Options for School Leavers 2014/15 Information Talk for Sixth Years CBC Monkstown Thursday 20 th November, 7.30pm

Topics The CAO Application System The CAO Application System Trinity Feasibility Study Trinity Feasibility Study The DARE and HEAR Schemes The DARE and HEAR Schemes The PLC Application System The PLC Application System The UCAS Application System The UCAS Application System The Maintenance Grants System (SUSI) The Maintenance Grants System (SUSI) Adjusting to college life Adjusting to college life

THE CAO The Application System for Higher Level Courses

THE CAO SYSTEM… HOW IT WORKS The institutions in the CAO The institutions in the CAO The points system The points system Order of preference of courses Order of preference of courses The application fee The application fee Important dates to remember Important dates to remember The change of mind process The change of mind process The offers stage The offers stage Deferring an offer Deferring an offer

Colleges in the CAO The CAO processes applications to courses in over 45 Colleges over 45 Colleges 7 Universities 15 Institutes of Technology 6 Colleges of Education 8 Independent Colleges 10 Other Colleges

Typical Examples of Dublin Institutions Universities – UCD, TCD, DCU Universities – UCD, TCD, DCU ITs – DIT, IADT, IT Tallaght ITs – DIT, IADT, IT Tallaght Education – Froebel, St. Pat’s, Mater Dei Education – Froebel, St. Pat’s, Mater Dei Independent – DBS, Griffith College Independent – DBS, Griffith College Other – NCI, RCSI, NCAD Other – NCI, RCSI, NCAD

CAO Requirements A student may have to fulfil 3 types of requirements to be eligible for a college course A student may have to fulfil 3 types of requirements to be eligible for a college course 1.The College Matriculation requirement 2. The specific course requirement 3.The points requirement – calculated from a total of the best six Leaving Certificate results

Examples 1. College Requirement e.g. UCD 6 passes including 2 higher level and passes in Irish, English and another language (unless a student is exempt from Irish and/or a third language) 2. Course Requirement e.g. Veterinary Medicine, UCD: The above requirements, in addition a minimum HC3 Chemistry and OD3 Maths 3. Points requirement e.g. Commerce, UCD 2014 – 490 points

Level 7 and Level 8 Course Requirements There are two lists of courses in the CAO system  Level 8 - Honours Bachelor Degrees – The Requirements are: 6 passes to include 2/3 Honours on higher level papers + Points + certain subject combinations for certain degrees  Level 7/6 - Ordinary Bachelor Degrees / Higher Certificates – The Requirements are: 5 Passes + Points

Points Allocation Higher Level A A A A B B B B B B C C C C C C D D D D D D Ordinary Level A A A A B B B B B B C C C C C C D D D D D D3 ---5

Maths Bonus Points Bonus points were introduced for Honours Maths in An extra 25 points will be awarded to all Higher Maths results. Bonus points were introduced for Honours Maths in An extra 25 points will be awarded to all Higher Maths results. The bonus points are added to the Maths result first and then a student’s best six results are calculated. The bonus points are added to the Maths result first and then a student’s best six results are calculated.

How the ‘points’ requirement for each course works Each college decides on how many places they wish to offer for each course. Each college decides on how many places they wish to offer for each course. The number of applications will be determined by the number of applicants each year, i.e. popularity of the course. The number of applications will be determined by the number of applicants each year, i.e. popularity of the course. Places will be offered to applicants in order of merit as determined by their points. Places will be offered to applicants in order of merit as determined by their points. The published ‘points’ for a course are the points achieved by the last applicant/s offered a place that year in each course The published ‘points’ for a course are the points achieved by the last applicant/s offered a place that year in each course i.e. everyone offered a place had at least those points Thus the minimum ‘points’ can change from year to year Thus the minimum ‘points’ can change from year to year

CAO online - ww.cao.ie Click on ‘apply’ to make application – scroll to bottom of page and click on proceed with application Click on ‘apply’ to make application – scroll to bottom of page and click on proceed with application Click on ‘interactive demo’ to do practise application Click on ‘interactive demo’ to do practise application Click on ‘my application’ to view your application Click on ‘my application’ to view your application

