Tips on applying as a Mature Student

moonandstars · 24-07-2010 3:34pm

Thanks for your advice Larraine..I got my Arts place. You're a great help to everyone! Paula.

ultimatehero · 17-08-2010 10:14pm

Hi guys,

Im just wondering if someone here could help me. Like ye I am determined to go back to college and I want to make the best use of my time between now and when I apply at the end of the year as a mature student. For various reasons I want to study medicine however I did not expect to go this route as I was confident of gaining a 2.1 and going the graduate entry route. My degree is in Medical sciences which qualifies us to work as medical scientists in laboratory medicine however i only obtained a 2.2 and so have no option but to head this route. I was just wondering if anyone here could advise me. I am trying to get some experience in the 'caring' environment at present and shodow a gp however is there anything else that could set me apart from the rest. the hse are not hiring at present so i would have to head to england for a job in a hospital lab but which would be more advantageous stay here and get some voluntary caring experience or head to england and work as a medical scientist? Do you think i stand a chance of applying as a mature student? my dad did suffer a brain haemaorrhage when i started back in my final year and things got fairly stressful i think i may have a case for extenuating circustances with regard to that (90% of our degree went on our final year)? I would really appreciate any help anyone could give.

panda100 · 18-08-2010 11:07am

ultimatehero wrote: »

Hi guys,

Im just wondering if someone here could help me. Like ye I am determined to go back to college and I want to make the best use of my time between now and when I apply at the end of the year as a mature student. For various reasons I want to study medicine however I did not expect to go this route as I was confident of gaining a 2.1 and going the graduate entry route. My degree is in Medical sciences which qualifies us to work as medical scientists in laboratory medicine however i only obtained a 2.2 and so have no option but to head this route. I was just wondering if anyone here could advise me. I am trying to get some experience in the 'caring' environment at present and shodow a gp however is there anything else that could set me apart from the rest. the hse are not hiring at present so i would have to head to england for a job in a hospital lab but which would be more advantageous stay here and get some voluntary caring experience or head to england and work as a medical scientist? Do you think i stand a chance of applying as a mature student? my dad did suffer a brain haemaorrhage when i started back in my final year and things got fairly stressful i think i may have a case for extenuating circustances with regard to that (90% of our degree went on our final year)? I would really appreciate any help anyone could give.

Hi ultimate hero,
I did the opposite route to you and started medicine and finished with a medical science degree after four years, on deciding to leave the course

The fact that your undergraduate is medical science is a huge plus, as the first 3 years of medicine are bascially a medical science degree witha few clinical skills thrown in. Where did you do your degree out of intrest? If it was in a college which has a medicine department you will already know many of the medicine lecturers and they may be able to put in a good word for you?

I only got a 2.2 in my medical Science degree and applied for a competitive postgrad this year that required 2.1 minimum for entry. I got a place on the course as I had decent work experience, which also sounds like you have. Its the content of your degree thats more important than the mark at the end.
However, you without a doubt have a case for an extenuating circumstance. Your marks suffered in the final year beacuse you were under undue stress with your fathers illness. This would have a massive impact on your ability to study and the college should acknowledge this in your final grade.

I would definately apply for a job in England as you can always do voluntary work part time over there. Don't just sit around in Ireland waiting for a place in medicine.

dtfo · 25-08-2010 2:08pm

Thanks for the guide , its really helpful

moonandstars · 31-08-2010 6:16pm

I got my arts course, and was initially happy with it, I still am I suppose, but when I filled in the CAO I wasn't sure whether to apply for arts with creative writing also or not ....and now I'm sorry I didn't apply!!
Does anyone know, if I progress to a post grad/MA, and if I get in, is this generally the same thing overall or a better qualification...or can anyone give me anymore information?

At first when applying I didn't want to limit myself to just creative writing, I wanted more scope...but now I'm bothered!
Any info appreciated.

littlesister87 · 01-09-2010 6:49pm

Larianne wrote: »

PM sent!

