Guidance Information
th
for Parents of 6 Years
Deirdre Griffin
Guidance Counsellor
25th November, 2014
Structure of presentation
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Preamble – The Leaving Cert Year
Choices after school and National Framework of
Qualifications
Post Leaving Cert courses –PLCs
UCAS applications
The CAO process
 The HEAR application process (Higher
Education Access Route to Education)
 The DARE application process (Disability
Access Route to Education)
The Finance (cost of college, grants SUSI Student Universal Support Ireland)
Accommodation
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LEAVING CERT YEAR
Very stressful and anxiety provoking year for
students and parents
Very important that they work steadily –
complete things as they come up. Avoid
procrastination…. Anxiety builds.
Nutrition, EXERCISE, sleep- structure is
important
Avoid overconsumption (alcohol, coffeestimulants…….depressing effect)
Avoid peaks and dips- need to arrive at 4th
June in good condition!
LEAVING CERT YEAR

Their mental health/emotional health very
important…..
 Media and Leaving Cert,
 Projections of parents..
 Projections of school……
 Choose one thing!
 Their personal transition, how the navigate it –
huge opportunity for ‘personal learning’
OPTIONS after the Leaving Certificate
Leaving Cert.
Work
Training
Further Education
CAO Courses
PLC Courses
National Framework of
Qualifications
www.nfq.ie
NATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF
QUALIFICATIONS
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Level 5/6 Certificate/Advanced Certificate
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Level 6 Higher Certificate
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(IOTs Institutes of Technology)
Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree
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FETAC (Now awarded by QQI Quality
Qualifications Ireland)
(IOTs, Colleges, Universities)
Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree
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(IOTs, Colleges, Universities)
Links and progression
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Progression/links from Further Education
Colleges – FETAC 5/6) to HEI
( IOTs, Colleges/Universities)
Certain number of places at HEI in various
courses held for FETAC students who
achieve distinctions in courses specific
modules
So students can progress on the ladder
system for level 5 to level 6/7/8
1) POST LEAVING CERT COURSES
Main Providers in Cork
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College of Commerce –
www.corkcollegeofcommerce.ie
Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – www.csn.ie
St. Johns Central College – www.stjohnscollege.ie
Kinsale College of Further Ed –
www.kinsalecollegeoffe.ie
Apply from December on the above websites
directly to college. Interviews in Feb/March, May
and August
Some courses are competitive (eg Pre Nursing,
Hairdressing and Childcare so apply early)
POST LEAVING CERT COURSES (PLC’s) –
Colleges of Further Education
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Offer a range of courses, mostly to FETAC
Level 5 (1 year), some to Level 6 (2 years)
Possibility of entry to Higher Education
Institutions (HEI) on completion of course
Entry requirements - usually 5 passes in
Leaving Cert and interview
Some fees, some charges (proportion
covered by grant if applicable)
Eg. Colaiste Stiofan Naofa
Kinsale College of Further Education
2) UCAS APPLICATIONS
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UCAS (UK)
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Sept to Jan apply online
OCT 15th deadline for Med, Vet, Dent
Jan 15th All other courses
3) CAO APPLICATIONS
Central Applications Office – CAO
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CAO Handbook (all rules/all courses)
46 Higher Education Institutions (HEI)
covering Universities, Institutes of
Technology, Art Colleges, Specialist
Colleges and some Private Colleges
(Colleges not covered by the Free Fees
Scheme)
The HEI’s offer Level 6 (Higher Cert), Level
7 (Ordinary Degrees) and Level 8 (Honour
Degrees) courses
Important dates for CAO
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November 5th 2014: CAO opens
Register before Jan 20th avail of discounted fee € 25
Normal closing date 1 Feb € 40
All restricted courses MUST be in choice list
before 1 Feb
5th May to 1st of July change of mind facility
(change order of courses) Free
Statement of application record posted by the end
of May – READ IT!
17th Aug - Round one offers (accept by 24th Aug)
26th Aug – Round two offers (accept by 2rd Sept)
RESTRICTED COURSES
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A restricted course is any course which requires
more then entry requirements and points for entry
(auditions – music/drama, portfolio – Art, HPAT –
Medicine)
If a student is applying to a restricted course this
MUST be in list by February 1st.
Restricted courses are clearly highlighted in the
CAO handbook.
After 1st Feb you can change order or delete course,
but you cannot generally introduce it as auditions,
portfolio etc dates are arranged for Feb/Mar/April
ISSUES WHICH INFLUENCE COURSE
CHOICES
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Ability / Interests - KNOW YOURSELF
Subjects (in the course) - Look at college calender
or book of modules for each course to see WHAT
will be studied in each year of course
Style of learning – How is course taught
(Theory/Practical/Combination of both)
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Geographical location (support systems)
Finance (Costs and grants)
Specific v broad courses (personal value system)
Career Implications
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Research and talk to people, open days, email
course directors (information is power..)
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FRIENDS’ DECISIONS………..
Back up Plan
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Research
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www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie (courses)
www.careersportal.ie (very comprehensive
courses/careers)
www.careerdirections.ie (careers)
www.postgradireland.com
College Prospectus
College web sites
CAO handbook
Entry Requirements
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Level 8 (Hons Degree) 2HC3 + 4H/OD3 to include
English, Irish, Maths, Other Language……(This is a
general rule with lots of exceptions. Arts programmes - no
maths requirement, Sciences/Nursing/ – no language
requirement but Lab Science requirement, Hons
Engineering HC3 Maths, Primary School Teaching 3HC3
one to be Irish,
Level 6/7 (Higher Certificate/Ord Degree – generally
offered in IOTs ) –Passes in five subjects to include specific
subjects (eg, Maths and English etc)
FOR EVERY COURSE ENTRY, REQUIREMNTS MUST
BE CHECKED. If all Entry Requirements are met THEN
applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply, only THEN do the
points become relevant.
POINTS TO NOTE
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The CAO Handbook lists the courses and course
codes. All up to date information is on www.cao.ie
The responsibility for ensuring a correct application
lies with each applicant.
Applicants to the CAO may choose up to 10 Level 8
Courses and up to 10 Level 6/7 Courses
Students may delete, change order or add courses
(except restricted ones) during the Change of Mind
period (early May -1st July) with some minimal
restrictions
COURSE SELECTION – IOT’s
