Applying to Third Level Fred Tuite Guidance Counsellor

About Applying It is YOUR choice It is YOUR choice It is YOUR responsibility It is YOUR responsibility It is YOUR decision It is YOUR decision NOT the Guidance Counsellor NOT the Guidance Counsellor NOT your parents NOT your parents NOT your friends NOT your friends This is YOUR life This is YOUR life

Independent study – nobody pushing, checking or watching Independent study – nobody pushing, checking or watching Freedom – go to lectures, study or drink coffee Freedom – go to lectures, study or drink coffee Accommodation – work and study away from home without any of the normal supports Accommodation – work and study away from home without any of the normal supports Learning Challenge – study in depth at a much higher level than in secondary school Learning Challenge – study in depth at a much higher level than in secondary school Are you ready for all this? Are you ready for all this? Third Level Is a Challenge

Deciding Research the course on offer Research the course on offer Don’t assume you know a course by its title Don’t assume you know a course by its title Consider the lecture and teaching methods Consider the lecture and teaching methods What options are within the course What options are within the course Is there work experience or internship Is there work experience or internship Is there mentoring of first years? Is there mentoring of first years? Career implications Career implications Cost –fees, private colleges, accommodation Cost –fees, private colleges, accommodation

Get the Information Get the college prospectuses Get the college prospectuses Check the colleges’ websites Check the colleges’ websites Read career publications Read career publications Go to Open Days and Career Exhibitions Go to Open Days and Career Exhibitions Talk to students and friends Talk to students and friends Discuss it with your Guidance Counsellor Discuss it with your Guidance Counsellor Try to know as much as you can Try to know as much as you can

National Qualification Framework All qualifications link up in a 10 level scale You never reach a “dead end” in study but can move on to the next level Leaving Cert is at Level 5 Higher Certificates level 6, Ordinary Degrees level 7, Honours Degrees level 8

How to Get There Apply for almost all third level courses through the CAO (central applications office) Apply for almost all third level courses through the CAO (central applications office) Two ways of applying: Two ways of applying: –Online at –By post using the CAO form

Advantages of Applying Online Cheaper: €25 for applications before Jan 20 th compared to €40 for paper Cheaper: €25 for applications before Jan 20 th compared to €40 for paper It won’t allow common errors (wrong date of birth, courses in the wrong section) It won’t allow common errors (wrong date of birth, courses in the wrong section) You can pay by Credit or Laser Card (no need to go to the bank or the Post Office) You can pay by Credit or Laser Card (no need to go to the bank or the Post Office) Get text, and print choices Get text, and print choices You can use the school’s computers if your internet access at home is difficult You can use the school’s computers if your internet access at home is difficult

The Handbook R.T.F.M R.T.F.M Read The … Manual Read The … Manual Read this Handbook Carefully Read this Handbook Carefully It is your contract with the CAO It is your contract with the CAO All your questions about application and offers are answered there All your questions about application and offers are answered there Read it! Read it!

The Handbook Two sections Two sections White pages - Details of applications procedures, offers, deadlines and other instructions White pages - Details of applications procedures, offers, deadlines and other instructions Yellow pages – Lists of courses and codes in the different colleges Yellow pages – Lists of courses and codes in the different colleges

Choosing Your Courses You can choose up to 10 courses on the Honours Degree (level 8) list and You can choose up to 10 courses on the Honours Degree (level 8) list and You can choose up to 10 courses on the Higher Certificate/Ordinary Degree (levels 6 &7) list You can choose up to 10 courses on the Higher Certificate/Ordinary Degree (levels 6 &7) list You don’t have to fill out all 10 You don’t have to fill out all 10 You don’t have to fill out both lists You don’t have to fill out both lists Each list is independent of the other Each list is independent of the other You can be offered choices from both lists You can be offered choices from both lists But you can only choose one But you can only choose one

Making Your Choice Use your genuine order of preference Use your genuine order of preference The first choice is the one you want to do most The first choice is the one you want to do most If not that course your second choice is… If not that course your second choice is… Then your third choice and so on Then your third choice and so on Ignore the points go for what you want most! Ignore the points go for what you want most!

How to Choose…just Imagine… You’ll get 600 points what would you choose first, then second… You’ll get 600 points what would you choose first, then second… It is the “good old days” and two honours will get you into any course, what would you choose first, then second … It is the “good old days” and two honours will get you into any course, what would you choose first, then second … Aim high –but keep at least “one sure thing” in your choices Aim high –but keep at least “one sure thing” in your choices

What You Need for Third Level 1. The College (or Basic) Requirements. * 5 OD in Leaving Certificate for level 6 & 7 courses *6 subjects (2 at HC and 4 at OD) for level 8 courses 2. The Faculty (or Course) Requirements *e.g. HC in Irish for Primary Teaching, HC in Maths for Engineering 3. Points *Best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

Applicants Available Places Leaving Certificate

TOO MANY Leaving Certificate

was the lowest points to gain entry 320 If a place is not accepted...

was the lowest points to gain entry 320 If a place is not accepted it goes to the next in line is now the lowest points to gain entry

COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 You send your application with up to 10 courses in each of the two sections of your CAO application. After your Examination results are published the CAO computer begins to process your application.

COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 OFFER 1 NO LONGER CONSIDERED

Some people don’t accept their offers!