Hi Larianne,

Excellent posts i must say, You're full of knowledge and encouragement!! Ok il get straight to my point, im 23, have a science degree from NUI Galway and want to do physio.....to do 2nd undergrad in TCD or apply for uk accelerated masters?? can u PM me ur private answers to Hooty if possible? I'd be very interested to get ur take on things!
Thanks!:)

Larianne · 01-09-2010 9:18pm

littlesister87 wrote: »

Hi Larianne,

Excellent posts i must say, You're full of knowledge and encouragement!! Ok il get straight to my point, im 23, have a science degree from NUI Galway and want to do physio.....to do 2nd undergrad in TCD or apply for uk accelerated masters?? can u PM me ur private answers to Hooty if possible? I'd be very interested to get ur take on things!
Thanks!:)

PM sent to Hooty

littlesister87 · 01-09-2010 11:47pm

Hooty wrote: »

Hello Larianne,

Firstly many thanks for posting your tips on the mature student application process at the start of this thread, like many others i had completley underestimated the amount of hard work and paperwork needed to apply!! I too want to study physio at Trinity. I'm hoping to apply for the 2011 intake but I'm reading up as much as I can on it at this stage so I am well informed.

Can I just ask you a few questions in regards to your direct experience - apologies if I repeat any questions you have already replied to.

1. Is there much competition for mature student places on this course - i'm assuming there is, are there many in your current year?

2. How has life been adapting to college life? I think this is the part I find most scary, it's been a long time since I last studied (I have a 2 year Certificate in Food Technology from DIT but completed that in 1998). If by some miracle I was accepted in 2011 I'd be 33 years old starting out on a four year degree - this slightly terrifies me!!

3. In regards to the appliction process, in your opinion is it essential that you have work experience in a physio related field, the vast majority of my work experience is in Financial Services, I do get the feeling that my lack of any experience could ruin my chances. I know I have time to arrange some experience, can you advise on what avenues you followed to achieve this?

Any input appreciated.
Cheers.

Hey Larianne,
Sorry I didnt explain myself too well!... i also want to know the answers to the above questions Hooty asked and was wondering if u could let me know ur opinion on these things, as u PM'd Hooty i dont know the answers...

1. Much competition in mature app for physio?
2. Do u think it'd be tough starting into a 4yr degree after a gap from college?
3. What work experience u feel wud be v helpful in application process to get accepted above hundreds of others??
4. Do u think UK pre-reg masters is a better idea if i have no permanent ties to ireland?
Any help is appreciated!!

Larianne · 02-09-2010 12:02am

littlesister87 wrote: »

Hey Larianne,
Sorry I didnt explain myself too well!... i also want to know the answers to the above questions Hooty asked and was wondering if u could let me know ur opinion on these things, as u PM'd Hooty i dont know the answers...

1. Much competition in mature app for physio?
2. Do u think it'd be tough starting into a 4yr degree after a gap from college?
3. What work experience u feel wud be v helpful in application process to get accepted above hundreds of others??
4. Do u think UK pre-reg masters is a better idea if i have no permanent ties to ireland?
Any help is appreciated!!

Oh crap! lol Whoops. :pac:

1.Yes there is a lot of competition for mature students places in Physio. TCD take 3, UCD 3/4, UL 3. As you already have a degree you can apply for the graduate place in RCSI. I think there's only about 3/4 places there too.

2.I guess everyone's different. I hadn't done any type of academic work in 7 years! But as you want to do the course and do well, you do tend to knuckle down and do the work. Having a background in Science will help you immensely, for first year anyway. You'll be used to labs and the scientific jargon.

3. Getting any type of shadow experience with a physio will help. Whether it's in a hospital or care home or a private practice. The more you understand about the profession when writing up your application and then in an interview, the better. If you can show the university that you understand Physio is more about sports injuries, they will be impressed!!

Working as a care assistant would also benefit you. It shows you know how to deal with patients with varying illness. It will also allow yourself to see if working in that type of environment every day is something you want to do.

Any type of volunteer work with also increase your chances in getting a place. Could be anything...

4. I would try and see if you could get straight into 2nd year of a Physio degree rather than do the masters. You have a good chance as you've a primary degree in Science. I've heard you don't do as much musculoskeletal study in the masters to the degree course and in fairness, that is a huge area of Physio so you might be out of your depth in certain jobs if you did it that way. There is just no way you could learn everything in 2 years. If it is your only choice, then by all means go that way but I'd try other routes first. I'd also check out studying in University of Ulster. That course is 3 years there and has a great reputation!

