1. Leaving Certificate 2018 presented by Niamh Mulcahy, Guidance Counsellor

2. Part 1 of 2 talks on College Options
Tonight we will discuss:
The 5th year Guidance programme
Where your daughter should now be in the decision- making process
Part 2 November 2018, when we will discuss....

3. To be discussed in November 2018….
CAO application process
Ranking choices
Important dates, deadlines, potential pitfalls
Finalising HEAR/DARE
QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) application process
Guidance programme 2018/2019 continued
Options for the School Leaver
Expectations of 6th Year students

4. Further Education 1st major vocational decision Which course? How?
Where?

5. 5th Year Guidance Programme
Guidance classes
U.C.D Ambassador Programme
Individual interview with GC, including feed-back re DATS (September –May)
Careers Day

6. Careers Day 2018
The following career areas/course choices were represented here in school on March 15th
Law, Science, Business, Primary Teaching, Arts & Humanities, Social Work, Hairdressing, Computer Science, The Construction Industry, Economics, Ecommerce, Personal Trainer, English, Food Science, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Garda Síochána, Engineering, Nursing (Mental Health & Neurology), Communications, PR & Brand Management, HR Management, Agricultural Science/Agribusiness, Marketing, Music, Accountancy, Finance & Taxation, Speech & Language Therapy, Visual Arts, Sociology & Politics

7. Careers Day 2018
The following Universities, Institutes of Technology and other colleges were represented:
UCD
IADT
Trinity College Dublin
DCU
DIT
IT Tallaght
National College of Ireland
Griffith College
Maynooth University
Ballyfermot College of Further Education
Royal College of Surgeons
Eunicas (Studying in Europe)

8. Areas of Interest Specific - e.g. Nursing General – e.g. Arts
Tailored towards specific careers
Early vocational choice
Advantages & disadvantages
General – e.g. Arts
Huge variety
Less tailored
Post-graduate study likely

9. Drop-out rates in Third Level
As much as 30% in some courses
Reasons vary
Insufficient research
Details re course content
Attend Open Days
Prioritising practical, ‘sensible’ choices over courses that would be a better fit
Settling for their CAO offer rather than pursuing another route e.g. QQI FET
Being very single-minded in pursuit of the perfect course

10. 6th Year Guidance programme 2018/2019
Weekly Guidance classes, timetabled
Information on options for the School Leaver
School website, Classes, websites, Moodle, prospectuses, notice boards, assembly
Every student will be given 2 individual appointments with Guidance Counsellor
Students who are applying through DARE will each be given an additional appointment
Students who are applying through UCAS will each be given an additional appointment
CAO handbook
Higher Options Wednesday, September 12th tbc
Calendar of Career Events
Procedure for Open Days
Mock Interviews mid-October date tbc

11. Research College Literature Websites Accessing information
Overall college requirement (matriculation)
NB course requirement
Check course content
Check grade/level required
Check points of previous years
Websites
Individual college websites e.g. myucd.ie (look in detail about the details of all the modules that will be studied
Accessing information
Notice board, careers library, Moodle, career websites
Higher Options Conference RDS September 2018
Assembly
Guidance class once every week
Individual appointments

13. Colleges of Further Education
Stand alone course or progression
No central applications system
No points required
Leaving Certificate requirement (usually 5 passes)
Some courses have specific requirements (e.g. 1 /2 HL)
Interview normally
Practical courses may require portfolio type submission
Apply early!

14. 3 criteria must be met in order to be offered a place in college through CAO
Matriculation (college requirement – e.g. UCD 2H5 & 4O6/H7, English O6/H7 & Maths O6/H7, Trinity College 3H5 & 3O6/H7)
Course Requirements (in addition to matriculation requirements, e.g. Humanities UCD Language O6/H7, Computer Science TCD Language O6/H7 & Maths H4)
Points – last year’s points are listed on

15. Matriculation
UCD 2H5 & 4O6/H7 English & Irish O6/H7 (maths requirement for most courses, language requirement for many courses)
Trinity College 3H5 & 3O6/H7 English & Irish/modern language O6/H7, Maths F6
DCU 2H5 & 4O6/H7 English/Irish/Maths
DIT 2H5 & 4O6/H7 English/Irish/Maths
IADT 2H5 & 4O6/H7 English
ITT 2H5 & 4O6/H7 English/Irish Maths
NCI 2H5 & 4O6/H7
For further details please visit

16. Points
Supply & Demand
Grades & Points
Qualifax & CAO websites

17. New Points System Points HL Grade HL % Grade OL Points OL 100 H1
90-100 O1 56 88 H2
80-89 O2 46 77 H3
70-79 O3 37 66 H4
60-69 O4 28 H5
50-59 O5 20 H6
40-49 O6 12 H7
30-39 O7 H8
0-29 O8
Bonus of 25
points
For H1-H6
in Maths

18. Studying in the U.K Finance Research college Research course
UK applications covered in extra class Thursday 1pm
Extra work involved in this application
Research should be done over the summer
Guidance given in lunchtime class
Started Thursday April 12th at 1pm in the computer room
Please give 2 weeks notice for references required

19. UCAS
UCAS class each week in term 3 of 5th year & continuing in early 6th year
Procedure involved
N. Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales
5 courses listed
Combination of predicted grades, personal statement, reference, Junior Certificate grades
October 15th (Oxford & Cambridge, also Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry)
January 15th the main deadline for all other applications, except art and design Route B (sequential);
Summer preparation
Courses & colleges selected
Personal statement written
Tests, if relevant
Reasons for applying through UCAS

