I would have concerns that a system such as this although a great idea in principle allows for a huge amount of corruption! If implemented it must be clearly structured and 100% transparent! No room for the usual cronyism!

The idea does seem like it is for genuine reasons, but Law does have a reputation as a profession dogged by nepotism and as a “closed shop”. The Leaving Certificate isn’t perfect, but it is at least fair in treating everyone equally. If Trinity is concerned about fair access, why don’t they simply introduce their own entrance exam for certain courses, as Oxford do. This would allow students with lower points another opportunity to show their aptitude for the course.

This is a great idea. There are plenty of really bright and intelligent young people out there who simply can’t grasp the concepts of higher level maths or don’t and any interest in learning higher level Irish and therefor will never reach the top of the points table and therefor will be automatically shut out of certain career choices.There are also many who may be lacking in common sense who with the help of costly grinds and a few mnemonics memory aids will monotonously regurgitate info into the national end of school memory test and will sail onto college courses which they later drop out of just because they could. Third level education should focus on connecting people with the correct talents with the correct courses instead of the factory farm points qualification system that exists now.

About time and should be extended.

As someone who applied to US colleges from the Irish education system, I think this is a great idea. There are students who participate in extracurricular activities, say something like mock trial, that take away from study time but ultimately prove a student’s preparedness for a course like law. US colleges don’t want students that spend all their time studying, this new measure could encourage students to become better well-rounded people rather than experts at rote learning.

about time. the leaving cert, like all standardized tests is not truly objective and fair because the testing criteria will always discriminate against some or other sector of the population. thats why continuous assessment/statements/interviews all backed up by affirmative action legislation as in the us is the best way to begin to redress the balance.

and they are correct in the report today in pushing for more general courses. specialization can begin a year or two into a degree. the system as it stands is poor, narrowly focused and is only serving the interests of reproducing compliant drones for the ‘smart economy’. barf

Admitted based on “Say so” from teacher or guidance counsellor? Flies in the face of all that is GOOD about the points system. If there is reform surely we must keep what is good. How about say giving bonus points to relevant subjects – e.g. Pharmacy gives heavy weighting to Chemistry grade etc. The merits of the current system: anonymous marking, same exam for all, measure of ability to apply one’s self academically over a sustained period, etc. should all be left as is.

Great. I’ll move our little Tarquin to a disadvantaged school in Tallaght in sixth year, and then offer to rebuild their cricket grounds. Then I’ll get a psychologist to write up an essay on why he should skip the queue to Trinners (I suspect he’s got mild form dyslexia and ADD). Then I’ll befriend the principal there, and explain how great it would look for his school if a pupil was accepted into law at Trinners.

It’s very simple. The leaving cert is the exam you do to prove your ability to do the course. If you don’t perform in your leaving cert then you haven’t demonstrated your ability to handle pressure which is needed. I know this may sound harsh, but I don’t think i’d be too happy knowing a doctor was operating on me who didn’t do as well in the leaving cert and another doctor.

The alternative grounds being they belong to the Anglo-Irish landowning gentry? :-p