Options’ Week 2017 March 2017 A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.ricecollege.ie under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or www.careersportal.ie Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Agenda Examine importance of choosing the right subjects: Understanding DATS New Points System Understanding College System How to choose subjects Help For Parents/Guardians Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Help with choosing Subject Choice Classes with Guidance Counsellor Subject teacher spoke to students in their class about their subject Presentation of subjects by Head of each Subject Department All students sat their DATS Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015 Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017 Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 3

Consider the following factors when choosing your subjects: ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades.   APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude. INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in them. CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017 Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015 Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 4 4

DATS (differential Appitude Test Snapshot Percentile Links with some subjects Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

New Points System Minimise the use of random selection To encourage the take up of higher level papers by awarding points for new H7 grade (30%-40%) 37 points 25 bonus points awarded for maths H6 grade Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

New grades and percentages Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Grades and Points Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Big difference in points between higher and ordinary level. H5(50-60%)=56 pts same O1(90-100%)=56pts H7(30-40%)=37 pts same O3(70-80%)=37pts Important to keep this in mind Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Universities, Colleges & Institutes of Technology 7 Universities 14 ITS UL LIT DIT DCU GMIT DKIT Trinity ITT ITB NUI Galway AIT IT Carlow UCC IT Sligo ITT Dublin UCD CIT LYIT Maynooth University WIT IADT Other Associated Colleges Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

2 Types of Degrees ITs Add on 2yr level 6 1yr level 7 1yr level 8 Ab initio Degree Commit to full 3/4 years from the start Usually requirements and points higher Universities Ab initio Degree( means from the beginning) Add on Ab initio degrees Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

3 Hurdles to Entry to College Matriculation/entry to College Requirements Course/Faculty Course Requirements Points Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Matriculation Requirements The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. So, what subjects do I need to be doing for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to X college? Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Colleges that Require a Minimum D3 at Ordinary Level Subjects Required NUI Colleges 2H5 & 4H7/O6 English, Irish, and a 3rd Language Trinity 3H5 & 3H7/O6 English, Maths and 2nd Language (i.e Irish or another lang) UL 2H5 & 4H7/O6 English,Maths and 2nd lang (i.e Irish or another lang) DCU 2H5 & 4H7/O6 Maths & English or Irish I.T’s Level 8(2H5& 4H7/O6)level6/7(5H7/O6) Maths & English or Irish Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

All Matriculation Subjects Covered: Irish English Maths Language(option) NB colleges will require you to generally have 2H5 +4O6/H7 for level 8 courses 5O6H7 for level 6+7 courses Teaching Colleges and Trinity require 3H5+3O6/H7 Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Course Requirements/Subject Requirements Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjects Some examples are: Primary Teaching requires H5 in Irish also O5/H6 in English Medicine in UCC requires H4in chemistry + H4 in Physics/Biology/Ag Science Business in UL requires O4 or H7 level maths Engineering courses (Level 8) need maths H4 and 06/h7 science subject www.qualifax.ie/students/uselfultools Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Points Points are allocated for the six best grades Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points Colleges do not set the points The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college in that year. Supply and Demand Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017 Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015 Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 21 21

Subject Choice – 5th Yr You will take 7 subjects unless you have an exemption from one You will choose 4 subjects as well as English, Irish and Maths (compulsory ) LCVP can be taken as an eighth subject Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

14 Options to choose from: French BUSINESS divided into 3 German Accounting Art Business Music Economics History Science divided into 3 Geography Biology Construction Chemistry DCG( Tech Graph) Physics Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Science Subjects & Foreign Languages A decision to drop all science subjects or foreign languages will have significant implications on the range of courses/careers open to you later on. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

WHY? If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science subject or two for some courses Physics Chemistry Biology Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Exception Third Language dropped for all science, engineering and nursing courses in NUI colleges and agricultural science in UCD But Not Health Sciences Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

The importance of Maths? A pass in ordinary level maths is essential for entry to the majority of courses. Study right maths level for you! Whatever you do over the next two years, don’t neglect your studies in this subject. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme European Language Correct subject combination Written exam 40% Portfolio 60% Pick your subjects 1st then decide if you want to do LCVP Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

LCVP Requirements Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

LCVP 15000 students 80% use it as part of best 6th subject for points Portfolio 60% Exam 40% CV, 2.5 hours Career Investigation Audio Visual Presentation Enterprise/Action Plan Case Study(seen in advance) Summary Report General Questions Plus Any 2 of the following Diary of work experience Exam 1st Wed in May Enterprise report Recorded Interview/presentation Report on My Own place Submitted 1st Wed in March Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

LCVP LCVP Distinction 66 points =H4 Merit 46 points=H6/O2 Pass 28 points=O4 study 80% students used LCVP points Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

8th Subject? LCVP Factor in time to and from class/grind Extra work Effect on other 7 subjects Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Making a Wise Choice What subject am I most interested in? What subject am I likely to be best at? What subjects will I need? Balanced choice of subjects Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Note the following Numbers for particular classes may be limited In so far as possible students will be given their subject choice It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in preference order. You must choose four choice subjects. NB In Rice College we ask each year group what subjects they want and try our best to accommodate each student. Our interest to have a happy student ,parent +teacher!!!! Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Entry requirements for Third Level courses vary from course to course so you must refer to the relevant literature or information given on the website. www.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie www.cao.ie for a full list of points Entry Requirements Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Careersportal Reach Programme a must!! 2/3year programme School Website--Careers Link Career interest ,personality tests Study techniques, exam targets Careers profiles & occupation information CV interview techniques STORES ALL INFORMATION Plus book and website info for parents etc Students must take responsibility for their own research Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

School Website- Career guidance link School Website--Careers Link www.careersportal.ie www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www.ncca.ie www.careersnews.ie www.studyclix.ie Students must take responsibility for their own research Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Keep up to date Open Days Exhibitions Work Experience/shadowing Career Talks Reach Programme Careersportal calendar of events Careersnews.ie sign up news letter latest news NB Reach+ book order 20 euros for MAY Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Do not give up subjects you love! An finally… Do not give up subjects you love! Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

The Leaving Cert is like a cake: Bake it in 5th Year, Advice The Leaving Cert is like a cake: Bake it in 5th Year, Ice it in 6th Year! Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

Thank You Any questions feel free to contact me An finally… Thank You Any questions feel free to contact me Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017 Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015 Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 42 42

Questions Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor careerguidance@ricecollege.ie 065 6869492 A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available www.ricecollege.ie under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by www.careersportal.ie Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017