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Students sometimes do not pay enough
attention to the ladder route available in
IOT’s
Starting from a Level 6 course, students may
progress onto a Level 7 and then onto a
Level 8 course.
Pay attention to Level 6/7 course options.
Keep all options open. These choices may
bring you to where you want to go…….
LEAVING CERT POINTS
TWO EXAMPLES OF LEAVING CERT POINTS
WITH BONUS 25 POINTS FOR HONS MATHS
HOW DOES IT WORK
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CAO checks entry requirements
HEI release how many places for each course
CAO place each candidate in a queue for each of their
course preferences, beginning with their first and moving
down through second, third etc until they are in a position
to offer a course.
Eg. 10 places for a course, 20 apply first preference. Person
with top score front of queue and others fall in behind. The
person who gets in on tenth place, it is their points that are
the ‘cut off’ (points for course). If there are three candidates
for last place then their random number applies and the
candidate with highest random number gets it.
If candidates refuse an offer then those places reissued to
next in queue in round 2….. Then round 3 till places are
filled.
Course with
100 places to be offered
Applicant
Position
Points
Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
--15
16
17
18
19
20
21
--98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
--182
560
535
525
520
510
510
505
500
490
--455
445
440
435
420
410
405
--340
335
330
325
315
310
305
295
--265
Course Cut Off Points = 330
Course
Merit
Lists
 Last
place to
be filled
Course with
100 places to be offered
Applicant
Position
Points
Score
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
--15
16
17
18
19
20
21
--98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
--182
560
535
525
520
510
510
505
500
490
--455
445
440
435
420
410
405
--345
340
335
335
335
315
310
305
--265
 Random
Selection to
be used
Course Cut Off Points = 335*
ORDER OF PREFERENCE
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It is a mistake to rate the quality of degrees by
their entry points.
Points only indicate supply and demand.
The points reflect the number of places available
on each course and represent the score achieved by
the last student to be offered a place.
If a number of students are tied on points for the
last place, then students are picked randomly.
Denoted by an * - e.g. 385*
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
A WORD OF CAUTION:
IF YOU ARE FILLING
IN ALL 10 CHOICES,
ONLY CHOOSE
COURSES THAT YOU
WOULD BE HAPPY
WITH – DON’T
‘THROW IN’ A COURSE!
Sample Applicant with score of 425 points
Hons degree level 8
1.
Business Information
Systems UCC 440
2.
Commerce UCC 430
3.
4.
5.
Higher Cert/Ord degree
level 6/7
1.
Business Studies CIT 250
2.
Business Admin CIT 210
Finance UCC 420
3.
Tourism CIT 225
Business Info Systems CIT
315
4.
Computing CIT 290
5.
Business WIT 200
6.
Business /Tourism WIT 210
7.
Recreation /Leisure CIT 330
8.
Business Studies ITT 190
9.
Office Info System ITT 210
10.
Computing ITT 225
Food Marketing UCC 435
6.
Arts UCC 330
7.
Business St UL 375
8.
Software Development CIT
300
9.
Computer Science UCC
340
10.
Marketing CIT 295
POINTS TO NOTE
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It is a mistake to base choice of course only on a
students present expectation of examination
performance or on the points of previous years
Again GENUINE ORDER OF PREFERENCE is
the best way of ensuring students end up where
they want to end up
Some students change order of preference as a
reaction to the experience of doing their exams.
This is a mistake.(They may do this without
informing parents)….
Preferably final choice done by end May
AFTER SUBMITTING APPLICATION
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You are assigned a CAO number, which you
keep and quote on all correspondences
An initial acknowledgment is sent by email
Statement of Application Record by end
May at the latest. This should be READ
carefully to ensure all information is correct.
If not, contact CAO immediately.
After changes of mind, final Statement of
Application sent before 7th July
THE OFFER PROCESS
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Leaving Cert Results - Wed. 12th Aug
CAO Round One - Mon. 17th Aug
Your offer notice issued online (and post) may
contain an offer
 for a Level 8 course
 or a Level 7/6 course
 or both
If students receive two offers (one from level 8
one from level 6/7) at the same time they may
only accept one of them.
If they wish to accept an offer of a place they
must carry out the instructions on the offer
notice before 5.15pm on the closing date for
acceptance printed on the offer notice.
OFFERS
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When students accept a place, they may still
become eligible for a course higher up their
list, if this happens they can accept the new
offer or stay with the original one.
Remember you could move up your list, but
you cannot move down, the CAO presumes
that you listed your courses IN ORDER OF
PREFERENCE.
It is a mistake to reject an offer in the hope
of getting something higher….. It may not
happen.
CAO – DEFERRED ENTRY
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Read page 5 of handbook
Do not accept the offer in the manner shown on
the CAO Offer Notice.
Email or write immediately to the Admissions
Office of the particular college setting out the
reason(s) for the request. Mark 'Deferred Entry'
clearly on the subject line/envelope. This must
be received by college at least two days before
the reply date on offer.
If accepted the deferral is held for one year. The
following year you reapply through CAO only
choosing your deferred course and tick the
deferral box on application
HEAR- Higher Education Access
Route
DARE – Disability Access Route
to Education
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)
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HEAR is a 3rd level admissions scheme for
students from socio economically disadvantaged
backgrounds
16 HEIs participate – UCC, UCD, DCU, DIT,
UCG, TCD, UL, NUIM and teacher training
colleges
Students who are eligible for HEAR compete for a
number of reduced points places, but they still
need to meet minimum and specific entry
requirements
Eligibility depends on financial means and also
socio-economic background
DARE (Disability Access Route to Education)
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DARE is a 3rd level scheme to allow students with
disabilities to compete for one of a number of
reserved places in HEIs on a reduced points basis.
A large variety of disabilities included, from
learning difficulties to mental health conditions to
specific long term illnesses
Medical/Psychological Evidence of Disability
required
18 HEIs participate including – UCC, CIT, DIT,
AIT, DCU, NCI, NUIG, NUIM, Pontifical
Maynooth, UCD, TCD, UL, Mater Dei
HEAR and DARE Applications
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Both forms are optional ‘add-ons’ on CAO Form
Both forms need to be completed by 1st March.
Supporting documents to arrive to CAO by 1st
April.
HEAR and DARE advice clinic on Jan 10th 2014,
10am - 2pm in UCC at De Vere Hall, Student
Centre. All HEAR and DARE applicants with their
parents/guardians should attend this session.
Practice workbook available online, if completed
and brought to Advice Clinic, you are in a better
position to get exact advice.
Website : www.accesscollege.ie
Information and help

