1. Options’ Week 2017
March 2017
A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available
@ under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

2. Agenda Examine importance of choosing the right subjects:
Understanding DATS
New Points System
Understanding College System
How to choose subjects
Help For Parents/Guardians
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

3. Help with choosing Subject Choice
Classes with Guidance Counsellor
Subject teacher spoke to students in their class about their subject
Presentation of subjects by Head of each Subject Department
All students sat their DATS
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017
Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 3

4. Consider the following factors when choosing your subjects:
ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades.
APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude.
INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in them.
CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015
Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 4 4

5. DATS (differential Appitude Test
Snapshot
Percentile
Links with some subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

6. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

7. New Points System Minimise the use of random selection
To encourage the take up of higher level papers by awarding points for new H7 grade
(30%-40%) 37 points
25 bonus points awarded for maths H6 grade
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

8. New grades and percentages
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

9. Grades and Points
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

10. Big difference in points between higher and ordinary level.
H5(50-60%)=56 pts same O1(90-100%)=56pts
H7(30-40%)=37 pts same O3(70-80%)=37pts
Important to keep this in mind
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

11. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

12. Universities, Colleges & Institutes of Technology
7 Universities ITS
UL LIT DIT
DCU GMIT DKIT
Trinity ITT ITB
NUI Galway AIT IT Carlow
UCC IT Sligo ITT Dublin
UCD CIT LYIT
Maynooth University WIT IADT
Other Associated Colleges
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

13. 2 Types of Degrees ITs Add on 2yr level 6 1yr level 7 1yr level 8
Ab initio Degree
Commit to full 3/4 years from the start
Usually requirements and points higher
Universities
Ab initio Degree( means from the beginning)
Add on
Ab initio degrees
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

14. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

15. 3 Hurdles to Entry to College
Matriculation/entry to College Requirements
Course/Faculty Course Requirements
Points
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

16. Matriculation Requirements
The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. So, what subjects do I need to be doing for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to X college?
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

17. Colleges that Require a Minimum D3 at Ordinary Level
Subjects Required
NUI Colleges 2H5 & 4H7/O6
English, Irish, and a 3rd Language
Trinity 3H5 & 3H7/O6
English, Maths and 2nd Language (i.e Irish or another lang)
UL 2H5 & 4H7/O6
English,Maths and 2nd lang (i.e Irish or another lang)
DCU 2H5 & 4H7/O6
Maths & English or Irish
I.T’s Level 8(2H5& 4H7/O6)level6/7(5H7/O6)
Maths & English or Irish
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

18. All Matriculation Subjects Covered:
Irish
English
Maths
Language(option)
NB colleges will require you to generally have 2H5 +4O6/H7 for level 8 courses
5O6H7 for level 6+7 courses
Teaching Colleges and Trinity require 3H5+3O6/H7
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

19. Course Requirements/Subject Requirements
Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjects
Some examples are:
Primary Teaching requires H5 in Irish also O5/H6 in English
Medicine in UCC requires H4in chemistry + H4 in Physics/Biology/Ag Science
Business in UL requires O4 or H7 level maths
Engineering courses (Level 8) need maths H4 and 06/h7 science subject
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

20. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

21. Points Points are allocated for the six best grades
Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate
Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points
Colleges do not set the points
The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college in that year. Supply and Demand
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015
Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 21 21

22. Subject Choice – 5th Yr
You will take 7 subjects unless you have an exemption from one
You will choose 4 subjects as well as English, Irish and Maths (compulsory )
LCVP can be taken as an eighth subject
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

23. 14 Options to choose from:
French BUSINESS divided into 3 German Accounting Art Business Music Economics History Science divided into 3 Geography Biology Construction Chemistry DCG( Tech Graph) Physics
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

24. Science Subjects & Foreign Languages
A decision to drop all science subjects or foreign languages will have significant implications on the range of courses/careers open to you later on.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

25. WHY?
If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science subject or two for some courses
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

26. Exception
Third Language dropped for all science, engineering and nursing courses in NUI colleges and agricultural science in UCD
But Not Health Sciences
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

27. The importance of Maths?
A pass in ordinary level maths is essential for entry to the majority of courses.
Study right maths level for you!
Whatever you do over the next two years, don’t neglect your studies in this subject.
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

28. Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
European Language
Correct subject combination
Written exam 40%
Portfolio 60%
Pick your subjects 1st then decide if you want to do LCVP
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

29. LCVP Requirements
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

30. LCVP 15000 students 80% use it as part of best 6th subject for points
Portfolio 60% Exam 40%
CV, hours
Career Investigation Audio Visual Presentation
Enterprise/Action Plan Case Study(seen in advance)
Summary Report General Questions
Plus Any 2 of the following
Diary of work experience Exam 1st Wed in May
Enterprise report
Recorded Interview/presentation
Report on My Own place
Submitted 1st Wed in March
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

31. LCVP LCVP Distinction 66 points =H4 Merit 46 points=H6/O2
Pass 28 points=O4
study 80% students used LCVP points
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

32. 8th Subject? LCVP Factor in time to and from class/grind Extra work
Effect on other 7 subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

33. Making a Wise Choice What subject am I most interested in?
What subject am I likely to be best at?
What subjects will I need?
Balanced choice of subjects
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

34. Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

35. Note the following Numbers for particular classes may be limited
In so far as possible students will be given their subject choice
It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in preference order.
You must choose four choice subjects.
NB In Rice College we ask each year group what subjects they want and try our best to accommodate each student.
Our interest to have a happy student ,parent +teacher!!!!
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

36. Entry requirements for Third Level courses vary from course to course so you must refer to the relevant literature or information given on the website for a full list of points
Entry Requirements
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

37. Careersportal Reach Programme a must!! 2/3year programme
School Website--Careers Link
Career interest ,personality tests
Study techniques, exam targets
Careers profiles & occupation information
CV interview techniques
STORES ALL INFORMATION
Plus book and website info for parents etc
Students must take responsibility for their own research
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

38. School Website- Career guidance link
School Website--Careers Link
Students must take responsibility for their own research
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

39. Keep up to date Open Days Exhibitions Work Experience/shadowing
Career Talks
Reach Programme
Careersportal calendar of events
Careersnews.ie sign up news letter latest news
NB Reach+ book order 20 euros for MAY
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

40. Do not give up subjects you love!
An finally…
Do not give up subjects you love!
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

41. The Leaving Cert is like a cake: Bake it in 5th Year,
Advice
The Leaving Cert
is like a cake:
Bake it in 5th Year,
Ice it in 6th Year!
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017

42. Thank You Any questions feel free to contact me
An finally…
Thank You Any questions feel free to contact me
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2015
Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice 42 42

43. Questions Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor
A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available
under Links (Career Guidance Website)
Or by
Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 2017