1. March 2014 A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.ricecollege.ie under Links (Career Guidance Website)www. Or www.careersportal.ie Options’ Week 2014 Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20141

2.  Examine importance of choosing the right subjects:  Understanding DATS  Understanding College System  How to choose subjects  All students sat Aptitude Tests Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20142

3.  Snapshot  Percentile  Links with some subjects Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20143

4.  Classes with Guidance Counsellor  Subject teacher spoke to students in their class about their subject  Presentation of subjects by Head of each Subject Department  All students sat their DATS Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20144

5.  ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades.  APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude.  INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in them.  CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20145

6. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20146

7. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20147

8.  Matriculation/entry to College Requirements  Course/Faculty Course Requirements Points Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20148

9. The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. So, what subjects do I need to be doing for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to X college? Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 20149

10. CollegeSubjects Required NUIEnglish, Irish, and a Foreign Language TrinityEnglish, Maths and a Foreign Language ULEnglish and Maths DCUMaths & English or Irish I.T’sMaths & English or Irish CFE’sMaths & English & Irish (OC3) OtherVary Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201410

11. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201411  Irish  English  Maths  Language(option)  NB colleges will require you to generally have 2HC +4OD for level 8 courses  5OD for level 6+7 courses  Teaching Colleges and Trinity require 3HC+3OD

12.  Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjects Some examples are:  Primary Teaching requires HC3 in Irish  Medicine in UCC requires HC in chemistry + HC in Physics or Biology  Business in UL requires C3 in Ordinary level maths  Engineering courses (Level 8) need maths HC3 and science subject  www.qualifax.ie/students/uselfultools Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201412

13.  Points are allocated for the six best grades  Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate  Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points  Colleges do not set the points  The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college in that year Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201413

14. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201414

15.  All students shown how to use Qualifax Minimum Subject Module  Instuctions are on page given  Please ensure your son/daughter has used this search engine before they make their final subject choice  E.G courses that specifically need Biology are:  Genetics in UCC and Human and Health disease inTCD  But 215 courses require science subject! Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201415

16.  There is a total of 217 courses that match your search requirements.  Please select one of the options below to view your results. Show me the courses that:  Definitely requires: Subject Chemistry.- Total of 7 courses  May require: Subject Chemistry. - Total of 210 courses  Does not require Subject Chemistry. - Total of 1194 courses  Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201416

17.  You will take 7 subjects unless you have an exemption from one  You will choose 4 subjects as well as English, Irish and Maths (compulsory )  Applied Maths and LCVP can be taken as an eighth subject Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201417

18. History BUSINESS divided into 3 Geography Accounting Art Business Music Economics French Science divided into 3 German Biology Construction Chemistry DCG( Tech Graph) Physics Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201418

19. A decision to drop all science subjects or foreign languages will have significant implications on the range of courses/careers open to you later on. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201419

20.  If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science subject or two for some courses Physics Biology Chemistry Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201420

21.  UCC, NUI Galway,UCD, NUI Maynooth,Trinity and the Royal College of Surgeons require a pass (OD3)in a third language for most of their courses.  Entry to the Cadetships in the Defence Forces requires a third Language.  NCAD require a third language or Art Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201421

22.  Third Language dropped for all science engineering and nursing courses in NUI colleges.  But Not Health Sciences Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201422

23.  A pass in ordinary level maths is essential for entry to the majority of courses. For students who study foundation level maths, there is a growing number of colleges and courses that offer places to students who secure a minimum of a grade A or B in maths at this level.  Whatever you do over the next two years, don’t neglect your studies in this subject. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201423

24.  European Language/Vocational Language Module  Correct combination subject  Three Link Modules  Enterprise Education  Preparation for work  Work Wxperience  Written exam 40%  Portfolio 60% Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201424

25.  LCVP  Distinction 70 points  Merit 50 points  Pass 30 points  study 2008 82% students used lcvp points Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201425

26.  School  LCVP  Applied Maths (50% in school,50% outside)  Factor in time to and from Class  Extra work  Effect on other 7 subjects Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201426

27.  careersportal.ie  Cao.ie  Qualifax.ie  Ncca.ie  Gotocollege.ie  Scoilnet.ie Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201427

28.  What subject am I most interested in?  What subject am I likely to be best at?  What subjects will I need?  Balanced choice of subjects Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201428

29. Entry Requirements Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201429

30.  Remember that the Leaving Certificate requires a great amount of hard work over two years. It is easier to work hard if you have chosen, in so far as possible, subjects you like.  It is easier to be motivated if you have a sense of purpose, a clear (SMART) goal in your sight, a particular career area, etc.  A good level of education can only improve a students chances. Everyone has ability, but they must use it fully. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201430

31.  Numbers for particular classes may be limited  In so far as possible students will be given their subject choice  It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in preference order.  You must choose four choice subjects.  NB In Rice ask each year group what subjects they want and try our best to accommodate each student.  Our interest to have a happy student,parent +teacher!!!! Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201431

32. Do not give up subjects you love! Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201432

33. Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201433

34. Questions A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available www.ricecollege.www.ricecollege.ie under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by www.careersportal.ie Breda Whelan, Guidance Counsellor Rice College Leaving Cert Subject Choice Breda Whelan Guidance Counsellor 201434