Dear Colleagues

While the University has had an application fee for graduate taught applications for some years, last year it was decided that applications would not be considered until the application fee - which is in line with that charged at other Irish universities - has been paid, with 50% of this fee going to Schools and the remainder going to fund the Online Applications Unit in UCD Registry (with some funds also being diverted for technical developments). Prior to that, it was very much at the discretion of Schools whether or not to insist on payment of the application fee.

Halfway through this process in May 2011, the procedures were changed as a result of some concerns raised by some staff and after consideration by the Applications Steering Group. Prior to this date, Schools/ Admissions Tutors received only names and emails of applicants who did not pay their application fee. After this date, all applicant information was made visible to the Schools, but Schools were urged not to make decisions until the application fee had been paid.

It is possible that the application fee hides potentially good applications, while one could also argue that the application fee creates a useful threshold to filter frivolous from serious applications. The fact that our procedures changed midway through the application season will have offered Schools an insight into both scenarios, and we would very much appreciate your feedback in this regard.

Admissions tutors and/or programme coordinators should be able to provide valuable information on the following;
1) Did the provision of all information facilitate an improvement in identifying potentially good applicants at an earlier stage?
2) Has the ability to see all applications in their entirety positively or negatively impacted the effectiveness of the application and decision making process for individual programmes?

Your feedback, in addition to a survey among last year's applicants, will be used to evaluate the application fee policy. Please contact martin.hurley@ucd.ie with any comments, at your earliest convenience, but no later than November 11th.

Regards,
Kevin Griffin (Chair, Applications Steering Group)


This email has been circulated to the following:
Admissions Tutors, Graduate School Directors