1. St Patricks Comprehensive CAO Information 2015/16 Ms Schous Guidance Counsellor

2. Agenda Applicants Responsibilities General points regarding the CAO. Entry Requirements and the Points System. Making an application. How places are allocated by CAO Hear/Dare After submitting the application. Questions

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

4. Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – 2016 Entry Student Yearbook and Career Directory part 2, 2016 ed. CAO Handbook 2016 Newspapers The Irish Times The Independent  January, August, Sept  Special College Supplements Series of articles

5. Internet Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses databasewww.qualifax.ie CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websiteswww.cao.ie Careers - www.careersportal.iewww.careersportal.ie www.careerdirections.ie Careersworld – www.careersworld.comwww.careersworld.com College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor

6. CAREER FAMILIES Business Computers/IT Engineering Construction Science/ Medical related Arts/Humanities/Media/Law Sport Art/Design/fashion/Music Agriculture/Veterinary/horticulture Defence Forces/Gardaí Social & Caring

7. Open Days 2/3/10NUIG 29/09/ Midwest Careers Exhibition LimerickMidwest Careers Exhibition Limerick 10/10UCC open day (Saturday) 15-16/10Mary I, U.L., LIT open days 23-24/10Galway-Mayo IT 16/10Shannon College of Hotel Management More information available on the College/ Universities Website. Ms Schous notice board or on qulaifax.ie under career events

8. CAO – General Info. Centralised application system for 46 Irish 3 rd level institutions, including 10 fee-paying colleges. Every 5 th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: 2016 CAO Handbook – application and course information Application fee by Visa / Master / Debit Card Application Dates and Fees Paper ApplicationFeeClosing Date Normal (Online)€401 st Feb 2016 Online discounted rate€2520 th Jan 2016 Late online application€501 st May 2016 Change of MindNo Fee1 st July 2016

9. Fee Paying Colleges Griffith College Dublin, Cork & Limerick American College Dublin Dublin Business School Independent colleges Dublin IBAT Colleges, Swords Grafton college, Dublin ICD Business school, Dublin National Counselling & Psychotherapy inst. Limerick

10. CAO – General Info. There are 3 types of courses students can apply for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework. Pg 13Nat. 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’. See pg 3 and example pg 75 LC 111 These courses cannot be applied for after February 1 st due to extra assessments required.

11. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before “points” are considered. 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(UL) HC3 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) HC3 Chemistry Business with French (UL) HC3 French If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

12. 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 Honours Mathematics. For D3 or above in higher level maths, students get extra 25 points.  Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

13. POINTS ALLOCATION GradeHonoursOrdinary A110060 A29050 B18545 B28040 B37535 C17030 C26525 C36020 D15515 D25010 D3455MATHS (H) + 25

14. Making an application Applications can be made online Always keep proof of sending application: online – print screen receipt. Form is very straight forward to fill out. www.cao.ie **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 years cut off points or their own points scores. Why? – Look at how places are allocated.

15. ENGINEERING – UL 100 places to be offered Science – Galway 100 places to be offered Course Cut Off Points = 395Course Cut Off Points = 370*  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 -- 98380 99375 100370 101370 102370 103365 104365 105360 -- 182265 Applicant Position Points Score 1560 2535 3525 4520 5510 6 7505 8500 9490 -- 15455 16445 17440 18435 19420 20410 21405 -- 98 99400 100395 101390 102385 103380 104370 105360 -- 182265

16. NO YES NO A Students Course Preferences Students Points Total = 445 Cut Off Points for Course

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 4 round one places not accepted 7 round one places not accepted Round 2 cut off points - 460 Round 2 cut off points - 410

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 Banker Courses

19. Places Allocation Note: The position of a course in a student’s preference order does not in any way affect their chance of getting a place on that course. The exact same procedure takes place for both lists on the form, hence students may get 2 offers in August – one from each list, 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. HEAR & DARE SCHEME HEAR: Higher Education Access Route See page 9 - 10 of your handbook Admission scheme established by a number of third level colleges for students from socio economic backgrounds.  DARE: Disability Access Route to Education Admission scheme for students with a disability or specific learning difficulty  Both must be indicated on CAO form by 1 st February 2016 & supporting documentation submitted by 1 st April 2016  Criteria and further information available on: www.accesscollege.ie

21. After Making Application Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. Some students may be called for extra assessments. Receive Statement of Application Record – check details carefully. 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.

22. CAO TIMETABLE 2015 ENTRY 20 th January, 2016 Apply online for the discounted rate of €25 after this date is €40 1 st February, 2016 Closing date for receipt of normal applications 1sh March 2016 Closing date for HEAR / DARE 1st May, 2016 Closing date for receipt of late applications Before/By 31st May, 2016 Receive Statement of Application Record After 5 th May to 1 st July, 2016 Change of mind facility is available. 1st July, 2016 Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. Late August, 2016 First round of offers will commence.

23. William Glasser Educationalist Psychologist “Education begins at birth and continues all our lives”