some schools in ireland, who are not sufficiently funded and struggle to even keep their students in schools. Lets face it, some schools are not aimed at getting students an enormous amount of points in the LC, they are merely there to keep adolescents in the area out of trouble.
I can see why some people would feel the reduction of points is unfair but that is only because they have no idea how other schools are run other than their own.
its schemes like these which illustrate perfectly that the government realise the education system is unfair as a better education can always be bought. and to be perfectly honest once you're in college you understand that achieveing a huge amount of points in your LC doesnt mean anything, it doesn't make you more intelligent and it certainly doesnt mean you are more capable of doing something than someone who got less points than you.

SarcasticFairy · 11-12-2008 03:34PM

PurpleFistMixer wrote: »

Question here; are there specific places reserved for HEAR students in college courses (like the Trinity Access Program yoke, I do believe), or is it just in the mix?

Sorry to drag up this thread again, but I found out yesterday that there are something like 10% of places kept aside for people who enter college through different routes. This includes mature applicants and HEAR students. So HEAR students aren't stealing your places, as such, they're merely competeing for a place (in a different scheme) on your course! That's how I would see it anyway!

degausserxo · 12-12-2008 02:36PM

SarcasticFairy wrote: »

Sorry to drag up this thread again, but I found out yesterday that there are something like 10% of places kept aside for people who enter college through different routes

15% :P

macroman · 12-12-2008 06:04PM

I'm in a linked school, we often have speakers in who encourage and promote the access programme. It's aimed at those who have the potential to succeed in college, but can't get the opportunity due to social and economic conditions. Not everyone can afford grinds or private tuition, teachers can often be distracted in our school due to wasters, so the rest of the class can fall behind due to this. It's not excuse for a poor attempt, but everyone in my class gets the head down and studies.

I think the idea behind it is great, after all it gives people who couldn't go onto further education the chance - and if that means lowering the level of points required to get in then so be it.

Of course, I can see many students that get access to college via this route being branded and somewhat shunned. Social background shouldn't come into education, but it does in most cases.

shamoono · 31-01-2009 10:59PM

Anybody here trying to get in to medicine with HEAR?

Piste · 01-02-2009 02:04AM

/me narrows eyes.

*decides to stay completely out of this thread and leave any potential modding to the other mods*

shamoono · 01-02-2009 11:24AM

What university are you thinking of going to????

phasers · 01-02-2009 12:16PM

Everybody get their applications in on time?

My guidance councellor was offering to bring people's forms to Trinity for them on Friday, bless her :pac:

SarcasticFairy · 01-02-2009 02:38PM

phasers wrote: »

Everybody get their applications in on time?

My guidance councellor was offering to bring people's forms to Trinity for them on Friday, bless her :pac:

Awwh! Mine was running around with stamped addressed envelopes on Monday saying SEND YOUR FORMS TODAY!! He was flinging them around like nobodys business, and saying sure fill one out even if you think you're not eligible, you never know! I swear they're getting commissions for each form sent in :pac:

Mario007 · 01-02-2009 02:44PM

degausserxo wrote: »

15% :P

thats one reason why i don't like the access programme, i mean i signed up for iit but i dont like the idea of being put into a college even if i didn't get the points for the course, which is completly destroying the points system.

SarcasticFairy · 01-02-2009 02:45PM

Mario007 wrote: »

thats one reason why i don't like the access programme, i mean i signed up for iit but i dont like the idea of being put into a college even if i didn't get the points for the course, which is completly destroying the points system.

Why apply then?!

phasers · 01-02-2009 03:33PM

SarcasticFairy wrote: »

Awwh! Mine was running around with stamped addressed envelopes on Monday saying SEND YOUR FORMS TODAY!! He was flinging them around like nobodys business, and saying sure fill one out even if you think you're not eligible, you never know! I swear they're getting commissions for each form sent in :pac:

It wouldn't surprise me, she was trying to sell the program to us like a used car!

