Transcript Document

Applicants Responsibilities
 General points regarding the CAO.

Entry Requirements and the Points
System.
 Making an application.
 How places are allocated by CAO
 After submitting the application.
 Other Options
 Questions

 Research
thoroughly all the
courses for which she is making
an application.
 Be au fait with all aspects of the
application system used (CAO)
for these courses, i.e.,
procedures, dates, fees, rules,
etc.
Publications





College Prospectuses – 2009 Entry
Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2009
ed.
Career Choice 2009 ed., Level Three Publications
Applying to College 2009 ed., by R. Dunne.
CAO Handbook 2009
Newspapers


The Irish Times
 Tuesdays
Education Section
 Early January
Special College
Supplement
Series of
articles - Brian Mooney
The Independent
 Careers Articles - Mary O Donnell
Internet





Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database
CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course
websites
Career Directions – www.careerdirections.ie
Careers Portal – www.careersportal.ie
College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)
People
Relatives
 Past pupils
 Admissions/Academic staff of colleges

Guidance Counsellor
Interest Inventories / Guidance interviews
 Access to sources of information
 Appointments for parents



Centralised application system for 43 Irish 3rd
level institutions, including 5 fee-paying
colleges.
Every 6th year will have a CAO Application Pack
which includes:
› 2009 CAO Handbook – application and course
information
› Paper application form
› Application fee bank giro form

Application Dates and Fees
Paper Application
Fee
Payment Method
Normal
€45
Bank Giro Form (BGF)
Late
€90
Bank Giro Form (BGF)
Online Application
Fee
Payment Method
Normal
€35
BGF or Credit/Laser Card
Late
€70
BGF or Credit/Laser Card
Change of Mind
No Fee
---
There are 3 types of courses students can apply
for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework.
 These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a
single form:

Level 6 & 7 Courses



Level 8 Courses
Ordinary Degrees (7)
Higher Certificates (6)
Honours Degrees (8)
Up to 10 Course Choices
Up to 10 Course Choices
The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook
N.B. – Care must be taken with courses marked
‘Restricted’.
These courses cannot be applied for after February 1st
due to extra assessments required.
Some courses have interviews/
Aptitude tests/ Portfolio/ Auditions
 Medicine –HPAT test February 14th
 These courses are called restricted
entry
 Application must be made by the 1st
February.
 Details of all restricted entry courses
are in CAO Handbook






2 HC3 and 4 Passes
Different colleges have different entry
requirements
Colleges of NUI (UCD, UCC, NUI, M & NUI,
G)
Have a Second language requirement
There are some exceptions now for
Science, Engineering and Agriculture
Science Courses
Pharmacy
 UCC & TCD



Physiotherapy
(TCD)
Human Nutrition



HC3 in
Chemistry & A
second Science
Subject
HC3 in two
science subjects
HC3 in
Chemistry
Minimum Entry
Requirements
E.g. UCD
 Pass 6 subjects
 At least 2 HC3
 Pass in:
Irish
 English
 Another Language
 Mathematics*
 Science Subject*
Specific Subject
Requirements
E.g.s
Engineering(UCD)
 HC3 Maths
Veterinary
Medicine(UCD)
 HC3 Chemistry
French Law(UCD)
 HB3 French
If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed
‘Qualified’ to apply.
5 passes for most level 6 & level 7 courses
although some colleges e.g. DKIT require
Minimum 200 points
 College Prospectuses need to be
consulted

Generally in the CAO system
No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places
--> selection system is needed.
Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level
Colleges is
Points
POINTS SYSTEM
are calculated from ONE sitting of the
Leaving Certificate only.
Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects
Bonus points are awarded for Honours Mathematics
by
› University of Limerick - all courses
› DIT - Course DT021, Electronic Eng.
Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than
one sitting of the Leaving Certificate
Grade
A1
A2
Honours
100
90
Ordinary
60
50
B1
B2
B3
85
80
75
45
40
35
C1
C2
C3
70
65
60
30
25
20
D1
D2
D3
55
50
45
15
10
5





Applications can be made online or by paper form –
use one method only. (€10 charge if 2 applications sent)
Always keep proof of sending application: online –
print screen receipt, paper – obtain certificate of
post.
Form is very straight forward to fill out.
www.cao.ie
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Students must fill out both course lists in:
Genuine Order of Preference
They should not put down courses on the basis of
their predictions of next years cut off points or their
own points scores.
 Why? – Look at how places are allocated.

