1. St. Joseph’s College Transition to Third Level Guidance Department
Information Evening
Tuesday 25th October 2016

2. Overview Liam Nally– Principal Mary Egan – Guidance Counsellor
Kay Mitchell - Schools’ Liasion Officer Maynooth University
Fiona Craughwell – St. Josephs Graduate
Lots of information to impart tonight but the purpose of tonight is to reassure you and equip you with an understanding of the process.
Delighted to see so many of you here tonight and your presence here tonight in itself shows your commitment to helping and supporting your son/daughter and that you are interested enough to be informed about the CAO process and what it involves.
The young person that is well supported at home is the student who infinitely is best equipped to make the decision about their future.
I am here to explain how the process works and how we can best support these young people.
Just to tell you the story of the young 1st year college student who is unhappy with their choice of course within weeks of starting the course and goes to see our friend the Guidance Counsellor in 3rd level. She inevitably asks and why did you choose this course to which the student gives one of two responses: well my Guidance Counsellor in school didn’t give me any help at all or my Guidance counsellor in school told me to do this course!!
So I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t!!
I would never presume to know a student better than their parents do and while I can offer some expertise on how the CAO process works and on the opportunities available this is a shared responsibility between home and school.
Just to reassure you that this is a process we go through every year and students are generally very happy with the outcome provided they have prepared well.

3. After the Leaving Certificate
College
Post Leaving Certificate course
Training
Apprenticeship
Repeat Leaving Certificate
Job
Other

4. It’s Decision Time!
Decision Making process involves: research, discussion, reflection and decision
Research online college prospectus’, Open Days, past students, visiting college representatives
Discussion the pros and cons, assessing and comparing, evaluating
Reflection personal interests and values, options
Decision choosing courses and providing alternative pathways
Check college/course requirements
Daunting for students and parents alike.
Challenging time and it demands that they apply themselves to the task at hand.
Research is crucial: specific course requirements, college requirements, knowing the details of the course
Imperative that a student does not have any course on their CAO form with which they are not familiar.
Parents have a vital role to play in the decision making process, whether its over the breakfast or the dinner table continuing the conversation about areas firstly that the son or daughter is interested in, what they have found out, what they like about it, further questions that they have about it, encouraging them to explore the details of a course what will I be studying, what jobs can I expect to get afterwards, what would that job entail, do we know anyone that is doing that course or in that job and encouraging them to get in touch with past students and also to make direct contact with the course directors who are more than happy to answer specific queries.

5. CAO - NB 10 level 8 courses / 10 level 6/7’s 20th January, 17:15 - €25
Order of preference
Wise list – consult GC for final form
20th January, 17:15 - €25
1st July 17:15 – close of change of mind (5th May)
First Round Offers – 22nd August

6. HEAR and DARE

7. HEAR & DARE Applications
Dates to Remember: 
January – DARE & HEAR Application Advice Clinics, Nationwide.
By 1st February You must apply to the CAO at
By 1 March 2016 - You must complete the HEAR and DARE Online Application Form on
By 1 April you must submit supporting documents to CAO

8. DARE
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on a reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities. Apply on CAO form.
Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism
Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Blind/ Vision Impaired
Deaf/Hearing Impaired
Dyspraxia
Mental Health Condition
Neurological Conditions - Neurological Conditions - Speech and Language Disabilities
Significant Ongoing Illness
Physical Disability
Specific Learning Difficulties - Dyslexia - Dyscalculia
You can click for college supports even without DARE if you have a disability. It’s designed to help the student. You can get supports in college even without DARE. Different conditions different reports. Double disadvantage…
Physical and sensory disabilities a priority

9. HEAR The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) –
Places at reduced points - socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Financial Indicators
1. Income
2. Medical Card
3. Social Welfare Payment
Social & Cultural Indicators
4. Socio-economic Group
5. DEIS School
6. Area
Applicants must meet the Low Income plus 2 other indicators in order to be eligible

10. Financial Support for Students
SUSI Student Universal Support Ireland
Single awarding authority for processing the Student Grant system for Ireland
Application process is online
More information from Citizen’s Information and MABS
IF IN DOUBT _ CHECK IT OUT
Costs
Registration Fee
On-campus
Accommodation
Books/Equipment
Indicate on the CAO form that CAO have permission to send information directly to SUSI this speeds up the grant process by up to 6 weeks

11. Scholarships
Researching scholarships is best done through the individual colleges as each college offers its own.
There is a range of scholarships available within different areas eg Kiran Patak Scholarship in Pharmacy at RCSI.
Department of Education and Science Scholarships are automatically awarded to 100 top performing eligible Leaving Certificate students.
Sports scholarships are awarded to students playing their particular sport at inter county and national level. More information on and college websites.

12. Now is the Time! Motivation 3+ hours per day No interruptions
Leave mobile away from desk
Time management
Suitable environment
Examination techniques

13. Resources Guidance Department
Individual Guidance appointments
Accessing Information Online
C.A.O. applications
P.L.C / FETAC applications
UCAS applications
Apprenticeship application
Career Presentations from college representatives
Interview skills and training
Study skills and exam preparation
All LC students have individual Guidance appointment time to assist them in making their decisions about courses and training for next year.
LC Guidance classes develop further skills in researching college, course and career information so that students can make an informed decision.
LCs can find the decision making process daunting but by looking carefully at their interests, results of their interest tests, work experiences, career
research they can piece together the areas that they are interested in and then further refine this list to what finally becomes a CAO list.
The topics covered throughout the year include CAO, PLC and UCAS applications …
career talks are organised by a selection of colleges including NUIG, NUIM, DCU, AIT and UL.
Students also hold an online profile in careersportal which they regularly update and it contains course research, interest and aptitude test results and
points targets that the students wish to achieve.

14. Useful Websites
Careersportal is a site that the students access and store course research information
CAO website and CAO app
Careersnews is worth logging on to get regular updates re course and college information
Supporting students through the CAO process can be stressful for all concerned,
being a listening ear, discussing options and encouraging can help.
The decision making process for the student can be helped by researching, listing,
and discussing with the relevant people particularly students who have done the course and college personnel.
Thank you for your attention I am available to speak with anyone now who has any questions
also remember all CAO information is available on the CAO website.

15. Ask for help from relevant person / department.
College Experience
Responsibility
Aim for 2:1 or a 1st each year
Time management
Extra curriculars - for making friends
Critical Thinking
Research
90% + attendance
Ask for help from relevant person / department.

16. Thank You
You are welcome to come and see me – to make an appointment call: or