1. Eddie McGrath & Conor Hayes
The Abbey School
CAO
Information Evening
October 19th 2016
7.30pm
Eddie McGrath & Conor Hayes
Most of what I will cover tonight is in the CAO Handbook and has been covered with the 6th years.
In this format we can’t go through every detail but I’ve picked out the points I feel parents should be aware of.
Less stress / tension if everybody is familiar with the system and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet .
The Abbey School

2. Agenda Applicants' Responsibilities General points regarding the CAO.
Entry Requirements and the Points System.
Making an application.
How places are allocated by CAO
After submitting the application.
Other Options
Questions
The Abbey School

3. It is the applicants’ responsibility to:
Research thoroughly all the courses for which he is making an application.
Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses, i.e., procedures, dates, fees, rules, etc.
If there are any questions, problems or doubts about the CAO system, contact CAO or myself.
Ask early – don’t leave it until it may be too late to do anything.
The Abbey School

4. Useful Resources To assist with course research / application
Publications
College Prospectuses – 2017 Entry
CAO Handbook 2017
Newspapers
The Irish Times
Tuesdays Education Section
January Special College Supplement Series of articles - Brian Mooney
The Independent
Careers Articles - Mary O Donnell
Whatever you read in any non official literature, always check the details in the college’s or CAO’s official literature.
If there is a difference between the information use the info. in the official literature.
The Abbey School

5. Internet People Guidance Counsellor
Qualifax – Irish courses database
CAO – Contains links to course websites
Careersportal –
College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)
People
Relatives
Past pupils
Admissions/Academic staff of colleges
Guidance Counsellor
Interest Inventories / Guidance interviews
Access to sources of information
Appointments for parents
Talking to academic/admissions staff  by visiting the college, , phone, open days, guest speakers here to school.
The Abbey School

6. CAO – General Info.
Centralised application system for Irish 3rd level institutions, including 5 fee-paying colleges.
Every 6th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes:
2017 CAO Handbook – application and course information
Paper application form
Application fee bank giro form
Application Dates and Fees
Paper Application
Fee
Payment Method
Normal
€40 (1st Feb)
Bank Giro Form (BGF) to be requested from CAO EARLY
Online Discounted Rate
€25 (20th Jan)
Credit Card
Fee Paying Colleges – DBS, Portobello, Griffith, HSI, American College.
Be careful, these are not clearly labelled as such in handbook.
We will bring the banks into the college here to facilitate the payment of the bank giro from. (21 January)
The Abbey School

7. 2017 Application Dates & Fees All fees are non-refundable.
CLOSING DATE
Recommended Registration
€25
15 Dec 2016
Online Discounted Rate
20 Jan 2017(17:15)
Normal Application (online or paper)
€40
1 Feb 2017(17:15)
Change of Mind
Nil
1 July 2013 (17:15)

8. HEAR
Apply by 1st March 2017
Evidence in support of application by 1st April

9. DARE Supplementary Information Form Apply by 1st March 2017
Completion of Parts B & C by 1st April 2017

10. Filling In Courses
From 2006 there are 3 types of courses students can apply for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework.
These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form:
Level 6 & 7 Courses
Level 8 Courses
Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6)
Honours Degrees (8)
Up to 10 Course Choices
Both lists are processed completely separately.
Look at Handout regarding how courses are clearly laid out and the restricted courses.
Extra assessments – Interviews, Portfolios, Music tests, Aptitude tests.
The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook
N.B. – Care must be taken with courses marked ‘Restricted’.
These courses cannot be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.
The Abbey School

11. Minimum Entry Requirements
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before “points” are considered.
Minimum Entry Requirements
E.g. UCD
Pass 6 subjects
At least 2 H5
Pass in:
Irish
English
Another Language
Mathematics*
Science Subject*
Specific Subject Requirements
E.g.
Engineering(UCD)
H4 Maths
Veterinary Medicine(UCD)
H5 Chemistry
Law & French(UCD)
H3 French
Entry Requirements - To check these consult college literature.
If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.
The Abbey School

12. POINTS SYSTEEM POINTS SYSTEM
Generally in the CAO system
No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places
--> selection system is needed.
Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is
POINTS SYSTEM
Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only.
Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects
25 bonus points are awarded for Honours Leaving Cert Maths
Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate
The Abbey School

13. POINTS ALLOCATION: 2016
Grade Honours Ordinary A A B B B C C C D EXTRA POINTS D Hons Maths D3 45 5
LCVP Points
Distinction 70
Merit 50
Pass 30
LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.
The Abbey School