Any other queries, PM me!

littlesister87 · 02-09-2010 12:20am

Thanks Larianne, ur a star!:)

Very helpful as usual!... now i just have to put that tough plan into action (i want physio sooo much!!)!

Larianne · 02-09-2010 1:45am

littlesister87 wrote: »

Thanks Larianne, ur a star!:)

Very helpful as usual!... now i just have to put that tough plan into action (i want physio sooo much!!)!

Think positive and don't give up!! Took me 10 years but I finally got there in the end.

moonandstars · 03-09-2010 5:03pm

Hi larraine..i sent a post the other day about studying arts and wanting to do creative writing as a post grad..someone moved it to a new thread however..arts progression..so now nobody can see it! would u be able to answer my question for me? thanks

Larianne · 03-09-2010 5:23pm

moonandstars wrote: »

Hi larraine..i sent a post the other day about studying arts and wanting to do creative writing as a post grad..someone moved it to a new thread however..arts progression..so now nobody can see it! would u be able to answer my question for me? thanks

I moved your post to it's own thread as it deserved a thread of its own. Unfortunately you didn't get any replies. I've moved your post back to this thread. I can leave it here or if you want to re-write your post and you can start a new thread on it.

I don't know much about progression onto masters etc. Only how to get into 3rd level.

moonandstars · 03-09-2010 7:08pm

OK cheers anyway Larraine!

del046 · 08-09-2010 4:22pm

Hi Larianne,
As a new reg user to boards.ie how can i establish a new thread in Education forum for the exchange of 'professional manuals' for members?
This i believe to be a worthy and valuable resource.
Regards,
Del046

angel87 · 09-09-2010 5:20pm

hi, I have problem maybe somebody will advice me.
so I ve moved from POland to Ireland in 2006.. now I m on jobseekers allowance.. and on 15 september I m starting Nursing course. I was trying to get grants.. I got answer that I m not mature student cos I wasnt 23 years old in january 2010 . My birthday is in may so in january i was still 22.. this is stupid.. so they told me to change from mature student to depend on parents and my parent must to sign that... sorry but from 2006 i dont depend on my parents. so what should i do . my parents live in poland.. and i live here with my boyfriend and my son.

redout · 09-09-2010 5:34pm

angel87 wrote: »

hi, I have problem maybe somebody will advice me.
so I ve moved from POland to Ireland in 2006.. now I m on jobseekers allowance.. and on 15 september I m starting Nursing course. I was trying to get grants.. I got answer that I m not mature student cos I wasnt 23 years old in january 2010 . My birthday is in may so in january i was still 22.. this is stupid.. so they told me to change from mature student to depend on parents and my parent must to sign that... sorry but from 2006 i dont depend on my parents. so what should i do . my parents live in poland.. and i live here with my boyfriend and my son.

23 on or before 1st January in the year you commence are the rules for everybody. It was up to you to have checked that before you applied. It is clearly stated in the CAO handbook and on all the third level institution websites. Best thing you can do is follow there advice and get your parents to sign the form. It doesnt matter if you were actually dependent on them or not because as far as the authority are concerned you were and thats all that matters.

EDIT: You cannot claim job seekers allowance once you start college as you are classed as not being available and looking for work so you will lose that. You should contact your social welfare office and they will explain that to you.

red200 · 16-09-2010 3:19pm

littlesister87,

hi just came across your post and thought i should reply as i was in the same situation. I too did science in Galway and got into Physio in RCSI. You need at least a 2.1 to apply. As I had a degree before I got to skip foundation year and start 1st year (so did it in 3 years). Approx half the places on the course were graduates, so there are approx 13 places reserved for graduates.
From what I can remember, the closing date for graduates in RCSI was in feb and got called for an interview in April. The application form is on the RCSI website. As you have a degree already you will have to pay fees for the course think they are approx e9000 at present per year.

With regards the 2 years course, you need at least a 2.1 in your degree to qualify for entry. I had applied for Aberdeen and had a place there but then got offered a place in Ireland. You apply directly to the colleges and most of them were very helpful. I think most of the courses began in January, I cant remember when the closing dates were, have a feeling it was in September. However the two years is very intense, you only get a few weeks off throughout the two years and think it cost in the region of £10,000 per year when I was applying. Aberdeen also wanted me to go over in Sept as I did my degree in Physiology and had not done Anatomy before.

