Hello all,
I am an American looking to transfer to TCD. It would be economical for my family and I to complete an associate’s first then transfer to a university. Most big name universities in the States are bloody expensive for the asking price of tuition and housing, even for my family that is in the upper-income range. For example, UC Berkeley’s tuition alone is 41,000$ per year for out-of-state students. TCD is just $24,000 per year for a math degree while my state school costs $16,000. It is also decidedly easier to get into TCD.
Has anyone else transferred into mathematics at Trinity? I don’t know if they would even consider me for the second year because it seems that they study advanced material in the first year such as set theory (which at my state school is a graduate level class).
I think you’ve answered your own question. If you haven’t covered the first year material you would need to start again in the first year. That might still be cost effective for you.
It is exceptionally unlikely that you could transfer into TCD as a 2nd year. In Europe the courses are typically much more focused from day 1- there are no gen eds, and usually there are few if any options in the first and even second year. At TCD math you have no choices in year 1; in year 2 you get to choose 2 classes from a choice of 4- and all your classes are math/math related.
To transfer in you would have to show that you have mastered all of the coursework from year 1 (or 2). Transferring is not a thing in Ireland.- even between courses within the university, much less coming in from the outside.
Also, TCD is 24K €, not $- not a big difference right now ($27K) but that can change. As I think you know, that is tuition only. Current estimates that cost of living for students in Dublin is running around €12.5/school year ($14K). So, figure more like $40K all in (not counting long-haul flights), and in shared accommodation.
That’s what the college registry is telling me too. It’s a shame because I found it to be cost-effective at the time. It doesn’t make much sense to finish an Associate’s first only to find out you would be entering as a freshman.
CC and then in-state would be cheapest (especially if commuting).
But after CC, 3 years at an English uni may cost roughly the same as 2 years at a private (assuming no significant scholarships) or OOS public.
Also, most English (British?) universities assume that 1-2 years of cc = A Levels + good GCSEs.
Specialization is very high - a bit like grad school light.