Loreto College, Swords

Loreto College, SwordsCAOInformationEvening

Patricia KennedyGuidance CounsellorAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords1Most of what I will cover tonight is in the CAO Handbook and has been covered with the 6th years.In this format we cant go through every detail but Ive picked out the points I feel parents should be aware of.Less stress / tension if everybody is familiar with the system and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet .

CAO General Info.Centralised application system for 43 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 7 fee-paying colleges.Griffith College, Independent colleges, Dublin Business School, IBAT Swords, Portobello, American College, 2 National Framework of Qualifications 10 Levels

Selection of coursesApply for up to 20 courses

Level 8 list Choose 10Honours Degrees

Level 6/7 list Choose 10Higher CertificatesOrdinary Degrees

4

There are 3 types of courses students can apply for under National Qualifications Framework. Students apply on 2 separate lists on a single form. There are 10 courses to fill at level 8 and 10 at levels 6&7. Students do not have to fill in all 20 places but are encouraged to choose as many as possible for greater choice.Courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook.N.B.- care must be taken with courses marked restrictedThese courses cannot be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.4STAGE 1:ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

These must be satisfied before points are considered5Level 6 & 7- Minimum Entry Requirement5 passes for most level 6 & level 7 courses although some colleges e.g. DKIT require Minimum 200 pointsCollege Prospectuses need to be consultedAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords6Level 8 Minimum Entry RequirementDifferent colleges have different entry requirementsNUI colleges (UCD, UCC, NUIM & NUIG)require 2 HC3 and 4 PassesNUI colleges have a second language requirement also- some exceptions e.g. Science and engineering coursesTCD requires 3 HC3 and 3 passesCHECK PROSPECTUSUCC from 2013 will look for 4Hc3 and 2 passesWhere a student has an exemption from Irish or another language-send a copy of your exemption with your CAO application. Make sure to make reference to your CAO number if you apply online and send a paper copy of exemption.7College Prospectus should always be consultedSTAGE 2:Faculty RequirementsExamples....Pharmacy TCD and UCC HC3 in Chemistry and a 2nd science subjectPhysiotherapy (TCD) HC3 in 2 science subjects or HC3 in 1 science and higher mathsPrimary Teaching HC3 in IrishAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords8If all Entry Requirements and Faculty requirements (if needed) are met applicant is deemed Qualified to apply.THENPoints are considered.9STAGE 3:POINTS ALLOCATION Grade HonoursOrdinaryBonus Points A11006025A2905025

B1 854525B2804025B3753525

C1703025C2652525C3602025

D1551525D2501025D345525 (Hons Maths)Anne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords10LCVP points are now accepted by all colleges except NCAD and RCSI.POINTS SYSTEMPoints are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only.

Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects

New system of Bonus points are awarded for Honours Mathematics as outlined earlier (Maximum points now 625)

Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate11Example of Points CalculationIrish HC2English HD1Maths HD2French HB2Biology HC1Geography OA1History HB3655550+25 = 7580706075

Total = 425 (leave out 55 point result)

12RESTRICTED ENTRY COURSESSome courses have Interviews/ Aptitude tests/Portfolio/Auditions

Must apply to CAO by February 1st for these courses

Medicine HPAT test March 2nd _ apply by January 20th

Check CAO handbook page 4

1312345678910So what is the best way to fill in the courses?Dream CoursesRealistic CoursesBanker CoursesAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords14Making an ApplicationApplications can be made online or by paper form.Always keep proof of sending application. Online-print screen receipt.Paper-obtain certificate of posting.Fill out both course listsIn genuine order of Preference- not based onPredictions of next years grades.

15Application Dates and Fees

Paper ApplicationFeeDatesNormal401st February : 5.15pmLate801 May : 5.15 pmOnline ApplicationFeeDates

Early Bird2520th January : 5.15 pmNormal401st February : 5.15pmLate501st May : 5: 15 pmChange of MindNo FeeCloses 1ST July : 5.15pm16After Making ApplicationReceive CAO number and Statement of Course Choices check this carefully.Some students may be called for extra assessments.Receive Statement of Application Record (Before the end of May) check details carefully. Change of Mind facility becomes available use sparingly and carefully. (May 5th - 1st July)Leaving Cert. Results are sent to CAO. (14th August)Places are allocated and offered by post and online.(19th August)Students accept, reject or defer offered places.Further rounds of offers are made until all course places are filled.Anne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords17Between February and October, if away at any stage make sure someone knows to open any CAO correspondence and knows what to do with it.If there is a change of address dont forget to let CAO know.Use CAO number in any future correspondence.Change of MindAfter 5th May you can register a change of course choices online,

Or

Use Change of Mind Form.

Print any changes made

18

This facility closes on 1st of July at 5.15pmBefore end of May each applicant will be sent a Statement of Application Record as a final acknowledgement and to allow you to verify that all information has been recorded accurately.