I'd recommend you get in contact with the colleges you are considering, and also spend some time working in healthcare as previous posters have suggested as you will need to fill out personal statements etc and having exp will be a great advantage for this and interviews.
Hope this helps, don't give up you will get there

walkamile · 20-09-2010 3:52pm

I am thinking of applying to trinity college for a place on the undergraduate midwife course for next september. I am sooo nervous, not because im unsure of my choice but just of taking on this commitment. I am a mature student (37) and its a lot to consider. but i know it will be worth it. what should I do first??? Im lost

accguy · 20-09-2010 8:03pm

Larianne wrote: »

Personal Statement

This IS the biggy. You need to get this one right. This is where you get a chance to sell yourself properly. This is the hardest part of the application. Is it too long? Is it too short? Have I spent too much time talking about this? Do I need to speak about that? Is it too moany?

One important issue re the personal statement that should be stressed is that if you make it specific to a particular course, all the course directors of the courses on the CAO that you have applied for will see it. If you say in your personal statement that it is a lifelong dream to go to university/institute of techonology X, then it is quite unlikely that university/institute of technology Y who are further down your list of choices are going to give you an interview. This would also be quite difficult to explain at an interview.
You should apply for the courses you want but remember that all material that you put into the CAO is read by the course directors of every course that you put on the CAO list (either level 8 or level 6/7) so try to keep it to the area that you want rather than the specific course.

macskanadrag · 28-09-2010 4:13pm

Larianne,

great thread, thanks a million for sharing all the advice! That goes to everybody who contributed, thank you!

Matures, how do you find college life? I just came across an article about a mature student (if anybody is interested: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0918/1224278860466.html) and apparently they are called "noddies" because they don't really ask questions and stuff like that.
Also, in another thread someone said that some lecturers treat students like children as in "when you grow up" and "out there, in real life" type of monologues... How do you find that?

A question to Larianne, you said you were volunteering in the open week and you encouraged people to go up to you

Does that mean i missed the open week at Trinity? Do you know if there will be another open day or week when i can go in and have a look around?

Ah, and another, physio-specific question: what is the 2.1 that some people on the thread have mentioned? Is it a leaving cert result or HPAT or a degree grade (if you have one)? I'm not Irish so my education results would be *slightly* different...

And that would be all for now :P Thanks for all the help!

Larianne · 29-09-2010 8:01pm

macskanadrag wrote: »

Larianne,

great thread, thanks a million for sharing all the advice! That goes to everybody who contributed, thank you!

Matures, how do you find college life? I just came across an article about a mature student (if anybody is interested: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2010/0918/1224278860466.html) and apparently they are called "noddies" because they don't really ask questions and stuff like that.
Also, in another thread someone said that some lecturers treat students like children as in "when you grow up" and "out there, in real life" type of monologues... How do you find that?

A question to Larianne, you said you were volunteering in the open week and you encouraged people to go up to you Does that mean i missed the open week at Trinity? Do you know if there will be another open day or week when i can go in and have a look around?

Ah, and another, physio-specific question: what is the 2.1 that some people on the thread have mentioned? Is it a leaving cert result or HPAT or a degree grade (if you have one)? I'm not Irish so my education results would be *slightly* different...

And that would be all for now :P Thanks for all the help!

That week was an orientation week for mature students starting in Trinity this year. There is usually an Open Day in Trinity around November. I'd get in touch with Clodagh Byrne of Trinity's Mature Student Office and ask her when the open days or any other events for mature students will be happening.

The 2.1 grade is for people already with a degree who want to go on and do the graduate entry physio course.

