Róisín O'Donohoe, Guidance Counsellor at Gorey Educate Together Secondary School and member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is here with help for students looking at their CAO Options.
It can seem like an excruciatingly long wait between Leaving Cert results day and CAO offers day! But here we are...
Round One CAO offers are available this year now and college hopefuls can log in to their CAO account online to see if they have been offered a place.
They may find that they have been offered two courses, one from their Level 8 list and one from their Level 6 and 7 list. Students may choose to accept a place on one of these courses. Accepting one will automatically decline the other. The final date for the acceptance of a Round One offer is 3 September at 3pm.
Round Two opens on 9 September at 2pm. If a student has already accepted a place on a course, but subsequently becomes eligible for a higher ranked course on their preference list, they will have the opportunity to either stick with their original course or accept the new offer.
View the CAO Points with the RTÉ Course Finder here!
You can find a full list of this year's important CAO dates here.
What to think about if you don't get your CAO pick?
Round One of CAO offers always brings with it a mixture of emotions. Some people will be delighted with their CAO offer, while others may be disappointed. They may be offered a lower preference course or may fail to secure any offer at all.
If that is the case, it is really important to remember that this is not the end of the line. There are still lots of options and avenues available to students who wish to progress to third level. While there is always the option to repeat the Leaving Certificate, here are a few more avenues to explore.
1. Available Places
Once the initial CAO offers have been issued, the Available Places list will be posted on the CAO website. The Available Places list is open this year from 29th August at 12 noon. This is a list of courses who did not fill all their places and are still accepting applications. The list constantly updates itself so it is important to keep checking back. If you see a course that catches your interest, you can apply for it online.
Points do not necessarily come into the equation, but you must meet the minimum requirements in order to secure a place on the course.
You can check the Available Places list here.
2. Further Education & Training
Exploring Further Education pathways into third level college courses is a really important next step. PLC courses offer an excellent foundation year to help students prepare for college.
In fact, more and more students are opting to take a PLC course as a sort of alternative gap year or as a transition year into college. There is a vast array of courses available, from Business to Science, Law to Engineering, Art to Nursing. There really is something for everyone. PLC courses offers students the opportunity to taste-test a particular course, without having to directly commit to a three or four-year degree.
They also offer students an excellent foundation in the subject knowledge needed to excel in first year of college. Students can use their PLC results to apply for a CAO course the following year, instead of relying on their CAO points.
Find out more about FET on RTÉ Learn
3. Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Apprenticeships and Traineeships offer an excellent pathway into securing a practical qualification and valuable skills for the world of work.
With options ranging from Construction to BioPharma, Engineering to Finance, Hairdressing to Hospitality and Food, there is an option to suit every learner. Becoming an apprentice or a trainee can guarantee an income and access to on-the-job experience so that learners are immersed in skills-based training from day one. They provide an excellent opportunity for anyone who is looking to hit the ground running.
4. National Parents & Students Helpline
If you have any questions or queries over the coming days, it is important to look for unbiased, impartial advice. You can speak to an expert guidance counsellor by phoning the National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline. The number is 1800 265 165.
Opening Times:
- Wednesday, 28 August: 10am to 6pm
- Thursday, 29 August: 10am to 6pm
- Friday, 30 August: 10am to 6pm
- Saturday, 31 August: 10am to 2pm
For more tips and information on your next steps, Careers Portal offer an excellent guide. You can access it here: NEXT STEPS.
Check out the Senior Cycle section of RTÉ Learn here!
