SUMMERHILL COLLEGE ATHLONE

CAOInformation

Mary Egan

AGENDA

CAO / UCAS +

Finance / Access: SUSI / HEAR / DARE

Transition to College – Kay Mitchell, School’s Liaison Officer, Maynooth University

PURPOSE OF THE CAO

CAO processes applications to undergraduate to Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s), known as third level colleges.

Offers are issued and acceptances recorded by the CAO (Central Applications Office, Galway).

Assessments of applications and decisions on admission are made by the HEI’s Admissions officers in the individual colleges.

APPLICANTS RESPONSIBILITY:

Research thoroughly all the courses, use web.

Be familiar with all aspects of the application system used: procedures, requirements, fees, etc.

Dates! Dates! Dates!

USEFUL RESOURCESTO ASSIST WITH COURSE RESEARCH /

APPLICATION

Publications: College Prospectus – 2016 Entry CAO Handbook 2016

Newspapers: The Irish Times: Tuesdays: Education Section. Brian

Mooney.

The Irish Independent: Wednesdays: Education

Section.

Internet:

Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database

CAO – www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites

Careersportal - www.careersportal.ie

College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook)

www.ucas.com – UK: “course search”

www.prospects.ac.uk

FEES & CLOSING DATES.

Only one application, fees non-refundable

Online discounted rate

€25 20th Jan 2016, 5:15pm

Normal online Application

€40 1st Feb 2016, 5:15pm

Late online Application

€50 1st May 2016, 5:15pm

Change of Mind No Fee 1st July 2016, 5:15pm

Exceptional online application

€50 22nd July 2016, 5:15

TYPES OF COURSE

10 Level 8 courses

10 Level 6 or 7 (Institutes of Technology)

Restricted application courses by 1st Feb: Music, Art, Mature, Medicine etc…

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

MUST BE MET BEFORE “POINTS” ARE CONSIDERED.

Minimum College Entry Requirements UCD

6 subjects inc. at least2 HC3

Pass in: Irish English Another Language# Mathematics*

Specific Course Subject Requirements UCD

Engineering: HC3 Maths, no language, science

Veterinary: HC3 Chemistry

French+Law: HB3 French

Once above are met points applied

MOST RECENT CHANGES

B Social Science UCD, 2015, 3rd language dropped - must instead get OD3 Maths

Science only UCD, Geography accepted as Lab Science requirement.

Veterinary Nursing only UCD, Home Economics (Social & Scientific) may also be used as a laboratory science subject. 

Pharmacy in RCSI: Chemistry

POINTS SYSTEM

Number of qualified applicants V Number of places in a course

Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only (requirements can be achieved over more than one).

Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects

25 Bonus points are awarded for Honours Mathematics but only if counting as one of six subjects for points.

Entry Requirements – can be from more than one sitting

of the Leaving Certificate

POINTS ALLOCATIONGrade Honours OrdinaryA1 100 60A2 90 50

B1 85 45B2 80 40B3 75 35

C1 70 30C2 65 25C3 60 20

D1 55 15D2 50 10D3 45 5

LCVP Points

Distinction 70

Merit 50

Pass 30

NEW POINTS SYSTEM 2017 ENTRY

Higher Ordinary

Grade Points Grade Points

 H1 100    

 H2 88    

 H3 77    

 H4 66    

 H5 56  O1 56

 H6 46  O2 46

 H7 37  O3 37

 H8 0  O4 28

     O5 20

     O6 12

     O7 0

     O8 0

FILLING FORM Online application live from 5rd November

Application fee payment form for bank –two back stamped by bank

Make sure to check list at back of CAO book when posting

Keep a receipt from either method.

Check statement of course choices v carefully, esp restricted applicants.

ORDER OF PREFERENCE ESSENTIAL

STUDENT ACHIEVES 390 POINTS

1. Social Work, TCD 470

2. Social Science, UCD 390*

3. Social Science, NUIM 385

4. Social Science, UCC 390

5. Social Care, AIT330

6. Social care, LIT 360

1. Social Care AIT320

2. Social Care, Tralee 355

3. Social Care, CIT365

4. Social Care, DBS 120

5. Social Care ITS 340

6. Accounting AIT 260

7. Business AIT 160

Level 8 Level 6 / 7

OFFERED

1. Social Work, TCD 470

2. Social Science, UCD390*

3. Social Science, UCC385

Everything below offer disappears!

Social Care AIT320

Everything below offer disappears!

