Loreto College, Swords

1. Loreto College, Swords CAO Information Evening Catriona Foley Guidance Counsellor

2. Agenda • Applicants Responsibilities • General points regarding the CAO. • Entry Requirements and the Points System. • Making an application. • How places are allocated by CAO • After submitting the application. • Other Options • Questions

3. It is the applicants responsibility to: • Research 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, etc.

4. Useful ResourcesTo assist with course research / application Publications • College Prospectuses – 2009 Entry • Student Yearbook and Career Directory 2, 2009 ed. • Career Choice 2009 ed., Level Three Publications • Applying to College 2009 ed., by R. Dunne. • CAO Handbook 2009 Newspapers • The Irish Times • Tuesdays Education Section • Early January Special College Supplement Series of articles - Brian Mooney • The Independent • Careers Articles - Mary O Donnell

5. Internet • Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database • CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites • Career Directions – www.careerdirections.ie • Careers Portal – www.careersportal.ie • College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) People • Relatives • Past pupils • Admissions/Academic staff of colleges Guidance Counsellor • Interest Inventories / Guidance interviews • Access to sources of information • Appointments for parents

6. CAO – General Info. • Centralised application system for 43 Irish 3rd level institutions, including 5 fee-paying colleges. • Every 6th year will have a CAO Application Pack which includes: • 2009 CAO Handbook – application and course information • Paper application form • Application fee bank giro form • Application Dates and Fees

7. CAO – General Info. • 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’. • 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

11. ENTRY REQUIREMENTSThese must be satisfied before “points” are considered. Minimum 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.

12. 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

13. 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 • University of Limerick - all courses • DIT - Course DT021, Electronic Eng. • Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate

14. 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

15. 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.

16. Applicant Position Applicant Position Points Score Points Score Science – UCD 100 places to be offered Course Merit Lists 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*

17. Random Entry • Two or more candidates on the same points • Random number given to each application • Highest random Number gets the place • Shown by an * • For example 370* means not every candidate with 370 points got a place but everyone with 375 would have

18. A Students Course Preferences - Example 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. ROUND 2 7 round one places not accepted 3 round one places not accepted  Last place to be filled - Round 1  Last place to be filled – Round 1  Last place to be filled - Round 2  Last place to be filled - Round 2 Round 2 cut off points - 455 Round 2 cut off points - 460

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

21. 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.

22. Nursing • Apply directly to CAO • Level 8 Five Areas • General • Integrated (4.5 Years- General & Children) • Midwifery • Psychiatric • Intellectual Disability Nursing

23. Minimum Entry Requirement • 2HC3 and four passes • Irish or English • Mathematics • A Laboratory Science Subject • Three other subjects • Minimum points 2008 • 300-365

24. 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.

25. CAO TIMETABLE 2009 ENTRY • 1st February, 2009 • Closing date for receipt of normal applications • Before/By 21st February, 2009 • Receive Statement of Course Choices • 1st May, 2009 • Closing date for receipt of late applications • Before/By 31st May, 2009 • Receive Statement of Application Record • From late May, 2009 • Change of mind forms may be sent. • 1st July, 2009 • Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO. • Late August, 2009 • First round of offers will commence.

26. 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.

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

28. 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.

29. 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)

30. Other Alternatives UCAS Applying to colleges in UK and Northern Ireland Closing Date 15th January except for Medicine, Dentistry, Vet, Oxford & Cambridge closing date 15th October Fees are applicable. Must apply online using UCAS Apply Personal statement is very important

31. National Framework of Qualifications10 Levels Level 4 Leaving Cert Level 5/6 (former Cert./Diploma) PLC, FETAC, VEC Level 7 Ordinary Degree I.T.s,NUI Level 8 Honours Degree I.T.s, NUI

32. Destination Survey 2008

33. Institutions of choice 2008

34. Grants Higher Education Grants Applies to Level 8 Courses Vocational Education Committees Level 6 & Level 7 courses Post Leaving Certificate All PLC courses

35. Means Tested HEA - Local County Council VEC – County Dublin Apply to VEC office in Tallaght PLC- to college attending Applications by 15th July. Late applications are accepted Log on to www.studentfinance.ie for further information

36. Paving the Way Goal Setting Attendance, Study & Homework Examination Techniques Part-time jobs must go!! Keep up Sporting Activities Relax!

37. DATES OF INTEREST Monday 17th November – 6th Year PTM Monday 24th November at 7.30pm - Study Skills Talk for parents Monday December 15th- Study Skills Seminar February 1st- CAO Deadline January 20th -CAO online‘Early Bird’ – €35 February – Mocks March – Mock Interviews June – Leaving Cert. begins August 12th- Results August 17th- First Round offers

38. Homework and Study The recommended amount of time spent by a 6th Year student doing homework and study should be: 3 ½ hours per night six times per week, i.e. 21 hours per week.

39. The World is Your Oyster Aim high Match the Goal with the necessary work Never too late

40. LIFELONG LEARNING The journey is only beginning……..