Applying to Third LevelApplying to Third Level

Fred TuiteFred Tuite

Guidance CounsellorGuidance Counsellor

About ApplyingAbout Applying

It is YOUR choiceIt is YOUR choice It is YOUR responsibilityIt is YOUR responsibility It is YOUR decisionIt is YOUR decision NOT the Guidance CounsellorNOT the Guidance Counsellor NOT your parentsNOT your parents NOT your friendsNOT your friends This is YOUR lifeThis is YOUR life

Independent study – nobody pushing, Independent study – nobody pushing, checking or watchingchecking or watching

Freedom – go to lectures, study orFreedom – go to lectures, study or drink coffee drink coffee

Accommodation – work and study Accommodation – work and study away from home without any of the normal away from home without any of the normal supportssupports

Learning Challenge – study in depth at a Learning Challenge – study in depth at a much higher level than in secondary schoolmuch higher level than in secondary school

Are you ready for all this?Are you ready for all this?

Third Level Is a ChallengeThird Level Is a Challenge

DecidingDeciding

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

Get the InformationGet the Information

Get the college prospectusesGet the college prospectuses Check the colleges’ websitesCheck the colleges’ websites Read career publicationsRead career publications Go to Open Days and Career ExhibitionsGo to Open Days and Career Exhibitions Talk to students and friendsTalk to students and friends Discuss it with your Guidance CounsellorDiscuss it with your Guidance Counsellor Try to know as much as you canTry to know as much as you can

National Qualification FrameworkNational 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

How to Get ThereHow to Get There

Apply for almost all third level courses Apply for almost all third level courses through the CAO (central applications through the CAO (central applications office)office)

Two ways of applying:Two ways of applying:– Online at Online at www.cao.ie – By post using the CAO formBy post using the CAO form

Advantages of Applying OnlineAdvantages of Applying Online

Cheaper: €25 for applications before Jan Cheaper: €25 for applications before Jan 2020thth compared to €40 for paper compared to €40 for paper

It won’t allow common errors (wrong date It won’t allow common errors (wrong date of birth, courses in the wrong section)of birth, courses in the wrong section)

You can pay by Credit or Laser Card (no You can pay by Credit or Laser Card (no need to go to the bank or the Post Office)need to go to the bank or the Post Office)

Get text, email and print choicesGet text, email and print choices You can use the school’s computers if your You can use the school’s computers if your

internet access at home is difficultinternet access at home is difficult

The HandbookThe Handbook

R.T.F.MR.T.F.M Read The … ManualRead The … Manual Read this Handbook Read this Handbook

CarefullyCarefully It is your It is your contract contract with the with the

CAOCAO All your questions about All your questions about

application and offers are application and offers are answered thereanswered there

Read it!Read it!

The HandbookThe Handbook

Two sectionsTwo sections White pages - Details of applications White pages - Details of applications

procedures, offers, deadlines and other procedures, offers, deadlines and other instructionsinstructions

Yellow pages – Lists of courses and codes Yellow pages – Lists of courses and codes in the different collegesin the different colleges

Choosing Your CoursesChoosing Your Courses You can choose up to 10 courses on the You can choose up to 10 courses on the

Honours Degree (level 8) list Honours Degree (level 8) list andand You can choose up to 10 courses on the You can choose up to 10 courses on the

Higher Certificate/Ordinary Degree (levels Higher Certificate/Ordinary Degree (levels 6 &7) list6 &7) list

You don’t have to fill out all 10You don’t have to fill out all 10 You don’t have to fill out both listsYou don’t have to fill out both lists Each list is independent of the otherEach list is independent of the other You can be offered choices from both listsYou can be offered choices from both lists But you can only choose oneBut you can only choose one

Making Your ChoiceMaking Your Choice

Use your genuine order of preferenceUse your genuine order of preference The first choice is the one you want to do The first choice is the one you want to do

mostmost If not that course your second choice is…If not that course your second choice is… Then your third choice and so onThen your third choice and so on Ignore the points go for what you want Ignore the points go for what you want

most!most!

How to Choose…just Imagine…How to Choose…just Imagine…

You’ll get 600 points what would you You’ll get 600 points what would you choose first, then second…choose first, then second…

It is the “good old days” and two honours It is the “good old days” and two honours will get you into any course, what would will get you into any course, what would you choose first, then second …you choose first, then second …

Aim high –but keep at least Aim high –but keep at least “one sure thing” in your choices“one sure thing” in your choices

What You Need for Third LevelWhat You Need for Third Level

1.1. The College (or Basic) RequirementsThe College (or Basic) Requirements..* 5 OD in Leaving Certificate for level 6 & 7 * 5 OD in Leaving Certificate for level 6 & 7 coursescourses*6 subjects (2 at HC and 4 at OD) for level 8 *6 subjects (2 at HC and 4 at OD) for level 8 coursescourses

