American High School to Ireland University or College

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I am moving to Ireland after I graduate high school in 2011.
I will be 18 years old in July, and shortly after that I will be moving to Ireland.</p>

<p>I do plan on taking a year off to settle and allow all of my visas to go through.</p>

<p>The university I wish to attend is Trinity University. It is located in Dublin.</p>

<p>I would like to get my undergraduate in Ancient/Medieval history.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, some events led to a rough couple of years during my high school career.
I'm a smart young woman, but some things happened and my GPA got a little screwy.</p>

<p>It's currently at a dangerously low 2.5.</p>

<p>However, I'm taking two AP courses and doing very well in all of my classes. I believe
by the end of my senior year I can have the required 3.3.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I'm not sure if I can raise my ACT from a 24 to the required 29.</p>

<p>I do plan on taking ACT prep courses and continually taking the test as much as my school offers until, if possible, I reach 29.</p>

<p>I am moving to Ireland permanently, as well.</p>

<p>My questions:</p>

<p>Am I able to go to something similar to a community college in Ireland?</p>

<p>If this is possible, can I then move on to get my undergraduate without my
ACT score and my GPA being a problem?</p>

<p>Under a student visa, am I allowed to work or will I also need a work permit?</p>

<p>Do any of the benefits of my student visa diminish if I go to college instead of a university first?</p>

<p>Am I able to receive loans as a non-EU student?</p>

<p>Are there any scholarships I can use from the United States in Ireland?</p>

2

<p>I don’t know the answers to all of your questions (but note you are totally assuming the education system in another country is the same as the US. Ireland is going to be SUCH a culture shock for you if you treat everything like this. Assume EVERYTHING is different) However, you really should NOT take advice from random strangers on the web regarding things like immigration and visas. You need to speak to an immigration lawyer, or you may end up in a whole heap of trouble. You don’t want to be unable to attend an Irish uni because you’ve been deported!</p>

3

<p>hey,
I actually know a bit about TCD (Trinity college dublin) but yeah get professional advise.</p>

<p>(1) Its a great school and might be difficult to get into with your statistics
(2) No you cannot receive loans in Ireland, try and get them in the US
(3) Most scholarships from the US to Ireland are usually for graduate school. The most popular is the Mitchell Scholarship
(4) Your ACT scores and grade would likely be useless. However, there are Americans in TCD- go and find info on their requirements for Americans online. Its a couple of clicks on the mouse . . .<br>
(5) Community college is an american phenomena.
(6) You might be able to work on a student visa but understand that Dublin is very expensive. Its has also been hard hit by the economic downturn. Lots of unemployment going on, not sur eyou will be able to get a job</p>

<p>good luck</p>

4

<p>I’ve emailed the Irish Consulate of Chicago and I’m currently waiting for a response.
If they do not get back to me soon I’m going to call them, and I plan on setting up
an appointment with a college guidance counselor who has experience with international transfer.</p>

<p>I looked at the requirements, which was why I said I need to boost my scores, thank you though.</p>

<p>I spoke to a friend of mine, who moved to Ireland after high school here (at my same high school) and he is in a school similar to a community college, but it isn’t quite the same. It’s called the College of Further Education? Seemingly, it works the same. My only question is if it would reset my grading scales. I’m going to go over that with the counselor, though, so if no one is sure, it’s not a big deal, considering I’ll get the information anyway.</p>

<p>I was just looking for some direction so I knew what questions to ask once I was with the counselor.</p>

<p>Thank you</p>