Portmarnock Community School

1. Portmarnock Community School Information Evening for Parents / Guardians of 6th Year Students Bill Core Guidance Counsellor

2. Outline of Presentation • Welcome • Introductory Points • Understanding the NFQ • Further Education Sector • Higher Education • U.C.A.S. Option • H.E.A.R. & D.A.R.E. • Other Options

3. Introductory Points • Caution against entering Direct Full-time Employment • During periods of economic downtime Education can act as a safety net / buffer • There is a course out there for everyone they just have to find it!

4. National Framework Of Qualifications The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

5. HND

6. Options After School 2nd Level Further Education Sector Level 5 & 6 (FETAC) Higher Education Sector Level 6, 7 , 8 HETAC/Other Other e.g. Apprenticeships

7. Post Leaving Certificate Courses – What are they? • Post Leaving Certificate Courses are one and two year courses that lead to a F.E.T.A.C. Award • Awards which can offer direct entry into employment or an alternative route into higher level education • Allow students to study a programme in which they have expressed an interest in while also providing links to higher/further education. • Programmes have a strong vocational element and all have a work experience component.

8. Benefits of Post Leaving Certificate Courses • Small classes and support services • Generally Free • Cheaper option than doing wrong university course for a year • Wide diversity of course choices • Only one or two years long with certification on completion • Gain confidence and maturity

9. Colleges of Further Education (Levels 5 & 6) • Ballsbridge College of Further Education * • Ballyfermot College of Further Education * • Colaiste Dhulaigh * • Dundrum College of Further Education * • Crumlin College of Further Education * • Dun Laoire College of Further Education * • Grange Community College • Greenhills College of Further Education • Inchicore College of Further Education * • Killester College of Further Education * • Kylemore College of Further Education • Pearse College of Further Education * • Plunket College of Further Education * • Rathmines College of Further Education * • Ringsend College of Further Education • Sallynoggin College of Further Education * • Senior College Dun Laoire • St Tiernan’s Community School • St Kevin’s College • Stillorgan College of Further Education * • Whitehall College of Further Education *

10. Post Leaving Certificate Course Application • No centralised system • Apply directly to each college • Application Form online • PPS No & School Roll No 91324P • Apply in early January • Interviews in March

11. The CAO Progression Route Within the CAO System PLC students can gain entry to third level courses if they do very well in their FETAC Qualification

12. What are the progression routes available to PLC students? PLC students can apply through CAO using FETAC level 5/6 award as an entry requirement or with Leaving Certificate OR Students who hold a FETAC Level 6 or BTEC HigherNational Diploma award, can make an application to universities and colleges in Ireland and UK, for Advanced Entry into related courses. That is, entry into a year other than first year.

13. Two Routes same Destination PLC College / FETAC Employment Degrees University / I. of T. Leaving Certificate CAO

14. A Ladder of Progression Postgraduate Level 9 Honours Degree Level 8 Ordinary Degree Level 7 Leaving Cert/ FETAC Higher Certificate Level 6 Accredited Modules on PLC

15. C.A.O. • Entry Requirements and the Points System. • How to Make an Application. • How places are allocated by C.A.O. • What happens after an application is submitted.

16. 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.

17. Useful ResourcesTo assist with course research / application Publications • College Prospectuses – 2012 Entry • CAO Handbook 2012 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 – Every Wednesday

18. People • Relatives • Past pupils • Admissions/Academic staff of colleges (email anytime) Guidance Counsellor • Access to information & advice

19. Websites www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie (Under School Resources) www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.careerdirections.ie www.accesscollege.ie (HEAR, DARE) www.cao.ie (College Applications) www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au (Medicine) www.studentfinance.ie (Grants) www.examinations.ie (Exams info) Colleges websites

23. CAO – General Info. • Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 6 fee-paying colleges. • Every 6th year should now have a CAO Application Pack which includes: • 2012 CAO Handbook – application and course information • Paper application form • Application fee bank giro form • Application Dates and Fees

24. Universities x 8 (Level 8’s ) • TCD • UCD • DCU • NUI Maynooth & Pontifical University • UCC • UL • NUIG

25. Institutes of Technology x 14(Levels 6,7 & 8) • Dublin Institute of Technology • Athlone Institute of Technology • Cork Institute of Technology • Dundalk Institute of Technology • Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technolog • Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology • Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown • Institute of Technology, Carlow • Institute of Technology, Sligo • Institute of Technology, Tallaght • Institute of Technology, Tralee • Letterkenny Institute of Technology • Limerick Institute of Technology • Waterford Institute of Technology

