1. Guidance Office; Welcomes you to a CAO Information Evening
Holy Child Killiney
Guidance Office;
Welcomes you to a
CAO Information Evening

2. Agenda Applicants Responsibilities Parents Role
General Points about the CAO
Entry Requirements, Points and Grading
Making an Application
How places are allocated
After applying – What happens?
FETAC Link Scheme
Questions

3. Applicants Responsibility
Research thoroughly all courses for which an application is being made; e.g. code, content, requirements, fees, duration, award options, procedures and system of application, Erasmus options, work experience placement, deadlines. Know the facts.

4. Parental Role
Question the research
Challenge the thinking
Ask why?

5. Sleep As necessary as study Effect on the immune system
Effect on mental health
Outlaw mobiles/other devices from the bedroom

6. How/Where to Research Current college prospectus 2019 entry
CAO Handbook and especially re; changes.
Newspapers: Times and Independent
Internet; e.g and college websites.
People; relatives, past pupils, admissions/ academic staff in colleges/Open Days
Guidance Counsellor; one-to-one interviews etc.

7. CAO; General Info
44 3rd Level institutions incl. 10 fee paying colleges (increasing)
Application pack: can apply on-line only
Application dates/fees: list in handbook
Change of mind
3 levels can be applied for under NFQ: 6/7/8
Restricted Courses

8. Entry Requirements must be satisfied before points are considered
student deemed qualified or unqualified, only qualified applicants will be considered for places
Minimum entry requirements: every course/college/faculty is different; some have specific requirements and grades
Best 6 subjects in 1 sitting of L.C. only for points, can use 2 for meeting entry requirements
Honours Maths 25 extra points…worthless if it costs more in other areas…Calculate the risk!

9. New Common Points Scale
Higher Grade
Points
Ordinary Grade
H %
100
O % 56
H2 80<90% 88
O2 80<90% 46
H3 70<80% 77
O3 70<80% 37
H4 60<70% 66
O4 60<70% 28
H5 50<60%
O5 50<60% 20
H6 40<50%
O6 40<50% 12
H7 30<40%
O7 30<40%
H8 0<30% O8

10. GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE
Making an Application
3 steps:
Log onto
Create your account……..Apply
Log in and enter details…..My Application
Print/Screenshot a copy for your records
GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE
(hence the need for research)

11. The List
1 2 3 Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses

12. 20 Choices / 2 Forms in 1 Level 8………..…10 choices
Fill out both lists
Think progression!

13. National Qualification Framework

14. How it works Example = Science at UCD, 100 places available 1 625 2
600 3
587 4
579 5
561 50
553 60
544 80
532 90
528
100
510

15. More about how it works
Cut off points means the points of the last person on the course to be offered a place
If there is more than 1 with the same points random selection is used shown by *
If/when people do not accept their offer in round 1 the cut off for round 2 becomes the points of the last person to be offered a place in round 2
2 Official rounds, but cao continue to make offers until all places filled
Vacant places

16. Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)
What is the Disability Access Route to Education?
a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities which operates on a reduced points basis. DARE has been established by a number of higher education but not all
Who is it for?
School leavers who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of a disability.
Further information available at and page 10 in CAO Handbook. .

17. DARE
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2019 at 5:15pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 (‘Do you wish to be considered for DARE?’) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5:15pm on 1 March
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 1 April 2019 at 5:15pm.

18. EXEMPTIONS
If you have received or will apply for an nui exemption you must indicate this on your cao application and complete the relevant paperwork asap

19. After making the Application
You will receive a statement of course choices. Check this carefully (Online check ‘My Application’)
May make changes to courses up to 1st March (10 euro fee)
Before the end of May you will be sent a Statement of Application Record for you to check that all info. has been recorded accurately. (If you do not receive this by June 1st write to CAO immediately)
If you use the change of mind facility print a copy as you will not receive an Amended Statement of Course Choice
L.C. results sent to CAO
Places are allocated and offered by post and on line
Students may accept, reject or defer offered places
Further rounds/offers may be made

20. Some Dates 5th November – CAO online facility opens
20th January 2019:- Closing date for receipt of early on line applications 5:15pm(30 euro)
1st February 2019:- normal closing date (45 euro)
Beginning of February:- Mock exams begin
23RD February 2019:- HPAT (Register before 20th Jan)
6th May – online change of mind available (free)
1st July:- Deadline for Change of Mind
19th August 2019:- possible date for round 1 offers

21. FETAC/higher education (hels)Link Scheme (Further education and Training Awards Council)
There is a link system between q.q.i. (quality & qualifications Ireland) and the CAO
Higher Education Links Scheme means that some colleges have a reserved number of places for q.q.i. candidates
Research will alert you to what is available

22. Questions?
Thanks for coming and please do not hesitate to contact me here at the school if you should have any questions in the future.