2012

Publications  College Prospectuses – 2012 Entry  Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2012 ed.  Career Choice 2012 ed., Level Three Publications  CAO Handbook 2012  Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements Entry Newspapers  The Irish Times  Special CAO College Supplement - irishtimes.com  Series of daily articles - Brian Mooney  The Independent  CAO Articles - Mary O Donnell – independent.ie

Internet  Qualifax – Irish courses databasewww.qualifax.ie  CAO – Contains links to course websiteswww.cao.ie  Careers Portal –  College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) People  Relatives  Past pupils  Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor  Access to information and advice

Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3 rd level institutions, including 10 fee-paying colleges. Every applicant should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: ◦ 2012 CAO Handbook – application and course information ◦ Paper application form ◦ Application fee bank giro form Application Dates and Fees Paper ApplicationFeeClosing Date Normal€401 February 2012 (5.15pm) Late€801 May 2012 (5.15pm) Online ApplicationFeeClosing Date Early Discounted€3020 January 2012 (5.15pm) Normal€401 February 2012 (5.15pm) Late€601 May 2012 (5.15pm) Change of MindNo Fee1 July 2012 (5.15pm)

Since 2005 there are now 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Framework of Qualifications

 These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form: Level 6 & 7 CoursesLevel 8 Courses Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6) Honours Degrees (8) Up to 10 Course Choices Whether you apply for 1 or 20 courses – same fee. The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook, i.e. Level 6, 7 or 8. N.B. – Care must be taken with courses marked ‘Restricted’. These courses cannot normally be applied for after February 1 st due to extra assessments required.

 In new system students must:  Achieve at least 480 points and meet the course minimum entry requirements in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.  Complete the Health Professionals Admissions Test (HPAT).  Application for HPAT and sample questions are online at  Format of test: 2½ hour paper-based test - 3 sections:  (i) Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving  (ii) Interpersonal Understanding  (iii) Non-Verbal Reasoning

 Cost - €95  Only one test date in  Valid for 2012 & 2013  Dublin centres may include UCD & RDS.  Places allocated on combined score for LC and HPAT.  LC Points:  Up to 550: 1  1 new pt.  550 to 625: 5  1 new pt.  LC max score = 565  HPAT max score = 300  Combined max score = 865  Contact colleges for details. Important dates:  4 November  Registration opens  20 January  Final date for normal registrations  1 February  Final date for late test registrations (€160)  3 February  Final date for exceptional late registrations (€195)  25 February  Test Date  Late April  Test results to students  17 to 21 August  Collation of new scores  22 August ~  Round 1 CAO offers

 Applications can be made online or by paper form – use one method only. (€10 charge if 2 applications sent)  Always keep proof of sending application:  online – print Receipt of Online Application,  paper – obtain certificate of post  If applying online,2 steps:  (a) Create Application Account  (b) Log in and enter details  Online applicants will receive their CAO number on their Receipt of Online Application  Paper applicants will receive their CAO number on their Statement of Course Choices   Apply & My Application

HEAR – Higher Education Access Route - third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. DARE – Disability Access Route to Education - third level admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities.  Very important to indicate on CAO form the applicants wish to be considered for either of the above schemes.

**VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference Whatever course an applicant would most like to get onto on the basis of their research should be put down number one on the form. If they don’t get this whatever course they would next like to get onto should be put down number 2, etc, etc. They shouldn’t put down courses on the basis of predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.

Science – DCU 100 places to be offered Science – Maynooth 100 places to be offered Course Cut Off Points = 330Course Cut Off Points = 335*  Random Selection to be used  Last place to be filled Applicant Position Points Score Applicant Position Points Score Course Merit Lists

So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses

Note:  The position of a course in a student’s preference order does not in any way affect their chance of becoming entitled to a place on that course – points only.  The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers in August – one from each list, 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.

 (Paper) Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully.  (Online) Students receive CAO number online and use ‘My Application’ to check all their application details.  May make changes to courses up to March 1 st - €10 fee  Some students may be called for extra assessments.  Receive Statement of Application Record – check details carefully.  Change of Mind facility becomes available – use sparingly and carefully, especially after exams. ( confirmation)  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.

20 th January, 2012 ◦ Closing date for receipt of early online applications 1 st February, 2012 ◦ Closing date for receipt of normal applications 5 th February to 1 st March, 2012 ◦ Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’, €10 Before/By 15th February, 2012 ◦ Receive Statement of Course Choices (paper applicants) 1st May, 2012 ◦ Closing date for receipt of late applications Early May, 2012 ◦ Change of mind forms may be sent. (online - May 3 rd ) Before/By 31st May, 2012 ◦ Receive Statement of Application Record 1st July, 2012 ◦ Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. ~22 nd ~ August, 2012 ◦ First round of offers will commence.

 Research courses thoroughly  Apply as early as possible  Apply online  Put courses in order of preference  Obtain / retain proof of application  Be careful with change of mind