Leaving Cert Careers Lesson 2 Open Days

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Why Bother? Chance to get a first hand view/feel of a college College Open Days and Fairs Walk around Ask lots of questions Sit in on a lecture How? Check out the Sports Facilities The Lecture Halls Canteen / Labs / Meeting Social Areas

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Before you go …. prepare as well as you can….start with yourself…. What’s my Personality Type? What are my Interests? How do I learn best? College Open Days and Fairs

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Before you go ..do some research ….visit the colleges online.. www.qualifax.ie www.nuigalway.ie College Open Days and Fairs www.gmit.ie www.tcd.ie www.ul.ie www.ucd.ie

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Take a note book with you on the day! College Open Days and Fairs

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Please Remember…keep notes Throughout the research process, it is important that students keep records of what they discover, as well as their thoughts and reflections. It is easy to get courses and colleges confused, and such records will help when it comes to deciding on the order of preference for CAO. College Open Days and Fairs

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Course Information What are the Entry Requirements (NOT POINTS) How long is the course? Modules Continuous Assessment % Practical / Theoretical Placements…Who/When/How Erasmus Option Projects/Research College Open Days and Fairs What is the Award? Desirable/Essential Subject? How is the Course Taught? Inter Faculty Transfer Options What are the employment prospects? What are the post grad progression routes?

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Course Information Contact Name and Details? Typical profile of student? Class Sizes? College Open Days and Fairs Gender Ratio? Matriculation Allowances/Requirements Drop Out Rate? Omnibus Entry? Ab initio Subjects? Course which serves as an entry point for multiple degree programs (Arts NUIG) Full programs from the beginning Major / Minor / Electives?

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs About the college When? How? How much? Deposit? Booking Date? Future Options? Accommodation College Open Days and Fairs Scholarships When to apply How to apply Access Schemes HEAR and DARE? Places : Points Ratio

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs After you visit the college Anything else do you need to find out? Are there any past pupils currently studying the courses you are interested in? Remember You will be in college for three or four years. It is important to make a course and college choice that suits you. Refine your questions as you find out more and follow up with the Colleges (and individual courses). They welcome your enquiries throughout the year. College Open Days and Fairs

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs Think it through….. For all courses you are thinking about: Ask yourself one question and ask it many times over the coming year, ‘How would I feel if I were offered this course in August?’ The answer might be telling. College entry is highly competitive so be sure to give yourself lots of options in the area of your interest when completing the CAO application. College Open Days and Fairs

Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs When to go…and while you are there.. Fridays and Saturdays? Avoid missing school to attend…..only adds to the workload. Do watch out for same Open Day or non Saturdays…(UL) Arrive early. Know that…often, after doing a lot of research, a student’s decision on how to prioritise two similar courses in different institutions on the CAO form can come down to the vibe they get from the college. Also…the colleges’ clubs and societies often put on a great show and have fun events during open days. Taking time to enjoy these is all part of the experience. Check them out. College Open Days and Fairs

Any Questions?