Holy Child Killiney

1. Holy Child Killiney Guidance Office; Welcomes you to a CAO Information Evening

2. Agenda • Applicants Responsibilities • Parents Role • General Points about the CAO • Entry Requirements, Points and Grading • Making an Application • How places are allocated • After applying – What happens? • FETAC Link Scheme • Questions

3. Applicants Responsibility Research thoroughly all courses for which an application is being made; e.g. code, content, requirements, fees, duration, award options, procedures and system of application, Erasmus options, work experience placement, deadlines. Know the facts.

4. Parental Role • Question the research • Challenge the thinking • Ask why?

5. Sleep • As necessary as study • Effect on the immune system • Effect on mental health • Outlaw mobiles/other devices from the bedroom

6. How/Where to Research • Current college prospectus 2019 entry • CAO Handbook and www.cao.ie especially re; changes. • Newspapers: Times and Independent • Internet; e.g. www.qualifax.ie, www.careersportal.ie and college websites. • People; relatives, past pupils, admissions/ academic staff in colleges/Open Days • Guidance Counsellor; one-to-one interviews etc.

7. CAO; General Info • 44 3rd Level institutions incl. 10 fee paying colleges (increasing) • Application pack: can apply on-line only • Application dates/fees: list in handbook • Change of mind • 3 levels can be applied for under NFQ: 6/7/8 • Restricted Courses

8. Entry Requirements • must be satisfied before points are considered • student deemed qualified or unqualified, only qualified applicants will be considered for places • Minimum entry requirements: every course/college/faculty is different; some have specific requirements and grades • Best 6 subjects in 1 sitting of L.C. only for points, can use 2 for meeting entry requirements • Honours Maths 25 extra points…worthless if it costs more in other areas…Calculate the risk!

9. New Common Points Scale

10. Making an Application • 3 steps: • Log onto www.cao.ie • Create your account……..Apply • Log in and enter details…..My Application Print/Screenshot a copy for your records GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE (hence the need for research)

11. The List 1 2 3 Dream Courses 4 ---------------------- 5 6 7 Realistic Courses 8 ---------------------- 9 10 Banker Courses

12. 20 Choices / 2 Forms in 1 • Level 8………..…10 choices • Level 6/7………10 choices • Fill out both lists • Think progression!

13. National Qualification Framework

14. Example = Science at UCD, 100 places available How it works

15. More about how it works • Cut off points means the points of the last person on the course to be offered a place • If there is more than 1 with the same points random selection is used shown by * • If/when people do not accept their offer in round 1 the cut off for round 2 becomes the points of the last person to be offered a place in round 2 • 2 Official rounds, but cao continue to make offers until all places filled • Vacant places

16. Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) What is the Disability Access Route to Education? • a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities which operates on a reduced points basis. DARE has been established by a number of higher education but not all Who is it for? • School leavers who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of a disability. • Further information available at www.accesscollege.ie/dareand page 10 in CAO Handbook. .

17. DARE • Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2019 at 5:15pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 (‘Do you wish to be considered for DARE?’) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5:15pm on 1 March 2019. • Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 1 April 2019 at 5:15pm.

18. EXEMPTIONS • If you have received or will apply for an nui exemption you must indicate this on your cao application and complete the relevant paperwork asap

19. After making the Application • You will receive a statement of course choices. Check this carefully (Online check ‘My Application’) • May make changes to courses up to 1st March (10 euro fee) • Before the end of May you will be sent a Statement of Application Record for you to check that all info. has been recorded accurately. (If you do not receive this by June 1st write to CAO immediately) • If you use the change of mind facility print a copy as you will not receive an Amended Statement of Course Choice • L.C. results sent to CAO • Places are allocated and offered by post and on line • Students may accept, reject or defer offered places • Further rounds/offers may be made

20. Some Dates • 5th November – CAO online facility opens • 20th January 2019:- Closing date for receipt of early on line applications 5:15pm(30 euro) • 1st February 2019:- normal closing date (45 euro) • Beginning of February:- Mock exams begin • 23RD February 2019:- HPAT (Register before 20th Jan) • 6th May – online change of mind available (free) • 1st July:- Deadline for Change of Mind • 19th August 2019:- possible date for round 1 offers

21. FETAC/higher education (hels)Link Scheme(Further education and Training Awards Council) • There is a link system between q.q.i. (quality & qualifications Ireland) and the CAO • Higher Education Links Scheme means that some colleges have a reserved number of places for q.q.i. candidates • Research will alert you to what is available

22. Questions? Thanks for coming and please do not hesitate to contact me here at the school if you should have any questions in the future. dfoody@holychildkilliney.ie