1. Newbridge College CAO Information Evening Mr. Brian Howard 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 After submitting the application. FETAC Link Schemes Questions

3. It is the applicants responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application: Course code, content, requirements, fees, duration, award, options, etc. Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses: Procedures, instructions, dates, fees, etc. Give time in their busy schedule, on a regular basis for the above.

4. Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses – 2010 Entry Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2010 ed. Career Choice 2010 ed., Level Three Publications CAO Handbook 2010 Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements - 2010 Entry Newspapers The Irish Times  Tuesdays Education Section  January Special CAO College Supplement Series of daily articles-Brian Mooney The Independent  CAO Articles - Mary O Donnell

5. Internet Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses databasewww.qualifax.ie CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websiteswww.cao.ie Careers Portal – www.careersportal.iewww.careersportal.ie College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor Course Investigation Forms Access to information & advice

6. CAO – General Info. Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3 rd level institutions, including 8 fee-paying colleges. Every 6 th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: 2010 CAO Handbook – application and course information Paper application form Application fee bank giro form Application Dates and Fees Paper ApplicationFeeClosing Date Normal€451 February 2010 (5.15pm) Late€901 May 2010 (5.15pm) Online ApplicationFeeClosing Date Early Discounted€3520 January 2010 (5.15pm) Normal€451 February 2010 (5.15pm) Late€701 May 2010 (5.15pm) Change of MindNo Fee1 July 2010 (5.15pm)

7. CAO – General Info. Since 2005 there are now 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Qualifications Framework.National Qualifications Framework

8. CAO – General Info. 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 normally be applied for after February 1 st due to extra assessments required.

9. 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(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.

10. 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 by University of Limerick - all courses DIT - Course DT021, Electronic Eng. Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

11. POINTS ALLOCATION GradeHonoursOrdinary A110060 A29050 B18545 B28040 B37535 C17030 C26525 C36020 D15515 D25010 D3455 LCVP Points Distinction 70 Merit50 Pass30

12. Application to Medicine New system applies to all undergraduate medicine courses. In new system students must: Achieve at least 480 points and meet the course minimum entry requirements in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate. Complete the Health Professionals Admissions Test (HPAT). Application for HPAT and sample questions are online at www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

13. HPAT Cost - €95 Only one test date in 2010. Valid for 2010 & 2011 Dublin centres may include UCD & RDS. Places allocated on combined score for LC and HPAT. LC Points: Up to 550: 1  1 new pt. 550 to 600: 5  1 new pt. LC max score = 560 HPAT max score = 300 Combined max score = 860 Contact colleges for details. Important dates: 4 November Registration opens 18 January Final date for normal registrations 1 February Final date for late test registrations 27 February Test Date 28 June Test results to students 18 to 22 August Collation of new scores 23 August (provisional) Round 1 CAO offers

14. Making an application Applications can be made online or by paper form – use one method only. (€10 charge if 2 applications sent) Always keep proof of sending application: online – print courses screen, paper – obtain certificate of post. Now 2 steps: (a) Create Application Account, (b) Log in and enter details. www.cao.ie  Apply & My Application www.cao.ie **VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference They shouldn’t put down courses on the basis of predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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 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 one.

19. After Making Application (Paper) Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. (Online) Students receive CAO number online and use ‘My Application’ to check all their application details. May make changes to courses up to March 1 st - €10 fee 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, especially after exams. (email confirmation) 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.

20. CAO TIMETABLE 2010 ENTRY 20 th January, 2010 Closing date for receipt of early online applications 1 st February, 2010 Closing date for receipt of normal applications 5 th February to 1 st March, 2010 Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’, €10 Before/By 15th February, 2010 Receive Statement of Course Choices (paper applicants) 1st May, 2010 Closing date for receipt of late applications Early May, 2009 Change of mind forms may be sent. (online - May 3 rd ) Before/By 31st May, 2010 Receive Statement of Application Record 1st July, 2010 Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. ~23 rd ~ August, 2010 First round of offers will commence.

21. In Summary Research courses thoroughly Apply by January 20 th Apply online Pay by debit/credit card Put courses in order of preference Obtain / retain proof of application Be careful with change of mind

22. PLC Courses 2 schemes which allow PLC students progress to 3 rd level CAO courses. Higher Education Links Scheme (11 colleges) Small number of reserved places. Pilot Scheme (18 colleges) Open competition for all places.

23. Questions ??