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Student Experience Days

Summary

Senior secondary school students get to experience campus for a day. Taster lectures are organised, as well as a campus tour, information session on entry pathways and available scholarships and a student panel event.

Academic integration/belonging, Social integration/belonging

Info session | On campus | In person | Live

Time line
  • Pre-entry
  • Entry
  • Induction
  • First semester
  • Second semester

What is the main idea or gist?

Main idea

To increase the number of students applying from DEIS schools to UCD, to increase numbers of HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) applicants, to increase the number of mature student applicants.

What does this initiative/support/project look like?

Outline

The Access & Lifelong Learning Outreach Team organises and co-ordinates a student experience day on campus for the UCD linked DEIS School’s. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) is a government initiative that provides additional resources to schools in areas of disadvantage.

5th year students (Senior cycle students) get to experience campus for a day. Taster lectures are organised, as well as a campus tour, information session on entry pathways and available scholarships and a student panel event.

What are the goals?

Goals

  • To help prospective students build a connection with UCD Students and the campus.
  • Academic exposure and information on entry routes and financial supports.

Obstacles targetted:

  • Cultural differences
  • Disability
  • Economic obstacles
  • Educational difficulties
  • Health problems
  • Migrant background obstacle
  • Geographical obstacles
  • Social obstacles

How are students involved?

Students involvement

UCD Students (Access Leaders) are part of the design and delivery of the Student Experience Day, they help to co-ordinate the event and facilitate participation on the day, they also do campus tours and participate in student panels to answer questions from prospective students.

What underlying constructs or ideas inspired the design?

Inspiration and evidence

Experiencing college life helps to break down barriers and demystify college life, students also get to meet and work with current student which helps them develop role models.

What the success criteria and the points of attention?

Success criteria

  • The student & school feedback indicates that the Student Experience Day provides a realistic experience of being a student for a day.
  • Increases awareness of the various entry pathways to UCD, supports in place and targets groups that are considered under-represented.

Points of attention

  • Further funding and admin support is required.
  • Logistically it can be challenging to organise.

(How) does the effectiveness get tracked?

Effectiveness

In addition, feedback on outreach activities is sought as part of scholarship application.

Do you feel you can effectively provide the support that students require?

We do agree.

Would you recommend this to other institutions?

strongly agree

(How) is this initiative/support/project evaluated?

Evaluation

Yes we get feedback from participating schools, students and staff which is taken on board for future planning.

How is it communicated and advertised?

Communication

Through Guidance Counsellor network.

What is the current and ideal timing and duration?

Timing

March

What resources are needed to run this initiative?

Resources

Designated staff and budget, admin support, resources for promo material and to pay Access Leaders.

What material can be used to learn more and to increase transferability?

Extra information

Is it easily transferrable to other contexts or groups?

Transferability

We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.

Yes this is transferable but operational support is required and funds to cover the participation of lectures and tutors who deliver taster sessions.

  • outside of the curriculum
  • For staff & students
  • High school students
  • Large group 40+
  • By staff & student leaders
  • Evidence: Type 1 – Narrative
  • Communication targets/is tailored to specific group
  • University College Dublin
  • Ireland
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