Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar CAO Information evening TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER 2016

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. DARE: Disability Access Route to Education. HEAR: Higher Education Access Route. Questions? Brian Howard - Newbridge College

It is the applicants responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application. Be ‘au fait’ with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses, i.e., procedures, dates, fees, rules, etc... If there are any questions, problems or doubts about the CAO system, contact CAO or myself. Ask early – don’t leave it until it may be too late to do anything. help@cao.ie Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Students Higher Options in September Weekly careers classes Visits from universities/colleges Individual consultations with Guidance Counsellor

Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – 2017 Entry CAO Handbook 2017 University/College websites – go to open days! Newspapers The Irish Times Tuesdays Education Section January 11 Special College Supplement Series of articles - Brian Mooney The Independent Careers Articles – Aoife Walsh Whatever you read in any non official literature, always check the details in the college’s or CAO’s official literature. If there is a difference between the information use the info. in the official literature. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Internet People Guidance Counsellor Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites Careersworld – www.careersworld.com College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor One to one meeting – check entry requirements Access to sources of information Appointments for parents Talking to academic/admissions staff  by visiting the college, email, phone, open days, guest speakers here to school. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

CAO – General Information Centralised application system for 43 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 5 fee-paying colleges. Every 6th 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 Paper Application Fee Payment Method Normal 25/€45 Bank Giro Form (BGF) Late €90 Online Application Normal/discounted Jan 20th €45/25 BGF or Credit/Laser Card €70 Change of Mind No Fee --- Fee Paying Colleges – DBS, Portobello, Griffith, HSI, American College. Be careful, these are not clearly labelled as such in handbook. We will bring the banks into the college here to facilitate the payment of the bank giro from. (21 January) Brian Howard - Newbridge College

CAO – General Info. 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 Both lists are processed completely separately. Look at Handout regarding how courses are clearly laid out and the restricted courses. Extra assessments – Interviews, Portfolios, Music tests, Aptitude tests. 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. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Minimum Entry Requirements ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before “points” are considered. Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 H5’s Pass in: Irish English Another Language Mathematics* Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(UCD) H4 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) H5 Chemistry French Law(UCD) H4 French Entry Requirements - To check these consult college literature. If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

POINTS SYSTEM Points 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 Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Genuine Order of Preference Making an application Applications can be made online or by paper form – use one method only. 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. Online is recommended – cheaper, faster, easier and safer. Retain proofs and record of application carefully. Most school applicants have to fill out Part A (pages 1 and 2 of paper form) only as Standard Applicants. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Course Cut Off Points = 335* Science – UCD 100 places to be offered Course Merit Lists Science – Maynooth 100 places to be offered Applicant Position Points Score 1 560 2 535 3 525 4 520 5 510 6 7 505 8 500 9 490 -- 15 455 16 445 17 440 18 435 19 420 20 410 21 405 98 340 99 335 100 330 101 325 102 315 103 310 104 305 105 295 182 265 Applicant Position Points Score 1 560 2 535 3 525 4 520 5 510 6 7 505 8 500 9 490 -- 15 455 16 445 17 440 18 435 19 420 20 410 21 405 98 345 99 340 100 335 101 102 103 315 104 310 105 305 182 265  Last place to be filled  Random Selection to be used Course Cut Off Points = 330 Course Cut Off Points = 335* Brian Howard - Newbridge College

A Students Course Preferences - Example All Lower Preference Courses Disappear From Students Preferences Students Points Total = 445 Cut Off Points for Course NO NO YES YES NO YES NO YES YES YES Brian Howard - Newbridge College

ROUND 2 Round 2 cut off points - 455 Round 2 cut off points - 460 7 round one places not accepted 3 round one places not accepted  Last place to be filled - Round 1  Last place to be filled – Round 1  Last place to be filled - Round 2  Last place to be filled - Round 2 Round 2 cut off points - 455 Round 2 cut off points - 460 Brian Howard - Newbridge College

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses Brian Howard - Newbridge College

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 one. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

After Making Application 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. Between February and October, if away at any stage make sure someone knows to open any CAO correspondence and knows what to do with it. If there is a change of address don’t forget to let CAO know. Use CAO number in any future correspondence. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

CAO TIMETABLE 2017 ENTRY 1st February, 2017 Closing date for receipt of normal applications Before/By 21st February, 2017 Receive Statement of Course Choices 1st May, 2017 Closing date for receipt of late applications Before/By 31st May, 2017 Receive Statement of Application Record From late May, 2017 Change of mind forms may be sent. 1st July, 2017 Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. Late August, 2017 First round of offers will commence. Applicants should apply early - take January 26th as the closing date – do not wait until right up to February 1st. Leave time for things to go wrong. If a student doesn’t receive their Statements by the dates mentioned contact CAO immediately – there could be a problem. Brian Howard - Newbridge College

Other Options Post Leaving Certificate Courses Progression from Further to Higher operates in 2 main ways; (1) HELS- Higher Education Links Scheme links specific courses to reserved higher education places, e.g. Nursing, childcare, engineering (2) Pilot – IT’s and some HEIs award LC points up to a max of 400 on an open competition basis. ‘Distinctions to Points’ Research preferred course, check colleges for links/reserved places and then decide on which PLC suits you.

Other Options Apprenticeships Defence Forces/Cadetship Gardaí Direct to Employment

DARE /HEAR DARE: Disability Access Route to Education. SEN students. Physical/Psychological/Academic HEAR: Higher Education Access Route. This scheme has now been extended to students in all schools. Means Tested. Students from socio-economically disadvantaged areas.

Well-being Keep communication open Exercise Nutritious diet Facilitate study needs Mobile devices Assure students that there are options if they don’t get points they want Avail of supports in school

Be proactive!

Student Supports Extra Classes after school: Biology, Accounting, Maths etc... Learning Support classes: Maths ( Higher & Ordinary) x2 English (Higher & Ordinary) x2 Extra Classes in school: Art History, Career Guidance

Student Supports IT Resources & Computer Room Access: Most Lunchtimes After School everyday - 4pm – 5.30pm Friday Afternoon - 1.15pm – 4pm Supervised Study: €3 per evening 4.15pm – 6.30pm AIT Bridging Programme Monday 12th December

Student Supports Individual Guidance & Counselling Sessions Exam Focused School Trips: Geography(Enniskillen) Biology (Glendalough) Art (Gallery Study, Drogheda) Technology (PEM Engineering) Chemistry (NUI Maynooth) English (Hamlet Performance, Athlone) Gaeilge Oral Workshop (Gym)

Reminder. PARENT-TEACHER MEETING Wednesday 14th December 4. 15pm – 6 Reminder!! PARENT-TEACHER MEETING Wednesday 14th December 4.15pm – 6.45pm