Mario007 · 01-02-2009 07:39PM

SarcasticFairy wrote: »

Why apply then?!

money to be honest:D thats about the only reason

shamoono · 01-02-2009 09:09PM

phasers wrote: »

It wouldn't surprise me, she was trying to sell the program to us like a used car!

hahaha My guidance councellor left it till the last week. She knew that we were not gonna fill it out till the last week. But she's so hot.

bull_egan · 10-02-2009 12:45AM

reading through this thread and its very funny watching people moan their places could be taken from them before known anything about the scheme

lads who are joking about their teachers running round on last week before date closed be lucky they did i asked mine id say good 50 times never got form also asked round an looked for my self never found it until last day so dont know even if my application was in on time

phasers · 10-02-2009 08:41AM

bull_egan wrote: »

lads who are joking about their teachers running round on last week before date closed be lucky they did i asked mine id say good 50 times never got form also asked round an looked for my self never found it until last day so dont know even if my application was in on time

Are you in a linked school? If so your councellor really should have helped.

bull_egan · 10-02-2009 11:33PM

not quite sure if im in a link school or not dont think so but we have had people in about it before thats how i heard about it but i quilify for it through the socio economically deprieved background part of it because of where im from

shamoono · 02-07-2009 08:05PM

Anybody here eligible for HEAR that applied to medicine?

randylonghorn · 02-07-2009 08:39PM

hunnymonster wrote: »

The academics know who the access people are, maybe this influences their marking?

They generally don't know, as there is no reason to tell them, and I can guarantee even if you told them 40 times they won't remember who out of the 1000 students in First Arts sitting in front of them for an hour a week was on that list. In fact, I'll put a tenner on with you they won't know more than 10 names out of that mob by the end of the year!!

Sad, but true!

hunnymonster wrote: »

Maybe the college applies pressure to graduate the correct number of underrepresented groups?

Nope. Some colleges do offer tutorials in writing / study skills etc. to students who are having problems, but it generally isn't the HEAR students who need them, as all that is done with them in their orientation week.

It's more likely to be students who got through LC on hard work and memory, but find more self-directed study methods a problem.

GA361 wrote: »

Its the same across the country,though. . .well the same in my school. . when the ordinary level students don't have to pay attention while the higher parts of the course are being thaught,they are just given work by the teacher.Personally I don't see anything wrong with this method. . . but I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Maybe it would be better if they had the opportunity to be taught when in school, and do their homework at home, as happens in better-resourced schools?

Just saying, like!

christina_x · 03-07-2009 04:39PM

macroman wrote: »

I'm in a linked school, we often have speakers in who encourage and promote the access programme. It's aimed at those who have the potential to succeed in college, but can't get the opportunity due to social and economic conditions. Not everyone can afford grinds or private tuition, teachers can often be distracted in our school due to wasters, so the rest of the class can fall behind due to this. It's not excuse for a poor attempt, but everyone in my class gets the head down and studies.

I think the idea behind it is great, after all it gives people who couldn't go onto further education the chance - and if that means lowering the level of points required to get in then so be it.

Of course, I can see many students that get access to college via this route being branded and somewhat shunned. Social background shouldn't come into education, but it does in most cases.

This ^^.
I can understand how frustrating it must be for whoever didnt get a place in the programme.
But i know in my school, where many people applied, people were still working throughout the school year because they had no other choice. Like, they'd go to school, go to work, do homework and crash, not really much study time at all. So dont worry overly (i know i know, easy fo rme to say) about the reduced points. Its helping people get theyr course which they may not have got otherwise, and not because they dont have the intelligence. They just simply had to, no other choice in the matter.

Kat Slater · 05-07-2009 01:03PM

Having done the Leaving Cert 4 years ago, I thought this scheme was a disgrace. There were people getting on it in my school who were certainly not deserving, rather they were able to disguise their income to the authorities.

I think a scheme like this should be quite limited, reserved for genuine hardship cases, and not people who could afford to pay or couldn't be bothered saving the money in advance to send their kids to college.

And why should they have to get lower points, when the rest of us have to work hard and sometimes repeat the LC in order to get the course we want?

I'm just sick of people being handed things in this country. My parents were offered little financial support at college. They got grants, but they were genuine hardship cases unlike some of my fellow students who I saw getting on the HEAR programme.

niamhocxox · 08-01-2010 02:25AM

Wow what a bunch of narrow minded people here.....commenting on something they clearly have no idea about. I should have quoted such people but god knows how long it would take me!

H.E.A.R is a great programme, set up to encourage people who might not be ordinarily able to get to college!

It really annoys me to see all the comments about it being so unfair! its not. HEAR students don't "take" anybodys place. Each course have maybe one or two places available specifically for HEAR and thats it. Same as mature student places.

And there are cases where this programme is incredibly beneficial.

