1. Portmarnock Community School
CAO
Information
Evening, 25 January 2018
Mr. Frank Farrell
Guidance Counsellor
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 .
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community 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
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

3. It is the applicants responsibility to:
Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application:
Course code, content, requirements, fees, restrictions, duration, award, options, etc.
Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses:
Procedures, instructions, dates, fees, 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.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

4. Useful Resources To assist with course research / application
Publications
College Prospectuses – 2017/18 Entry
Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2018 ed.
Career Choice 2018 ed., Level Three Publications
CAO Handbook 2018
Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements Entry
Newspapers
The Irish Times
Tuesdays Education Section
January Special CAO College Supplement Series of daily articles-Brian Mooney
The Independent
CAO 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.
Copies of all the above are in the college library.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

5. Internet People Guidance Counsellor
Qualifax – Irish courses database
CAO – Contains links to course websites
College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)
Careersportal – – interviews etc
– daily job/course/career alerts
People
Relatives
Past pupils
Admissions/Academic staff of colleges
Guidance Counsellor
Course Investigation Forms
Access to information & advice
Talking to academic/admissions staff  by visiting the college, , phone, open days, guest speakers here to school.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

6. CAO – General Info.
Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 7 fee-paying colleges.
Every 6th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes:
2018 CAO Handbook – application and course information
Paper application form
Application fee bank giro form
Application Dates and Fees
Online Application
Fee
Closing Date
Early Discounted
€30
20 January 2018 (5.15pm)
Normal
€45
1 February 2018 (5.15pm)
Late
€60
1 May 2018 (5.15pm)
Change of Mind
No Fee
5 May - 1 July 2018 (5.15pm)
Fee Paying Colleges – DBS, Portobello, Griffith Dublin and Cork, NCII, American College, Institute of Business and Technology.
Be careful, these are not clearly labelled as such in handbook.
We strongly recommend using the Credit / Laser card option to pay the fee. Students must ensure to have these details to hand as they sit down to create their account.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

7. CAO – General Info.
Since 2005 there are now 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Qualifications Framework.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

8. Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6)
CAO – General Info.
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 normally be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

9. 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/O6
Pass in:
Irish
English
Another Language
Mathematics*
Science Subject*
Specific Subject Requirements
E.g.s
Engineering(UCD)
H4 Maths
Veterinary Medicine(UCD)
H4 Chemistry
French Law(TCD)
H 3 French
Entry Requirements - To check these consult college literature or Directory. Directory is also available online.
If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

10. POINTS SYSTEM 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 awarded for H6 or above
Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate
H7 is (30-39 %) now constitutes a pass in the subject for the purposes of the CAO eg Maths.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

11. POINTS ALLOCATION Grade Honours Ordinary H1/O1 100 56 H2/02 88 46
H7 in percentage terms is 30 to 39%, a technical fail, but now deemed a pass in ALL subject areas i.e. the equivalent of an O3 in Ordinary Level.
LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

12. Genuine Order of Preference
Making an application
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 courses screen, paper – obtain certificate of post.
Online form was changed last year.
Now 2 steps: (a) Create Application Account, (b) Log in and enter details.
 Apply & My Application
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Students must fill out both course lists in:
Genuine Order of Preference
They shouldn’t put down courses on the basis of predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.
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.
Use the exact same name on the application as on the birth certificate – if not may face complications when registering.
If using the password facility – use something like mobile no.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

13. 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
Banker Courses
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

14. Places Allocation Note:
The position of a course in a student’s preference order does not in any way affect their chance of getting a place on that course.
The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers in August – one from each list and 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 to one.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

15. Irish language exemptions
Contact the NUI with respect to current or desired exemptions in Irish/specific learning disabilities.
Ring NUI on – please submit your current supporting documentation.
They will issue then you with a letter of exemption which you should forward to the CAO.
NUI Colleges such as UCD and Maynooth require students to have a pass in Irish in order to secure a place on courses in these colleges (unless the candidate has an exemption).
Many NUI colleges also require a pass in a modern language such as French or Spanish.
However there is no foreign language requirement for science, engineering or nursing courses in NUI Colleges/Universities.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

16. DARE SCHEME DARE SCHEME (DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE)
DARE is a third level alternative admissions scheme which offers applicants reduced entry points requirements as a result of their disability.
When filling out page 1 of the CAO application form, if your child has a specific learning difficulty tick the relevant box and complete section A of the on-line SIF (Supplementary Information Form):
Then print section B (Educational Impact Statement) which will be completed by the School.

