Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

How 25 places in Trinity this year show points are not the only important factor

With CAO offers out today, TCD could show that a different method is possible.

WITH THE CAO offers coming out today, 25 students will be placed in courses in Trinity College Dublin based on more than their Leaving Cert points totals.

This year, TCD ran a feasibility study on how they handle admissions, as a pilot for both the third-level sector and CAO.

There were 270 applications for the 25 places on offer in TR003 (History, 10 places), TR004 (Law, 10 places), and TR028 (Ancient and Medieval History and Culture, 5 places), a higher than expected level of interest in the new admissions route being tested.

The ten students offered places in Law today received points scores within 70 points of the required CAO total, but demonstrated their suitability for the course through three other headings:

  • Leaving Certificate results;
  • the Relative Performance Rank (RPR) of the applicant – the performance of the applicant in the LC relative to other applicants from their school who applied through the CAO;
  • Personal and Contextual Data – provided via an anonymous personal statement.

The ten students offered places in History today received points scores within 150 points of the required CAO total, and also impressed when all three scores were combined to provide an overall, or ‘holistic’ evaluation of their ability, potential, and suitability for the chosen course of study.

The project sponsor, Dr. Patrick Geoghegan, said that the results show that points are not the only thing that make a third-level student.

“The feasibility study shows that it is possible to use additional factors when assessing applicants, and still maintain anonymity and transparency. The best students are not necessarily the ones with the highest points – they are the ones with the academic ability and potential needed to thrive at third-level, self-reflective and independent thinkers, who are the right fit for the right course.

“These are the kinds of students we want in our classrooms – students who are passionate about learning, independent and critical thinkers, and with the ability and potential to succeed academically.”

Poll: Should high achieving Leaving Cert students get preference for campus accommodation?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
9 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute canuckandgo
    Favourite canuckandgo
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 5:45 PM

    It’s not rocket science lads, season ban for anyone hiring undocumented workers. Simples.

    301
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Just Some Guy
    Favourite Just Some Guy
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:35 PM

    @canuckandgo:

    Undocumented? Illegal workers

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom the Bomb
    Favourite Tom the Bomb
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:37 PM

    @Just Some Guy: Same thing – but yeah, let’s call a spade a spade. Presumably these boat owners are being prosecuted though? Right?

    87
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute canuckandgo
    Favourite canuckandgo
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:24 PM

    Pendency at it’s best…

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stefanovich
    Favourite stefanovich
    Report
    Apr 10th 2017, 6:49 AM

    @canuckandgo: but sorry i thought controlling your borders was racist and we were all supposed to feel sorry for US businesses without a supply of illegal immigrants? So it happens in ireland and now it is bad?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:17 PM

    how can our fishermen make any money with dutch spanish and huge russian factory ships taking all our fish? we got severly screwed by the Eu.

    205
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:40 PM

    @gregory: And the solution to that is modern slavery?

    I wondered how long it would take for someone to make it their fault.

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:51 PM

    @Tony Canning: the solution is that our politicians stop giving all our fish for free to foreign countries. We’re losing huge money because our politicians don’t stand up for us. At least Norway told the Eu to take a hike and they’re making huge money as a result.

    103
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:52 PM

    @gregory: Making excuses is worse than just being an apologist.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:01 PM

    @Tony Canning: Address the point. This stealing of our fish is costing this country huge money since we joined the Eu. Our politicians are not representing our National Interest.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:30 PM

    @gregory: at least acknowledge that hiring illegals and working them like that is wrong .. I agree with your other points though.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:33 PM

    @Suzie Sunshine: how much are the russian and spanish factory ship workers getting paid?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:42 PM

    @gregory: I am addressing the point. You’re advocating for slavery and using the big bad EU as an excuse.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:05 PM

    @Tony Canning: the big bad eu just facilitated the transfer of irish jobs to romania avg salary €500/mth. post below. the Eu doesnt’t give a damn about Ireland.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:16 PM

    @Suzie Sunshine: suzie, true but we cant compete w slave wages on russian spanish factory ship. lets get our fisheries back – it should be a billion dollar industry here and pay fair wages to all. The Norwegian system is an excellent example!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Canning
    Favourite Tony Canning
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:29 PM

    @gregory: pathetically conflating a low wage economy with slavery now….

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinbad the sailor
    Favourite Sinbad the sailor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:41 PM

    Irish fishing industry worth 850million a year. Irish fishing industry worth 9billion a year to Eu This is the real problem.

    116
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:04 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: 100% and why the hell Irish people don’t protest about this issue is beyond me. Our politicians are useless. Look how many jobs we could have created a major industry like the Norwegians. It is time our politicians were held to account instead of the people lying down like sheep.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Finn Bowe
    Favourite Finn Bowe
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:30 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: I heard someone describe fish in Irish waters as European fish as due to migration they may only be passing through Irish waters. Don’t know if that is a fair comment?

