Sir, - As UCD Arts graduates we were outraged to read Berna Cox's suggestion (The Irish Times, August 14th) that parents would feel inclined to sympathise with students who have to "settle for Arts at UCD." Her implication that an Arts Degree is pursued only by students with insufficient marks to gain acceptance to other "better" courses is insulting to both graduates and to the academic staff of UCD.
Ms Cox admits that this is a traumatic time for Leaving Certificate students, yet her comments are hardly encouraging for those who have chosen to apply for this course as their first preference. - Yours, etc.,
Eleanor Denny, Caoimhe Ni Shuilleabh Ain, College Road, Cork.