1. CAO Application Procedure
What You Need To Know
Presented by:
Julie O’Connor Guidance Counsellor

2. Outline Options for Students Advice when making decisions
CAO application procedure
CAO offers explained
Q & A

3. Related Issues Remember it’s 10% inspiration 90% perspiration
Good health is crucial.
Exercise
Attendance
Subject level – appropriate?
Part-time jobs are not recommended
Pre’s are ONLY a test run!
Remember it’s 10% inspiration 90% perspiration

4. Options for School Leavers
CAO System
Non CAO
State Bodies
Apprenticeships
On the job training
Taking time out - Gap Year
Employment
Unemployment

5. Guidelines in course selection
specific courses??
Employers look for general qualifications
Requirements reflect content
Pick a course at the appropriate level
Higher Cert
Ordinary Degree
Honours Degree
(HC)- level 6
(DG)- level 7
(HD)- level 8

6. Guidelines in course selection
If unsure
Do Certificate and progress
Do PLC course
Consider a more general course title
eg Mechanical engineering v’s Aeronautical Engineering
Deferral
Take time out

7. Before Applying Examine CAO Handbook Examine HEI prospectii
Entry Requirements/Points
Course Content
Restrictions etc.
What the Fees maybe, if any!

8. More Research Suggestions
College/career websites
College Admissions/approp. Department
Open Days
Media
People
If uncertain....

14. Important Dates Jan. 20th – CAO early online application (€30)
Feb. 1st - CAO closing date (€45)
May 1st - CAO Late Online Application (€60)
Feb. 15th - Statement of Course Choices,
(€10 to correct any necessary mistakes – 1st March)
March 1st – error corrections (€10), HEAR/DARE
Mar/Apr – interviews/portfolios
End of May - Statement of Application Record
May 6th to July 1st - Change of Mind (no fee)

15. Application Apply online @ www.cao.ie Demo option
Step by step instructions
Can pay by credit/laser card/bank giro
Must print or save a receipt of their application
CAO number – “My Application”
Verification code needed for initial access

19. CAO Application steps Step 1 - Registration
Step 2 - Qualifications and Assessments
Step 3 - HEAR
Step 4 - DARE
Step 5 - Maintenance Fee/Grant
Step 6 - Course preference

22. HEAR & DARE HEAR –socio- economically disadvantaged
DARE – disability/SLD admissions scheme
February 1st restriction, <23yrs of age
Application Guidebook and workbook
March 1st – complete HEAR application/SIF
April 1st – supporting documents
Certificate of posting + CAO number
January UL

25. CAO Order of Preference
List your choices in order of preference
2 columns
Do not mix lists
Use only handbook for course codes
Fill up to 20 choices, all must be researched!
You can get 2 offers, 1 from each list

26. Offers All offers sent by post or accessed online
Round 1 - Main body of offers mid-August
Round 2 - early to mid September,
Round 3… up to mid- Oct., after rechecks
Can receive up to 2 offers
An applicant may only accept one offer
To accept offer, follow instructions and reply within deadline date!
Successive offers may happen!

27. Offers Explained CAO Calculate points
Check requirements Create merit lists
Check applicants eligibility Make offers

28. Requirements & Points General Requirements G Specific requirements S
Type of institute – NUI’s v’s Non NUI’s
Type of award – Level 8 v’s Level 6/7
Specific requirements S
HC3 Maths + HC3 a lab science – Engineering
Special maths exam worth sitting
Points P
Points calculated from top 6 grades
Bonus points for maths UL

29. Restricted Application
Must apply by 1st of February
Some courses require a 4th element
Portfolio & interview
Medical
HPAT (not restricted)
Garda Vetting
Order of preference can be changed up to July 1st

30. Offers made to those at top of the list
Number of places
Offers made to those at top of the list
Number of
Applicants
CAO creates Merit list
Applicants Results

31. Level 8
Level 6/7
COURSE 1
COURSE 2
COURSE 3
COURSE 4
COURSE 5
COURSE 6
COURSE 7
COURSE 8
COURSE 9
COURSE 10
You send your application with up to 10 courses in each of the 2 categories
After your Examination results are published the CAO computer begins to process merit lists.

32. NO LONGER CONSIDERED COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 OFFER 1

33. Round 2 Offers

34. ER RED NO LONG CONSIDE If you accept OFFER 2 then OFFER 1 is cancelled
COURSE 1
COURSE 2
OFFER 2
COURSE 3
NO LONGER CONSI
DERED
ER RED
If you accept OFFER 2
then OFFER 1
is cancelled
COURSE 4
OFFER 1
COURSE 5
COURSE 6
COURSE 7
COURSE 8
COURSE 9
COURSE 10
NO LONG CONSIDE

35. CAO application and LC results
PTS 2015 L7 1
MI 005
470
TL 781
250 2
MH 001
500 3
MI 004
335 4
LM 032
425 5
LC 292
340 6 7 8 9
Subject
Level
Results
Points
New pts
from 2017
Maths H D2
55+25
56+25
English B3 75 77
Irish C3 60 66
French E 37
Biology A1
100
Chemistry B1 85 88
Geography C1 70
470
478

36. More LC results 335 430 L8 PTS 2015 L7 1 MI 005 470 TL 781 250 2
MH 001
500 3
MI 004
335 4
LM 032
425 5
LC 292
340 6 7 8 9 10
LC Results 2
Subject
Level
Results
Points
pts 2017
Maths O D2 10 12
English H C1 70 66
Irish B2 80 77
French A1 60 56
History B3 75
Art B1 85 88
Geography C3
430
420

37. More LC results D1 335 510 L8 PTS 2015 L7 1 MI 005 470 TL 781 250 2
MH 001
500 3
MI 004
335 4
LM 032
425 5
LC 292
340 6 7 8 9 10
LC Results3
Subject
Level
Results
Points
pts 2017
Maths H B2
80+25
77+25
English B3 75 77
Irish D1 55 56
French O C3 20
Music A1
100
Biology B1 85 88
Geography A2 90
510
511

38. CAO Concerns Online application reduces errors
Diminishing number of choices being made
Applicants seem to have difficulty with order of preference
50% only apply by Jan 20th
Drop –out from 1st year – 40% were from 1st choice course!

39. Things to remember Certificate of posting CAO number
Do NOT send originals
The list is to be filled in with courses in
ORDER of PREFERENCE
Changes cannot be made after July 1st
Any changes, full list must be resubmitted
Always check if updated ‘My Application’
Special Maths Exam for matriculation

40. Conclusion 2 main issues for every 6th year student
Leaving Cert
Career Choice
“All evidence shows that 3rd level students perform best in courses to which they
are most suited” source UL Aiming Higher
If we can advise, help and/or support you in any way – Please let us know….

41. CAO Parents Evening Q & A St. Clements College
Thank you for attending…..
CAO Parents Evening
Q & A