Eddie McGrath & Conor Hayes The Abbey School CAO Information Evening October 19th 2016 7.30pm Eddie McGrath & Conor Hayes Most of what I will cover tonight is in the CAO Handbook and has been covered with the 6th years. In this format we can’t go through every detail but I’ve picked out the points I feel parents should be aware of. Less stress / tension if everybody is familiar with the system and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet . The Abbey School

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 The Abbey School

It is the applicants’ responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which he 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. 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 The Abbey School

Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – 2017 Entry CAO Handbook 2017 Newspapers The Irish Times Tuesdays Education Section January Special College Supplement Series of articles - Brian Mooney The Independent Careers Articles - Mary O Donnell 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. The Abbey School

Internet People Guidance Counsellor Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites Careersportal – 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 Talking to academic/admissions staff  by visiting the college, email, phone, open days, guest speakers here to school. The Abbey School

CAO – General Info. Centralised application system for 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 €40 (1st Feb) Bank Giro Form (BGF) to be requested from CAO EARLY Online Discounted Rate €25 (20th Jan) Credit Card 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) The Abbey School

2017 Application Dates & Fees All fees are non-refundable. CLOSING DATE Recommended Registration €25 15 Dec 2016 Online Discounted Rate 20 Jan 2017(17:15) Normal Application (online or paper) €40 1 Feb 2017(17:15) Change of Mind Nil 1 July 2013 (17:15)

HEAR Apply by 1st March 2017 Evidence in support of application by 1st April 2017 www.accesscollege.ie

DARE Supplementary Information Form Apply by 1st March 2017 Completion of Parts B & C by 1st April 2017

Filling In Courses From 2006 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. The Abbey School

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 Pass in: Irish English Another Language Mathematics* Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g. Engineering(UCD) H4 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) H5 Chemistry Law & French(UCD) H3 French Entry Requirements - To check these consult college literature. If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply. The Abbey School

POINTS SYSTEEM POINTS SYSTEM 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 SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only. Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects 25 bonus points are awarded for Honours Leaving Cert Maths Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate The Abbey School

POINTS ALLOCATION: 2016 Grade Honours Ordinary A1 100 60 A2 90 50 B1 85 45 B2 80 40 B3 75 35 C1 70 30 C2 65 25 C3 60 20 D1 55 15 25 EXTRA POINTS D2 50 10 Hons Maths D3 45 5 LCVP Points Distinction 70 Merit 50 Pass 30 LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI. The Abbey School

POINTS ALLOCATION: 2017 Grade Honours Ordinary Grade % H1/O1 100 56 90-100 H2/O2 88 46 80-89 H3/O3 77 37 70-79 H4/O4 66 28 60-69 H5/O5 56 20 50-59 H6/O6 46 12 40-49 H7/O7 37 0 30-39 H8/08 0 0 0-29 LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI. The Abbey School

POINTS ALLOCATION: 2017 Higher Maths – Bonus Points Students who achieve grade H6 or above in Higher Level Maths will be awarded 25 Bonus Points LCVP Points Distinction 66 Merit 46 Pass 28 LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI. The Abbey School

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 year’s 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. The Abbey School

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* The Abbey School

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 The Abbey School

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 The Abbey School

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 Safety Net The Abbey School

Places Allocation Note: The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers in August – one from each list, but 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. The Abbey School

After Making Application Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. Some students may be called for extra assessments. Change of Mind facility becomes available 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. The Abbey School

UCAS Applications to UK www.ucas.com Apply system Max 5 courses not listed in any order Personal Statement Academic Reference 15th October 2016 (Some courses) 15th January 2017 Course place offers before results

Other Options Apprenticeships PLC Directly to Employment Teagasc www.apprentices.ie

Post Leaving Certificate Courses (P.L.C.) After the Leaving Cert. Full time. Consists of: Practical Vocational Skills Academic Work Work Experience

P.L.C. - Value Improve skills in preparation for college, e.g. art portfolio Alternative route to CAO Year out from intensive academic work Some courses only in P.L.C. system –e.g. music management

P.L.C. – Sample Courses Business / Marketing Information Technology Pre-Nursing Mechanics Engineering Science Social Studies Animation

Application Process Direct to VEC colleges – Feb/March No points – pass Leaving Certificate Interview to determine interest Cost: Registration Fee – varies Maintenance Grant available

Qualifications Most PLC courses certified by FETAC Option of transferring to Diploma or Degree courses in Ireland And UK Progression is through Higher Education Links Scheme – over 1,000 places reserved for PLC students

Grants SUSI Student Universal Support Ireland Applications made on line through www.susi.ie www.studentfinance.ie Apply as early as possible Grant covers approved courses in Ireland and UK and other EU states All courses must be full time

Grants - continued Income for the year prior to starting college Number of dependent children

Useful Websites www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.careersnews.ie

Thank you for your attention!