www.accesscollege.ie.
Download application videos for both HEAR
and DARE.
 Workbook to fill out to aid your online
application
 Information about supporting documents
 Information about eligibility
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Dates to remember
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10th Jan National Hear/ Dare advice clinics
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UCC DARE advice clinic held in UCC G02
(Western Gateway) 6-8pm on
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DEC 3rd
For all events look under UCC website
under ‘Open Days and Events Listing’
How many applications?
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Students can apply to PLCs (Post Leaving
Cert courses in any or all of the Further
Education Colleges) plus CAO, plus UCAS
(English colleges) if they so choose
Be realistic- know yourself
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Cost of going to college
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Accommodation
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Grants/Scholarships
Monthly Cost of Living Away from Home
Books
Accommodation
Light/Heat/Power
Food
Clothes, laundry, etc…
Local Travel
Social Life, other travel, miscellaneous
€70
€400
€60
€240
€45
€80
€140
Total per month
Yearly Total (8 months)
€1,035
€8,280
Source: DCU Student Affairs
Accommodation
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The search for college accommodation
starts early each year.
If your son or daughter is hoping to secure
on-campus accommodation it would be
worthwhile contacting the relevant colleges
now to enquire about reserving a place.
Colleges generally manage the on-campus
accommodation themselves
Payment is usually made in 2 instalments
(Sept and Dec)
On- Campus Accommodation
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UCC
Accept bookings from mid Feb and prospective students
are advised to research online
www.ucccampusaccommodation.ie or ring 021
4902475/4902353. There is a virtual tour of apartments
online
Numerous complexes - some UCC owned (e.g.
Castlewhite, Victoria Lodge), others private (e.g.
Brooklodge, Deans Hall, Farranlea). Website indicates
those accepting First Years. Deposit €250 approx, refund
€200, depending on when you cancel
CIT have no on-campus accommodation. Info on
Digs/houses etc. contact the accommodations office 021
4335750 or www.cit.ie/studentlife
On Campus Accommodation
Mary Immaculate College
 On-campus is for girls only (68 places). Deposit of
€750 (student does not take offer, refund of €650).
Total cost is deposit plus €2,640. Student has own
room. Emphasis on security. Accommodations
office - 061-204503. (Off campus accommodation
also available)
 UL
 Accept bookings from Jan. Five ‘villages’ to
choose from. Book on-line early. Deposit of €250
payable - if student does not go to UL given back
€200 at least. Cost €3,500 - €4,500. Tel 061 202433 or
www.ul.ie/accommodation for information.