IMPORTANT DATES 20 th Jan 5.15pm – Online discounted rate applies €25 – after this date €40 1 st Feb 5.15pm – Normal Application Closing date Restricted Application must be included by this date. Restricted Application must be included by this date. Each applicant is allotted a CAO number on application Each applicant is allotted a CAO number on application 1 st May 5.15pm - Late Application Closing date 5 th May Online change of mind facility becomes available Applicants may alter their applications as many times as they wish By end of May All applicants will receive a Statement of Application Record 1st July 5.15pm - Closing date for Change of mind

THE APPLICATION FEE EARLY ON-LINE APPLICATION (BEFORE JANUARY 20 TH ) €25 NORMAL APPLICATION €40 PAY ON-LINE BY LASER OR VISA CARD OR PRE-PAY IN THE BANK WITH FEE PAYMENT FORM LATE ONLINE APPLICATION€50

Course Choices Level 8 Level 7/ Level 6 Hons Degrees Ord Degrees and Certificates Pref Course code _________________1._______________2._______________3._______________4._______________5._______________6________________7._______________8._______________9._______________10.______________ _________________1._______________2._______________3._______________4._______________5._______________6._______________7._______________8._______________9._______________10.______________

Order of preference Course choices for each list must be put in order of preference Course choices for each list must be put in order of preference 1 st July 5.15 is the final date for deciding this 1 st July 5.15 is the final date for deciding this Each list is considered separately Each list is considered separately An offer may be made from both lists in any round of offers An offer may be made from both lists in any round of offers Only one of these can be accepted in any round Only one of these can be accepted in any round

Changing your mind! Students may change their mind on-line as often as they like up to the 1st July Students may change their mind on-line as often as they like up to the 1st July They can add new courses and alter the order of preferences at no extra cost up to this date They can add new courses and alter the order of preferences at no extra cost up to this date

The CAO Offers Applicants are listed in order of merit for each course they have chosen Applicants are listed in order of merit for each course they have chosen They will be offered the first course on each list for which they become eligible They will be offered the first course on each list for which they become eligible All their course choices below these offers will be deleted from their lists All their course choices below these offers will be deleted from their lists They may be offered a higher choice in a further round if they become eligible, even if they have accepted an offer They may be offered a higher choice in a further round if they become eligible, even if they have accepted an offer

The rounds of offers Leaving Cert Results – Wednesday 12 th August Leaving Cert Results – Wednesday 12 th August 1st Round Offers – Monday 17 th August 1st Round Offers – Monday 17 th August 2nd Round Offers – Wednesday 26 th August 2nd Round Offers – Wednesday 26 th August Further offers made up until mid October (after State Exam completion of rechecks) Further offers made up until mid October (after State Exam completion of rechecks)

Accepting an offer CAO gives a week for acceptances to be made CAO gives a week for acceptances to be made On line acceptances possible from any location, i.e. if you are away On line acceptances possible from any location, i.e. if you are away CAO numbers are needed to access offers and to make acceptances on line CAO numbers are needed to access offers and to make acceptances on line Offers may also be accepted by post Offers may also be accepted by post

Deferrals – How? Most colleges will consider deferrals Most colleges will consider deferrals Write to the admissions office of the college, marking the envelope ‘deferred entry’ and enclose the Offer Notice from CAO Write to the admissions office of the college, marking the envelope ‘deferred entry’ and enclose the Offer Notice from CAO This must reach the college 2 days before the ‘Reply Date’ This must reach the college 2 days before the ‘Reply Date’ N.B. The applicant must reapply the next year through the CAO to keep the deferred place N.B. The applicant must reapply the next year through the CAO to keep the deferred place

Trinity Feasibility Study New entry system to Law, History and Ancient and Medieval History New entry system to Law, History and Ancient and Medieval History Max 625 LC point points from Relative Performance Rank mark for personal statement Max 625 LC point points from Relative Performance Rank mark for personal statement Please see Ms O’Connor if interested in applying Please see Ms O’Connor if interested in applying

HEAR and DARE Schemes The HEAR and DARE Schemes have been introduced to promote equality of access to all irrespective of social class, age or disability The HEAR and DARE Schemes have been introduced to promote equality of access to all irrespective of social class, age or disability HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support DARE is for school leavers who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of their disability. DARE is for school leavers who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of their disability.

