Applying to Third Level

1. Applying to Third Level Fred Tuite Guidance Counsellor

2. About Applying • It is YOUR choice • It is YOUR responsibility • It is YOUR decision • NOT the Guidance Counsellor • NOT your parents • NOT your friends • This is YOUR life

3. Third Level Is a Challenge • Independent study – nobody pushing, checking or watching • Freedom – go to lectures, study or drink coffee • Accommodation – work and study away from home without any of the normal supports • Learning Challenge – study in depth at a much higher level than in secondary school • Are you ready for all this?

4. Deciding Research the course on offer Don’t assume you know a course by its title Consider the lecture and teaching methods What options are within the course Is there work experience or internship Is there mentoring of first years? Career implications Cost –fees, private colleges, accommodation

5. Get the Information • Get the college prospectuses • Check the colleges’ websites • Read career publications • Go to Open Days and Career Exhibitions • Talk to students and friends • Discuss it with your Guidance Counsellor • Try to know as much as you can

6. National Qualification Framework • All qualifications link up in a 10 level scale • You never reach a “dead end” in study but can move on to the next level • Leaving Cert is at Level 5 • Higher Certificates level 6, Ordinary Degrees level 7, Honours Degrees level 8

7. How to Get There • Apply for almost all third level courses through the CAO (central applications office) • Two ways of applying: • Online at www.cao.ie • By post using the CAO form

8. Advantages of Applying Online • Cheaper: €25 for applications before Jan 20th compared to €40 for paper • It won’t allow common errors (wrong date of birth, courses in the wrong section) • You can pay by Credit or Laser Card (no need to go to the bank or the Post Office) • Get text, email and print choices • You can use the school’s computers if your internet access at home is difficult

9. The Handbook • R.T.F.M • Read The … Manual • Read this Handbook Carefully • It is your contract with the CAO • All your questions about application and offers are answered there • Read it!

10. The Handbook • Two sections • White pages - Details of applications procedures, offers, deadlines and other instructions • Yellow pages – Lists of courses and codes in the different colleges

11. Choosing Your Courses • You can choose up to 10 courses on the Honours Degree (level 8) list and • You can choose up to 10 courses on the Higher Certificate/Ordinary Degree (levels 6 &7) list • You don’t have to fill out all 10 • You don’t have to fill out both lists • Each list is independent of the other • You can be offered choices from both lists • But you can only choose one

12. Making Your Choice • Use your genuine order of preference • The first choice is the one you want to do most • If not that course your second choice is… • Then your third choice and so on • Ignore the points go for what you want most!

13. How to Choose…just Imagine… • You’ll get 600 points what would you choose first, then second… • It is the “good old days” and two honours will get you into any course, what would you choose first, then second … • Aim high –but keep at least “one sure thing” in your choices

14. What You Need for Third Level • The College (or Basic) Requirements.* 5 OD in Leaving Certificate for level 6 & 7 courses*6 subjects (2 at HC and 4 at OD) for level 8 courses • The Faculty (or Course) Requirements*e.g. HC in Irish for Primary Teaching, HC in Maths for Engineering • Points*Best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate c F P

15. Leaving Certificate c Applicants ollege F Available Places aculty P oints

16. Leaving Certificate c ollege F TOO MANY aculty 550 400 480 320 190 500 290 P oints 320 400 480 500 550

17. 320 was the lowest points to gain entry If a place is not accepted ... 550 400 480 320 190 500 290 320 400 480 500 550

18. 320 was the lowest points to gain entry If a place is not accepted it goes to the next in line 290 is now the lowest points to gain entry 550 400 480 320 190 500 290 320 400 290 500 550

19. How the CAO works COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 You send your application with up to 10 courses in each of the two sections of your CAO application. After your Examination results are published the CAO computer begins to process your application.