I did read the article in the Irish Times on the Mature Student. Mature students always ask questions, always sit up the front and usually do nod!:) I made a point of not doing that last year. I mean I asked questions when they needed to be asked, but sometimes mature student do ask these irrelevant questions and hold up the class. But sur feck it, you're there to learn. I wouldn't worry about it.

baderheinhof · 02-10-2010 11:44am

hi
does anyone have any advice on advanced entry?
i finished an ordinary degree in construction management, next year i hope to apply for advanced entry into an honours degree but im wondering if i will be considered since it will be 5 years since i graduated

Long Term Louth · 02-10-2010 12:25pm

baderheinhof wrote: »

hi
does anyone have any advice on advanced entry?
i finished an ordinary degree in construction management, next year i hope to apply for advanced entry into an honours degree but im wondering if i will be considered since it will be 5 years since i graduated

AFAIK ordinary degrees are level 7 and honours degrees are level 8 therfore your application will probably be considered. Though a lot will depend on the next budget.

macskanadrag · 02-10-2010 9:53pm

I'm doing an evening course in A&P (really basic, but gives me an intro to the lingo) and there are one or two people who would go into longish details of their personal history like how or why they know this or that - after that i don't think i'll elaborate in long personal monologues in college :rolleyes: Sure it's ok i just... wouldn't do it myself

Larianne wrote: »

That week was an orientation week for mature students starting in Trinity this year. There is usually an Open Day in Trinity around November. I'd get in touch with Clodagh Byrne of Trinity's Mature Student Office and ask her when the open days or any other events for mature students will be happening.

I have requested and promptly received a mature app booklet, according to which the open day @Trinity is 1 December 2010. Mature student information evening will be on 13 January 2011.
Also, UCD open days are 10 and 11 December 2010. (Booklet not ready yet but they are very quick in replying in email.)
For anybody who was wondering.

independentman · 29-10-2010 7:16pm

some fantastic advice, the whole thread has been a great help. A lot of the colleges should link to this

panda100 · 03-01-2011 2:02pm

Just wondering If anyone has a list of what supporting documents you must send to the CAO as it doesn't really clarify this very well on the website?

Must we include a copy of our leaving cert results? Shouldn't the cao already have a copy of this?
I also did my GCSE's in England,Must I give a copy of these results as well?

Also,If you started a degree and did not finish it must you give examination result transcripts, or is supporting documents just needed for completed degrees?

Sorry for all the questions!

Jessibelle · 03-01-2011 4:11pm

panda100 wrote: »

Just wondering If anyone has a list of what supporting documents you must send to the CAO as it doesn't really clarify this very well on the website?

Must we include a copy of our leaving cert results? Shouldn't the cao already have a copy of this?
I also did my GCSE's in England,Must I give a copy of these results as well?

Also,If you started a degree and did not finish it must you give examination result transcripts, or is supporting documents just needed for completed degrees?

Sorry for all the questions!

Hey Panda100,
I was told last year by the nice lady in CAO, that any for state exams (so leaving cert, GCSE's etc) a transcript should be sent in. If you need copies, you can send to the relevant education board for a fee and they'll send you out transcripts. After that, she told me to send a transcript for my degree in , but I was mid way through a grad. dip at the time and she said it was up to me if I wanted to send in a transcript of results to date on that, but to be aware the colleges might ask for a copy at interview, if I reached that stage. So from that I'd gather, transcripts for incompletes are optional, but if you're mentioning it on the personal statement, be aware it might be asked for later.

Other than that, any other supporting docs were certs for courses i mentioned, letters of recommendation (UCD asks for two for the course i applied for) and support for anything else that might have been mentioned. Just remember some places ask for separate personal statements also (UCD and Trinity this year I think) so check the website to be sure. Of all of them I found UCC was the most straight forward to deal with last year, this year sure we'll see

Any other questions, let me know?

panda100 · 03-01-2011 5:39pm

Jessibelle wrote: »

Hey Panda100,
I was told last year by the nice lady in CAO, that any for state exams (so leaving cert, GCSE's etc) a transcript should be sent in. If you need copies, you can send to the relevant education board for a fee and they'll send you out transcripts. After that, she told me to send a transcript for my degree in , but I was mid way through a grad. dip at the time and she said it was up to me if I wanted to send in a transcript of results to date on that, but to be aware the colleges might ask for a copy at interview, if I reached that stage. So from that I'd gather, transcripts for incompletes are optional, but if you're mentioning it on the personal statement, be aware it might be asked for later.

Other than that, any other supporting docs were certs for courses i mentioned, letters of recommendation (UCD asks for two for the course i applied for) and support for anything else that might have been mentioned. Just remember some places ask for separate personal statements also (UCD and Trinity this year I think) so check the website to be sure. Of all of them I found UCC was the most straight forward to deal with last year, this year sure we'll see
Any other questions, let me know?