On Campus Accommodation
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DCU – Booking from Feb. Places allocated to
those with 500pts+ first and rest on a lottery
subject to them having accepted a place.
www.dcu.ie/accommodation or on 01-7005736
Trinity – Accepts applications online, only after
an offer has been accepted by the student. All
information online, all considered equally.
Accommodation Office 01-8961177 or
www.tcd.ie/accommodation
UCD – 800 on campus places. Apply in May (no
deposit). Once student has accepted place they
open to being offered accommodation Tel: 017161274 and www.ucd.ie/residence
On Campus Accommodation
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NUI Maynooth – Bookings on-line from
early Dec. Places allocated by lottery. No
deposit necessary until places are offered to
students after they accept their CAO offer.
Residence office 01 7083322 or
www.residence.nuim.ie
NUI Galway – Bookings taken in February.
Deposit of approx €800 (€700 returned if
place not taken up). Office 091-492364 or
www.nuigalway.ie/accommodation
Off Campus Accommodation
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Most colleges also have off-campus
accommodation
Digs are an excellent option for parents as
there is a set price and meals & bills are
included.
Again if you contact the accommodation
offices of the HEI’s they will give you advice
and have lists of digs. Usually list available in
May or can arrange when a student has
received a place in a HEI
The Higher Education Grants Scheme
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The student grant is the main source of
financial help available to students in full
time Post Leaving Cert courses or Higher
Education undergraduate courses
It is means tested, taking into account
income during previous tax year. It
considers gross income, number of
dependants in family, number of dependants
in college and distance between normal
residence and college.

Applications are made through a central
application online system, Student Universal
Support Ireland (SUSI).