Change of Mind facility closes July 1st 2010 (5.15 pm) If you submit a Change of Mind Form it supersedes all previous course choices in any category in which changes have been made.There is no fee for the facility.Your submission will be acknowledged by a further Statement of Course Choices.It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep a copy of the Change of Mind Form and ensure a Certificate of Posting is obtained.Acknowledgement will be sent to email address for those who register a change of mind online.18Offer of Places2 offers may be received: 1 from Level 8 list and 1 from Level 6/7 list.ONLY ONE OFFER MAY BE ACCEPTEDWhen you are offered one of your course preferences on a list, automatically you will be excluded for consideration from all courses below thatYOU MAY NOT MOVE DOWN IN YOUR ORDER OF PREFERENCESThis is why it is so important to fill in form in your Genuine Order of Preference19

Places are offered in the highest of your course preferences to which you are entitled.

You may be offered a higher preference of course if a place becomes available in Round 2or 3, regardless of whether you have accepted an initial offer.

You can then decide to accept or reject this offer.

ROUND ONE:The main body of offers takes place after Leaving Certificate results become available- usually mid-August.ROUND TWO:A second round of offers will be issued in late August/early September, to fill any remaining vacancies.

AFTER ROUND TWOOffers will be issued as necessary until October to fill any vacancies which may arise.

19Offer of places (contd.)By way of example: Lets say you have 350 points and your course preference on the CAO form is:1.Physics 2.Business 3.Arts 4. Tourism

20Order of PreferenceCourse1st Round Offer Points2nd Round Offer Points3rd Round Offer Points1Physics3603603602Business3603503Arts3503454Tourism340In the 1st round offers you would be offered your preference i.e. Arts.In round 2 of offers you would be offered Business and finally in round 3 as the points have dropped you will be offered Physics - your 1st preference.

It is vitally important that students rank their preferences in genuine order of preference.

Remember- an offer will lapse unless you accept it within a specified period-i.e. Unless the online or paper acceptance is received in CAO by 5.15pm on the Reply Date set out in the Offer Notice.20Places AllocationStudents 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.21Random EntryTwo or more candidates on the same pointsRandom number given to each applicationHighest random Number gets the placeShown by an *For example 370* means not every candidate with 370 points got a place but everyone with 375 would haveAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords22DeferralYou are recommended to check with the college in advance about their deferral conditions and arrangements- some courses where deferral will be difficult or impossible.When offered place, contact admissions office of university IMMEDIATELY mark deferred entry- must be done at least 2 days before REPLY DATE on offer notice decision will be madeRead the CAO Handbook about this page 6.

Anne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords23GrantsOnline application for grants 2012-2013 is available now at www.studentfinance.ieOrwww.grantsonline.ie

Register> Complete Application > Decision will followApplications will be accepted up to 31st of August

Can cover a number of areas including maintenance grants, student contribution/ registration fee (50% or 100%) , tuition fees if not covered under the free fees scheme. PLC fees are not covered unless student holds a full medical card24ACCESS SCHEMES: 1

25DARE Disability Acess Route to Education11 Colleges participatingA quota of places offered to students with disability on a reduced points basis.Must meet minimum entry requirements See: www.accesscollege.ie for list of disabilities eligible

Students applying via these routes are required to complete their CAO Application on-line as additional forms necessary to complete their application are on-line only.Disclose any disability in full, as it will not adversely affect your application or your legal rights.Further information available on:www.cao.iewww.collegeaccess.ieWebsites of participating HEIsPage 8/9 of Handbook

25ACCESS SCHEMES

26HEAR Higher Education Access RouteFor students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.Quota of places offered on a reduced points basis. Must meet minimum entry requirementsMust satisfy 3 of the 6 indicatorsSee www.accesscollege.ie for further informationHigher Education Access Route- HEAR 3rd level admissions scheme for school leavers fromSocio-Economically disadvantaged backgrounds.Students who wish to be considered must fill in appropriate section in Part A of Application Form.Additional questions relating to family income, employment status of parents and school(s) attended will be asked.

Applications for HEAR can only be made online.February 1, 2010: Complete all elements of online HEAR application as part of the CAO application process.April 1, 2010:Submit relevant evidence of family financial circumstances to CAO.