I for example, have divorced parents, live with my dad (who never even went to socondary school) with no support from my mom. He's only a very small farmer so you know the story......i genuinely can't afford grinds or revise wise books or revision courses etc, i cant afford accommidation in college so i need to go to college in limerick (closest one to home)
luckily i want to do primary teaching and its achievable but my ultimate dream is to do primary teaching and psychology- but at 550 pts, i wont get this, might have a chance if i could get grinds etc but i cant. Therefore this programme will help me so so much.
It is means tested, you need to have 3 out of the 6 "indicators" to qualify. All info can be found on www.accesscollege.ie (H.E.A.R section)
You apply through the cao, the programme used to be called ACCESS by the way.
SO MY POINT IS:
PLEASE DON'T JUDGE UNTIL YOU KNOW ALL THE FACTS!!!

Joseph · 08-01-2010 02:54AM

As far as I'm aware there is specially allocated places so I don't think it takes away from others?

Might be wrong though

Orlaladuck · 08-01-2010 10:53AM

I suppose really I can't comment here - My parents pay for a private school and I have One grind because that's all they can afford.

But I think this HEAR thing is a fantastic idea. It isn't just handing out places, these kids obviously do need to reach set goals to get the places and throwing them money isn't going to help to a certain extent. It's good to see these people working hard and having ambition. That Niamh one up there has more ambition than half my year does to work, so go on you and get your deserved place and I really hope you get into your course

.
As pointed out about the kids who literally don't have time to study -that's fair enough, they don't have time. In my eyes I don't have time to get a part time job because of the fact I need so many points and at the end of the day while the job would be beneficial, I'd prefer to give it up to someone who needs it for their family rather than just money to spend on themselves like I would. It's great that they're given the opportunity to get these places and do well and go on and get a better career.

wasssuuup · 08-01-2010 07:03PM

BTW I'm not looking for a debate here about if its unfair etc.(i think its very fair)

I can qualify for the HEAR programme. Ive read a lot of info. about it but I'm wondering does anybody know how far off you can be from a course when you apply through HEAR? Is there a set amount or what? And how much of a grant are we talking about?
thanks

theowen · 08-01-2010 07:52PM

wasssuuup wrote: »

BTW I'm not looking for a debate here about if its unfair etc.(i think its very fair)
I can qualify for the HEAR programme. Ive read a lot of info. about it but I'm wondering does anybody know how far off you can be from a course when you apply through HEAR? Is there a set amount or what? And how much of a grant are we talking about?
thanks

Generally between 10-20% off points wise, and the grant is a grand or so.

jrk92 · 09-01-2010 01:34PM

hi,I am new here and I have a question. I would like to apply for HEAR and I Would like to do architecture course in UL or in DIT, but I have show my ability and I have to show them my portfolio... I dont worry about this because i am good in drawings:) but what about DIT? They wish to sit to suitability test which is in march and if it is successful passed they invite for an interview.do they consider I have applied for HEAR?? second question is about ucd because I cant apply for architecture course because I dont have any sience subject like biology,physics or chemistry.They require one of them. What do you think? should I apply although I dont have their ''minimum entry''??

Shifty · 09-01-2010 01:54PM

Would it be any help to make contact with the college who is offering your course and put that question to them.

http://www.accesscollege.ie/hear/colleges-dit.php

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)

Dublin Institute of Technology has proven itself to be one of the most popular institutions of higher education in the country. DIT has excellent student support facilities, an ethos that encourages active learning and dynamic course content, and its tradition of academic excellence alongside professional relevance. DIT boasts city centre locations that provide students with easy access to Dublin’s wealth of amenities.
DIT Entry RequirementsHEAR 2010

If you apply to Dublin Institute of Technology you must achieve the Minimum Entry Requirements and any specific programme requirements:

* Minimum Entry Requirements vary from course to course.
* The specific programme requirements may include portfolio, interview or audition for some courses.

Deferral of an access offer is subject to the approval of the DIT Admissions Officer.

Please study our prospectus or faculty booklets in detail regarding the above before applying. The prospectus is available at www.dit.ie.

Contact DIT:
Kieran Houlihan / Edel Travers
T: 01 402 7625/7605
E: kieran.houlihan@dit.ie
E: edel.travers@dit.ie
W: www.communitylinks.ie/accessservice/
DIT Restricted Courses

DIT offers access places on all courses. At DIT we wish to facilitate as many applicants as possible. However we cannot guarantee entry based on the Minimum Entry Requirements.

Higher education Access routes. HEAR / DARE 2010!!

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