Leaving Certificate CAO

CAO Application  The online application is now open.  To receive a CAO number one needs to provide their personal details and the discounted fee of €25 before January 20 th.  Students must then log in using their CAO number and date of birth to fill in further details such as school, DARE, HEAR, SUSI and course choices.  Restricted courses must be added before January 31 st. All restricted courses are marked as such in the CAO handbook and online.  Students can change their courses up until July 1 st. The students do not generally make changes between February 1 st and May 5 th. From May 5 th to July 1 st students can make changes free of charge as many times as they wish.  It is always necessary to print any changes and get someone to review it.  All students have received a CAO Handbook and it is essential reading.

CAO Application  There are two separate CAO lists on the application.  Therefore students can apply for up to 10 level 6/7 courses and 10 level 8 courses.  Often students will finish with a level 8 degree regardless of whether they start at level 6/7 or level 8: However, the entry requirements are different.

CAO Application Level 8 Courses 10 choices In order of preference not points Entry Requirements: 2 or 3 HC3 + 4 or 3 OD3 Qualify with a Level 8 qualification in 3-5 years Available at Universities, Institutes of Technologies and smaller colleges Offers made independently for each level Level 6/7 Courses 10 choices In order of preference not points Entry requirements: 5 OD3 Qualify with level 6 (2 years), Level 7 (3 years) May be possible to progress to Level 8. Available at Institutes of Technologies mainly. Offers made independently of Level 8.  The difference is that students can exit level 6 after 2 years with a qualification. In university Level 8 courses, you leave with no qualification unless you sit your final examinations.  Entry requirements are different.

Entry Requirements and Points  There are general entry requirements for admission to a particular Higher Education Institute(HEI):  Trinity require 6 subjects 3 HC3 + 3 OD3 including Maths, English and one other language for entry to Level 8 courses.  5 OD3 are required for level 6/7 courses.  Courses may also have specific subject requirements: LM117 UL requires OB3 in Maths + HC3 Science or HC3 Maths + OD3 Science  Finally, candidate‘s results will be calculated in points to compete for entry if the course is oversubscribed.

Entry Requirements and Points L.C GradeHIGHER LEVELORDINARY LEVEL A A29050 B18545 B28040 B37535 C17030 C26525 C36020 D15515 D25010 D3455 Higher Maths 25 Bonus Points on a HD3 or above. LCVPDistinction 70Merit 50 Pass 30  Points are calculated using the candidate’s best 6 subjects.  The 6 best do not have to include the matriculating subjects.  Most students carry 8 subjects, including LCVP.

How Course Points are Calculated Commerce with UCC  There are 10 places available.  15 students apply and the scores in the Leaving Certificate for this course are listed in order.  The 10 th place marks the points for entry.  Therefore, points are determined by the number of places available and the points of those applicants  If there were 11 places available, there would be random selection between the 2 candidates with 475 points. Random selection is denoted by * The applicant scores

Michelle's CAO She achieved 500 points Level Speech & Lang UCC Speech & Lang Galway *Speech & Lang Trinity *Children’s Early Childhood UCC *General UCC 7. UCC Michelle will be offered her no. 5 choice Early Childhood She will lose all choices below no.5 She may or may not receive a later offer for courses above her current offer - it is best accept current offer if she is happy to do so. Level 6/ Early Years Early Childhood ITTralee Michelle will be offered her no. 1 choice early Years

John's CAO John achieved 415 points Level UCC CIT UCC NUIMaynooth UCC John will be offered He will lose all courses below 3. In subsequent rounds he may be added courses above his first offer Advanced John will be offered He will lose all choices below his first choice. John can only accept one of the two offers: In this case, John accepts his level 6 course because it is a broader course with more options.

CAO Offers  Acceptance: students have one week to consider their 2 offers. If undecided or disappointed use this week to investigate: 1. Research the course 2. Contact and visit the college – be available this week 3. Consider FETAC Post leaving Certificate courses 4. Come visit us in school - phone for appointment  Deferral: CAO handbook – you contact the college directly and immediately.  Mathematics examinations available in some colleges in August for matriculation  Vacant Places – courses with places available.

