Information Session for Parents & Students Coolmine Community School 26th September 2013

1. Information Session for Parents & Students Coolmine Community School 26th September 2013

2. Agenda for the Evening • Ms. Patricia McPhillips,Principal • Ms.Kathy Maher, Guidance Counsellor : CAO Applications • Andrew Caroll, LC 2013 • Mr. Eamonn Moran,Parent • Ms.Fiona Casey, NUI Maynooth. “The college experience” • 6th Year Ceann Tí, Ms. Patricia Stafford

3. Purpose of the CAO • CAO processes applications to undergraduate courses in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). • Offers are issued and acceptances are recorded by CAO.

4. Making the Right Career Choice • Identify your Talents/Skills/Interests • Research, Research, Research • Informed decisions ensure the right results • Be Informed, speak to GC, go to Open days, speak to students and lecturers, read prospectuses, Use the Internet. • www.careersportal.ie • www.qualifax.ie • You can change your mind up until July 1, review your options.

5. CAO Facts and Figures • Leaving Cert. 2013: • Total CAO: 71,151Applicants

6. Coolmine CAO Success! • High level of progression onto third level • Around 60% of our students progress onto third level • Students go to a wide range of institutions through the CAO system and other training routes

7. Important Factors in Career/College Choice • Things I like to do - Interests • Things that suit me – Personality • Things I can do – Skills • Things that are important-Values • Know yourself, know what is out there, how will I get there? • What are the alternative routes?

8. Significant Dates in CAO Calendar • FEBRUARY 1 Closing Date • Early closing date 20th Jan: Discount! • MAY 1 Late Closing Date • JULY 1 Closing Date for Change of Mind

9. FEES • Online Applications 40 Euro • Early online discount 20th Jan €25 • Late On Line Application €50

10. Application Form • Part A(Pages 1 & 2)Sufficient for most Irish Applicants • Part B (Pages 3 & 4)Must be completed by non standard applicants • Includes information about any disabilities

11. CAO Online Form

12. CAO Form, Part B

13. Qualifications • Three levels of Certification • Level 6 Higher Certificate (formerly Cert) • Level 7Ordinary Degree • Level 8 • Honours Degree

14. Selection of Courses • Two Lists Level 8 Hons Degree Levels 6 & 7 Cert/ Ord Degree • Students choose courses in order of preference • Maximum of ten courses may be chosen from each list

15. Restricted Application Courses • Assessment procedures for these courses • Clearly identified in the handbook. Music, Drama, Art, Architecture. • Must be included in CAO Form by February 1

16. accesscollege.ie The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on a reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities. The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places at reduced points to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Start Application Early!

17. Non Dare Colleges • ITB • ITT • Carlow College • DKIT • GMIT • IT SLIGO • Letterkenny IT • NCAD • RCSI • MUST APPLY DIRECT FOR ACCESS SCHEME

18. HEAR Scheme • Access route for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds • Tick the box on Part A of form • Evidence must be submitted by 1st of April • Colleges in Dublin not in Hear scheme are ITB, ITT, NCAD and RSCI. (apply separately)

19. Route to Medicine • Must apply before Feb 1 • Entry into medicine will be based on 2 things: • achieving a minimum of 480 LC points and completing a required admissions test(HPAT) • HPAT only one sitting 2nd March • More details on www.cao.ie

20. Applying on -line • Follow instructions on screenwww.cao.ie • Choose courses in order of preference • Choose method of payment Credit card Fee Payment Form • Submit choices • Always print receipt

21. Application Process • Printout of course choices • CAO Application number(put in phone) • Check printout carefully

22. Application Process contd • Application Record from CAO in early May Check it very carefully • Change of Mind facility now available until July 1 • No Fee charged for Change of Mind at this stage

25. Offer Stage • Leaving Certificate results – Mid August • Round One Offers – August 18th • Round 2, 25th August • Can accept on-line. • Can only move up, never down the list • Can accept or ignore subsequent offers • Random Selection

26. Offer Stage • Possible to get two offers Level 8 Level 6 /7 • Only one offer may be accepted • Students allowed 10 days to accept / reject offer • Round 2 - offer of vacant places from Round 1

27. Errors made when selecting courses • Students list courses in order of points instead of preference • Student underestimate / overestimateLeaving Certificate results • Poor research into coursesCollege literature /Open Days

28. Errors made when selecting courses • Some studentstarget low point courses in hope of getting College place • Sometarget Level 8 courses only and ignore Level 7 & 6 courses Ladder of Opportunity

29. Ladder of Opportunity • Institutes of Technology offer four year degree programmes which can be studied in stages Higher Certificate Two years Ordinary Degree + One year Honours Degree + One year

30. Life Outside CAO • Check for vacant places www.cao.ie • UK Colleges(clearing) • Private Colleges • PLC - Post Leaving Courses • Apprenticeships • Internships • Fas Courses • Employment • Gap Year

31. Private Colleges • Wide Selection of courses Business Law Journalism Psychology Media • Fee Paying(around 5k)

32. Post Leaving Certificate Courses Large variety of courses • Business • Art/Design • Multimedia • Beauty Therapy • Insurance/Banking • Travel/Tourism • Social Care • Science • Engineering

33. Post Leaving Certificate Courses • Accreditation FETAC - Further Education Training & Awards Council, level 5,6 and 7 available • Aim Job Focused and alternative entry point to colleges • Progression Links with Universities & Institutes of Technology in Ireland and abroad

34. Post Leaving Certificate Courses • Recognition Professional Bodies Marketing Institute of Ireland Accounting Bodies Institute of Bankers Insurance Institute of Ireland

35. Popular PLC Colleges • Dunboyne College • Colaiste Ide • Liberties College • Colaiste Dhulaigh • Ballyfermot College • Ballsbridge Collge • Marino College

36. How to Apply for PLC • Apply online directly to each college • Min Requirements are 5 passes at OL(level 6 requires 2HL Subjects) • Interview • Conditional Offer in May • Fees of 500 Euro for most courses

37. Fees • Technically we still have free Tuition fees • However, student services charge of 2,500 Euro for 2013 • Subject to change • Medical card holders don’t pay this charge

38. Fee Status of Students • Determined by parents nationality and where they have been living • Free fees for recognised courses for children of EU passport holders living & working in the EU for 3 of last 5 years • Reduced fees for children of non EU passport holders living & working in the EU for 3 of last 5 years

39. International Students • Non EU passport holders who have not been living and working in EU for 3 of last 5 years • Full fees apply (range € - €) • For most Dublin colleges apply directly – NOT through CAOException is UCD – still apply through CAO

40. Dos /Don’ts of CAO Applications Do choose ten options if at all possible Do not ignore the Level 6/7 route Have PLC back up plan Do not target low point courses in hope of getting to College

41. Cost of College and Grants • Living at home(€6,000-€7,000) • Living away from home(€11,000) • Accomodation, travel, books, social life • No tuition fees (Student contribution charge €2,500). Repeat full fees • Grant: Susi.ie or studentfinance.ie • If you hold a medical card it is likely you may be entitled to a grant.

42. Thank you and Goodnight Please e mail any queries to kmaher@coolminecs.ie