20. ROUND ONE COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 c F c F * OFFER 1 c F P c P NO LONGER CONSIDERED c F P * c F P c P c F P *

21. Some people don’t accept their offers!

22. ROUND TWO COURSE 1 COURSE 2 COURSE 3 COURSE 4 COURSE 5 COURSE 6 COURSE 7 COURSE 8 COURSE 9 COURSE 10 P * OFFER 2 c F P c F NO LONGER CONSIDERED * OFFER 1 c F P c P NO LONGER CONSIDERED c F P * c F P c P c F P *

23. The Important Things Are • Know what the course involves before you apply • Apply in your genuine order of preference • Ignore points • Only apply for courses you genuinely want to do

24. The Online Form • Located at www.cao.ie

25. The Online Form

26. Online Form

27. Application Number You are now given an Application Number Keep this carefully (sent instantly by email and text) You will need it to log in to your account You can change your mind online free of charge until January 31st After that changes can be made from 5th May to 1st July

28. Log in to Account

29. Online Version 2

30. Online Version Errors

31. The Paper Form • Page 1

32. Paper Version Page 2

33. Paying for Paper Applications • Get the Bank Giro form from CAO to pay the money through any bank • The bank should stamp the form in three places • They keep the bottom part as their record • You keep the middle part as your record • You send the top part to CAO with the application

34. To Post • In a large envelope • Include the CAO form • The Giro slip • Get a Certificate of Postage from the Post Office (on the back page of the Handbook)

35. Restricted Applications • Some courses consider more than just points • Interviews, tests, auditions, portfolios or projects • These are conducted around Easter • These courses can’t be added to your application after February 1st • They can be changed or dropped

36. Confirmation • In May you will be sent a confirmation of course choices • Check all details carefully • If there are no errors you do not need to do anything • Notify CAO of any errors by marking them on the form and sending it back

37. Change of Mind • You will also be sent a Change of Mind form in May • You can change your mind onlineeven if you have applied on paper • The final date for changing your mind is July 1st

38. Offers and Acceptances • Made one week after Leaving Cert results • Made by post and online • You can get an offer from both lists (levels 6 &7 and Level 8) • You can only accept one • Accept online or by post • No need to pay any money • Start looking for your accommodation!

39. Vacant Places • In August courses with places still available or new courses are advertised on the website www.cao.ie • You can apply for these provided you have the minimum requirements for them • You don’t have to have made an application to CAO to avail of these • They can be worth checking out

40. Deferring a Place • Deferring means that you don’t want to take your place this year but will do so next year. • Some courses can not be deferred, check beforehand • Once the offer comes DO NOT ACCEPT IT • Write IMMEDIATELY to the college concerned • They will let you know if the offer will be deferred

41. The Following Year • Reapply the following year with that course as your only choice • You will then get offered it in Round Zero • If you put any other courses on the form you will lose your deferred place • You then compete for places with all other applicants

42. HEAR Higher Education Access Route is a third level admission scheme for school leavers from socio-economically deprived background Each college has a quota of places on a reduced points basis for HEAR students Information from www.cao.ie and www.accesscollege.ie You must have an active email address to apply and you will have to send on documentary proof of entitlement.

43. DARE Disability Access Route to Education is a supplementary admission scheme for school leavers with disabilities and can mean reduced points For those with academic ability but who may not be able to meet points due to impact of disability You will require proof of disability including consultant’s report and school reference Information on www.cao.ie and www.accesscollege.ie

44. Important Information If an applicant has lived outside the EU then you may be required to apply directly to some colleges (see page 7 of Handbook) If a student has exemption from Irish and/or third language they must complete an NUI Exemption Form to ensure you meet the entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Colleges.

45. Timetable • Jan 20th Closing date for online cheaper applications • Feb 1st Closing date for applications • May 1st Closing date for late applications • July 1st Closing date for change of mind • Round One Offers –one week after Leaving Cert results • Round Two Offers –early September • After Round Two –as necessary

46. Finally • Get lots of information • Read the instructions • Be on time • Courses in YOUR order of preference • Include one “dead cert”

47. The CAO Essence • Go for what you really want • Work really hard to get it

48. Any Questions?