Trinity College, Dublin

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anyone who attended? I am wondering how it compares with eg UK Russell Group for the humanities? Are there many international students?

[Anonymous]

They are making a big push for international students at TCD. My kid has Irish citizenship, so we toured. It’s a lovely school, and the idea of living in Dublin is very appealing, but ultimately my kid decided he wanted more flexibility than the Irish system provided. He’s a humanities kid but wants to take courses across disciplines, which isn’t really an option there.

[Anonymous]

I'ts considered #1 in Ireland, the equivalent of Oxbridge. You can find out about international applications and numbers of students via their website. And it will have a lot more accurate information than you'll find here. Undergraduate degrees take 4 yrs and will cost roughly the same as if your kid attends here in the US partly due to the fact that accommodation in Dublin is not cheap.

[Anonymous]

Our nephew completed his Masters there and loved it. He had a wonderful experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are making a big push for international students at TCD. My kid has Irish citizenship, so we toured. It’s a lovely school, and the idea of living in Dublin is very appealing, but ultimately my kid decided he wanted more flexibility than the Irish system provided. He’s a humanities kid but wants to take courses across disciplines, which isn’t really an option there.

My DS is the exact same and was admitted for History. But ultimately chose a US college for the flexibility. He may look at it for grad school.

[Anonymous]

It also has an exchange program with Columbia University.

[Anonymous]

Not the same but just chiming in to say I did a semester abroad at Trinity College and it was the best few months of my life. Always an option if the full four years is too much of a commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not the same but just chiming in to say I did a semester abroad at Trinity College and it was the best few months of my life. Always an option if the full four years is too much of a commitment.

PP with son who toured, and this is what he’s hoping to do. He loves Dublin and really wants to spend a semester there.

[Anonymous]

The disadvantage is that you have to know what you want to study. They don't offer the same possibility of exploring and letting you study a lot of different subjects before you decide on a specialty.

[Anonymous]

I lived and worked in Europe. Trinity is impressive in Europe. I’d send my kid if they were 100% certain what they wanted to study. If there is any chance that they would waffle, I’d keep them in the US where there is much more flexibility to switch, and still graduate on time.

[Anonymous]

Also, if you’re talking about this cycle, I would visit. Like now. In the next month. The cold and darkness and weather is no joke.

[Anonymous]

My DC loved it when we toured. However, ended up deciding that they wanted a more traditional US college experience. Plans to study abroad at Trinity junior year.

[Anonymous]

We have a second year DD at TCD studying humanities-- she loves it

Agree with PP that you have to be very focused about what you want to study

As for comparison with UK Russell Group, she also looked at those schools. TCD had a better vibe for her and has dedicated resources for international students. International students are a significant percentage of the student body and I am pretty certain American students are the biggest percentage of the internationals. North American reps are really helpful with questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The disadvantage is that you have to know what you want to study. They don't offer the same possibility of exploring and letting you study a lot of different subjects before you decide on a specialty.

I think that is an advantage. My kid knows what they don't like. Why should thet have to tske these clases?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The disadvantage is that you have to know what you want to study. They don't offer the same possibility of exploring and letting you study a lot of different subjects before you decide on a specialty.

I think that is an advantage. My kid knows what they don't like. Why should thet have to tske these clases?

From my kid's perspective, the disadvantage isn't lack of core curriculum or basic requirements--I agree that's great--but rather inability to take many classes outside your selected course. Double majoring is not a thing. TCD is not the place if you want the ability to study across disciplines.