17. DARE continued
Section C – Download Evidence of disability section – and have completed by the appropriate medical professional (if you do not have an existing medical report).
Candidates with Specific Learning Difficulty (dyslexia, etc) must provide a full psychological assessment of any age.
Apply to the CAO by 1 February and remit documentation to the CAO by 01 April 2018 at the latest

18. HEAR SCHEME
The higher Education Access Route is a college and university scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland.
Students need to apply to the CAO by 1 February and tick the HEAR box on the CAO form by 1st March 2018.
Supporting documents (social welfare statements, salary slips etc) must be submitted to the CAO by 1 April to be deemed eligible for such a scheme.

19. After Making Application
(Paper) Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully.
(Online) Students receive CAO number online and use ‘My Application’ to check every their application details.
May make changes to courses up to March 1st - €10 – for mature and restricted entry applicants.
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.
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.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

20. CAO TIMETABLE 2018 ENTRY 20th January, 2018
Closing date for receipt of early online applications
1st February, 2018
Closing date for receipt of normal applications
5th February to 1st March, 2018
Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’, €10
1st May, 2018
Closing date for receipt of late applications
Early May, 2018
Change of mind on-line applications accepted.
1st July, 2018
Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO.
21 August (approx.) 2018
First round of offers will commence.
Applicants should apply early - take January 26th as the closing date – do not wait until right up to February 1st. Leave time for things to go wrong.
Students who apply by paper will have to wait until they receive their Statement of Course Choices to change their courses up to March 1st, cost for this is €10.
If a student doesn’t receive his/her Statement by the dates mentioned contact CAO immediately – there could be a problem.
Change of minds can be done from May 1st online, however students who wish to do it by paper form must wait until they get their Statement of Application Record and change form.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

21. DEFERRAL
If you wish to defer a College place, you DO NOT accept your offer.
Instead you or write to the Admissions Office of the Appropriate HEI (not the CAO).
You must give your name as it appears on the CAO application and quote your CAO number and the course code you wish to defer and set out the reasons for the request.
Applicants must mark DEFERED ENTRY clearly on the subject line of the .
You may only defer for one year only and you must re-apply through the CAO the following year and pay the appropriate fee.
Place your deferred course as YOUR FIRST AND ONLY PREFERNENCE ON THE APPLICATION FORM.
Indicate your deferral by ticking the Deferred Applicant indicator box in the course choices section of on your application.

22. Vacant/Available places
Available places are places that remain unfilled in particular courses after all offers have been made and waiting lists have been exhausted.
Available places are advertised on the CAO website after Round One offers are issued in August.
Students should IGNORE previously published points in earlier offer rounds.
Applicants must however meet the normal entry requirements for the courses in question i.e. 2 H5 and 4 O6 for level 8 courses.

23. LEAVING CERT RECHECKS
Approximately 1 week after the Leaving Cert results have been delivered to schools, students/parents/guardians must return the completed application forms pertaining to the viewing of scripts in schools.
Scripts can then be viewed free of charge in the relevant schools approx. a week later – Friday evening and Saturday morning).
Students/parents/guardians have approximately days to submit their appeals forms to the SEC and pay the relevant fee of 40 euro per subject.
In the event of an upgrade, the fee will be refunded in full.

24. In Summary Research courses thoroughly Apply by January 20th
Apply on-line
Pay by debit/credit card
Put courses in order of preference
Obtain / retain proof of application
Be careful with change of mind
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

25. Other Options Post Leaving Certificate Courses
FETAC links scheme –level 5/6
Apprenticeships
Eunicas – learn abroad programme
Defence Forces – Cadets – Academic entry requirements: 3 H5’s plus 3 O6’s.
Gardaí (Academic entry requirements: Two O6’s from English, Irish or other language plus 3 other O6’s.
Fáilte Ireland
Direct to Employment
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

26. Apprenticeships www.apprentices.ie www.apprenticeship.ie
Apprenticeships are generally 4 years in length and apprentices are paid throughout their training.

27. EUNICAS
EUNICAS supports students in applying up to eight degree programmes taught through English mainly but not exclusively in the Netherlands and Denmark.
Fees are approx. 2,060 euro per annum in the Netherlands but you are entitled to a free tuition loan fee loan.
Courses such as Medicine, physiotherapy, veterinary pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, etc are all available at entry requirements that are invariably lower than those for similar course in Ireland.
Processing fee of 28 euro per student.
Please see or for further information.
The take-up of EUNICAS courses is currently very low.

28. Access to Medicine 2018 Minimum of 480 CAO points
1 but preferably 2 science subjects
Completion of the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test-Ireland)
Register on-line from Early-November to January 2018 at
Test will take place on 25 February 2018
Results released late June 2018.
Test centres: Dublin, Cork, Galway etc.
Cost: €95 (all inclusive).
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

29. Access to Medicine 2018 continued
HPAT test is a 2.5 hour paper-based test consisting of 3 modules or sections
Logical reasoning and problem solving
Interpersonal Understanding
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Maximum score of 300 to be added to their CAO points score.
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School

30. Questions??? Open Forum
Frank Farrell - Portmarnock Community School