Level 8 Level 6/7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?

Dream Courses

Realistic Courses

Banker Courses

PLACES ALLOCATION

Note: The position on list – no effect on offer!!!

The exact same procedure for both lists: -may 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 to one.

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.

May, Change of Mind facility becomes available

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/Vacant places offers are made until all course places are filled.

CAO TIMETABLE 2016 ENTRY

20th January 2016: cheap online application

1st February, 2016 Closing date for receipt of normal applications

Before/By 21st February, 2016 Receive Statement of Course Choices

1st May, 2016 Closing date for receipt of late applications

Before/By 31st May, 2016 Receive Statement of Application Record

From late May, 2016 Change of mind forms may be sent.

1st July, 2016 Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO.

Late August, 2016 First round of offers will commence.

OTHER OPTIONS

Post Leaving Certificate Courses FETAC links scheme

Apprenticeships Defence Forces Gardai Failte Ireland Direct to Employment Retail Management training

POST LEAVING CERT COURSES

Further Education Colleges (PLC’s) – stand alone or part of second level

Huge variety of courses

One / two year qualification - direct to work

Link scheme to universities / IoT’s – check links

5 passes + interview minimum

UK www.ucas.com: 5 courses (medicine,

veterinary – 4)

No Fees: Scotland, nursing, therapies (speech?)

Student loans elsewhere: repay at €23,000 earnings

Personal Statement very important

Closing date 15th October or 15th JanuaryBut asap, processed on arrival

STILL DON’T KNOW? 50% of Employers hire graduates of any

discipline

2:1 in degree + good “soft skills” (communication etc)

What would you like to study for 3 / 4 years? Go with strengths

Broad might be better if unsure

Postgraduate Study: Masters / Conversion - vocation

STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND: SUSI2014 FAMILY INCOME LIMITS FOR MAINTENANCE GRANTSPECIAL TOP-UP RATE: €22,703

Number of dependent children

Full maintenance

Part maintenance (75%)

Part maintenance (50%)

Part maintenance (25%)

Fewer than 4 €39,875 €40,970 €43,380 €45,790

4 to 7 €43,810 €45,025 €47, 670 €50,325

8 or more €47,575 €48,890 €51, 760 €54,630

LEVEL OF MAINTENACE GRANTS

Levels of Grant Non-adjacent Rate

Adjacent Rate

(45K/less)

Student Contribution Paid?

  Special rate of maintenance grant

5,915(income under

€22,703)

2,375 √ Income under

€ 22703

  Standard rate-100% maintenance

3,025 1,215 √  

Standard rate-75% maintenance

2,270 910 √  

Standard rate-50% maintenance

1,515 605 √  

Standard rate-25% maintenance

755 305 √

WWW.ACCESSCOLLEGE.IEDARE AND HEAR

SCHEAINED

DARE SCHEMES

DARE: Disability Access Route to Education:- supplementary admissions scheme – offers places at reduced points

Students must produce evidence of the negative impact disability has had on their education at 2nd Level

Who: under 23yrs (on 1st January 2016) - ability to succeed in chosen third level course but may not have points.

Must obtain minimum entry requirements.

ELIGIBLE DISABILITIES Autistic Spectrum (including Asperger’s Syndrome) ADD / ADHD Blind / Vision Impaired Deaf / Hard of hearing DCD– Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia Mental Health Conditions Neurological Conditions (inc. brain injury, epileqpsy) Speech & Language Communication Disorder Significant on-going illnesses Physical disability Speech Learning Difficulty (inc. dyslexia and

Dyscalculia)

PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AIT Church of Ireland

College of Ed Cork IT DCU DIT IT Sligo Marino Institute of Ed Mary I, Limerick Maynooth University

National College of Ireland, NCI, Dublin

NUI Galway Pontifical Uni. Maynooth St Angela’s College,

Sligo St Patrick’s Institute of

Ed TCD UCC UCD UL

STEPS TO FOLLOW

Step 1You must apply to the CAO at www.cao.ie by1st February 2016, 17:15

Step 2 By 1st March 2016, 17:15- indicate –disability/specific learning difficulty in onlineApplication (tick yes to Q1).You must complete Section A of the

Supplementary Information Form by

Step 31st April 2016 to CAO Office by 17:15Return completed, signed and stamped:1 Educational Impact Statement (section B) 2 Evidence of disability (Section C) name and CAO number on all documents

April / JuneScreening of applicants

Late June 2016 Applicants notified of eligibility. Recheck

process opens.