26. Colleges of Education • The Church of Ireland College of Education • Froebel College of Education Maynooth • Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education • St. Patrick’s College of Education • St. Angela’s College Sligo (Home Economics) • Mary Immaculate College Limerick • Mater Dei Institute *( R.E. & Hist/Eng/Music)

27. Fee Paying Colleges • Griffith College Dublin / Cork / Limerick • American College Dublin • Dublin Business School • Grafton College of Management and Science • Independent College Dublin • National Counselling & Psychotherapy Institute of Ireland • Institute of Business & Technology Swords • ICD Business School • On average €5,000 Per Annum • 20% Tax back ( currently)

28. 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.

29. Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 HC3 Pass in: Irish English Another Language Mathematics Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(TCD) HC3 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) HC3 Chemistry French (NUIM) HC3 French ENTRY REQUIREMENTSThese must be satisfied before “points” are considered. If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

30. 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 • Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

31. Points System Points are set by the pupils of each year Minimum points are those of the last person accepted onto the course Supply and Demand - not quality of course There is no such thing as ‘wasting points’

32. POINTS ALLOCATION GradeHonoursOrdinary A1 100 60 A2 90 50 B1 85 45 B2 80 40 B3 75 35 C1 70 30 C2 65 25 C3 60 20 D1 55 15 D2 50 10 D3 45 5

33. Honours Maths Extra 25 Points Procedure • Convert all seven grades into points • Add 25 to your Honours Maths score if its D3 or Higher • Then select your best six scores • If Honours Maths is not one of the best six the 25 points don’t count !

34. 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. • 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.

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39. So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? Dream Courses Realistic Courses Failsafe Courses

40. 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.

41. 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 over their application details. • May make changes to courses up to March 1st • Some students may be called for extra assessments. • Receive Statement of Application Record – check details carefully. If a student doesn’t receive their Statements by the dates mentioned contact CAO immediately – there could be a problem ! • Change of Mind facility becomes available – use sparingly and carefully, especially after exams • 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.

42. CAO TIMETABLE 2012 ENTRY • 20th January, 2012 • Closing date for receipt of early online applications • 1st February, 2012 • Closing date for receipt of normal applications • 5th February to 1st March, 2012 • Courses may be changed online including ‘restricted’ • Before/By 21st February, 2012 • Receive Statement of Course Choices (paper applicants) • 1st May, 2012 • Closing date for receipt of late applications • Early May, 2012 • Change of mind forms may be sent. (online - May 1st) • Before/By 31st May, 2012 • Receive Statement of Application Record • 1st July, 2012 • Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. • Monday 20th August, 2012 (provisional date) • First round of offers will commence.

43. Vacant Places Facility • Where there are Available Places/Vacant Places in specific courses, H.E.I.’s (Higher Education Institutions) will advertise these on the CAO website. • Before making an “Available Place/Vacant Place” application, those matching the description “Restricted Categories of Applicant” on Page 3 of the CAO handbook should first consult with the Admissions Office of the HEI concerned.

44. Cost of Higher Education • No tuition fees but… • Student Services charge €2000 • If more than one in college it is €1500 • If you have to repeat a year you have to pay full fees for the repeat year • Special Top Up Grant for People who are living exclusively on social welfare

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

46. Tips for Success • Study an area of innate interest • Work ? Study balance 10 hours per week • Attendance vital - Lectures, tutorials, practicals • Get involved Clubs and Societies • Take Opportunity to TRAVEL • Keep Communication Channels open • If you need Help ask and you will get it ! • 5,000 Students reapply to CAO annually • Not everyone gets it right first time • Its ok to leave (before January 30th useful)

47. Entry to Medicine 2012 • Aptitude Test called HPAT-Ireland • HPAT worth 300 Points • 5 Colleges • Cost €95 • Register by 20th January @ 17:15 hrs • Test date 25th February • Results 25th April • Scores can be used for 2 years i.e. for admission in 2012 & 2013 • Information on www.cao.ie • www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

48. Medicine - Entry Requirements Minimum Leaving Cert Points 480 • Successful applicants 2009 CAO points 520 - 600 HPAT scores 153 - 225 1st time Leaving Cert 83% (59% 2008) No significant results from special courses

49. Medicine Entry Cont’d… • The maximum possible adjusted points score for applicants to Medicine will increase from 560 to 565 because of Bonus Points for H.L. Maths. • For all scores over 550, each 5 point band equals one extra point.

50. UCAS Universities & Colleges Admissions Service