Portmarnock Community School CAO Information Evening - Essential Application Details
In this information session led by Ms. Elaine Fox, the guidance counselor, attendees learn about CAO application responsibilities, entry requirements, points system, allocation process, and more. They are advised to thoroughly research courses and utilize resources like publications, websites, and virtual events for successful applications.
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Presentation Transcript
Portmarnock Community School CAO Information Evening, 26th January 2021 Ms. Elaine Fox Guidance Counsellor
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
It is the Applicants responsibility to: Research thoroughly all the courses for which he/she is making an application: Course code, content, requirements, fees, restrictions, duration, award, career opportunities, etc. Be familiar with all aspects of the application system used (CAO) for these courses: Procedures, instructions, dates, fees, etc.
Useful Resources To assist with course research / application Publications College Prospectuses 2020/21 CAO Handbook 2021 - White section: all details of application procedures Yellow pages: list of courses and codes College Websites Newspapers The Irish Times Tuesdays Education Section The Independent CAO Articles - Mary O Donnell
Internet Qualifax www.qualifax.ie Irish courses database CAO www.cao.ie Contains links to course websites College websites (Addresses in CAO Handbook) Careersportal www.careersportal.ie interviews etc www.careersnews.ie daily job/course/career alerts Virtual open days and events People Relatives Past pupils Admissions/Academic staff of Colleges Guidance Counsellor Remote meetings available/remote presentations Access to information & advice
CAO General Info. Centralised application system for 45 Irish 3rdlevel Institutions, including 7 fee-paying Colleges. Application Dates and Fees Online Application Early Discounted Normal Late Change of Mind Fee 30 45 60 No Fee Closing Date 20 January 2021 (5.15pm) 1 February 2021 (5.15pm) 1 May 2021 (5.15pm) 5 May - 1 July 2021 (5.15pm)
CAO General Info. Since 2005 there are now 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Qualifications Framework.
CAO General Info. These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form: Level 6 & 7 Courses Level 8 Courses Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6) Up to 10 Course Choices Honours Degrees (8) Up to 10 Course Choices The courses are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook N.B. Care must be taken with courses marked Restricted . Restricted courses cannot normally be applied for after February 1stdue to extra assessments required.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS These must be satisfied before points are considered. Minimum Entry Requirements E.g. UCD Pass 6 subjects At least 2 H5/O6 Pass in: b Irish b English b Another Language b Mathematics* Specific Subject Requirements E.g.s Engineering(UCD) H4 Maths Veterinary Medicine(UCD) H4 Chemistry Primary School Teaching H 4 Irish If all Entry Requirements are met applicant is deemed Qualified to apply.
POINTS SYSTEM Generally in the CAO system No. of qualified applicants > No. of course places --> selection system is needed. Selection system used in Irish 3rdLevel Colleges is POINTS SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only. Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects 25 bonus points awarded for H6 or above in Maths Entry Requirements can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate H7 (30-39 %) is now awarded 37 points ( In Maths must get 40% to be awarded bonus points) .
POINTS ALLOCATION Grade Honours H1/O1 100 H2/02 88 Ordinary 56 46 H3/03 H4/O4 H5/O5 77 66 56 37 28 20 H6/O6 H7/07 H8/O8 46 37 12 0 0 0
Making an application Applications can be made online Always keep proof of sending application: online print courses screen Now 2 steps: (a) Create Application Account, (b) Log in and enter details. www.cao.ie Apply & My Application **VERY IMPORTANT** Students must fill out both course lists in: Genuine Order of Preference They shouldn t put down courses on the basis of predictions of next years cut off points or their own points scores.
So what is the best way to fill in the courses? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Courses
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 2 offers in August one from each list and may accept only one. Students should think carefully about accepting one of these offers, as they may not receive any further offers. (You have nothing to lose by accepting) 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.
Irish language exemptions If you have an exemption from Irish, go to NUI.ie to download the form and return to the NUI by post. (Post to school to be stamped by Ms. Deeney and then returned to you) Ring NUI on 01 -4392424 please submit your current supporting documentation. They will issue you then with a letter of exemption which you should forward to the CAO. NUI Colleges such as UCD and Maynooth require students to have a pass in Irish in order to secure a place on courses in these colleges (unless the candidate has an exemption). Many NUI colleges also require a pass in a modern language such as French or Spanish. However there is no foreign language requirement for science, engineering or nursing courses in NUI Colleges/Universities.