2.2. The Faculty (or Course) RequirementsThe Faculty (or Course) Requirements*e.g. HC in Irish for Primary Teaching, HC in *e.g. HC in Irish for Primary Teaching, HC in Maths for EngineeringMaths for Engineering

3.3. PointsPoints*Best *Best sixsix subjects in subjects in oneone sitting of the Leaving sitting of the Leaving CertificateCertificate

ApplicantsApplicants

Available PlacesAvailable Places

Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate

550550500500480480400400320320

550550 400400 480480 320320 190190 500500 290290

TOO MANY

Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate

550550500500480480400400320320

550550 400400 480480 320320 190190 500500 290290

was the lowest points to gain entrywas the lowest points to gain entry320320

If a place is not accepted ...If a place is not accepted ...

550550500500400400320320

550550 400400 480480 320320 190190 500500 290290

was the lowest points to gain entrywas the lowest points to gain entry320320

If a place is not accepted it goes to the next in lineIf a place is not accepted it goes to the next in line

290290

290290 is now the lowest points to gain entryis now the lowest points to gain entry

COURSE 1COURSE 1

COURSE 2COURSE 2

COURSE 3COURSE 3

COURSE 4COURSE 4

COURSE 5COURSE 5

COURSE 6COURSE 6

COURSE 7COURSE 7

COURSE 8COURSE 8

COURSE 9COURSE 9

COURSE 10COURSE 10

You send your application with You send your application with up to 10 courses in each of the up to 10 courses in each of the two sections of your CAO two sections of your CAO applicationapplication..

After your Examination After your Examination results are published the CAO results are published the CAO computer begins to process computer begins to process your applicationyour application..

COURSE 1COURSE 1

COURSE 2COURSE 2

COURSE 3COURSE 3

COURSE 4COURSE 4

COURSE 5COURSE 5

COURSE 6COURSE 6

COURSE 7COURSE 7

COURSE 8COURSE 8

COURSE 9COURSE 9

COURSE 10COURSE 10

OFFER 1

NO LONGER NO LONGER CONSIDEREDCONSIDERED

Some people don’t accept their offers!Some people don’t accept their offers!

OFFER 2

COURSE 1COURSE 1

COURSE 2COURSE 2

COURSE 3COURSE 3

COURSE 4COURSE 4

COURSE 5COURSE 5

COURSE 6COURSE 6

COURSE 7COURSE 7

COURSE 8COURSE 8

COURSE 9COURSE 9

COURSE 10COURSE 10

OFFER 1

NO LONGER NO LONGER CONSIDEREDCONSIDERED

NO LONGER CONSIDEREDNO LONGER CONSIDERED

The Important Things AreThe Important Things Are

Know what the course involves Know what the course involves beforebefore you you applyapply

Apply in Apply in your genuine order of preferenceyour genuine order of preference Ignore pointsIgnore points Only apply for courses Only apply for courses you genuinely want you genuinely want

to doto do

The Online FormThe Online Form

Located at Located at www.cao.ie

The Online FormThe Online Form

Online FormOnline Form

Application NumberApplication Number

You are now given an Application NumberYou are now given an Application Number Keep this carefully (sent instantly by email Keep this carefully (sent instantly by email

and text)and text) You will need it to log in to your accountYou will need it to log in to your account You can change your mind online free of You can change your mind online free of

charge until January 31charge until January 31stst After that changes can be made from 5After that changes can be made from 5 thth

May to 1May to 1stst July July

Log in to AccountLog in to Account

Online Version 2Online Version 2

Online Version ErrorsOnline Version Errors

The Paper FormThe Paper Form

Page 1Page 1

Paper Version Page 2Paper Version Page 2

Paying for Paper ApplicationsPaying for Paper Applications Get the Bank Giro form Get the Bank Giro form

from CAO to pay the from CAO to pay the money through any money through any bankbank

The bank should stamp The bank should stamp the form in three placesthe form in three places

They keep the bottom They keep the bottom part as their recordpart as their record

You keep the middle You keep the middle part as your recordpart as your record

You send the top part to You send the top part to CAO with the CAO with the applicationapplication

In a large envelope In a large envelope

To PostTo Post

Include the CAO form Include the CAO form

The Giro slipThe Giro slip

Get a Certificate of Get a Certificate of Postage from the Post Postage from the Post Office (on the back Office (on the back page of the Handbook)page of the Handbook)

Restricted ApplicationsRestricted Applications

Some courses consider more than just Some courses consider more than just pointspoints

Interviews, tests, auditions, portfolios or Interviews, tests, auditions, portfolios or projectsprojects

These are conducted around EasterThese are conducted around Easter These courses can’t be added to your These courses can’t be added to your

application after February 1application after February 1stst They can be changed or droppedThey can be changed or dropped