June 2016Recheck applicants notified of eligibility

August 2016LC exam results.CAO offers to eligible DARE applicantsAccept offer through CAO

EVIDENCE OF DISABILITY Print online form – filled & stamped by Medical Consultant /

Specialist

Applicants with specific learning difficulties(inc. Dyxlexia/Dyscalculia) and applicants with DCD-Dyspraxia/Dyslexia must submit a full Psycho-educational report on headed paper by a qualified psychologist: reports less than 3 years old

ADD / ADHD / DCD-Dyspraxia / Dysgraphia: reports must be less than 3 years old (i.e., dated after 1st February 201).

Significant on-going illness/Mental health: reports also less than 3 years old.

Start gathering early as reports can take months to compile and keep proof of posting. Must arrive by April 1st, 5:15pm.

FINALLY

Informed by end of June: if unsuccessful can apply for a recheck if: 1) Administrative error or2) Documents lost in post - (proof of posting)

Apply - “My Application”, CAO online by date stated in rejection letter. Must receive email acknowledging recheck.

HEAR

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) – college and university admission scheme which offers places on reduced points & extra supports to students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

WHAT HEAR IS NOT?

HEAR is not a maintenance grant, it is an admission’s scheme to help students who may not traditionally go on to third level. If you apply to HEAR you must also apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for the higher education maintenance grant. For more information on this you can log onto: www.studentfinance.iewww.susi.ie

PARTICIPATING COLLEGES

Church of Ireland College of Ed

DCU (Mater Dei / St. Pat’s)

DIT Marino Inst. of Ed Mary I Inst. of Ed NCI NUIG Maynooth University

Pontifical University Maynooth

Royal College of Surgeons

St. Angela’s, Sligo TCD UCC UCD UL

BENEFITS OF HEAR

Reduced points places (must meet minimum requirements)

Extra College SupportsOrientation programmeExtra tuition, study skills, exam prep.One-one meetings with tutors/advisersSocial gatherings/mentorsExtra financial assistance when available

INDICATORS: NEED 3

1 Income – fall below HEAR income limit

2 Medical Card in date on Dec 31st 2015

3 Means tested social welfare: at least 26 weeks in 2014

4 Socio-economic group: – under-represented in 3rd level

5 DEIS school - attended 5 years

6 Area profile – high disadvantage

HEAR INCOME LIMIT

Less than 4 children

4-7 children

More than 8

Add €4,670 to total family household income for every sibling / parent enrolled in full time third level course

€45,790

€50,325

€54,630

Dependent children HEAR Income Limit

CAO TIMETABLE 2016 ENTRY

1st February, 2016 Closing date for receipt of normal applications/all restricted courses

1st March 2016 Closing date for Completion of online HEAR and DARE

1st April 2016 Closing date for HEAR and DARE supporting documents to arrive in

CAO. April-June 2016

HEAR Application Screening Late June 2016

Applicants notified of HEAR Application. End June/Early July

HEAR Application recheck August 2016 Leaving Cert exam results

CAO offers; successful HEAR applicants notified by post; accept CAO offer; accept HEAR offer of extra college supports

Late August / early September attend mandatory orientation programme

FINALLY

Adhere to checklist from your online application Start early! Only documents requested, no others – 2014 fiscal

year All documents signed / stamped Correct year tax / correct version of documents Good quality photocopies, not originals Photocopy all forms you send to CAO Include stamped addressed postcard (confirmation) Certificate of posting Meet deadlines!!! www.accesscollege.ie www.susi.ie www.cao.ie

FINALLY CONT.

Same recheck process as for DARE above.

Information Clinic: HEAR/DARE- in AIT, Saturday 16th January 2016, 10am-2pm (nationwide).

Welcome to see me for an appointment.

Start early to gather documents

STAY CALM – MANAGE TIME WELL

Good food / water 8 hours sleep Exercise Relaxation Study Plan Exam questions in note form Use holiday time effectively Have a laugh Overwhelmed? Talk to someone – TLC

FOLLOW ALERT LISTS

Cancelled courses

Name changes

Module/course changes

New Courses

EXAMPLES OF NEW COURSES UL

LM028 Criminal Justice Paramedic ?????????

Mary I + St Patricks, Thurles MI009 BA Education Business / Accounting MI010 BA Education Business / Religion MI011 BA Education Irish / Religion MI012 BA Education Irish / Business

AIT: AL861 BA Animation & Illustration (restricted)