Are you one of those students who has wanted to study both in the US and Europe, but had no option apart from choosing one for your undergrad course? Well, 2019 brings you an opportunity that would allow you to get the best education in these two destinations through a single admission process. Yes, you heard it right!
Trinity College Dublin & Columbia University Launched Dual BA Liberal Arts Programme
By Anuradha Dutta
In a first-of-its-kind move in Indian academia, Trinity College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland) and Columbia University (New York, USA) have jointly launched their latest teaching collaboration, the Dual BA Liberal Arts Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University.
This dual BA programme has been recently launched in Mumbai. The initiative taken is with a motive to transform the traditional system and opportunities related to the study abroad formula. It will provide and generate options to pursue undergraduate programmes covering the Arts Stream in the two engaged continents.
What is it?
Indian students now have the opportunity to take part in two of the world’s best undergraduate programmes. The Dual BA Programme offers world-class academic experience spanning two continents. The programme transcends traditional study abroad opportunities by providing the opportunity to pursue a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education spanning two continents.
Upon completion of the four-year programme, graduates earn two bachelor’s degrees, one from each institution.
How does it happen?
Students spend their initial 2 years at Trinity College Dublin studying within one of four program tracks: English Studies, European Studies, History, or Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, after which they matriculate at Columbia, completing one of several approved majors and the University’s core curriculum in years three and four.
The Dual BA Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University has been built upon a long-standing exchange programme partnership between both universities, as well as the success of two pre-existing international dual-degree programmes within the Columbia University School of General Studies.
The second transatlantic undergraduate programme at Columbia University is founded upon previous partnerships in both Europe and Asia and serves as a model for future cooperative efforts between Columbia and international universities.
The programme was earlier launched in New York in the month of February last year and it is launched in India for the first time.
Trinity College Dublin has partnered for the first time with an international university for an undergraduate dual degree programme. Trinity has produced some of the world’s great minds across the arts and humanities, including the Nobel Laureate, Samuel Beckett, and more recently the Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright. Similarly, the Arts and Humanities are pillars of Columbia University’s stellar reputation, bringing the world’s best art and ideas to our attention.
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How to apply
Application Process and Requirements for Non-European Applicants
All applicants to the Dual BA Program apply by January 2 for fall enrollment. The admissions process includes a review of the applicant’s academic history, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, a personal essay, and an interview conducted in English. Applications will be reviewed by a joint committee featuring admissions representatives from both Columbia and Trinity.
Applying to the Dual BA Program
For non-European students, a complete application for the Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University includes all of the following:
- Students have to visit https://admissions.gs.columbia.edu/apply/?pk=TRIN and click on create an account to start the application process.
- Submission of the online application. Before filling the application online, they can download A PDF version of the application for their reference.
- Official* high school transcripts, secondary school records, or GED test results. See below for more information.
- Official* transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
- Official* standardized test scores reported directly to the Dual BA Program by the testing service. Please refer to the Standardized Testing page to review standardized testing requirements. ALL applicants regardless of citizenship or native language must submit one of the standardized test scores noted on the Standardized Testing page.
- Two admissions essays. See the admissions application for essay questions.
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers and/or a guidance counselor familiar with your academic career.
- A nonrefundable application fee of $80 in the form of a check or money order payable to Columbia University. Applicants using the online application may use a credit card to pay the $80 fee.
*Official documents are those that arrive in a sealed envelope directly from the institution or testing service.
Admission Process
Applicants to the Dual BA Program apply by January 2 for fall enrollment. The admissions process includes a review of the applicant’s academic history, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, a personal essay, and an interview conducted in English. Applications will be reviewed by a joint committee featuring admissions representatives from both Columbia and Trinity.
Interviews
Applicants will receive an update on their application status in late February-early March. Those invited for an interview will be prompted to schedule a time to meet with the admissions committee either in person or via teleconference in New York or Dublin. Representatives from both Trinity and Columbia will be present for all interviews.
Interviews are typically 30 minutes in length and are conducted by a joint interview panel comprised of representatives from both Columbia and Trinity.
Interviews are scheduled on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee; it is not possible for applicants to request an interview independent of the committee’s invitation.
The interview is an important aspect of the application process, and candidates should expect to discuss various aspects of their application file, their personal experiences, academic plans, and topics specific to their chosen academic program.
Transcripts and School Reports
Students applying for admission to the Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University must submit an official* high school transcript or formal school report as part of their application file. Dual BA Program students come from a broad range of high schools and educational backgrounds, and the admissions committee is experienced in reading school records from around the world. When ordering transcripts, students should refer to the chart below to ensure that they are requesting the correct academic records. In general, students should provide the admissions committee with records from the last three academic years, in addition to any predicted scores or preliminary grades available from the current academic year (the equivalent of 9th-12th grades in the United States).
*Official documents are those that arrive in a sealed envelope directly from the institution or testing service. All non-English language documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Please consult the list below for further clarification on the types of international academic records required by the admissions committee (please note that this list is not comprehensive; if you have questions about the types of documents required for your personal academic background, please contact our offices via email at tcd-dualba@columbia.edu).
Financial Aid
A variety of financial aid options are available at both Trinity College Dublin and the Columbia University School of General Studies.
Dual BA Program students are charged the tuition rate of the institution they are currently attending. Similarly, students are awarded financial aid by the institution in which they are enrolled. If eligible, students will receive financial aid directly from Trinity for the first two years of the Program. And, if eligible, students will receive financial aid directly from the School of General Studies for the second two years of the Program.
The financial aid application process differs for incoming and continuing Dual BA Program students. Please see Applicants or Current Students for specific information about applying for financial aid. For more information about the types of aid available and how to apply, please see Types of Aid.
Costs & Financing
Dual BA students will be charged the tuition rate of the institution they are currently attending, and are awarded financial aid by the institution in which they are enrolled.
For more information, visit Tuition and Fees and Financial Aid.
Nilanjana Shihn, Country Adviser India at Trinity College Dublin said, “Indian students have proved their mettle in universities and careers across the world. I am proud to launch this important new programme in India which was earlier launched in New York in the month of February.”
“We at Columbia are very excited about this new programme, and that we are Trinity’s first international dual degree partner at the undergraduate level. There has been tremendous enthusiasm among both faculty and students for the programme, which demonstrates how well-aligned both institutions are for a partnership of this kind. Trinity is Ireland’s premier university, and we are thrilled at the opportunity to build upon the relationships that made this programme possible and to continue developing collaborations that span the Atlantic from New York to Dublin,” added Jessica Sarles-Dinsick, Associate Dean for International Programs and Special Projects at the Columbia University School of General Studies.
“Trinity College Dublin is delighted to partner with Columbia University, one of America’s leading universities, to deliver this groundbreaking programme. Trinity has produced some of the world’s great minds across the arts and humanities, including the Nobel Laureate, Samuel Beckett, and more recently the Booker Prize winner, Anne Enright. Similarly, the Arts and Humanities are pillars of Columbia University’s stellar reputation, bringing the world’s best art and ideas to our attention. Together, both institutions draw on both the traditional and innovative, encouraging students to challenge themselves and develop an understanding of an increasingly globalized world. This programme provides a truly international educational experience for our students,” said Professor Zuleika Rodgers, the Programme Director of the Dual BA at Trinity College Dublin.
Author Bio:
Anuradha is business, health and education journalist. She is an avid reader and loves to travel. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.