Science – UCD
100 places to be offered
Applicant
Position
Points
Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
--15
16
17
18
19
20
21
--98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
--182
560
535
525
520
510
510
505
500
490
--455
445
440
435
420
410
405
--340
335
330
325
315
310
305
295
--265
Course Cut Off Points = 330
Course
Merit
Lists
 Last
place to
be filled
Science – Maynooth
100 places to be offered
Applicant
Position
Points
Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
--15
16
17
18
19
20
21
--98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
--182
560
535
525
520
510
510
505
500
490
--455
445
440
435
420
410
405
--345
340
335
335
335
315
310
305
--265
 Random
Selection to
be used
Course Cut Off Points = 335*





Two or more candidates on the same points
Random number given to each application
Highest random Number gets the place
Shown by an *
For example 370* means not every
candidate with 370 points got a place but
everyone with 375 would have
A Students Course Preferences - Example
1
DN077
600
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
495
480
470
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
450
450
450
445
435
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
NO
2
3
4
5
TR032
560
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
475
465
460
455
445
440
435
420
410
405
405
405
400
**
**
**
**
325
315
310
305
DN074
595
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
475
475
470
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
445
440
435
430
430
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
270
LM067
560
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
460
455
445
440
440
440
435
420
410
405
400
395
395
**
**
**
**
335
335
315
310
DT025
600
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
475
475
465
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
450
445
435
430
430
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
270
NO
YES
YES
6
7
8
9
10
LC019
570
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
470
465
460
455
445
440
435
420
410
405
405
405
400
**
**
**
**
325
315
310
305
CR105
600
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
475
475
470
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
445
440
435
430
430
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
270
DN003
540
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
480
465
460
455
445
440
435
430
410
410
405
405
405
**
**
**
**
335
335
315
310
CK602
600
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
475
475
470
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
445
440
435
430
430
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
270
DC193
555
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
470
465
460
455
445
440
435
420
410
405
405
405
400
**
**
**
**
325
315
310
305
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
All Lower
Preference
Courses
Disappear From
Students
Preferences
NO
Students
Points
Total
= 445
Cut Off
Points for
Course
1
2
DN077
600
595
590
580
**
**
**
**
**
495
480
470
465
460
460
460
455
455
450
450
450
450
445
435
**
**
**
**
280
275
275
TR032
560
535
525
520
**
**
**
**
**
485
480
475
465
460
455
445
440
435
420
410
405
405
405
400
**
**
**
**
325
315
310
7 round one
places not
accepted
 Last place to
be filled - Round 1
 Last place to
be filled - Round 2
Round 2 cut off points - 455
ROUND 2
3 round one
places not
accepted
 Last place to
be filled – Round 1
 Last place to
be filled - Round 2
Round 2 cut off points - 460
So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?
1
2
Dream Courses
3
4
5
6
Realistic Courses
7
8
9
10
Banker Courses
Note:
 The position of a course in a student’s
preference order does not in any way affect
their chance of getting a place on that course.
 The exact same procedure takes place for both
lists on the form, hence students may get get 2
offers in August – one from each list, may
accept only one.
 Students should think carefully about not
accepting one of these offers, as they may not
receive any further offers.
 Regardless of whether or not they accept a
course in round 1, they will still be offered a
higher preference course in subsequent rounds
if they become entitled one.


Apply directly to CAO
Level 8
Five Areas
 General
 Integrated (4.5 Years- General & Children)
 Midwifery
 Psychiatric
 Intellectual Disability Nursing
2HC3 and four passes
 Irish or English
 Mathematics
 A Laboratory Science Subject
 Three other subjects
 Minimum points 2008
 300-365


Receive CAO number and Statement of Course
Choices – check this carefully.

Some students may be called for extra assessments.

Receive Statement of Application Record – check
details carefully.