14. POINTS ALLOCATION: 2017
Grade Honours Ordinary Grade % H1/O H2/O H3/O H4/O H5/O H6/O H7/O H8/
LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.
The Abbey School

15. POINTS ALLOCATION: 2017 Higher Maths – Bonus Points
Students who achieve grade H6 or above in Higher
Level Maths will be awarded 25 Bonus Points
LCVP Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.
The Abbey School

16. Genuine Order of Preference
Making an application
Applications can be made online or by paper form – use one method only. Always keep proof of sending application: online – print screen receipt, paper – obtain certificate of post.
Form is very straight forward to fill out.
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Students must fill out both course lists in:
Genuine Order of Preference
They should not put down courses on the basis of their predictions of next year’s cut off points or their own points scores.
Why? – Look at how places are allocated.
Online is recommended – cheaper, faster, easier and safer.
Retain proofs and record of application carefully.
Most school applicants have to fill out Part A (pages 1 and 2 of paper form) only as Standard Applicants.
The Abbey School

17. Course Cut Off Points = 335*
Science – UCD
100 places to be offered
Course
Merit
Lists
Science – Maynooth
100 places to be offered
Applicant
Position
Points
Score 1
560 2
535 3
525 4
520 5
510 6 7
505 8
500 9
490 -- 15
455 16
445 17
440 18
435 19
420 20
410 21
405 98
340 99
335
100
330
101
325
102
315
103
310
104
305
105
295
182
265
Applicant
Position
Points
Score 1
560 2
535 3
525 4
520 5
510 6 7
505 8
500 9
490 -- 15
455 16
445 17
440 18
435 19
420 20
410 21
405 98
345 99
340
100
335
101
102
103
315
104
310
105
305
182
265
 Last
place to
be filled
 Random Selection to be used
Course Cut Off Points = 330
Course Cut Off Points = 335*
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18. A Students Course Preferences - Example
All Lower Preference Courses Disappear From Students’
Preferences
Students
Points
Total
= 445
Cut Off Points for Course NO NO
YES
YES NO
YES NO
YES
YES
YES
The Abbey School

19. ROUND 2 Round 2 cut off points - 455 Round 2 cut off points - 460
7 round one places not accepted
3 round one places not accepted
 Last place to
be filled - Round 1
 Last place to
be filled – Round 1
 Last place to
be filled - Round 2
 Last place to
be filled - Round 2
Round 2 cut off points - 455
Round 2 cut off points - 460
The Abbey School

20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?
Dream Courses
Realistic Courses
Safety Net
The Abbey School

21. Places Allocation Note:
The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers in August – one from each list, but 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.
The Abbey School

22. After Making Application
Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully.
Some students may be called for extra assessments.
Change of Mind facility becomes available
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.
Between February and October, if away at any stage make sure someone knows to open any CAO correspondence and knows what to do with it.
If there is a change of address don’t forget to let CAO know.
Use CAO number in any future correspondence.
The Abbey School

23. UCAS Applications to UK www.ucas.com Apply system
Max 5 courses not listed in any order
Personal Statement
Academic Reference
15th October 2016 (Some courses)
15th January 2017
Course place offers before results

24. Other Options Apprenticeships PLC Directly to Employment Teagasc

25. Post Leaving Certificate Courses (P.L.C.)
After the Leaving Cert.
Full time.
Consists of:
Practical Vocational Skills
Academic Work
Work Experience

26. P.L.C. - Value
Improve skills in preparation for college, e.g. art portfolio
Alternative route to CAO
Year out from intensive academic work
Some courses only in P.L.C. system –e.g. music management

27. P.L.C. – Sample Courses Business / Marketing Information Technology
Pre-Nursing
Mechanics
Engineering
Science
Social Studies
Animation

28. Application Process Direct to VEC colleges – Feb/March
No points – pass Leaving Certificate
Interview to determine interest
Cost:
Registration Fee – varies
Maintenance Grant available

29. Qualifications Most PLC courses certified by FETAC
Option of transferring to Diploma or Degree courses in Ireland And UK
Progression is through Higher Education Links Scheme – over 1,000 places reserved for PLC students

30. Grants SUSI Student Universal Support Ireland
Applications made on line through
Apply as early as possible
Grant covers approved courses in Ireland and UK and other EU states
All courses must be full time

31. Grants - continued Income for the year prior to starting college
Number of dependent children

32. Useful Websites www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

33. Thank you for your attention!