Portmarnock Community School CAO Information Evening, 10 October 2016 Mr. Frank Farrell Guidance Counsellor

Agenda 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

It is the applicants responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application: Course code, content, requirements, fees, restrictions, duration, award, options, etc. Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses: Procedures, instructions, dates, fees, etc.

Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – 2016/17 Entry Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2016 ed. Career Choice 2009 ed., Level Three Publications CAO Handbook 2017 Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements Entry Newspapers The Irish Times  Tuesdays Education Section  January Special CAO College Supplement Series of daily articles-Brian Mooney The Independent  CAO Articles - Mary O Donnell

Internet Qualifax – Irish courses databasewww.qualifax.ie CAO – Contains links to course websiteswww.cao.ie College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) Careersportal – – interviews etcwww.careersportal.ie People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor Course Investigation Forms Access to information & advice

CAO – General Info. Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3 rd level institutions, including 7 fee-paying colleges. Every 6 th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: 2017 CAO Handbook – application and course information Paper application form Application fee bank giro form Application Dates and Fees Online ApplicationFeeClosing Date Early Discounted€2520 January 2017 (5.15pm) Normal€401 February 2017 (5.15pm) Late€501 May 2017 (5.15pm) Change of MindNo Fee1 July 2017 (5.15pm)

CAO – General Info. Since 2005 there are now 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Qualifications Framework.National Qualifications Framework

CAO – General Info. These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form: Level 6 & 7 CoursesLevel 8 Courses Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6) Honours Degrees (8) 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 normally be applied for after February 1 st due to extra assessments required.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before “points” are considered. Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 H5/O6 Pass in:  Irish  English  Another Language  Mathematics*  Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(UCD) H4 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) H4 Chemistry French Law(TCD) H 3 French If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

POINTS SYSTEM Generally in the CAO system No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places --> selection system is needed. Selection system used in Irish 3 rd Level Colleges is POINTS SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only. Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects 25 bonus points awarded for H6/C3 or above Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate H7 is (30-39 %) now constitutes a pass in the subject for the purposes of the CAO eg Maths.

POINTS ALLOCATION GradeHonoursOrdinary H1/O H2/ H3/ H4/O46628 H5/O55620 H6/O64612 H7/07370 H8/O800

Making an application 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 courses screen, paper – obtain certificate of post. Online form was changed last year. Now 2 steps: (a) Create Application Account, (b) Log in and enter details.  Apply & My Application **VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference They shouldn’t put down courses on the basis of predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.

So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses

Places Allocation 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 to one.

Irish language exemptions/SLD Contact the NUI with respect to current or desired exemptions in Irish/specific learning disabilities. Ring NUI on – please submit your current supporting documentation. They will issue then you with a letter which you should forward to the CAO. When filling out page 1 of the CAO application form, if your child has a specific learning difficulty tick the relevant box and complete section A of the on-line SIF (Supplementary Information Form): then print section B (Educational Impact Statement) which will be completed by the School. Section C – Download Evidence of disability section – and have completed by the appropriate medical professional (if you do not have an existing medical report). Candidates with Specific Learning Difficulty (dyslexia, etc) must provide a full psychological assessment of any age. Apply to the CAO by 1 February and remit documentation by 01 April 2017 at the latest.

After Making Application (Paper) Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. (Online) Students receive CAO number online and use ‘My Application’ to check every their application details. May make changes to courses up to March 1 st - €10 – for mature and restricted entry applicants. 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, especially after exams. ( confirmation) 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.

CAO TIMETABLE 2008 ENTRY 20 th January, 2017 Closing date for receipt of early online applications 1 st February, 2017 Closing date for receipt of normal applications 5 th February to 1 st March, 2017 Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’, €10 1st May, 2017 Closing date for receipt of late applications Early May, 2017 Change of mind on-line applications accepted. 1st July, 2017 Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. 21 August (approx.) 2017 First round of offers will commence.

In Summary Research courses thoroughly Apply by January 20 th Apply on-line Pay by debit/credit card Put courses in order of preference Obtain / retain proof of application Be careful with change of mind

Other Options Post Leaving Certificate Courses FETAC links scheme –level 5/6 Apprenticeships Defence Forces Gardaí Fáilte Ireland Direct to Employment

Access to Medicine 2017 Minimum of 480 CAO points 1 but preferably 2 science subjects Completion of the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test-Ireland) Register on-line from Early-November to January 2017 at ireland.acer.edu.auwww.hpat- ireland.acer.edu.au Test will take place on 25 February 2017 Results released late June Test centres: Dublin, Cork, Galway etc. Cost: €95 (all inclusive).

Access to Medicine 2016/17 HPAT test is a 2.5 hour paper-based test consisting of 3 modules or sections (i) Logical reasoning and problem solving (ii) Interpersonal Understanding (iii) Non-Verbal Reasoning  Maximum score of 300 to be added to their CAO points score.  Students henceforth receiving a maximum score of 600 CAO points shall have these points moderated after a cut-off point of 550.  Therefore 600 CAO points will be adjusted downwards to 560 for the purposes of this competition.  The overall weighting will be a 2.1 ratio.

Questions??? Open Forum