20. EUNiCAS
EUNiCAS is the European Universities Central Application Support Service.
EUNiCAS is unique. It enables UK and Irish [and other EU] students to apply to up to eight degree programmes , taught through English, in universities across Europe.
In addition to accessing comprehensive and independent information on programmes in Europe, you can, on registering with us, access: > independent advice on choosing your programme > expert support in applying to your chosen programmes > guidance on all elements of your application package, incl Letters of Motivation [Personal Statements] and Entrance Tests > regular updates on new programmes and developments > assistance in organising university visits > alerts on extended deadlines and late vacancies
..... so, if you want to take part in the new era of transnational university education, register now at (€28)

21. Preparation Needed - general
Over the summer…. Research and preparation
Advice has been given re the research required
Career & course research on careersportal.ie
In-depth research on each institution’s website
Some students need to address their academic work
Realistic goals re summer work
Rest & relaxation also important!
International students requirements
Direct contact with the admissions office of each institution for non-EU applicants as well as CAO
Fee status
NUI language exemption

22. Access to Third Level
Application systems through CAO for students who may meet the criteria for one or both of the following routes:
HEAR – for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds
DARE – for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education

23. Access to Third Level - HEAR
HEAR – The Higher Education Access Route
Extra college support/reduced points for school leavers from socio- economically disadvantaged backgrounds may be available for you
Benefits of HEAR
Reduced points places
Extra college support (academic, personal, social)
Separate to the grant system
If you think your daughter may be eligible please research this route on
Supporting documentation will need to be submitted – gather this early
February 1st Apply to CAO
March 1st – On your CAO form indicate that you wish to be considered for HEAR
April 1st – Submit supporting documentation

24. HEAR Indicators

25. Access to Third Level - HEAR
Different combinations of these indicators determine eligibility for HEAR
Indicator /5/6
Indicator /5/6
Indicator /6
HEAR Income Limit is calculated by:
How many children there are in your family
How many people in your family are in full time education
No. of dependent children
HEAR Income Limit
Less than 4
€45,790
4-7
€50,325
More than 8
€54,630

26. Access to Third Level - DARE
DARE – The Disability Access Route to Education
For school leavers who may not be able to reach the points required for their course because of a disability
Alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education
DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education
If you are deemed eligible for DARE, you may be offered a place even if you do not have enough Leaving Certificate points for your preferred course
Each participating college/university has a reserved no. of places to offer eligible DARE applicants at lower/reduced Leaving Certificate points

27. Access to Third Level - DARE
Autism
ADHD
Blind/Vision Impaired
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD – Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia)
Mental Health Condition
Neurological Condition (e.g. Epilepsy)
Speech & Language Communication Disorder
Physical Disability
Significant On-going Illness
Specific Learning Difficulty *(e.g. dyslexia/dyscalculia)

28. Verification of disability
Evidence of disability must be completed by an appropriate professional (full details listed on
E.G. of disability
Type of documentation
Appropriate professional
Required age of report
Specific Learning Difficulty
Full psych-educational assessment
Psychologist
Any age but up to date attainment scores must be included
Mental Health Condition
Evidence of disability form 2017 or existing report
Consultant Psychiatrist on Specialist Register
Must be less than 3 years old
ASD
Consultant Psychiatrist/
Psychologist/
Neurologist/
Paediatrician
No age limit

29. Applying to DARE February 1st 2019 - Apply to CAO
If you have difficulty accessing the appropriate professional, your GP may be in a position to complete the form or you may be able to use an existing report
Educational Impact Statement must completed by the student and the school. It must be evident that the disability has had an impact on the student’s education in a number of ways, e.g.
An impact on exam results because of this disability
Attendance /disruption because of this disability
School experience & well-being because of this disability
Interventions & support received in school
Time issues
February 1st Apply to CAO
March 1st – On your CAO form indicate that you wish to be considered for HEAR
April 1st – Submit supporting documentation

30. Financing Third Level
Online application system for grants is expected to open in April 2019
SUSI offers funding for students studying in approved fulltime third level courses
Grants are awarded based on family income
E.g. <€49,840 and less than 4 dependent children = student contribution fee paid by grant
E.g. <€39,875 and less than 4 dependent children= student contribution fee & maintenance grant if college is >45 km from home
Eligibility reckoner on
Supporting documentation must be submitted so apply early (expected date in April 2017)

31. Advice available for students and parents
Subject Teachers
Levels for Leaving Certificate
Approach to exam
Year Heads
Class Teachers
Guidance Counsellor

32. Points to note Your experience of higher and further education
Suggesting courses which will lead to ‘good’ jobs
Perceptions about different HEIs and CFEs
Projecting your own desires
The importance of back-up & what can go wrong

33. Reasonable Accommodations
Learning Difficulties
Physical Difficulties
Medical Difficulties
Waiver/Reader/Use of Laptop/Separate Centre/Small Centre/
Please contact me as soon as possible if you feel your daughter may be eligible
Up to date testing must be carried out in school for those who have a diagnosis of dyslexia/SLD
Processing of applications for RACE is expected to happen in school in October

34. At this stage …..
Decisions re pursuing restricted courses (e.g. art portfolio)
Decisions re pursuing applications to colleges overseas
Research HEAR especially in relation to supporting documentation
Research DARE especially in relation to supporting documentation
Research the grant system in good time
Keep an open mind re CAO and QQI FET awards

35. What we expect from our Leaving Certificate students
No part-time jobs unless she is managing very well
Full attendance and punctuality
Homework time
Revision time
Supervised study/Space for study
Some leisure time

36. Next meeting in November 2018
Please check the school calendar for details
We will then discuss the next stage in preparing for your daughter’s application to college

37. Questions?????