Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
COURSE or DEGREE
PROGRAMME
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
Example: I am interested in Arts, Social Sciences and Law
Are you interested in the College of
Arts, Celtic Studies and Social
Sciences; College of Science,
Engineering and Food Science,
Business and Law or College of
Medicine and Health?
I researched websites and spoke with college staff at open days. I also
made contact with a local solicitor and relative who studied law
Do you know the specific
requirements (matriculation) for your
course choice(s)? This information
will be found on all college websites
and on the college prospectus
Example (1): I am interested in Law and French and I am aware that I
need at least a C1 in (H) French
Example (2): I am interested in Engineering and I am aware that I need
at least a HC3 in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics…if the HC3 is in
Applied Mathematics, then I know that I also need a HD2 in
Mathematics
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Example:
YES / NO
I am unsure of what course I
would like to pursue … I need
to look at the college
website/prospectus and
research courses … log onto
www.qualifax.ie … make an
appointment with my careers
advisor ….
(please circle or
highlight)
I am unsure of the full
matriculation requirements,
therefore I need to log onto
the college website or look at
the prospectus for the
course(s) I am interested in so
that I am completely sure of
all requirement
YES / NO
(please circle or
highlight)
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Have you researched your course(s)
on line or read the prospectus? Have
you read all the information provided
on each year of your course?
Yes I have read the course content in detail
No, I need to do more
research in this area and look
at the content of all 4 years of
the degree programme and
not just the first year ... then I
am fully aware of compulsory
modules and electives …
YES / NO
Have you made a list of your top
choices for the CAO?
Please list your choices here. ENSURE TO PUT THE COURSE YOU ARE
MOST INTERESTED IN FIRST
Take your time in ensuring
you have made the right
choice(s) for you. Also note
that 5.15pm on the 1st of July
is normally the final date for
the change of mind regarding
your choices. Please check the
CAO handbook or www.cao.ie
for this information
YES / NO
If you are unsure, then you
need to carry out some more
research. This can be done by
talking to someone you know
who has studied a similar
discipline, or meeting with a
staff member from the
relevant department in the
college or talking to your
careers advisor
YES / NO
1.
2.
3.
4. (And so on….)
Please list your reasons for being
interested in a particular course?
1. I did my TY placement in a Law Firm and loved it …
2. I do Voluntary work in a Youth Service and have an interest in Social
Sciences
3. The Sciences are my strongest subjects at school and really enjoy lab
work
4. I love Accounting and Economics and I would like to pursue Tax
eventually
(please circle or
highlight)
(please circle or
highlight)
(please circle or
highlight)
Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Are you studying the right subjects at
the right level?
Example:
I need to log onto the college
website and look at
requirements for my choice of
degree programme …
YES / NO
(all information can be found in the
college prospectus or online at
If you wish to do Commerce and French or Law and Irish you need to
have HC1 in that language. Similarly, if you hoping to do Engineering
you need Honours Mathematics or if Occupational Therapy is your
choice of degree programme, you need to have a HC3 in a Laboratory
Science Subject. All information can be found on
www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad
WHAT’S INVOLVED IN
YOUR DEGREE
PROGRAMME?
Does your course have a placement?
If so, do you know what is involved in the placement?
How can you find out?
Do you have concerns about doing a placement with regard to your
disability?
Please read our section on Disclosure:
http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/careers/disclosure/
(please circle or
highlight)
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
Do you know the demands of the
course(s) you are interested in?
HOW CAN YOU FIND ALL OF THIS OUT?
How many hours per week?
The answers to all these questions can be found by doing the following:
Number of tutorials?
How many assignments per term?
Hours of practicals in the lab?
Do I have any accessibility concerns?
Make a list of everything
that you need to find out!
It’s not always possible to
see or ask everything at an
Open Day so be proactive
in your research by going
online and by contacting
relevant departments or
the DSS (Disability Support
Service)
Researching the college website
Researching the college prospectus
Contacting the relevant course coordinator in the university
Talking to someone who has studied in this area before
Talking to your Guidance Counsellor
Contacting the Disability Support Service
BEFORE you make contact with the university or course coordinator,
take a good look at the college website. Look at all the information on
line. Look at the YOUTUBE links that UCC students have compiled on
what it is like for them to be studying their degree programme on the
following link:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyecXOk4LNvqcDkpwub05y68c
YdyqI19U
You will get great insight from these videos so be sure to log on!
