You still have the chance to change your mind
Today is the closing date for CAO's online application discounted fee rate of €30, although students may still apply up to 5.15pm on February 1, either by paper or online, for the normal fee of €40.
It is also the closing date for registration for the HPAT-Ireland exam, for applicants to the undergraduate medicine courses in the medical schools in UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, Trinity, and RCSI.
Q I am still not absolutely certain about what courses I want to apply through CAO for, even though I feel I should apply by January 20 to save the €10 difference.
A Many applicants are still uncertain of their course choices, or their order of preference, but even after submitting their application, they may still change their mind.
Once you receive your CAO number, you may make changes to your application up to January 31.
After that date you may change your mind about your order of choices or introduce new courses in the normal May/June change-of-mind period up to July 1, free of charge.
There are some restricted courses but even if you have forgotten one of these, you will have the opportunity of using a correction or amendment facility between early February and March 1 for a fee of €10. (Restricted courses are those which require selection procedures in addition to, and usually in advance of, the Leaving Certificate.)
Remember, the golden rules of CAO application are:
- Place your courses in order of genuine preference.
- Forget about points.
- Research each course thoroughly.
- Spread your options.
Q Is it not unrealistic to say: forget about points?
A Of course points are a reality which must be considered. However, in the first instance applicants should think carefully about the content of the course(s) they are applying for, and not make choices mainly on the basis of points.
There are still many opportunities to do course research, either through college information sessions, or online. CAO's website (cao.ie) offers an excellent "course search" facility.
Simply enter a course category, and a list of the codes of all courses in that category will appear on the screen. In most cases, you can click the code and be connected directly with the course on the college's online prospectus, where you can browse at your leisure.
Q Is it not unrealistic to apply for a course that costs very high points if I only expect to get moderate points?
A Don't be afraid to apply to a course that usually has high points, even if you feel you will not achieve those points. Points are not set in advance; they can rise, or fall, depending on competition on the day. You might do better in your exams than you expect.
In August, you will be offered the highest preference course to which your points entitle you.
If you get the points for a course for which you would have liked but did not apply for, you will not be offered a place on that course.
However, it would be foolish to apply only to high-pointed courses. You have 10 choices on each of two lists, so this is a chance to spread your options.
You should include some less competitive course choices towards the end of the lists, which you would be happy to study if your higher preference course choices don't materialise. So aim for the stars, but have safety nets in place.
Open days/ Information sessions today: HEAR and DARE hold an advice clinic from 5pm--7pm in Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford. Athlone IT hosts a Mature Students Going to College Information Evening from 6pm--8pm in the Coffee Dock in AIT's main campus; and NUI Galway hosts an Information Evening in the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, Co Clare, from 7pm--9pm.
Irish Independent