Thanks JessieBelle.
Can't see anything on cao for letters of recommendations?!Now I'm worried Im filling out the wrong form! I think il give the cao a buzz tomorrow and see what I need.
I'm only applying to Trinity and they don't look for any supporting documentation at the initial stage, except for the mature application form.

Larianne · 03-01-2011 6:04pm

panda100 wrote: »

Just wondering If anyone has a list of what supporting documents you must send to the CAO as it doesn't really clarify this very well on the website?

Must we include a copy of our leaving cert results? Shouldn't the cao already have a copy of this?
I also did my GCSE's in England,Must I give a copy of these results as well?

Also,If you started a degree and did not finish it must you give examination result transcripts, or is supporting documents just needed for completed degrees?

Sorry for all the questions!

Have you looked at pages 10,11, 12 of the CAO Handbook? It tells you what documents you need to supply. In your case as you did not complete your degree, you need a letter from the college stating when you withdrew from the course.

As Jessibelle has already said, you need to give them copies of your GSCE results, Leaving Cert Results, Results of any other type of course related to the field you wish to study.

Regarding the personal statement - I just had a look at the Handbook. On page 12 where it says completing the application for Part B, F- Mature.

You may use additional sheets of paper if
necessary.

To help you in presenting your application, the HEIs
ask that you provide, in a single overall personal
statement, the details in the next column, or as much
of it as is relevant to your case.

Basically there isn't much of a limit of how many additional pages you may need.

1.

Begin by explaining the relevance of your
life/educational experience to your application and
state your educational goals and objectives.

This is where I slotted in my personal statement if I remember correctly. Section 2-8, I did out in a CV type format. I added my letters of recommendation after this. Edit: Just to add, I know Trinity don't ask for anything other than the Mature Student Application form but I'm pretty sure they see your CAO application so if you have your letters of recommendation are on there they will get to read them. (How are they to know you're not applying anywhere else.

)

Carefully go through the Handbook along with the application form and tick things off as it can get quite confusing with all the documents you have etc.

Jessibelle · 03-01-2011 6:20pm

panda100 wrote: »

Can't see anything on cao for letters of recommendations?!Now I'm worried Im filling out the wrong form!

Ah you're grand then I think, UCD ask for letters of recommendation for some courses, not all of them though

Trinity don't ask for anything other than the Mature Student Application form

BTW my mate texted to say she's late emailing you back but she should be onto you during the week if thats ok?

Super Split · 04-01-2011 5:29pm

I'm 26 and I'm applying as a mature student to go back to college in September. I am looking at a few options but mostly Arts courses. I should have enough points for any of the courses I am looking at but I want to know for sure if I will also have to be judged on an Interview/Application process or will the fact that I have enough points for the course be enough???

Planes · 05-01-2011 9:49pm

Hello guys and thanks larriane for the tip on mature application. I'm just about to apply through the cao for the mature entry nursing for 2011, could u offer any more tips on the personal statement bit. Just can't get my head around it. I'm a 40yr old single parent of 3 kids, hoping to go back to college this september .

panda100 · 13-01-2011 12:01pm

Just a quick reminder to all that the Trinity mature student open evening is on tonight (Thursday 13th January) from half 4 to 7.

Timetable for events on here : http://www.tcd.ie/maturestudents/content/pdf/Web_flyer_Info%20Evening3.pdf

goldenwonder · 13-01-2011 3:25pm

panda100 wrote: »

Just a quick reminder to all that the Trinity mature student open evening is on tonight (Thursday 13th January) from half 4 to 7.

Timetable for events on here : http://www.tcd.ie/maturestudents/content/pdf/Web_flyer_Info%20Evening3.pdf

nice one. i thought that was next week.

tropics · 17-01-2011 11:38am

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone is in the same situation as myself. I am applying to do science this year as a mature student. I have previously attended college, but I dropped out after first year. I am really worried about what impact this will have on my application this time around. Any info or advice here would be great.

Im sure this question has been asked before, but do you have to send a certified copy of your LC results? All I have is a photocopy would that be ok?