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
Am I interested in studying a
Professional Degree Programme? E.g.
Nursing, Midwifery, Medicine,
Pharmacy, Dentistry, Education,
Applied Psychology, Clinical
Therapies (Occupational Therapy,
Speech and Language Therapy)
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
It is both essential and prudent to pay close attention to your strengths
and/or weaknesses when choosing a professional degree programme.
Students studying for such programme need to be mindful of the duty
or care to patients/clients and their Fitness to Practice whilst
working/studying in that relevant profession. For further information on
Fitness to Practice policy please see
http://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/FitnesstoPractise/Policy/
Students will be asked to study the relevant professional degree
programmes related to Fitness to Practice and to declare, at first
registration, any disability or health condition that in his/her opinion,
may impact on their ability to undertake safe and effective practice.
Students will be asked to declare this annually.
LANGUAGE WAIVER
AND EXEMPTIONS:
Do you need Irish and/or a third
language for the degree programme
you are interested in?
If the answer is YES and you are not studying a language then you need
to have a language waiver/exemption
Do you have a language waiver?
Have you processed your waiver with
If the answer is NO, and you do not have an exemption then you need
to complete a form in your school with your teacher or principal and
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
the National University of Ireland?
apply for a language waiver
NUI, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (01
4392424)
Please go to the following link:
Are you fully sure that the college is
aware of your Irish or third language
exemption?
www.nui.ie and click on Going to college and Entry Requirements or
phone (01 4392424).
Please note processing your exemption with the NUI is the most
important thing you will do with your exemption/language waiver. It
is essential that you contact the NUI and tell them:
“I wish to process my language exemption with the NUI…”
If this is not done, there could be implications regarding course
requirements and you may not receive your place even if you have the
points.
DARE (Disability Access
Route to Education) Are you
applying through DARE? Have you
attended any of the following?:
DARE Clinics
One to one sessions with the
Careers Advisor for Students
with Disabilities
Attended College Open days
or Higher Options?
If you are applying through DARE (Disability Access Route to Education)
please ensure you log onto www.accesscollege.ie
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
Did you look up the screening criteria
that concerns your own application?
Please click on:
http://www.accesscollege.ie/dare/applications-processed.php
Have you downloaded the
psychological educational summary
for your educational psychologist to
complete?
Are you aware of application
deadlines?
Please click on:
http://www.accesscollege.ie/dare/downloads.php
CAO: 1st February 2013
DARE: Tick YES to question 5 before 1st March 2013
DARE: Send in all documentation before 1st April 2013
Have you completed Section A, B and
C?
Section A to be completed (online by applicant) by 1st March 2013. Give
an accurate reflection of the impact of your disability in this personal
statement.
Section B to be PRINTED and completed by your school. Your school can
return this to you so that you can send in all documents yourself. Ensure
to get verification of postage for all documents you are sending in.
Section C to be PRINTED and completed by consultant (they can also
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
produce their own report). Please advise your consultant to look at
section C and provide all answers to Section C in their own report.
You do not need to complete Section C if you have an Educational
Psychologist Report for Dyslexia
Is your report in date?
Some report have a 3 year age limit on them, where the report must be
less that 3 years old i.e. dated after 1st February 2010. This rule applies
to Mental Health conditions, Significant Ongoing Illness and Specific
Learning Difficulty. Please click on:
http://www.accesscollege.ie/dare/evidence-disability.php
Have you ticked YES to question 5
It is essential to tick YES to question 5 before 1st March 2013
Did you get proof of postage for all
documents you sent to the CAO
regarding your DARE application?
Did you read over all of your
application before you complete
online?
Did you print out your application
and make a copy of everything
enclosed?