What can parents do now?  Show interest in course research  Course Modules  Retention Rates  Work Experience  Career statistics  Alternative Routes  Grantswww.susi.iewww.susi.ie  Scholarships  DARE(Disability Access Route to Education)  HEAR (Higher Education Access Route)  Exemptions  Students spend a lot of time with me talking about what their parents say. Your view is really important to them even when it doesn’t fit with theirs: Aim to listen and if you have fears research the course. The course directors are quick to respond to queries.

DARE  DARE = Disability Access Route to Education. It includes learning difficulties and ongoing conditions that act as obstacles in students reaching their full potential  Consultant or psychological reports are required.  Students will be informed before July 1 st if they are eligible for DARE. They will compete for reduced points places.  DARE offers a reduced points access to courses and supports.  See  HOW CAN WE HELP? Students can come to me to work on the Educational Impact Form.

HEAR  HEAR = Higher Education Access Route  For students who will receive the grant, have a medical card or are in receipt of means tested social welfare and whose parents have not attended third level.  Eligible students will be informed before July 1 st.  Again, it offers reduced points access to college.  It also offers other supports when the student is in college such as one to one tuition, mentoring, financial aid  See

DARE/HEAR   DARE:Any certified disability or ongoing illness that has an educational impact.  HEAR:Socio-economical disadvantage – eligible for grant/medical or GP card/ social welfare/ socio economic group/ area profile.  Students who qualify for both DARE and HEAR will be prioritised this year.  There are strict deadline dates in CAO handbook.  Information Clinics: see website for January dates.

Exemptions  If your son or daughter has an exemption they are obliged to contact the colleges that require Irish or a third language for entry.  The 4 NUI colleges (UCC/UCD/NUI Galway/ NUI Maynooth) have a simple exemption form online. Print it and forward it to NUI and they grant exemptions within a week.  In May check that CAO has recorded the exemptions on the Statement of Application.  If a student does not inform the college of their exemption they will not receive an offer from CAO should Irish or the third language be a requirement.

What’s important to remember  Strict Deadline Dates – see CAO Handbook or website.  Are we eligible for DARE or HEAR?  Do I have an exemption? Have I informed the college?  Do I satisfy the entry requirements?  Are there specific subject requirements or grade requirements?  Are all courses in order of preference?  Always print CAO course choice changes.  Check the list of courses once your son/daughter have made their final changes.

10 FATAL FLAWS 1. Believing that I can jump 3 grades in many subjects in one year. People do jump but with a much greater effort. A 50 point increase is remarkable. 2. Thinking it’s ok to start after ??? – every single day and week counts! Just start! 3. Neglecting to take the professional advice of teachers that I may fail. 4. Grinds – only in exceptional circumstances. 5. Thinking that I deserve the points because I’ve put in the hours: You are entitled to nothing in the Leaving Certificate. The only way to know if I am learning is to write it from my head and use exam questions. 6. Spending time on the internet getting notes/ tips/ marking schemes.

10 FATAL FLAWS 7. Believing it is ok to socialise after and/or with illegal stimulants. 8. Allowing my friends to make the rules for me “You must go!! It’s my 18 th ” or “Why aren’t you snap chatting”. Spending Easter buying the debs or grad outfit. 9. Fooling myself into believing that social media and the phone are under control or not a distraction. 10. Saying I don’t have time to exercise – it is essential to be physically and aerobically fit next June. Sweating is very important to eliminate cortisol.

Being a Leaving Certificate Student A holistic approach to Leaving Certificate is necessary. Students are required to ensure they are healthy when the Leaving Certificate arrives.  Work hard at homework and revision: Be realistic and know that baby steps or hard work will raise points.  Eliminate distractions.  Sleep well with no technology.  Eat very well.  Exercise – eliminate stress hormones from body.  Rest and enjoy simple pleasures with the family: a very important antidote to their peers.

Thank You