Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard

1. Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard CAO Information Evening Nov 2011 Please take a copy of handout for future reference and information

2. It is the applicants responsibility to: • Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making application. • Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses, i.e., procedures, dates, fees, rules, etc.

3. Useful ResourcesTo assist with course research / application Publications • College Prospectuses (available in careers office) 2012 Entry • CAO Handbook 2012 Newspapers • The Irish Times • Tuesdays Education and Living Section • January Special College Supplement Series of articles - Brian Mooney • The Irish Independent • Careers Articles - Mary O Donnell

4. Internet • Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database • CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites • Careersworld – www.careersworld.com • Careersportal- www.CareersPortal.ie • College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) • School website People • Relatives • Past pupils • Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor • Careers Classes • Individual consultation

5. CAO – General Info. • Centralised application system for 43 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 5 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

7. CAO – General Info. • From 2005 there are 3 types of courses students can apply for under the Nat. Qualifications Framework. • 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’. There are about 75 Restricted Courses • These courses cannot be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.

8. Restricted Entry Courses • Some courses have interviews/ Aptitude tests/ Portfolio/ Auditions • Medicine – HPAT test February 14th • These courses are called restricted entry • Application must be made by the 1st February. • Details of all restricted entry courses are in CAO Handbook

9. Level 8 – Minimum Entry Requirement • 2 HC3 and 4 Passes • Different colleges have different entry requirements • Colleges of NUI (UCD, UCC, NUI, M & NUI, G) • Have a Second language requirement • There are some exceptions now for Science, Engineering and Agriculture Science Courses

10. Specific Faculty Requirements • Pharmacy • UCC & TCD • Physiotherapy (TCD) • Human Nutrition • HC3 in Chemistry & A second Science Subject • HC3 in two science subjects • HC3 in Chemistry College Prospectus should always be consulted

12. ENTRY REQUIREMENTSThese must be satisfied before “points” are considered. Minimum College Entry Requirements E.g. UCD • Pass 6 subjects • At least 2 HC3 • Pass in: • Irish • English • Another Language • Mathematics* • Science Subject* Specific Subject Requirements E.g’s Engineering(UCD) • HC3 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) • HC3 Chemistry French Law(UCD) • HB3 French If all Entry Requirements are met  applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.

13. Level 6 & 7 • 5 passes for most level 6 & level 7 courses although some colleges e.g. DKIT require Minimum 200 points • College Prospectuses need to be consulted

14. 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 • Bonus points are awarded for Honours Mathematics by most colleges (see prospectuses). • Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

15. 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 LCVP Points Distinction 70 Merit 50 Pass 30

16. 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 screen receipt, paper – obtain certificate of post. • Form is very straight forward to fill out. • www.cao.ie **VERY IMPORTANT** • Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference • They should not put down courses on the basis of their predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores. • Why? – Look at how places are allocated.

17. Applicant Position Applicant Position Points Score Points Score Science – UCD 100 places to be offered Science – Maynooth 100 places to be offered 1 560 1 560 2 535 2 535 3 525 3 525 4 520 4 520 5 510 5 510 6 510 6 510 7 505 7 505 8 500 8 500 9 490 9 490 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 15 455 15 455 16 445 16 445 17 440 17 440 18 435 18 435 19 420 19 420 20 410 20 410 21 405 21 405 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 98 340 98 345 99 335 99 340 100 330 100 335 101 325 101 335 102 315 102 335 103 310 103 315 104 305 104 310 105 295 105 305 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 182 265 182 265  Last place to be filled  Random Selection to be used Course Cut Off Points = 330 Course Cut Off Points = 335*

18. A Students Course Preferences All Lower Preference Courses Disappear From Students Preferences Students Points Total = 445 Cut Off Points for Course NO NO YES YES NO YES NO YES YES YES

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

20. 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.

21. After Making Application • Receive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices – check this carefully. • 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. • 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.

22. Deferral This is arranged AFTER an offer is made. (Read the CAO Handbook about this.) You are recommended to check with the college in advance about their deferral conditions and arrangements. The CAO Handbook mentions some courses where deferral will be difficult or impossible.

24. Non- CAO Options • Apprenticeships • Defence Forces • Gardaí • Fáilte Ireland • Direct to Employment • Post Leaving Certificate Courses • FETAC links scheme

25. Apprenticeships • Find a suitable employer • Must be approved by Fás • Employer must register apprentice within two weeks of starting • Meet the minimum educational requirements ie 5 Passes in Junior Cert.