Thanks

john almighty · 17-01-2011 1:12pm

thanks a mill, Larianne - this is excellent !!

voxbot · 19-01-2011 3:45pm

Hey everyone, this is a great thread.. Larianne your advice has been really helpful. I have almost everything filled out in my Psychology application and ready to send off, but just one question...

In the Trinity Mature Student Application Form, the last section is 'Additional Information', I went to the open day presentation and the Mature Student Officer told everyone to make sure they fill out every section, including this one. I just don't really know what to put in it.. any advice?!

Thanks!

Larianne · 19-01-2011 6:41pm

voxbot wrote: »

Hey everyone, this is a great thread.. Larianne your advice has been really helpful. I have almost everything filled out in my Psychology application and ready to send off, but just one question...

In the Trinity Mature Student Application Form, the last section is 'Additional Information', I went to the open day presentation and the Mature Student Officer told everyone to make sure they fill out every section, including this one. I just don't really know what to put in it.. any advice?!

Thanks!

I think I left that page blank as I filled everything else in to capacity!!! :pac:

voxbot · 20-01-2011 4:41pm

Larianne wrote: »

I think I left that page blank as I filled everything else in to capacity!!! :pac:

Yeah, I honestly can't think of anything else to put there! Thanks for the advice!

partay pooper · 21-01-2011 2:25am

Hi Larianne,

Sorry to ask more questions of you. Just doing my personal statement for BA In economics,politics and law at DCU, when describing employment would you go into timeline explanation of your employment or just match your experience to the course and it relevance to the course. I have already reached over 1 page , its 4 paragraphs

I don't know weither I've too much or too little.

Thanks again for your posts.

Larianne · 21-01-2011 12:09pm

partay pooper wrote: »

Hi Larianne,

Sorry to ask more questions of you. Just doing my personal statement for BA In economics,politics and law at DCU, when describing employment would you go into timeline explanation of your employment or just match your experience to the course and it relevance to the course. I have already reached over 1 page , its 4 paragraphs

I don't know weither I've too much or too little.

Thanks again for your posts.

Personally, I matched my experience with the course. Only put down what is relevant to the course. You can pop a CV in with your application if you want.

Oh my PS was 2 pages long!

But I'd advise you not to waffle in it. Put all the vital information in it.

What made you decide to go back to college?
Why do you want to do the course?
What do you know of the course?
What experience do you already have related to the course?
What skills/personality traits/attitudes do you have that will help you on the course?
Where do you see yourself after the course?
etc.

This doesn't have to be pages and pages long but if you get these points across in your PS you will be doing very well.

Always have in your mind that you have to show them how much you want this course and why they should give you the place over someone else.

d.anthony · 21-01-2011 12:13pm

Hey guys, quick question... I have applied through the CAO this year. Who is it that decides if I get the place? CAO or the guy in charge of the actual course?

Larianne · 21-01-2011 12:21pm

d.anthony wrote: »

Hey guys, quick question... I have applied through the CAO this year. Who is it that decides if I get the place? CAO or the guy in charge of the actual course?

The CAO just process your application. If you are applying as a mature student it will usually be the head of the department or a panel of people from the department that will decide on whether to give you a place.

d.anthony · 21-01-2011 12:43pm

Larianne wrote: »

The CAO just process your application. If you are applying as a mature student it will usually be the head of the department or a panel of people from the department that will decide on whether to give you a place.

Thanks, do you think I should e-mail the lecturer outlining why I think I should get a place?

Larianne · 21-01-2011 1:05pm

d.anthony wrote: »

Thanks, do you think I should e-mail the lecturer outlining why I think I should get a place?

No. Do not do that! Leave it to the CAO process and see if you are called for interview. I would only contact the head of department if you have queries about the course and want to get information about what they look for in a mature student applicant. Do not contact them about your application directly!

d.anthony · 23-01-2011 11:35pm

Hi again, I'm gonna post my application details here and would appreciate any feedback on what I've written. I'm desperate to get into college this year and better myself and I hope I've gotten that point across! (I've left out personal details in case that's not allowed here)

Course Choices (stored on the CAO computer)

N.B. An application should not be made for any course without first
consulting the information literature of the institution offering that course.

Level 8 Course Choices:
None selected.

