Portmarnock Community School

Portmarnock Community School CAO Information Evening, 25 January 2018 Mr. Frank Farrell Guidance Counsellor

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. • Other Options • Questions

It is the applicants responsibility to: • Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application: • Course code, content, requirements, fees, restrictions, duration, award, options, etc. • Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses: • Procedures, instructions, dates, fees, etc.

Useful ResourcesTo assist with course research / application Publications • College Prospectuses – 2017/18 Entry • Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2018 ed. • Career Choice 2018 ed., Level Three Publications • CAO Handbook 2018 • Directory of L.C. Entry Requirements - 2018 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

Internet • Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database • CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites • College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) • Careersportal – www.careersportal.ie – interviews etc • www.careersnews.ie – daily job/course/career alerts People • Relatives • Past pupils • Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor • Course Investigation Forms • Access to information & advice

CAO – General Info. • Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 7 fee-paying colleges. • Every 6th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: • 2018 CAO Handbook – application and course information • Paper application form • Application fee bank giro form • Application Dates and Fees

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

CAO – General Info. • These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form: • 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 1st due to extra assessments required.

Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 H5/O6 Pass in: Irish English Another Language Mathematics* Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(UCD) H4 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) H4 Chemistry French Law(TCD) H 3 French ENTRY REQUIREMENTSThese must be satisfied before “points” are considered. If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

POINTS SYSTEM Generally in the CAO system No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places --> selection system is needed. Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is POINTS SYSTEM • Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only. • Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects • 25 bonus points awarded for H6 or above • Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate • H7 is (30-39 %) now constitutes a pass in the subject for the purposes of the CAO eg Maths.

POINTS ALLOCATION GradeHonoursOrdinary H1/O1 100 56 H2/02 88 46 H3/03 77 37 H4/O4 66 28 H5/O5 56 20 H6/O6 46 12 H7/07 37 0 H8/O8 0 0 H7 in percentage terms is 30 to 39%, a technical fail, but now deemed a pass in ALL subject areas i.e. the equivalent of an O3 in Ordinary Level.

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. • Online form was changed last year. • Now 2 steps: (a) Create Application Account, (b) Log in and enter details. • www.cao.ie Apply & My Application **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.

So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses

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 and 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.

Irish language exemptions • Contact the NUI with respect to current or desired exemptions in Irish/specific learning disabilities. • Ring NUI on 01 -4392424 – please submit your current supporting documentation. • They will issue then you with a letter of exemption which you should forward to the CAO. • NUI Colleges such as UCD and Maynoothrequire students to have a pass in Irish in order to secure a place on courses in these colleges (unless the candidate has an exemption). • Many NUI colleges also require a pass in a modern language such as French or Spanish. • However there is no foreign language requirement for science, engineering or nursing courses in NUI Colleges/Universities.

DARE SCHEME • DARE SCHEME (DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE) • DARE is a third level alternative admissions scheme which offers applicants reduced entry points requirements as a result of their disability. • When filling out page 1 of the CAO application form, if your child has a specific learningdifficulty tick the relevant box and complete section A of the on-line SIF (Supplementary Information Form): • Then print section B (Educational Impact Statement) which will be completed by the School.

DARE continued • Section C – Download Evidence of disability section – and have completed by the appropriate medical professional (if you do not have an existing medical report). • Candidates with Specific Learning Difficulty (dyslexia, etc) must provide a full psychological assessment of any age. • Apply to the CAO by 1 February and remit documentation to the CAO by 01 April 2018 at the latest

HEAR SCHEME • The higher Education Access Route is a college and university scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland. • Students need to apply to the CAO by 1 February and tick the HEAR box on the CAO form by 1st March 2018. • Supporting documents (social welfare statements, salary slips etc) must be submitted to the CAO by 1 April to be deemed eligible for such a scheme.

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 every their application details. • May make changes to courses up to March 1st - €10 – for mature and restricted entry applicants. • 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.

CAO TIMETABLE 2018 ENTRY • 20th January, 2018 • Closing date for receipt of early online applications • 1st February, 2018 • Closing date for receipt of normal applications • 5th February to 1st March, 2018 • Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’, €10 • 1st May, 2018 • Closing date for receipt of late applications • Early May, 2018 • Change of mind on-line applications accepted. • 1st July, 2018 • Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. • 21 August (approx.) 2018 • First round of offers will commence.

DEFERRAL • If you wish to defer a College place, you DO NOT accept your offer. • Instead you email or write to the Admissions Office of the Appropriate HEI (not the CAO). • You must give your name as it appears on the CAO application and quote your CAO number and the course code you wish to defer and set out the reasons for the request. • Applicants must mark DEFERED ENTRY clearly on the subject line of the email. • You may only defer for one year only and you must re-apply through the CAO the following year and pay the appropriate fee. • Place your deferred course as YOUR FIRST AND ONLY PREFERNENCE ON THE APPLICATION FORM. • Indicate your deferral by ticking the Deferred Applicant indicator box in the course choices section of on your application.

Vacant/Available places • Available places are places that remain unfilled in particular courses after all offers have been made and waiting lists have been exhausted. • Available places are advertised on the CAO website after Round One offers are issued in August. • Students should IGNORE previously published points in earlier offer rounds. • Applicants must however meet the normal entry requirements for the courses in question i.e. 2 H5 and 4 O6 for level 8 courses.

LEAVING CERT RECHECKS • Approximately 1 week after the Leaving Cert results have been delivered to schools, students/parents/guardians must return the completed application forms pertaining to the viewing of scripts in schools. • Scripts can then be viewed free of charge in the relevant schools approx. a week later – Friday evening and Saturday morning). • Students/parents/guardians have approximately days to submit their appeals forms to the SEC and pay the relevant fee of 40 euro per subject. • In the event of an upgrade, the fee will be refunded in full.

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

Other Options • Post Leaving Certificate Courses • FETAC links scheme –level 5/6 • Apprenticeships • Eunicas – learn abroad programme • Defence Forces – Cadets – Academic entry requirements: 3 H5’s plus 3 O6’s. • Gardaí (Academic entry requirements: Two O6’s from English, Irish or other language plus 3 other O6’s. • Fáilte Ireland • Direct to Employment

Apprenticeships • www.apprentices.ie • www.apprenticeship.ie Apprenticeships are generally 4 years in length and apprentices are paid throughout their training.

EUNICAS • EUNICAS supports students in applying up to eight degree programmes taught through English mainly but not exclusively in the Netherlands and Denmark. • Fees are approx. 2,060 euro per annum in the Netherlands but you are entitled to a free tuition loan fee loan. • Courses such as Medicine, physiotherapy, veterinary pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, etc are all available at entry requirements that are invariably lower than those for similar course in Ireland. • Processing fee of 28 euro per student. • Please see www.learnabroad.ie or www.eunicas.ie for further information. • The take-up of EUNICAS courses is currently very low.

Access to Medicine 2018 • Minimum of 480 CAO points • 1 but preferably 2 science subjects • Completion of the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test-Ireland) • Register on-line from Early-November to January 2018 at www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au • Test will take place on 25 February 2018 • Results released late June 2018. • Test centres: Dublin, Cork, Galway etc. • Cost: €95 (all inclusive).

Access to Medicine 2018 continued • HPAT test is a 2.5 hour paper-based test consisting of 3 modules or sections • Logical reasoning and problem solving • Interpersonal Understanding • Non-Verbal Reasoning • Maximum score of 300 to be added to their CAO points score.

Questions??? Open Forum

Portmarnock Community School