I went to school in Mercy College, Coolock. I'd say only half of the honours classes went on to college.

I got the information about the scheme from my career guidance teacher and then I had to go for an interview. You only have to get the basic requirements for the course you want to get on the scheme, but I got the points I needed.

Before we started we had a three-week summer school. It was laid-back and they went through some science and some business so we could see what other people on the access scheme were doing.

Some of the people on the course were unsure about going to college but after the three weeks they knew what they were letting themselves in for.

The main reason I had for going for the scheme was the scholarship. (DCU gives students on the scheme £1,000.) I still have to work to pay for going out or clothes. For college, I need books, lab coats and lab equipment as well as money for transport.

I don't get a grant the whole year round and I don't think I could have worked enough to get the money I need and still stay in college. In first year I was working weekends and some evenings but had to give up halfway through the year. Without the extra income I couldn't have done that and would have ended up either repeating or dropping out.

Of the 19 I started with, some didn't get the points and wouldn't have got in through the Leaving Cert, but they are all doing their courses and passing them.

During the first week of college we stayed together, but after that you get to know your class. We still have organised nights out though, and it is is useful to stay in touch with people who have the same background as you.

In an interview with Paul Tanney