1. Leaving Cert Careers
Lesson 2 Open Days

2. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Why Bother?
Chance to get a first hand view/feel of a college
College Open Days and Fairs
Walk around
Ask lots of questions
Sit in on a lecture
How?
Check out the Sports Facilities
The Lecture Halls
Canteen / Labs / Meeting Social Areas

3. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Before you go …. prepare as well as you can….start with yourself….
What’s my Personality Type?
What are my Interests?
How do I learn best?
College Open Days and Fairs

4. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Before you go ..do some research ….visit the colleges online..
College Open Days and Fairs

5. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Take a note book with you on the day!
College Open Days and Fairs

6. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Please Remember…keep notes
Throughout the research process, it is important that students keep records of what they discover, as well as their thoughts and reflections.
It is easy to get courses and colleges confused, and such records will help when it comes to deciding on the order of preference for CAO.
College Open Days and Fairs

7. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Course Information
What are the Entry Requirements (NOT POINTS)
How long is the course?
Modules
Continuous Assessment %
Practical / Theoretical
Placements…Who/When/How
Erasmus Option
Projects/Research
College Open Days and Fairs
What is the Award?
Desirable/Essential Subject?
How is the Course Taught?
Inter Faculty Transfer Options
What are the employment prospects?
What are the post grad progression routes?

8. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Course Information
Contact Name and Details?
Typical profile of student?
Class Sizes?
College Open Days and Fairs
Gender Ratio?
Matriculation Allowances/Requirements
Drop Out Rate?
Omnibus Entry?
Ab initio Subjects?
Course which serves as an entry point for multiple degree programs
(Arts NUIG)
Full programs from the beginning
Major / Minor / Electives?

9. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
About the college
When?
How?
How much?
Deposit?
Booking Date?
Future Options?
Accommodation
College Open Days and Fairs
Scholarships
When to apply
How to apply
Access Schemes
HEAR and DARE?
Places : Points Ratio

10. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
After you visit the college
Anything else do you need to find out?
Are there any past pupils currently studying the courses you are interested in?
Remember
You will be in college for three or four years. It is important to make a course and college choice that suits you.
Refine your questions as you find out more and follow up with the Colleges (and individual courses).
They welcome your enquiries throughout the year.
College Open Days and Fairs

11. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
Think it through…..
For all courses you are thinking about:
Ask yourself one question and ask it many times over the coming year,
‘How would I feel if I were offered this course in August?’
The answer might be telling.
College entry is highly competitive so be sure to give yourself lots of options in the area of your interest when completing the CAO application.
College Open Days and Fairs

12. Guidance – College Open Days and Fairs
When to go…and while you are there..
Fridays and Saturdays? Avoid missing school to attend…..only adds to the workload.
Do watch out for same Open Day or non Saturdays…(UL)
Arrive early.
Know that…often, after doing a lot of research, a student’s decision on how to prioritise two similar courses in different institutions on the CAO form can come down to the vibe they get from the college.
Also…the colleges’ clubs and societies often put on a great show and have fun events during open days. Taking time to enjoy these is all part of the experience. Check them out.
College Open Days and Fairs

13. Any Questions?