Hi all
Although the CAO is regarded as the 'be all and end all' of the Third Level application process mature applicants should note that certain colleges require you to complete their own application forms AS WELL as apply to the CAO. The following colleges have this requirement and are of interest to applicants in the North East:
Trinity College: The Trinity mature student's supplementary application form is regarded by some as being the most difficult, however if you have prepared properly and chosen your course wisely it is a great tool for getting across your abilities to the college prior to the interview process. Further details on applying to Trinity as a mature student are available
here.
DCU: DCU's supplementary application form asks for similar information to that you will be putting on the CAO. Remember, however, that you should tailor your answers on the DCU form to the courses you are applying for in DCU. The college has just recently appointed a new Mature Student officer and further info on applying via this route is available
here.
NUI Maynooth: Maynooth are really looking for your motivations for going to college on their form and evidence that you have really researched and prepared for returning to education/college. Maynooth have a reputation for being very mature student 'friendly' (they aim to have 20% of their full-time student population be matures by 2012). Further information on applying to Maynooth as a mature student available
here.
All of the above colleges expect you to return their application forms to them by 1st February (the same as CAO).
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT): If you apply to DkIT through the CAO they will automatically send you out their supplementary application form. You should receive this in March. DkIT definitely shortlist candidates on the basis of this form so it needs to be filled out very carefully. They also require documentary evidence for any claims you may make on the form, for example if you state that you got particular results in your Junior Cert they will look for your official results, or if you state that you did work experience in a particular area they will look for proof of that. Further information available
here.
St. Pat's & All Hallows: You can apply directly to the BA programmes in both these colleges as well as through the CAO. St. Pat's close their mature student application process on 2nd April while All Hallow's have an open application process. For further information in relation to St. Pat's click
here. Further information in relation to All Hallows
here.
In relation to ALL college applications it is essential that you carry out research before applying. So contact the Mature Student Officers, study the prospectus, use the internet and come and see us here in
laegis to chat about your next steps!
