Trinity’s Access Programmes Host over 250 Prospective Students during Annual Shadowing Day Events

Posted on: 20 November 2009

The annual Trinity Access Programmes (TAP) Shadowing Day, aimed at giving students the unique opportunity to experience first hand the physical, academic, cultural and social aspects of student life in Trinity College, took place this week (November 16th).

During the week prospective students shadowed current undergraduate students, helping them make informed decisions regarding options for third level study.   Speaking about the experience one 5th year student said: “Getting to come and meet a person studying dentistry and going to the Dublin Dental Hospital was fantastic.  I found out that dentistry is definitely the right career for me.”

As well as attending lectures and exploring the campus, participants took part in a programme of events designed to introduce them to the range of college societies on offer to TCD students which included a mock debate with the Philosophical Society and Yoga classes with the Yoga Society.

For the second year running students from St Josephs School for Deaf Boys and St Mary’s School for Deaf Girls took part in the programme.  This collaboration between TAP and DS3 (Deaf Support in Third Level) aims to increase the numbers and retention of deaf and hard of hearing students in third level education in Ireland.  This group is currently one of the most significantly underrepresented in higher education.

This year participants included 110, 5th-year students, 50 young adults from TAP’s university access courses and 75 students from TAP associated VEC courses.  A further 50 prospective mature students also participated via the Mature Students Office.

The Shadowing Day programme is one of a number of events available to students in TAP linked secondary schools and has been rated by participating pupils as the most successful, beneficial and ultimately life-changing programmes offered by TAP.  More information on the Trinity Access Programmes is available via the website.   Alternatively contact the Student Activities Coordinator, Melanie McArdle on mmcardle@tcd.ie or 01 – 896 3647.