Applications open usually in May
(notification in the press) and must be
received before the end of August.
All information (including application guide
video) on www.studentfinance.ie

Higher Education Grants in Operation
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For grant applications next Spring the
reckonable income looked at is between Jan 1st
2014 and Dec 31st 2014
The grant offers financial support to cover
maintenance, student contribution fee and field
trip fees. (Tuition or course cost fees are
covered for all EU students under the Free Fees
Scheme)
The Student Contribution Fee is a fee charged
by colleges/universities. The fee will be €2, 750
in 2014-15 and €3,000 in 2015/16
Higher Education Grants in Operation



If you qualify, the level of maintenance paid
towards living costs will be calculated at
100%, 75%, 50% or 25%
It is often not paid until very late in the first
term so be prepared
If they drop out of their course or fail and
have to repeat a year, there are implications
for grant and tuition payments. Check with
the relevant HEI for details.
Income Limits for Standard Grant 2014/15
Please check www.studentfinance.ie for eligibility
Number of
Dependent
Children
Full
Maintenance
Part
Maintenance
(75%)
Part
Maintenance
(50%)
Part
Maintenance
(25%)
Less than 4
€39,875
€40,970
€43,380
€45,790
4-7
€43,810
€44,025
€47,670
€50,325
8 or more
€47,575
€48,890
€51,760
€54,630
 There are further increments available if more than one
dependant is attending full-time education
 Special Rate earn less then €22,703 and be in receipt of some
social welfare payment
Value of Grants
Levels of Grant
Non-adjacent Rate
(over 45kms between
college and home)
Adjacent Rate
(Less than 45kms
between college and
home)
Student Contribution
Paid?
Special rate
5,915
2,375
√
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
√
Source: www.studentfinance.ie
Student Assistance Fund


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

A supplementary fund to assist students
Applied for after entry to college
Not intended for fees, tuition but rather for
rent, heat, food and basic living expenses, as
well as emergencies, etc.
Administered by the individual Colleges
Documentation of expenses and income will
be requested and student may be
interviewed.
Scholarships

Entrance scholarships are awarded by HEI’s
on the basis of Leaving Cert results. The
HEI’s inform students.

Other scholarships (sport, GAA, etc) or
special scholarships (technology, business
etc) need to be applied for to particular
college/university. All details are on
particular college websites. (UCC Quercus
Scholarship)
LEAVING CERT RESULTS
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Expected date of issue – Wed., 12th August.
Results are available in school or from 12pm, online
on www.examinations.ie or by phone from the DES
(both methods with exam no. and pin)
In results envelope there is a request form to view
scripts. It’s free to view them so return this form to
office by due date. Viewing is in school in late
Aug/early Sept.
After viewing scripts, there is the option to appeal the
result @cost of €40 per appeal.
Appeal application early Sept.
Appeals back in early/mid October
Money returned if appeal successful. Statistically 20%
upgraded
Things to watch out for:



Leaving cert holiday – timing.
Students should be around for results, offers,
interviews, registration, orientation.
CAO change of mind opens 5th May until 1st
July. It is not recommended to change
choices based on assumed poor
performance in exams
Students should be applying to all levels of
courses (PLC as well as CAO 6/7 and 8) and
have back up plans.
If things go wrong





Unfortunately students are sometimes unhappy
with course choices
If a student drops out they need to deregister
If they deregister by 1st Oct, you usually get 85% of
registration back and students don’t lose their free
fees entitlement
If students deregister by Jan, they do not get
registration costs back but will be entitled to half
fees the following year
Fees will not be paid for a second chance at the
same year (either through failure or change of
mind)
AVAILABILITY



When the Leaving Cert Results come out usually
there are staff in the school, including guidance
counsellors.
On the day of Round One CAO offers one or both
of the guidance counsellors will be in the school to
deal with queries either on the phone or in person
from approx 11 til 2
Feel free to contact us about issues raised tonight
or other issues of concern –
deirdreguidance@gmail.com ,
berbowen@gmail.com

“It's a funny thing, how much time we
spend planning our lives. We so convince
ourselves of what we want to do, that
sometimes we don't see what we're meant to
do.”
― Susan Gregg Gilmore

“Life is what happens to you while you're
busy making other plans.”
― Allen Saunders