See page 8 of CAO Handbook26DARE and HEAR SchemesMust apply to CAO by February 1stFinal completion of DARE/HEAR forms due on March 1st indicate you wish to apply for the schemeFinal date for submission of supporting documentation to arrive in CAO by 1st April

CHECK CAO BOOKLET PAGE 8 AND 9For Hear application do not submit original documentation- only photocopies.For DARE scheme any medical/ psychological reports can not be older than 3 years. The psychologist who provides the report must be an appropriately qualified psychologist275th November, 2012> CAO Online facility opens at 12.00 noon20th January, 2013>Early Bird offer ends1st February, 2013Closing date for receipt of normal applicationsBy 15th February, 2013Receive Statement of Course Choices1st May, 2013Closing date for receipt of late applicationsBefore/By 31st May, 2013Receive Statement of Application RecordFrom 5th May, 2013Change of mind facility opens.1st July, 2013Latest date for receipt of change of mind in CAO.Late August, 2013 19th (expected date)First round of offers will commence.CAO TimetableAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords28Applicants should apply early - take January 26th as the closing date do not wait until right up to February 1st. Leave time for things to go wrong.If a student doesnt receive their Statements by the dates mentioned contact CAO immediately there could be a problem.Non- CAO OptionsApprenticeshipsDefence ForcesGardaDirect to EmploymentPost Leaving Certificate CoursesFETAC links scheme

DESPERATELY NEED EMPLOYERS TO TAKE ON APPRENTICESDEFENCE FORCES AND GARDA APPLICATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE THROUGH THE WEB SITESApprenticeships

Find a suitable employer Must be approved by FsEmployer must register apprentice within two weeks of starting Meet the minimum educational requirements i.e. 5 Passes in Junior Cert.

Further Education Training Awards CouncilFETAC Links to Higher Education InstitutesEspecially Important for Students who may not make the CAO PointsCan begin with a PLC and end up with a DoctorateMature Entry to College (age 23 or over)Post Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs)Courses in very high demand in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Apply early to be called for interview in MarchContact each college/ check college websites to see when they will start accepting your application.Most PLC courses expect to fill all places in March interviewsRequirements usually 5 passes in your Leaving Certificate. Please consult prospectus for 2013 entry requirements.Importance of Interview and some experience of the career area applying for.32PLC courses continuedRemember that PLC courses do not provide an automatic link to Higher Education But a possible pathway to Higher Education through FETAC Links SchemeThis is competitive and you must excel in your PLC course to proceed further.33Other AlternativesUCASApplying to colleges in UK and Northern IrelandClosing Date 15th January except for Medicine, Dentistry, Vet, Oxford & Cambridge closing date 15th OctoberSome require aptitude tests.Fees are applicable. Must apply online using UCAS ApplyPersonal statement is very importantAll 6th Year students who are interested in applying must have come forward to Guidance Counsellor by now.34Destination Survey 201235

Institutions of choice 2012 Others (1 Student) = NUIG, Marino Institute of Ed, All Hallows, Inchicore College of Further Ed Ballsbridge, Ballyfermot, Killester36Facts60% of employers seek graduates of any discipline

Quality of degree is far more important than the subjects

It is better to excel in a subject not in great demand than to be average in one that is.

37DATES OF INTERESTMonday 12th November 6th Year PTMJanuary 20th -CAO onlineEarly Bird 25 February 1st - CAO DeadlineJanuary 28th February 8th MocksFebruary 26th Mock InterviewsJune Leaving Cert. beginsAugust 14th - Results August 19th - First Round offersWe will require interviewers for the mock interview nightWho to talk to?RelativesPast pupilsAdmissions/Academic staff of collegesGuidance CounsellorInterest Inventories / Guidance interviewsAccess to sources of informationAppointments for parents 39Useful ResourcesInternetQualifax www.qualifax.ie Irish courses databaseCAO www.cao.ie Contains links to course websitesCareer Directions www.careerdirections.ieCareers Portal www.careersportal.ieGrants www.studentfinance.ieCollege websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)College Prospectuses- 2013 EntryCAO Handbook 2013Newspapers- Irish Times, IndependentInternet40

Publications-Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2010 edition,Newspapers-The IrishTimes,Tuesdays-education section; Early January ,special college series, Supplement of articles. The independent-careers articles by Mary O Donnell throughout the year. Both papers publish LC results in August and analysis of trends, plus helpful articles e.g. How to survive college, advice on budgetting etc,.InternetQualifax-www.qualifax.ie-Irish courses databaseCAO-www.cao.ie- contains links to course websitesCareer Directons-www.careerdirections.ieCareers Portal.ie-www.careersportal.ieCollege websites(addresses in CAO Handbook)www.loadzajobs.iewww.irishjobs.ie-both link in the Irish Times and Irish IndependentPeopleRelativesPast PupilsAdmissions/academic staff of collegesInterest Inventories40Research thoroughly all the courses for which she is making an application. Be au fait with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses i.e. procedures, dates, fees, rules etcRemindersIt is the applicants responsibility toAnne Smyth - Loreto College, Swords41If there are any questions, problems or doubts about the CAO system, contact CAO or myself.Ask early dont leave it until it may be too late to do anything.help@cao.ieHomework and StudyThe recommended amount of time spent by a 6th Year student doing homework and study should be: 3 hours per night six times per week, i.e. 21 hours per week.Reminders Contd.42The World is your OysterAim high

Match the goal with the necessary work

Never too late

4343LIFELONG LEARNINGThe journey is only beginning..

Thank You45

45