The DARE Scheme The DARE scheme is an admissions scheme which has been put in place to offer places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers with disabilities The DARE scheme is an admissions scheme which has been put in place to offer places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers with disabilities Eligible students must complete the DARE form online with their CAO application and provide evidence of their disability to CAO – see for specific criteria Eligible students must complete the DARE form online with their CAO application and provide evidence of their disability to CAO – see for specific criteria

The HEAR Scheme The HEAR Scheme is an admissions scheme which has been introduced to offer places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from wider socio-economic backgrounds. The HEAR Scheme is an admissions scheme which has been introduced to offer places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from wider socio-economic backgrounds. There is a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered. There is a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered. Eligible students must complete the HEAR form online with their CAO application and provide evidence to the CAO of their circumstances. Eligible students must complete the HEAR form online with their CAO application and provide evidence to the CAO of their circumstances. See for specific criteria See for specific criteriawww.accesscollege.ie

PLC Colleges 200 PLC Colleges in the country 200 PLC Colleges in the country 22,000 students every year apply 22,000 students every year apply c courses c courses Mostly 1 year certificate and 2 year diploma courses Mostly 1 year certificate and 2 year diploma courses Vocational in orientation Vocational in orientation 2000 places on ‘links scheme’ to Higher Level Colleges – FETAC 2000 places on ‘links scheme’ to Higher Level Colleges – FETAC

PLC Facts No Points required No Points required First come first served First come first served Interview for courses Interview for courses Low registration fees <€500 (including tax) Low registration fees <€500 (including tax) Grants available if eligible Grants available if eligible Links to Higher level courses available Links to Higher level courses available Work experience Work experience

PLC Applications Each college has separate application form Each college has separate application form Many of these applications are available online Many of these applications are available online No strict closing date as applications are dealt with in date order No strict closing date as applications are dealt with in date order Some courses very popular so students should apply early ie. Pre-Science/certain Art portfolio courses Some courses very popular so students should apply early ie. Pre-Science/certain Art portfolio courses Application fee required for some colleges Application fee required for some colleges This is refundable if not offered a place This is refundable if not offered a place Places offered before end of school year Places offered before end of school year

PLC Application Procedure 1. Send application form to each college 2. Attend informal interview 3. Fulfil requirements, usually 5 passes in the Leaving Certificate, pass interview 4. Places given on first come first served 5. Confirm attendance after Leaving Cert results

PLC Links Many PLC courses linked to Higher Education courses e.g. pre-science in BIFE links to Science Many PLC courses linked to Higher Education courses e.g. pre-science in BIFE links to Science 5% of places on certain courses reserved for PLC applicants 5% of places on certain courses reserved for PLC applicants Distinctions in some modules necessary for access to courses at Higher level Distinctions in some modules necessary for access to courses at Higher level The number of links are increasing every year e.g. UCD Science, DIT Business The number of links are increasing every year e.g. UCD Science, DIT Business There is now a points system for PLC candidates with maximum points of 400 There is now a points system for PLC candidates with maximum points of 400

Popular PLC Colleges Bray Institute of Further Education Bray Institute of Further Education Blackrock Further Education Institute (formerly Dun Laoghaire Senior College) Blackrock Further Education Institute (formerly Dun Laoghaire Senior College) Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education Sallynoggin College of Further Education Sallynoggin College of Further Education Stillorgan College of Further Education Stillorgan College of Further Education Ballsbridge College of Further Education Ballsbridge College of Further Education The Liberties College of Further Education The Liberties College of Further Education Inchicore College of Further Education Inchicore College of Further Education Ballyfermot Senior College Ballyfermot Senior College