Level 7/6 Course Choices:
1. LYxxx Graphic Design
2. GAxxx Computing in Software Development
3. SGxxx Computing - Software Development
4. SGxxx Web Development and Creative Media
5. GAxxx Business Computing and Digital Media
6. SGxxx Electronic Engineering
7. SGxxx Mechanical Engineering
8. LYxxx Multimedia and Digital Entertainment Technology
9. SGxxx Computing - Systems and Networking
10.

Qualifications and Assessment Section (stored on the CAO computer)

Secondary Level Schools Attended:
1. xxx Secondary School, Scotland From 1999 to 2003

Mature Section:

Final secondary level qualifications awarded:
English - Oral Comm. - Int.1
Information Technology - Using IT - Int.1
Mathematics - Critical Thinking - Int. 2
- Planning Organising - Int. 2
- Reviewing Ev. - Int 2

Post-secondary level qualifications:
No details entered

Current Studies:
No details entered

Non-certificate courses:
While not strictly a course, I have achieved the Duke of Edinburgh
bronze award.

Employment:
Have been working in retail in Ireland and Scotland since 2005.
2005 Instore xxx
2006-2008 Supervalu xxx
2008-2010 Eurospar xxx
2010-present Asda xxx

Voluntary (Unpaid) Work:
No details entered

Hobbies or interests:
My main hobbies are computers and all things technology related. I also
love spending time with friends and family and sports are a big part of
my life. I`m currently training for a 10k.

Relevance of your life / educational experience to your application
and your educational goals & objectives:
While I always done well at school, a family issue heavily distracted
me in my final year and as a result my exams didn`t go as expected. I
have since been working in entry level jobs since. In a way I see it
as a good thing because although I have worked my way up I know I have
more potential than working in shops for the rest of my life and would
like an opportunity to further my career prospects.

Leaving school early has been a huge regret but I feel it`s not too
late to get a degree and get myself a good job that I enjoy doing. I
love working with computers and a career in that is appealing to me
but there is also other areas in which I feel I would excel at and
look forward to seeing what`s available to me.

For the past few years I have watched with envy as all my friends have
attended college and university while I paid off my car loan while
working in a job with no real prospects.

I have my heart set on college and I am excited that I am finally
getting the chance

Does that sound ok?

Also, when would I hear back if I'm successful? I understand that my first choice would require an interview in April, does everyone get invited to it or is it a selection process?

Any advice and feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

Larianne · 24-01-2011 2:09pm

d.anthony wrote: »

Hi again, I'm gonna post my application details here and would appreciate any feedback on what I've written. I'm desperate to get into college this year and better myself and I hope I've gotten that point across! (I've left out personal details in case that's not allowed here)

Does that sound ok?

Also, when would I hear back if I'm successful? I understand that my first choice would require an interview in April, does everyone get invited to it or is it a selection process?

Any advice and feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks

To be honest that sounds okay but not great. You don't really say why you want to do computers or what skills you already have that would help you if you studied the course or where you will go after you complete the course.

The heading is : Relevance of your life / educational experience to your application and your educational goals & objectives:

It's all well and good that you say you really want to go back to college but the person assessing your application will want to know why they should give you the place over a high number of other applicants going for the place.

A few posts back I wrote some pointers as to what to include:

* What made you decide to go back to college?
* Why do you want to do the course?
* What do you know of the course?
* What experience do you already have related to the course?
* What skills/personality traits/attitudes do
you have that will help you on the course?
* Where do you see yourself after the course?
* etc.

Now, I'm not saying you won't get a place on the course with your application but I try to stress on this forum that you need to make your application 100% the best it can be to secure a place at third level. I know this myself as I didn't secure a place the first time I applied.

On hearing back, it really depends on the college/uni. It's usually any time after April.

Not everyone will get called for an interview and not all courses require an interview.

d.anthony · 24-01-2011 10:59pm

Thanks very much for the advice, I appreciate it. Is it ok to update it now?

Larianne · 24-01-2011 11:02pm

I'm not 100% sure if you can update your online application. I know you can change your choices up until 1st Feb. Maybe log on and check your application and see if it can be done.

Failing that I would contact the CAO and ask can your application be amended.

Tips on applying as a Mature Student

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