    9
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Rainsford
    Favourite Aidan Rainsford
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:41 PM

    @Finn Bowe: if this is true leave them wait till said fish have migrated through Irish waters.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hardwicke
    Favourite Tony Hardwicke
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:06 PM

    Modern day slave galleys

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:30 PM

    @Tony Hardwicke: speaking of slave wages….over 200 workers lost their jobs in longford recently at a key supplier of components to the oil and gas industry-Cameron who was based in ireland for nearly 40 years . the workshop workers in ireland were getting around €3k/month. The manufacturing operation was moved to another Eu country where the workers get paid about €3/hour or €500/month all aided and abetted by the Eu with Infrastructural Grants to offset the over €100mln cost of building a state of the art factory. So dont talk to me about the Eu or a level playing regarding wages. the Eu represents big business not equality.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:32 PM

    @gregory: it was moved to Romania.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin McNamara
    Favourite Justin McNamara
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 9:00 PM

    I am a fishermen and last year we were broken down we had two lads on contract and 5 Irish lads so for 3 months the contract lads got there money every week but we get nothing can’t even get the dole we are self employed but yet we can get sacked I started a new job and we are having problems with boat so I have not made a wage in 6 weeks I was on a boat when Mr Fleming came aboard check on out crew so he went to the foreign lads first and ask were they be treated OK and everything was and then I asked Mr Fleming how come you didn’t ask the Irish crew men which was five men and his answer was there Irish and they are OK it’s a total joke we work big hours and some times we don’t even make a wage cause of weather or other problems who is there to look after us

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinbad the sailor
    Favourite Sinbad the sailor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:30 PM

    You get paid by what you catch. If it’s a poor week fishing wages will be poor , if it’s a good week fishing wages will be good simple science, if the don’t like it no one is stopping them from quitting their not chained to the boats like slaves, it’s a tough industry as it is without all this bolloxology .

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grainne Abdulaziz
    Favourite Grainne Abdulaziz
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:56 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: ‘simple science’, Russian for, ‘I’m trolling from St. Petersburg’.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grotmaster
    Favourite Grotmaster
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 9:39 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: True that. I know of three Filipino fishermen doing prawns in The Porcupine all year round. Rarely come off the boat. £1200/month paid into the bank for herself and the family, and all are delighted.

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
    Report
    Apr 10th 2017, 3:21 AM

    @Grotmaster: no doubt they’d be even more delighted if their wages reflected the hours they work.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grainne Abdulaziz
    Favourite Grainne Abdulaziz
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:37 PM

    If we’re going to even try to pretend that we live up to the most basic standard of decency, we have to give these fishermen a decent working wage. It’s not all about dangling a line over the bow of a boat, or dropping a net in the water, it’s a very dangerous job at times, and I’m speaking from personal experience from when I was younger.

    We have all of these big brave comments from people hiding behind keyboards, giving out about immigrants, and the same people probably cream their pants trying to get a slice of toast out of the toaster with a fork. It’s pathetic.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinbad the sailor
    Favourite Sinbad the sailor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @Grainne Abdulaziz: there illegal they should be stopped by the authorities long before the even get on a boat.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grainne Abdulaziz
    Favourite Grainne Abdulaziz
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:54 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: There was never a time when illegal fisherman haven’t been on fishing vessels. I don’t think the general public give a damn how the fish on their plate is caught. I also notice a lot of syntax errors in your comments which strongly indicate you are not, yourself, an Irish-born fisherman. This doesn’t bother me personally, but can I ask are you operating on a valid licence and registered vessel in Irish waters?

    8
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:09 PM

    @Grainne Abdulaziz: Grainne: our rescue services were out twice to rescue russian workers on factory ships recently – address that why we are giving our fish away. If you’re so worried about honours English i suggest you avoid this site and logic dictates foreign fishing interests are not going to support any of the arguments he posted which are to stand up for our National Interest which I would suggest is more important than your policing of the English language idem you are missing the point entirely. Look at the big picture.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinbad the sailor
    Favourite Sinbad the sailor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:16 PM

    @Grainne Abdulaziz: I’m Irish born, a fisherman of 20 years . Own my own boat employ only Irish crew. The industry has been good financially to us . In my 20 years I’ve only worked with Irish crew. Yes there is greedy fishermen who did or do employ illegal workers. But let not that tarnish the vast majority of good genuine Irish fishermen who work in this hard industry with the little quota we’re giving .

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grainne Abdulaziz
    Favourite Grainne Abdulaziz
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:55 PM

    @Sinbad the sailor: You’re about as Irish as a pineapple, yourself and gregory are trolski trolski from Petrograd, dobra!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinbad the sailor
    Favourite Sinbad the sailor
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 10:09 PM

    @Grainne Abdulaziz: well with a surname like yours I think the odds of me been more Irish than you are in my favour, plus we’re involved in the industry so if all you can question how Irish we are you know very little on the issues in the fishing industry

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 8bitplebian
    Favourite 8bitplebian
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 5:51 PM

    Load of old carp.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute eastsmer #IRExit
    Favourite eastsmer #IRExit
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 8:30 PM

    Fishing is always tough no matter where you are from.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 6:57 PM

    Undocumented, illegal, or with work permit anyone not being paid for their labour is a slave. Slavery was abolished many years ago. Let’s not reintroduce it by sleight of hand.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 7:12 PM

    @John Campbell: How much are the workers on those russian and spanish factory ships being paid ?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Maher
    Favourite Stephen Maher
    Report
    Apr 9th 2017, 11:56 PM

    Construction ask restaurant trade is no different but it was OK for I phone Joan to do it through Jobs bridge.
    Remember it was 39 hrs per week for €50.

    15
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds