To the Leaving Cert and Beyond Brid Hughes and Kieran Corcoran Guidance Counsellors

We’re Here to Help

Agenda The Context: Making a Career Decision St Wolstan’s Careers Programme National Framework of Qualifications Colleges in the system New Leaving Cert Grading System and CAO Points System Grants and Scholarships (SUSI) HEAR and DARE Viewing Scripts and Rechecks Motivation.

The Context Improving Economy and Prospects Students looking beyond Ireland Best job prospects in STEM Careers

The Context: So Much Choice In 1977– 5 Colleges with 69 courses In 2017– 49 Colleges with 1448 courses The Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Bioveterinary Science, Forensic Toxicology,Smart Technology for Business, Citizenship & Community Studies, Pilot Studies, Aero Engineering, Digital Marketing, Sport & Exercise (Rugby), Popular Music (Electric Bass Guitar), Building Energy Systems, Marine Electrotechnology, Craft Technology, Crimology, Government, Law (Clinical), Public Health, Earth & Envirornmental Sciences, Theology & Psychology, Film Studies, Global Business (USA), Genetics & Cell Biology, Law & Society, Marketing, Innovation & Technology, Politics & Media, Nutraceuticals in Health & Nutrition, Timber Product Technology, Baking & Pastry Arts Management, Animation, Web Engineering, Cyber Security, DNA & Forensic Analysis, Visual Culture, Political Science & Geography,

Making a Career Decision A career is a lifelong developmental process Not a decision for life Important to get on the right track or into the right sector Not necessary to know EXACTLY what you want to do Important to get as high a qualification as possible

Making a Career Decision Many employers will take students from any discipline: the quality of the qualification most important as are skills, work experience, contacts There is no such thing as the perfect course or job Important to like most of it There is probably more than one route to what you want to do Keep eye on the job market but do what you love and what you are good at

6th Yr Careers Programme Based on work done through senior cycle on REACH Talks from Guest Speakers Interest Inventory Weekly Careers Classes College Open Day Visits (4 in school time) One to One meetings with Guidance Counsellor College Applications CAO/ UCAS /PLC Interview Preparation

St Wolstan’s LC Class of 2016 Number progressed to Higher and Further Ed 90% University 48% Institutes if Technology 18% Colleges of Further Education 22% Private Colleges ` 2% Others 10% Year out/ Deferral/ Working/ unknown

Course Research. What students Need to Find Out Educational or vocational? Qualification (Is there a ladder of progression available?) Subjects studied: Recognition Optional subjects Location No. of hours per week Duration of course 2nd/3rd year choices What do Graduates do? Work experience Scholarships Language (optional/ compulsory, loading) Accommodation Year abroad?

Where to get the Information Internet & Careers Software (Qualifax) CAO Handbook/ Website College Prospectus Books, Newspapers, Contacts College Open Days and Open Evenings Career Talks Guidance Counsellor

Know your options…. Check it out!

Ladder of Progression

Types of Colleges Universities: Institutes of Technology: Colleges of Further Ed (PLCs) Private Colleges:

CAO / FETAC Courses. 900 + courses listed in the CAO Handbook 550 + are Level 8 350 + are Level 7/6 courses --------------------------------------------- PLC / FETAC COURSES NOT APPLIED FOR THROUGH CAO

College Entry Requirements Matriculation Requirements: Basic Requirements Specific Course Requirements: ie Honour in Higher Level Irish CAO Points

Changes to the LC Grading System Reducing the number of grade bands from 14 to 8 Candidates receiving Leaving Certificate results in August 2017 will have their results expressed in the following new Leaving Certificate grades:

Changes to the Common Points Scale The HEIs developed a new common points scale, aiming to minimise the need for random selection and catering also for applicants presenting sittings of the Leaving Certificate from years prior to the introduction of the new grading scale in 2017.

Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths 25 extra points being given to students get a H6 (40%) or better Has to be included in best six results Makes max points possible still 625

Matriculation requirements from 2017 Changes to basic matriculation requirements from 2017

CAO: 2 Applications on One There are TWO course choice lists

Completing the CAO List

ONLINE APPLICATION FEE CLOSING DATE Discounted Rate €30 20th Jan 2018 CAO Dates and Fees ONLINE APPLICATION FEE CLOSING DATE Discounted Rate €30 20th Jan 2018 Normal Application €45 1st Feb 2018 Late Application €60 1st May 2018 CHANGE OF MIND Nil 4th May to 1st July 2018

The CAO Schedule Nov 6th:   CAO Open for Applications:     Set up your Account 20th January:    Early Deadline for Application €30 31st January:     Deadline for making free changes to existing                                         accounts 1st February:      Deadline for making on time Applications €40                                   CAO CLOSES 4th May:                   CAO Re-Opens for change of Mind 1st July at 5.15pm:   CAO CLOSES:  Final Deadline

How Places are Allocated If the applicant meets the minimum entry requirements for the course, the applicant’s points are calculated for this course choice. All eligible applicants are then placed in a list, in order of academic merit, for each course that they applied for.