Change of Mind facility becomes available – use
sparingly and carefully.

Leaving Cert. Results are sent to CAO.

Places are allocated and offered by post and
online.

Students accept, reject or defer offered places.

Further rounds of offers are made until all course
places are filled.

1st February, 2009
› Closing date for receipt of normal applications

Before/By 21st February, 2009
› Receive Statement of Course Choices

1st May, 2009
› Closing date for receipt of late applications

Before/By 31st May, 2009
› Receive Statement of Application Record

From late May, 2009
› Change of mind forms may be sent.

1st July, 2009
› Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in
CAO.

Late August, 2009
› First round of offers will commence.
This is arranged AFTER an offer is made.
(Read the CAO Handbook about this.)
You are recommended to check with the
college in advance about their deferral
conditions and arrangements.
The CAO Handbook mentions some
courses where deferral will be difficult
or impossible.
Non- CAO Options
 Apprenticeships
 Defence
Forces
 Gardaí
 Fáilte
Ireland
 Direct to Employment
 Post Leaving Certificate Courses
› FETAC links scheme
Apprenticeships
Find a suitable employer
 Must be approved by Fás
 Employer must register apprentice within
two weeks of starting
 Meet the minimum educational
requirements ie 5 Passes in Junior Cert.

Further Education Training Awards
Council
FETAC Links to Higher Education Institutes
 Especially Important for Students who
may not make the CAO Points
 Can begin with a PLC and end up with a
Doctorate
 Mature Entry to College (age 23 or over)

Other Alternatives
UCAS
Applying to colleges in UK and Northern
Ireland
 Closing Date 15th January except for
Medicine, Dentistry, Vet, Oxford &
Cambridge closing date 15th October
 Fees are applicable.
 Must apply online using UCAS Apply
 Personal statement is very important


National Framework of
Qualifications
10 Levels
Level 4
Leaving Cert
Level 5/6
(former Cert./Diploma)
PLC, FETAC, VEC
Level 7
Ordinary Degree
I.T.s,NUI
Level 8
Honours Degree
I.T.s, NUI
Destination Survey 2008
Destination
ip
ng
W
or
ki
nt
ic
es
h
in
g
at
pr
e
Ap
R
ep
e
ef
fe
re
d
l5
D
Le
ve
l6
Le
ve
l7
ve
Le
ve
l8
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Le
Number of Students
Destination of Leaving Certificate Students, Loreto College
2008
Bl
an
ch
ar
ds
UL
Institutions
e
SC
D
Id
to
Co
wn
la
is
W te IAD
Dh
hi
T
te
u
ha la
ig
ll
Co h
lle
Li ge
be
rti
es
IT
NC
I
DK
IT
DI
T
UC
D
St
T
rin
.P
at Ma ity
s
Dr yno
um oth
co
nd
ra
DC
U
Number of Students
Institutions of choice 2008
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Grants






Higher Education Grants
Applies to Level 8 Courses
Vocational Education Committees
Level 6 & Level 7 courses
Post Leaving Certificate
All PLC courses
Means Tested
HEA - Local County Council
 VEC – County Dublin Apply to VEC office
in Tallaght
 PLC- to college attending
 Applications by 15th July. Late
applications are accepted
 Log on to www.studentfinance.ie for
further information

Paving the Way
Goal Setting
 Attendance, Study & Homework
 Examination Techniques
 Part-time jobs must go!!
 Keep up Sporting Activities
 Relax!

DATES OF INTEREST










Monday 17th November – 6th Year PTM
Monday 24th November at 7.30pm - Study Skills
Talk for parents
Monday December 15th- Study Skills Seminar
February 1st - CAO Deadline
January 20th -CAO online‘Early Bird’ – €35
February – Mocks
March – Mock Interviews
June – Leaving Cert. begins
August 12th - Results
August 17th - First Round offers
Homework and Study

The recommended amount of time
spent by a 6th Year student doing
homework and study should be:
3
½ hours per night six times per
week, i.e. 21 hours per week.
The World is Your Oyster



Aim high
Match the Goal with
the necessary work
Never too late
LIFELONG LEARNING
The journey is only
beginning……..