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The CAO application form is very straight forward, the most difficult part of the application is narrowing down course choices or finding courses that suit the candidates needs.
There are two course lists on the CAO. There are ten options for Level 8 (honours degree) courses and ten options for level 6/7 (higher certificate/ordinary degree) courses. Although it is not necessary for applicants to fill all 20 places, they should try to fill in as many as possible.
When filling the CAO course lists it is essential for applicants to list their courses in their genuine order of preference. 6th years will hear guidance counsellors right around the country use this phrase throughout the CAO cycle. By listing a course in the number one position, the applicant is indicating to the CAO that they wish to receive an offer of this course above all others if they meet the entry requirements for this course. The same principle applies right throughout the applicant’s CAO list. For example, a student would prefer to be offered their third listed course over their fourth listed course.
Thorough research should be carried out on all courses that the applicant has interest in. Research can be done through attending open days, reading the college prospectus or website, talking to lecturers and current students etc. Candidates can also use the search engine on the CAO website using the ‘Courses’ tab.
Students often ask me if they are struggling to decide between two similar courses, what should they do? For some courses the differences can be very subtle. Students should research the work experience options and industry partners the college has.
What study abroad/Erasmus opportunities does the college offer? Do the facilities at the college meet the student’s expectations? Is there affordable accommodation or issues getting accommodation? Is the college within commutable distance? The questions that need to be asked and considered are very unique to each student.
Applicants should note if they are applying for a restricted course on their CAO that this must be on their CAO form by 5pm on 1st February. Restricted courses are courses with additional entry criteria and have an earlier deadline date. These courses cannot be put on the CAO form when the change of mind facility opens on 5th May to 1st July. If applicants are unsure about a restricted course they should put it on their CAO list and if they change their mind they can take it off their CAO list when the change of mind facility opens.
One of the most common concerns from 6th years over the last number of years particularly is whether the points will go up or down. Due to grade inflation the last three years, points for a lot of courses have skyrocketed out of reach for a lot of students. This particular cohort of students have not sat a Junior Cert exam so it will be interesting to see if there are any more allowances made by the Department of Education for Leaving Cert 2023.
Despite this, points are impossible to predict in any year. Points are determined by the applicants who apply for the places on the course and how these applicants did in the Leaving Cert. Nobody will know what the points for courses will be until they are released by the CAO on the day of the first round offers. Students should focus on what they can control and forget about situations outside of their control.
After the Leaving Cert results are issued, the CAO will work down through each applicant’s order of preference list until they are able to make an offer. Applicants will get an offer for their highest listed course for which they have the points and entry requirements.
Once an offer is made the applicant cannot receive an offer for a course lower on their CAO list in a later round. Applicants can be offered a place higher up on their CAO list in subsequent rounds but never lower on their list.
In 2022, 54% of applicants received their first choice on their level 8 list and 82% received an offer of one of their first three choices on their level 8. 89% received an offer from their first preference course on the level 6/7 list and 98% received an offer from one of their first three choices on their level 6/7 list.
To make a successful CAO application, students should make sure that they read all correspondence/emails from the CAO. This will help to ensure all your details are correct and you can be offered a course in the first round of offers. Finally, it is important that young people take responsibility for their application and to research their courses themselves. Many will benefit from the support and guidance from parents, but ultimately the responsibility should be theirs.
