2. Immigrant Parents & Guardians Support Association CAO Information Evening

3. 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

4. It is the applicants’ responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which s/he is making application. Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses, i.e., procedures, dates, fees, rules, etc.

5. Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – Relevant Year Entry CAO Handbook Relevant Year – free gratis Newspapers www.irishtimes.com/society/educa tion (Tuesday Education Section) www.irishtimes.com/society/educa tion www.independent.ie

6. Internet Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses databasewww.qualifax.ie CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websiteswww.cao.ie Careersportal – www.careersportal.iewww.careersportal College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) www.accesscollege.ie www.studentfinance.ie People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor Interest Inventories / Guidance interviews Access to sources of information Appointments for parents

7. CAO – General Info. Centralised application system for 47 Irish 3 rd level institutions, including fee-paying colleges. Every 6 th year will have been given a CAO Handbook which includes: application & course information Sample application form Application Dates and Fees.

8. All fees are non- refundable FeeClosing date Online Discounted Rate January 20, (17.15) Normal Application (online or paper) February 1, (17.15) Restricted courses must be entered February 1, (17.15) Completion of online HEAR/DARE Application forms March 1, (17.15) Submission of HEAR/DARE supporting documentation April 1, (17.15) Closing date of late applications May 1, (17.15) Change of Mind May to July 1 (17.15) Application Fees

9. CAO – General Info. There are 3 types of courses students can apply for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework.Nat. Qualifications Framework These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form: Level 6 & 7 CoursesLevel 8 Courses Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6) Honours Degrees (8) Up to 10 Course Choices The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook N.B. – Care must be taken with courses marked ‘Restricted’. These courses cannot be applied for after February 1 st due to extra assessments required.

10. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before “points” are considered, e.g. on Level 8 course: Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 HC3 Pass in:  Irish  English  Another Language  Mathematics*  Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(UCD) HC3 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) HC3 Chemistry French Law(UCD) HB3 French If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

11. POINTS SYSTEM Generally in the CAO system No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places --> selection system is needed. Selection system used in Irish 3 rd Level Colleges is POINTS SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects Bonus points are awarded for achieving a Higher D3 or above in Mathematics Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Points: Distinction - 70 Merit - 50Pass - 30

12. % RANGEL.C. GRADE Points for Higher Level Maths including 25 bonus points Points for Higher Level Subjects Points for Ordinary Level Subjects 90 - 100A112510060 85 – 89.99A21159050 80 – 84.99B11108545 75 – 79.99B21058040 70 – 74.99B31007535 65 – 69.99C1957030 60 – 64.99C2906525 55 – 59.99C3856020 50 – 54.99D1805515 45 – 49.99D2755010 40 – 44.99D370455 25 – 39.99E000 10 – 24.99F000 0 – 9.99NG000

13. Making an application The preferred method is online applications Students may request a paper application from www.cao.ie www.cao.ie €10 charge if more than one application is sent Always keep proof of having sent application or supporting documents to CAO: online – print screen receipt, paper – obtain certificate of post. Form is very straight forward to fill out. www.cao.ie

14. **VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference They should not put down courses on the basis of their predictions of next year’s cut off points or their own points scores. Why? – Look at how places are allocated.

15. Science – UCD 100 places to be offered Science – Maynooth 100 places to be offered Course Cut Off Points = 330Course Cut Off Points = 335*  Random Selection to be used  Last place to be filled Applicant Position Points Score 1560 2535 3525 4520 5510 6 7505 8500 9490 -- 15455 16445 17440 18435 19420 20410 21405 -- 98345 99340 100335 101335 102335 103315 104310 105305 -- 182265 Applicant Position Points Score 1560 2535 3525 4520 5510 6 7505 8500 9490 -- 15455 16445 17440 18435 19420 20410 21405 -- 98340 99335 100330 101325 102315 103310 104305 105295 -- 182265 Course Merit Lists

16. NO YES NO A Students Course Preferences - Example Students Points Total = 445 Cut Off Points for Course All Lower Preference Courses Disappear From Students’ Preferences

17.  Last place to be filled - Round 1  Last place to be filled – Round 1  Last place to be filled - Round 2  Last place to be filled - Round 2 ROUND 2 7 round one places not accepted 3 round one places not accepted Round 2 cut off points - 455Round 2 cut off points - 460

18. 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 Safety Net

19. Places Allocation Note: The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers – one from each list; if this happens they 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.

20. After Making Application Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. Some students may be called for extra assessments. Change of Mind facility becomes available – use sparingly and carefully. 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.

21. CAO TIMETABLE ENTRY 1 st February, Closing date for receipt of normal application 1st May, Closing date for receipt of late applications From early May, The free change of mind facility is made availaable 1st July, Latest date for change of mind Late August, First round of offers will commence.

22. Other Options Post Leaving Certificate Courses - FETAC links scheme Apprenticeships Defence Forces Gardai Directly to Employment

23. THANK YOU Faleminderit Благодаря Multumesc Dziekuje Merci شكرا لك salamat Go raibh maith agat