ConfirmationConfirmation

In May you will be sent a confirmation of In May you will be sent a confirmation of course choicescourse choices

Check all details carefullyCheck all details carefully If there are no errors you do not need to do If there are no errors you do not need to do

anythinganything Notify CAO of any errors by marking them Notify CAO of any errors by marking them

on the form and sending it back on the form and sending it back

Change of MindChange of Mind You will also be sent a You will also be sent a

Change of Mind form in MayChange of Mind form in May You can change You can change

your mind onlineyour mind onlineeven if you have even if you have applied on paperapplied on paper

The final date for changing your mind is The final date for changing your mind is July 1July 1stst

Offers and AcceptancesOffers and Acceptances

Made one week after Leaving Cert resultsMade one week after Leaving Cert results Made by post and onlineMade by post and online You can get an offer from both lists (levels You can get an offer from both lists (levels

6 &7 and Level 8)6 &7 and Level 8) You can only accept oneYou can only accept one Accept online Accept online oror by post by post No need to pay any moneyNo need to pay any money Start looking for your accommodation!Start looking for your accommodation!

Vacant PlacesVacant Places

In August courses with places still available In August courses with places still available or new courses are advertised on the or new courses are advertised on the website website www.cao.ie

You can apply for these provided you have You can apply for these provided you have the minimum requirements for themthe minimum requirements for them

You don’t have to have made an application You don’t have to have made an application to CAO to avail of theseto CAO to avail of these

They can be worth checking outThey can be worth checking out

Deferring a PlaceDeferring a Place Deferring means that you don’t want to take Deferring means that you don’t want to take

your place this year but will do so next year.your place this year but will do so next year. Some courses can not be deferred, check Some courses can not be deferred, check

beforehandbeforehand Once the offer comes DO NOT ACCEPT ITOnce the offer comes DO NOT ACCEPT IT Write IMMEDIATELY to the college Write IMMEDIATELY to the college

concernedconcerned They will let you know if the offer will be They will let you know if the offer will be

deferreddeferred

The Following YearThe Following Year

Reapply the following year with that course Reapply the following year with that course as your only choiceas your only choice

You will then get offered it in Round ZeroYou will then get offered it in Round Zero If you put any other courses on the form If you put any other courses on the form

you will lose your deferred place you will lose your deferred place You then compete for places with all other You then compete for places with all other

applicantsapplicants

HEARHEAR

Higher Education Access Route is a third level Higher Education Access Route is a third level admission scheme for school leavers from admission scheme for school leavers from socio-economically deprived backgroundsocio-economically deprived background

Each college has a quota of places on a Each college has a quota of places on a reduced points basis for HEAR studentsreduced points basis for HEAR students

Information from Information from www.cao.ie and and www.accesscollege.ie

You must have an active email address to You must have an active email address to apply and you will have to send on apply and you will have to send on documentary proof of entitlement.documentary proof of entitlement.

DAREDARE

Disability Access Route to Education is a Disability Access Route to Education is a supplementary admission scheme for school supplementary admission scheme for school leavers with disabilities and can mean reduced leavers with disabilities and can mean reduced pointspoints

For those with academic ability but who may For those with academic ability but who may not be able to meet points due to impact of not be able to meet points due to impact of disabilitydisability

You will require proof of disability including You will require proof of disability including consultant’s report and school referenceconsultant’s report and school reference

Information on Information on www.cao.ie and and www.accesscollege.ie

Important InformationImportant Information

If an applicant has lived outside the EU If an applicant has lived outside the EU then you may be required to apply directly then you may be required to apply directly to some colleges (see page 7 of Handbook)to some colleges (see page 7 of Handbook)

If a student has exemption from Irish and/or If a student has exemption from Irish and/or third language they must complete an NUI third language they must complete an NUI Exemption Form to ensure you meet the Exemption Form to ensure you meet the entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Colleges.Colleges.

TimetableTimetable

Jan 20Jan 20thth Closing date for online cheaper Closing date for online cheaper applicationsapplications

Feb 1Feb 1stst Closing date for applications Closing date for applications May 1May 1stst Closing date for late applications Closing date for late applications July 1July 1stst Closing date for change of mind Closing date for change of mind Round One Offers –one week after Leaving Cert Round One Offers –one week after Leaving Cert

resultsresults Round Two Offers –early SeptemberRound Two Offers –early September After Round Two –as necessaryAfter Round Two –as necessary

FinallyFinally

• Get lots of informationGet lots of information

• Read the instructionsRead the instructions

• Be on timeBe on time

• Courses in YOUR order of preferenceCourses in YOUR order of preference

• Include one “dead cert”Include one “dead cert”

The CAO EssenceThe CAO Essence

Go for what you really Go for what you really wantwant

Work really hard to get itWork really hard to get it

Any Questions?Any Questions?