After Making Application (Online) Students receive CAO number online and use My Application to check their application details. May make changes to courses up to March 1st- 10 for mature and restricted entry applicants. Some students may be called for extra assessments. Receive Statement of Application Record check details carefully. Change of Mind facility becomes available use carefully, especially after exams. (email confirmation) 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.
DEFERRAL If you wish to defer a College place, you DO NOT accept your offer. Instead you email or write to the Admissions Office of the Appropriate HEI (not the CAO). You must give your name as it appears on the CAO application and quote your CAO number and the course code you wish to defer and set out the reasons for the request. Applicants must mark DEFERRED ENTRY clearly on the subject line of the email. You may defer for one year only and you must re-apply through the CAO the following year and pay the appropriate fee. Place your deferred course as YOUR FIRST AND ONLY PREFERENCE ON THE APPLICATION FORM. Indicate your deferral by ticking the Deferred Applicant indicator box in the course choices section of on your application.
Vacant/Available places Available places are places that remain unfilled in particular courses after all offers have been made and waiting lists have been exhausted. Available places are advertised on the CAO website after Round One offers are issued in August. Students should IGNORE previously published points in earlier offer rounds. Applicants must, however, meet the normal entry requirements for the courses in question i.e. 2 H5 and 4 O6 for level 8 courses.
LEAVING CERT RECHECKS Results usually out mid August, students will indicate what scripts they want to view by the Friday. Scripts can then be viewed free of charge in the relevant schools approx. a week later Friday evening and Saturday morning). Students/parents/guardians have approximately days to submit their appeals forms to the SEC and pay the relevant fee of 40 euro per subject. In the event of an upgrade, the fee will be refunded in full. They are tightening up this process and hope to have rechecks completed before College commences.
HEAR SCHEME The higher Education Access Route is a College and University scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra College support for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland. Students need to apply to the CAO by 1 February and tick the HEAR box. Then fully complete form on the CAO website by 1stMarch 2021. Supporting documents (social welfare statements, salary slips etc) must be submitted to the CAO by 15 of March be deemed eligible for such a scheme.
DARE SCHEME DARE SCHEME (DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE) DARE is a third level alternative admissions scheme which offers applicants reduced entry points requirements as a result of their disability. When filling out page 1 of the CAO application form, if your child has a specific learning difficulty tick the relevant box and complete section A of the on-line SIF (Supplementary Information Form): to be completed by March 1st. Then print section B (Educational Impact Statement) which will be completed by the School: to be completed by March 15th.
DARE continued Section C Download Evidence of disability section and have completed by the appropriate medical professional (if you do not have an existing medical report). Candidates with Specific Learning Difficulty (dyslexia, etc) must provide a full psychological assessment of any age. Remit documentation to the CAO by 15th of March at the latest
In Summary Research courses thoroughly Apply by February 1st Apply Online Put courses in order of preference Obtain / retain proof of application Be careful with Change of Mind
Other Options Post Leaving Certificate Courses FETAC links scheme level 5/6 Apprenticeships Defence Forces Cadets www.military.ie Garda (Academic entry requirements: Two O6 s from English, Irish or other language plus 3 other O6 s. F ilte Ireland Direct to Employment
Apprenticeships www.apprentices.ie www.apprenticeship.ie Apprenticeships are generally 4 years in length and apprentices are paid throughout their training.
Access to Medicine 2021 Minimum of 480 CAO points 1 but preferably 2 science subjects Completion of the HPAT (Health Professions Admissions Test-Ireland) Register on-line from Early-November to January 2021 at www.hpat- ireland.acer.edu.au Test will take place in February 2021 (tbd) Results released late June 2021 Test centres: Dublin, Cork, Galway etc. Cost: 95 (all inclusive).
Access to Medicine 2021 continued HPAT test is a 2.5 hour paper-based test consisting of 3 modules or sections Logical reasoning and problem solving (ii) Interpersonal Understanding (iii) Non-Verbal Reasoning Maximum score of 300 to be added to their CAO points score. (i)
Questions??? Open Forum Thank you for your time and attention
EUNICAS EUNICAS supports students in applying for up to eight degree programmes, taught through English mainly but not exclusively, in the Netherlands and Denmark. Fees are approx. 2,060 Euro per annum in the Netherlands but you are entitled to a free tuition loan fee. Courses such as Medicine, physiotherapy, veterinary pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, etc are all available at entry requirements that are invariably lower than those for similar course in Ireland. Processing fee of 28 Euro per student. Please see www.learnabroad.ie or www.eunicas.ie for further information. The take-up of EUNICAS courses is currently very low.