26. Further Education Training Awards Council • FETAC Links to Higher Education Institutes • Especially Important for Students who may not make the CAO Points • Can begin with a PLC and end up with a Doctorate • Mature Entry to College (age 23 or over)

27. Life after Leaving Cert. • Universities or IT Colleges (c. 82%) • P.L.C./FETAC - (Post Leaving Cert. Course) – (1-2 years). Under the Links Scheme 2000 places. (10%) • FAS/Specialised Courses • Direct Employment

29. Higher Education Grants Scheme 2011/12 • Third Level Grants are available for: • Full Time Degree (Undergraduate) Courses (level 8) by South Tipperary County Council. • Post Leaving Courses  - Certificate and Diploma (Level 6 and 7) courses are dealt with by South Tipperary V.E.C. (052) 612 1067. • N.B. Private Colleges and Part-Time Courses are not covered under the Higher Education Grants Scheme. • The scheme has a number of criteria, e.g. Your chosen third level course must be approved by the Department of Education & Science. Your family income must be within the qualifying thresholds. • Please download all forms and further information from the following website http://www.studentfinance.ie alternatively you can contact the Higher Education Grants Dept. at 052 6134495 or email sharon.heffernan@southtippcoco.ie • Completed Application Forms must be submitted on or before 31st August, 2012, incomplete application forms will be returned. • Recommendation: get documents together in Jan; social welfare, P20…

32. Advantages of a PLC Course? • Direct links to certificate/degree courses in I.T. colleges regardless of L.C. points; • Direct link to industry and employment opportunities; • Develop new skills and explore areas of interest through work placement; • To obtain a recognised FETAC qualification. (FETAC now have transferable links based on your best 8 modules). • FETAC students are more focused and perform well at third level.

33. What can I do now? 1. Discuss with your son/daughter his/her plans. Read through the literature / prospectuses they havegathered a) on your own b) with your child. 2. Help him / her to prioritise his / her career / course choice. 3. Check that the "Free Fees Scheme" applies to the chosen course. Also look at courses that require an interview/test/portfolio. 4. Talk them through the importance of the work they do making those CAO choices possible. 5. Check out suitability requirements for HEAR and DARE scheme as appropriate.

34. CAO TIMETABLE 2012 ENTRY • 20th January 2012 • Closing date for receipt of online applications • 1st February, 2012 • Closing date for receipt of normal applications • Before/By 15th February, 2012 • Receive Statement of Course Choices • 1st May, 2012 • Closing date for receipt of late applications • Before/By 31st May, 2012 • Receive Statement of Application Record • After 31st May, 2012 • Change of mind forms may be sent. • 1st July, 2012 • Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. • Late August, 2012 • First round of offers will commence.

35. Final Considerations • Order of Preference • Fill All Twenty Course Choices • Entrance Requirements e.g. Maths • Exemptions – NUI Colleges must be informed directly • Hear • PLC option

36. What is HEAR? • Higher Education Access Routeisan admissions route for school leavers fromsocio-economic groups that are under-represented at third level education. • It was established by 16 colleges and universities to ensure that all Leaving Certificate students have a fair and equal opportunity to progress to third level education.

37. HEAR is NOT your local authority maintenance grant.

38. Why apply to HEAR? • Reduced points CAO offersin the participating colleges provided you meet the minimum entry requirements. • Post-entry supportssuch as financial, academic, social and personal.

39. Should I apply?

40. You must meet the HEAR income limit & the right combination of 2 other indicators.

42. I want to apply to HEAR what's next? • Fill in your HEAR Application Guide & Workbook with your parents or guardians. • Complete online HEAR application at www.cao.ie by 1 February 2012. • Submit supporting documents requested on your checklist to CAO by 1 April 2012.

43. Your HEAR Checklist When you fill in your online HEAR application you will receive a checklist at the end of the application. Your checklist tells you all the supporting documents you need to make your HEAR application complete. Your HEAR application will not be complete unless you send in all the requested documents.

44. Sample Checklist

45. 8,400 people applied for HEAR for entry 2010.

46. 3,904 were not considered for HEAR because they didn’t send in supporting documents.

47. Top 10 Mistakes from 2011 Not filling in your HEAR application with parents or guardians. Giving incorrect answers about your family financial circumstances and parent or guardian’s job. Not printing off your checklist. No checklist means you don’t know what documents you need and you don’t have evidence you submitted an online HEAR application.

48. Top 10 Mistakes from 2011 Not submitting ANYsuporting documents. Submitting the wrong documents like a P60 for your parents or guardians rather than the P21. Submitting the right supporting documents, but submitted the wrong year. We want documents for 2009.

49. Top 10 Mistakes from 2011 Submitting the right documents but only submitting 1 page of a 3 page document. Submitting all the correct documents but not checking to make sure the Local Health and/or Social Welfare Offices sign and stamp your forms correctly. Submitting all the right documents but not keeping proof of postage or a photocopy of what you sent. Supplying documentation to CAO after the deadline.

50. Submit it! • Check it! • Send it!