The UCAS System Application system for courses in the UK Application system for courses in the UK N. Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales N. Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales Up to 5 courses in alphabetical order Up to 5 courses in alphabetical order Closing date 15th January Closing date 15th January Conditional offers by Easter Conditional offers by Easter Accept one course offer as firm choice Accept one course offer as firm choice Accept one other course offer as back-up Accept one other course offer as back-up Any students interested to see Ms. O’Connor asap Any students interested to see Ms. O’Connor asap

College Fees No tuition fees in college - CAO or PLC No tuition fees in college - CAO or PLC Registration fees in college - CAO and PLC Registration fees in college - CAO and PLC CAO 2015 entry - €3000 per annum CAO 2015 entry - €3000 per annum PLC - €70 + €250 + €200 new gov. tax approx PLC - €70 + €250 + €200 new gov. tax approx However those eligible for a Maintenance Grant will not have to pay registration fees in CAO or Government tax in PLC colleges. However the grant does not cover PLC fees. However those eligible for a Maintenance Grant will not have to pay registration fees in CAO or Government tax in PLC colleges. However the grant does not cover PLC fees.

Maintenance Grants Eligibility for the grant is dependent on parents’ incomes for the year prior to attending college Eligibility for the grant is dependent on parents’ incomes for the year prior to attending college SUSI was introduced in 2013 to process grant applications and should be open in April / May 2015 SUSI was introduced in 2013 to process grant applications and should be open in April / May 2015 Application forms are now accessed online on and on Application forms are now accessed online on and on Copies of Birth Certificates and proofs of income for the previous year – e.g. P60 and P21 will be required if eligible for a grant Copies of Birth Certificates and proofs of income for the previous year – e.g. P60 and P21 will be required if eligible for a grant

Grant Rates There are two Grant Rates possible There are two Grant Rates possible The non-adjacent rate – for students who live more than 45 kilometres from college. The maximum possible in ‘12/’13 was €3,025 per annum The non-adjacent rate – for students who live more than 45 kilometres from college. The maximum possible in ‘12/’13 was €3,025 per annum The adjacent rate - for students who live less than 45 kilometres from college. The maximum possible in ‘12/’13 was €1,215 per annum The adjacent rate - for students who live less than 45 kilometres from college. The maximum possible in ‘12/’13 was €1,215 per annum There is also a top- up grant available for grant-holders who satisfy certain means tested conditions, which in ’12/’13 was approximately equal to €5915 and €2375 for the non-adjacent and adjacent rate respectively There is also a top- up grant available for grant-holders who satisfy certain means tested conditions, which in ’12/’13 was approximately equal to €5915 and €2375 for the non-adjacent and adjacent rate respectively

Adjusting to college life Join sports teams and societies and get involved Join sports teams and societies and get involved Go to all your lectures, classes and especially tutorials Go to all your lectures, classes and especially tutorials Make new friends – introduce yourself to your class mates Make new friends – introduce yourself to your class mates Keep on top of assignments and ask tutors for extra help if needed Keep on top of assignments and ask tutors for extra help if needed Attend social events in college but mind yourself especially if there’s drink involved! Attend social events in college but mind yourself especially if there’s drink involved! Try using a planner to help you stay organised Try using a planner to help you stay organised Introduce yourself to your lecturers Introduce yourself to your lecturers Keep an open mind Keep an open mind Look on the bright side, a positive attitude keeps the stress levels low Look on the bright side, a positive attitude keeps the stress levels low

Conclusion Be aware of important dates Be aware of important dates Understand the various systems Understand the various systems Research all the options available Research all the options available Make plans for all possible outcomes Make plans for all possible outcomes Be realistic in making goals Be realistic in making goals Be aware of the many options available Be aware of the many options available Seek guidance in making choices Seek guidance in making choices