How Places are Allocated The admissions officers of the Higher Education Institutions tell CAO how many places are to be offered on each course. CAO then makes offers to the required number of applicants on each course starting with the applicant with the highest points and working down until enough places have been offered

How Places are Allocated Should some applicants decline to accept their offers these places become available in the next round of offers. They will be offered to the next applicants on the order of merit list. This process continues until all the places on the course are filled or until all the eligible applicants on the order of merit list have been offered places

Allocation Example These are the applicants for CK101 Arts in UCC. The examination results have not yet been released, so these applicants are in no particular order. We are going to trace the progress of the applicant marked in red

Allocation Example Applicants are placed in a queue for each course they applied for, their position in the queue is determined by their points. The applicant with the highest points is placed at the top of the queue. The points achieved by the applicant in red determines her position in the queue for each course she applied to.

Allocation Example The applicants marked in GREEN have enough points to be offered places. The applicant marked in RED has enough points for her second preference.

Allocation Example The applicant in RED is offered her second preference, the highest preference course that she has enough points for, and she will now disappear from the queue in all her lower choices. Placing DN201 as her second preference meant that she would prefer to receive an offer on DN201 than on any other course except CK101 - which is her first preference

Allocation Example Having been offered her second preference she must now decide to accept it or to do nothing. If she does not accept the offer the place will be offered to another applicant in the next round of offers. Regardless of whether she accepts or not she will still be considered for an offer on her first preference if a place becomes available. In the second round, one more offer was made on CK101 and our applicant is now at the top of the queue.

Allocation Example In the third round of offers two more offers are made on CK101 and our applicant, who was at the top of the queue, now receives an offer. She may do nothing and remain in DN201 or she may accept the offer and begin in CK101

Allocation Example You do not need to guess what the points are going to be for the courses you are interested in. Simply list your courses in genuine order of preference from the highest preference 1, to the lowest preference 10. If you are entitled to an offer, you will be offered the highest preference that you are entitled to.

ORDER OF PREFERENCE If you learn one thing from this presentation let it be this: PLACE YOUR COURSE CHOICES IN GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE! To do otherwise is a grave mistake.

Colleges of Further Education and FETAC Links Post Leaving Certificate courses 22,000 (approx.) available places Prepare for skilled employment Offer opportunity to test a subject area Offer alternative routes into Higher Education (Higher Education Links Scheme) up to 400 CAO Points Course content: vocational, academic & work experience Offer courses not available in CAO colleges

Colleges of Further Education FETAC Certificate 1 Yr Level 5 (1000 places held in I.T’s) FETAC Advanced Certificate Level 6 : 2 years Students must check : Does the course have FETAC or other certification What higher education courses does it link into.

Financing College DIT Annual Survey findings: Living at home: Per Month Per Year €766 €6897 Living Away from Home: €1222 €11.000

Student Grants SUSI Student Universal Support Ireland www.grantsonline.ie www.susi.ie Also see www.studentfinance.ie

Susi Grant Two parts to Grant: Fees Paid €3000 Maintenance: money to live on Two rates of Maintenance: Adjacent: if living less than 40k from College Non Adjacent if living more than 40k from College Note: Fees not paid for PLCS

Grant Means Test Closing date for completed applications was 8th July 2017 Means Test is based on: - Gross income of both parents (or income of parent with whom the child resides) - and Number of Dependent Children

Scholarships Various scholarships available: Apply to the colleges: Academic Sports Subject Socially Disadvantaged. Naughton Scholarship All Ireland (JP McManus Scholarship) Company scholarships ie INTEL

Higher Education Access Route HEAR 3rd level admissions scheme for students economically / socially disadvantaged All main colleges participate Can compete for courses on reduced points Documentary evidence is required Detailed online application form and more information on CAO website

Disability Access Route to Education DARE Access route for students with disability physical/ psychological or learning Can access courses on lower points Receive learning supports in college Promotes equality of access to higher ed Report from psychologist no more than 3 yrs www.accesscollege.ie www.cao.ie

HEAR and DARE Process  On CAO Form Indicate that you wish to apply for HEAR  or DARE  Complete Supplementary Information Form SIF Part A  by March 1st. Download SIF Part B (Educational Impact) and both student and school will complete and you return to CAO by 1st April .  Download SIF Section C and complete by Medical Practitioner or accompany with psychological report of ANY AGE along with school test results.

Viewing of Scripts and Rechecks Students can appeal their results (rechecks) Students can view exam scripts €40 per subject No fee. Apply after results Grades can be upgraded or downgraded August/September Viewing of Scripts Results released in beginning of Oct Students are permitted to have one person to view script with them If upgraded, can transfer in most cases Scripts cannot be viewed if student is absent

What is my Daughter capable of achieving

Grinds? Things to ask: Is she making her best effort at school? How do we know? Grinds have a role as a compliment to school work but not as a replacement. Not a magic wand. Too can cause unnecessary negative stress.

Conclusion Students should approach “Careers” as an extra subject Take Responsibility for their future Do in-depth Research Consider all routes apply at all levels Balanced Lifestyle Organisation Motivation (Goals/Rewards) Be familiar with New Framework of Qualifications and ladders of progression Attend School Every day

The Good News In 2017  80% of applicants to the CAO got one of their top 3 choices. 50% got their No 1. Thank you and Good Night

Cracking the College Code: By Recommended Reading Cracking the College Code: By Catherine O’Connor TCD