Download - Applying to Third Level
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
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
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
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
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