Options’ Night

1. Options’ Night A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

2. Senior Cycle Options • Leaving Cert Established (LCE) • Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP) • Transition Year (TY) A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

3. Subject Choice – 5th Yr • You will take 7 subjects unless you have an exemption from one • You will choose 4 subjects as well as English, Irish and Maths • Applied Maths and LCVP are taken as an eighth subject

4. Science Subjects & Foreign Languages A decision to drop all science subjects or foreign languages will have significant implications on the range of courses/careers open to you later on. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

5. WHY? • If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science subject or two for some courses Physics Biology Chemistry

6. Do I need a foreign language? • UCC, NUI Galway, UCD, NUI Maynooth, the Royal College of Surgeons, St.Angela’s College and Shannon College of Hotel Management require a pass (OD3)in a third language for most of their courses. • Entry to the Cadetships in the Defence Forces requires a third Language. • NCAD require a third language OR Art

7. Colleges that Require a Minimum D3 at Ordinary Level

8. Exception • A modern language is not a requirement for Engineering and Science, Agricultural Science and Nursing in NUI’s. • It is required for Health Sciences. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

9. The importance of Maths? • Some colleges and courses offer places to students who secure a minimum of a grade A or B in foundation level maths at this level. • A pass in ordinary level maths is essential for entry to the majority of courses. • Whatever you do over the next two years, don’t neglect your studies in this subject. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

10. Consider the following factors when choosing your subjects: • ABILITY - choose subjects in which you are likely to get good grades. • APTITUDES - The Differential Aptitude Tests consist of eight different tests. The results show where your greatest strengths lie. You will cope well with subjects for which you have an aptitude. • INTEREST - Choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in as you are much more likely to study those subjects and do well in them. • CAREER - In addition to the core subjects (Irish, English, Maths) there are other subjects that are essential for some courses and careers. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

11. Making a Wise Choice • What subject am I most interested in? • What subject am I likely to be best at? • What subjects will I need? • Balanced choice of subjects A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

12. Where to go to access relevant information...

13. Three Hurdles to College Entry • Matriculation Requirements (College) • Subject Requirements (Faculty) • Points A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

14. Matriculation Requirements The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student. So, what subjects do I need to be doing for my Leaving Cert before I can apply to X college? A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

15. What you need to progress to Third Level? The College (or Basic) Requirements.* 5 OD in Leaving Certificate for CFE’s*6 subjects (2 at HC and 4 at OD) for level I.T’s and Universities The Faculty (or Course) Requirements*e.g. HC3 in Irish for Primary Teaching, HC3 in Maths for Engineering Points*Best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate c F P

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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. Ordinary Higher Leaving Certificate Points Allocation Points are based on your best six results in the LC. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

22. Course Requirements/Subject Requirements Some examples are: NUIM –Electronic Engineering- 2HC3 + 4OD3, Maths HC3, 360 points. RCSI-Medicine- 2HC3 + 4OD3, Laboratory Science or Maths HB3, HPAT and 740 • www.qualifax.ie/students/uselfultools A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

23. Entry Requirements Entry requirements for Third Level courses vary from course to course so you must refer to the relevant literature or information given on the website.www.qualifax.iewww.cao.ie for a full list of points A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com

24. Important Points Remember that the Leaving Certificate requires a great amount of hard work over two years. It is easier to work hard if you have chosen, in so far as possible, subjects you like. It is easier to be motivated if you have a sense of purpose, a clear (SMART) goal in your sight, a particular career area, etc. Education can only improve a student’s chances. Everyone has ability, but they must use it fully. A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

25. Note the following • Classes in any subject will only go ahead if sufficient numbers choose it • Numbers for particular classes may be limited • In so far as possible, students will be given their subject choice • It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in order of preference. • You must choose five choice subjects and you will study 4 of these choice subjects for Leaving Certificate. The subject listed as number 5 will only be used where timetabling constraints exist.

26. The Leaving Cert is like a cake: Bake it in 5th Year, Ice it in 6th Year! A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

27. And finally… Do not give up subjects you love! A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com

28. Eleanor Uí Chatháin and Aedín Tynan, Guidance Counsellors Questions A Curriculum Content Outline for each subject is available @ www.abbeycommunitycollege.com under Links (Career Guidance Website) Or by emailing the Guidance Counsellor – ecathain@abbeycommunitycollege.com or atynan@abbeycommunitycollege.com