CAO Application Procedure What You Need To Know Presented by: Julie O’Connor Guidance Counsellor

Outline Options for Students Advice when making decisions CAO application procedure CAO offers explained Q & A

Related Issues Remember it’s 10% inspiration 90% perspiration Good health is crucial. Exercise Attendance Subject level – appropriate? Part-time jobs are not recommended Pre’s are ONLY a test run! Remember it’s 10% inspiration 90% perspiration

Options for School Leavers CAO System Non CAO State Bodies Apprenticeships On the job training Taking time out - Gap Year Employment Unemployment

Guidelines in course selection specific courses?? Employers look for general qualifications Requirements reflect content Pick a course at the appropriate level Higher Cert Ordinary Degree Honours Degree (HC)- level 6 (DG)- level 7 (HD)- level 8

Guidelines in course selection If unsure Do Certificate and progress Do PLC course Consider a more general course title eg Mechanical engineering v’s Aeronautical Engineering Deferral Take time out

Before Applying Examine CAO Handbook Examine HEI prospectii Entry Requirements/Points Course Content Restrictions etc. What the Fees maybe, if any!

More Research Suggestions College/career websites College Admissions/approp. Department Open Days Media People If uncertain....

Important Dates Jan. 20th – CAO early online application (€30) Feb. 1st - CAO closing date (€45) May 1st - CAO Late Online Application (€60) Feb. 15th - Statement of Course Choices, (€10 to correct any necessary mistakes – 1st March) March 1st – error corrections (€10), HEAR/DARE Mar/Apr – interviews/portfolios End of May - Statement of Application Record May 6th to July 1st - Change of Mind (no fee)

Application Apply online @ www.cao.ie Demo option Step by step instructions Can pay by credit/laser card/bank giro Must print or save a receipt of their application CAO number – “My Application” Verification code needed for initial access

CAO Application steps Step 1 - Registration Step 2 - Qualifications and Assessments Step 3 - HEAR Step 4 - DARE Step 5 - Maintenance Fee/Grant Step 6 - Course preference

HEAR & DARE HEAR –socio- economically disadvantaged DARE – disability/SLD admissions scheme February 1st restriction, <23yrs of age Application Guidebook and workbook March 1st – complete HEAR application/SIF April 1st – supporting documents Certificate of posting + CAO number January 19th @ UL www.accesscollege.ie

CAO Order of Preference List your choices in order of preference 2 columns Do not mix lists Use only handbook for course codes Fill up to 20 choices, all must be researched! You can get 2 offers, 1 from each list

Offers All offers sent by post or accessed online Round 1 - Main body of offers mid-August Round 2 - early to mid September, Round 3… up to mid- Oct., after rechecks Can receive up to 2 offers An applicant may only accept one offer To accept offer, follow instructions and reply within deadline date! Successive offers may happen!

Offers Explained CAO Calculate points Check requirements Create merit lists Check applicants eligibility Make offers

Requirements & Points General Requirements G Specific requirements S Type of institute – NUI’s v’s Non NUI’s Type of award – Level 8 v’s Level 6/7 Specific requirements S HC3 Maths + HC3 a lab science – Engineering Special maths exam worth sitting Points P Points calculated from top 6 grades Bonus points for maths UL

Restricted Application Must apply by 1st of February Some courses require a 4th element Portfolio & interview Medical HPAT (not restricted) Garda Vetting Order of preference can be changed up to July 1st

Offers made to those at top of the list Number of places Offers made to those at top of the list Number of Applicants CAO creates Merit list Applicants Results

Level 8 Level 6/7 COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 You send your application with up to 10 courses in each of the 2 categories After your Examination results are published the CAO computer begins to process merit lists.

NO LONGER CONSIDERED COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 OFFER 1

Round 2 Offers

ER RED NO LONG CONSIDE If you accept OFFER 2 then OFFER 1 is cancelled COURSE 1 COURSE 2 OFFER 2 COURSE 3 NO LONGER CONSI DERED ER RED If you accept OFFER 2 then OFFER 1 is cancelled COURSE 4 OFFER 1 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 NO LONG CONSIDE

CAO application and LC results PTS 2015 L7 1 MI 005 470 TL 781 250 2 MH 001 500 3 MI 004 335 4 LM 032 425 5 LC 292 340 6 7 8 9 Subject Level Results Points New pts from 2017 Maths H D2 55+25 56+25 English B3 75 77 Irish C3 60 66 French E 37 Biology A1 100 Chemistry B1 85 88 Geography C1 70 470 478

More LC results 335 430 L8 PTS 2015 L7 1 MI 005 470 TL 781 250 2 MH 001 500 3 MI 004 335 4 LM 032 425 5 LC 292 340 6 7 8 9 10 LC Results 2 Subject Level Results Points pts 2017 Maths O D2 10 12 English H C1 70 66 Irish B2 80 77 French A1 60 56 History B3 75 Art B1 85 88 Geography C3 430 420

More LC results D1 335 510 L8 PTS 2015 L7 1 MI 005 470 TL 781 250 2 MH 001 500 3 MI 004 335 4 LM 032 425 5 LC 292 340 6 7 8 9 10 LC Results3 Subject Level Results Points pts 2017 Maths H B2 80+25 77+25 English B3 75 77 Irish D1 55 56 French O C3 20 Music A1 100 Biology B1 85 88 Geography A2 90 510 511

CAO Concerns Online application reduces errors Diminishing number of choices being made Applicants seem to have difficulty with order of preference 50% only apply by Jan 20th Drop –out from 1st year – 40% were from 1st choice course!

Things to remember Certificate of posting CAO number Do NOT send originals The list is to be filled in with courses in ORDER of PREFERENCE Changes cannot be made after July 1st Any changes, full list must be resubmitted Always check if updated ‘My Application’ Special Maths Exam for matriculation

Conclusion 2 main issues for every 6th year student Leaving Cert Career Choice “All evidence shows that 3rd level students perform best in courses to which they are most suited” source UL Aiming Higher If we can advise, help and/or support you in any way – Please let us know….

CAO Parents Evening Q & A St. Clements College Thank you for attending….. CAO Parents Evening Q & A