OFFER 2 COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 OFFER 1 NO LONGER CONSIDERED

The Important Things Are Know what the course involves before you apply Know what the course involves before you apply Apply in your genuine order of preference Apply in your genuine order of preference Ignore points Ignore points Only apply for courses you genuinely want to do Only apply for courses you genuinely want to do

The Online Form Located at Located at

The Online Form

Online Form

Application Number You are now given an Application Number You are now given an Application Number Keep this carefully (sent instantly by and text) Keep this carefully (sent instantly by and text) You will need it to log in to your account You will need it to log in to your account You can change your mind online free of charge until January 31 st You can change your mind online free of charge until January 31 st After that changes can be made from 5 th May to 1 st July After that changes can be made from 5 th May to 1 st July

Log in to Account

Online Version 2

Online Version Errors

The Paper Form Page 1 Page 1

Paper Version Page 2

Paying for Paper Applications Get the Bank Giro form from CAO to pay the money through any bank Get the Bank Giro form from CAO to pay the money through any bank The bank should stamp the form in three places The bank should stamp the form in three places They keep the bottom part as their record They keep the bottom part as their record You keep the middle part as your record You keep the middle part as your record You send the top part to CAO with the application You send the top part to CAO with the application

In a large envelope In a large envelope To Post Include the CAO form Include the CAO form The Giro slip The Giro slip Get a Certificate of Postage from the Post Office (on the back page of the Handbook) Get a Certificate of Postage from the Post Office (on the back page of the Handbook)

Restricted Applications Some courses consider more than just points Some courses consider more than just points Interviews, tests, auditions, portfolios or projects Interviews, tests, auditions, portfolios or projects These are conducted around Easter These are conducted around Easter These courses can’t be added to your application after February 1 st These courses can’t be added to your application after February 1 st They can be changed or dropped They can be changed or dropped

Confirmation In May you will be sent a confirmation of course choices In May you will be sent a confirmation of course choices Check all details carefully Check all details carefully If there are no errors you do not need to do anything If there are no errors you do not need to do anything Notify CAO of any errors by marking them on the form and sending it back Notify CAO of any errors by marking them on the form and sending it back

Change of Mind You will also be sent a Change of Mind form in May You will also be sent a Change of Mind form in May You can change your mind online even if you have applied on paper You can change your mind online even if you have applied on paper The final date for changing your mind is July 1 st The final date for changing your mind is July 1 st

Offers and Acceptances Made one week after Leaving Cert results Made one week after Leaving Cert results Made by post and online Made by post and online You can get an offer from both lists (levels 6 &7 and Level 8) You can get an offer from both lists (levels 6 &7 and Level 8) You can only accept one You can only accept one Accept online or by post Accept online or by post No need to pay any money No need to pay any money Start looking for your accommodation! Start looking for your accommodation!

Vacant Places In August courses with places still available or new courses are advertised on the website In August courses with places still available or new courses are advertised on the website You can apply for these provided you have the minimum requirements for them You can apply for these provided you have the minimum requirements for them You don’t have to have made an application to CAO to avail of these You don’t have to have made an application to CAO to avail of these They can be worth checking out They can be worth checking out

Deferring a Place Deferring means that you don’t want to take your place this year but will do so next year. Deferring means that you don’t want to take your place this year but will do so next year. Some courses can not be deferred, check beforehand Some courses can not be deferred, check beforehand Once the offer comes DO NOT ACCEPT IT Once the offer comes DO NOT ACCEPT IT Write IMMEDIATELY to the college concerned Write IMMEDIATELY to the college concerned They will let you know if the offer will be deferred They will let you know if the offer will be deferred

The Following Year Reapply the following year with that course as your only choice Reapply the following year with that course as your only choice You will then get offered it in Round Zero You will then get offered it in Round Zero If you put any other courses on the form you will lose your deferred place If you put any other courses on the form you will lose your deferred place You then compete for places with all other applicants You then compete for places with all other applicants

HEAR Higher Education Access Route is a third level admission scheme for school leavers from socio-economically deprived background Higher Education Access Route is a third level admission scheme for school leavers from socio-economically deprived background Each college has a quota of places on a reduced points basis for HEAR students Each college has a quota of places on a reduced points basis for HEAR students Information from and Information from and You must have an active address to apply and you will have to send on documentary proof of entitlement. You must have an active address to apply and you will have to send on documentary proof of entitlement.

DARE Disability Access Route to Education is a supplementary admission scheme for school leavers with disabilities and can mean reduced points Disability Access Route to Education is a supplementary admission scheme for school leavers with disabilities and can mean reduced points For those with academic ability but who may not be able to meet points due to impact of disability For those with academic ability but who may not be able to meet points due to impact of disability You will require proof of disability including consultant’s report and school reference You will require proof of disability including consultant’s report and school reference Information on and Information on and

Important Information If an applicant has lived outside the EU then you may be required to apply directly to some colleges (see page 7 of Handbook) If an applicant has lived outside the EU then you may be required to apply directly to some colleges (see page 7 of Handbook) If a student has exemption from Irish and/or third language they must complete an NUI Exemption Form to ensure you meet the entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Colleges. If a student has exemption from Irish and/or third language they must complete an NUI Exemption Form to ensure you meet the entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Colleges.

Timetable Jan 20 th Closing date for online cheaper applications Jan 20 th Closing date for online cheaper applications Feb 1 st Closing date for applications Feb 1 st Closing date for applications May 1 st Closing date for late applications May 1 st Closing date for late applications July 1 st Closing date for change of mind July 1 st Closing date for change of mind Round One Offers –one week after Leaving Cert results Round One Offers –one week after Leaving Cert results Round Two Offers –early September Round Two Offers –early September After Round Two –as necessary After Round Two –as necessary

Finally Get lots of informationGet lots of information Read the instructionsRead the instructions Be on timeBe on time Courses in YOUR order of preferenceCourses in YOUR order of preference Include one “dead cert”Include one “dead cert”

The CAO Essence Go for what you really want Go for what you really want Work really hard to get it Work really hard to get it

Any Questions?