It is essential to get proof of postage in the event of you appealing your
application down the line if necessary
It is very important to read over everything to ensure your application
has been completed fully
It is important that you have your own complete copy of everything that
is being sent to the CAO regarding your DARE application.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
DARE DEFERRALS
Can I carry forward my eligibility
for DARE?
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
(a) Eligibility for DARE may be carried forward for one year. If you
are eligible for DARE and you accept your CAO choice but you
defer your place (along with your DARE eligibility) until the
following year, then you can use your DARE eligibility again. In
this case you must do the following:
st
Reapply to the CAO before 1 February 2013
Pay the appropriate application fee
Put down only that one course that you got the
deferral for
Tick the deferral box on the CAO application
Automatically then accepted into the course
(For further information on the above, please contact the
Admissions Office , UCC)
Students do not need to send in supporting documentation for
this as you will be using the original supporting documentation
which accompanied your original application.
(b) If you were eligible for DARE and accepted your CAO offer and
subsequently dropped out of your degree programme, you
may reapply for eligibility for 2013. You need to do the
following:
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
Apply to the CAO by 1st February 2013
No later than 1st of Mary 2013 you must disclose your
disability and tick YES to question 5.
All supporting documentation must be sent in again
this year for students who have dropped out of their
degree programme. Effectively you are applying
through the whole process again.
(c) If you were eligible for DARE (2012) and you did not accept any
college offer, then your DARE eligibility may be carried forward
to your application for entry in 2013. In order to carry forward
eligibility you must do the following:
Apply to the CAO by 1st February 2013
Ensure that you tick YES to Question 5 by March 1st 2013
and complete Section A. You do not need to complete
Section B or Section C. Ensure to put in your CAO number
from 2012 (previous year) as this is essential. In the event
of being offered a place in 2013, you will be required to
provide the original supporting documentation which
accompanied your original documentation in your 2012
DARE application
You must supply your correct 2012 CAO number at
question 6.
Please see our link on the Disability Support Website on AT by clicking
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
Please take a good look at this check list when you are researching your degree programme choice(s) and completing the CAO/DARE application. Dedicate time
specifically to this and use samples given to help further investigate your choices. Research your choice of college on-line, attend College Open Days, Higher
Options, researching www.qualifax.ie; http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/; www.cao.ie; www.accesscollege.ie, talk to your guidance counselor, contact
the college department that you are interested in studying with and contact the Disability Support Service . Please read this list and fully investigate your
choices prior to contacting the Disability Support Service. We are here to help you with your decision making but the hard work starts with you!
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
on http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/current/AT/
ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY (AT) and
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (IT)
Are you familiar with Assistive
Technology (AT)?
Do you need to use as specific AT?
How are your IT skills?
Can you create word documents?
Can you edit and save documents?
Can you spell check?
Can you use spreadsheets?
Can you open up multiple browsers,
navigate links, download and save
files?
It is very important to have good IT skills for college.
You will be typing a lot of essays and assignments or using spreadsheets
and regularly using a computer or laptop.
Whether working on a word document, editing a document, creating
tables or drawing up spreadsheets, downloading information,
understanding what your computer can do for you and how it can do it
is very important when in college!
Make sure you have all the basics. If you feel that this area needs
improvement then perhaps you could spend some time improving them
during the summer or enroll in an ECDL course
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?
QUESTIONS
PLEASE LIST ANSWERS AND ANY IFORMATION
YOU HAVE (I have put some examples in here for
you to help get you started…)
USEFUL LINKS
www.accesscollege.ie
www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/
www.ucc.ie/dss
http://www.ucc.ie/en/current/firstyears/ - EXCELLENT SITE DEVELOPED
FOR ALL INCOMING FIRST YEARS
http://careers-ireland.blogspot.com/
www.ahead.ie
www.ucc.ie/en/red - EXCELLENT SITE REGARDING STUDY,
NOTEMAKING, EXAMS AND ASSESSMENTS, ICT SKILLS … ALL YOU
NEED TO KNOW FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL AT COLLEGE
IF YOU DON’T HAVE
THE ANSWERS THEN
LIST THE THINGS
YOU NEED TO DO …
COMPLETED?