Register for the CAO by January 20, by doing so you save money. You do this by registering with the Central Applications Office (cao.ie ) There are two deadlines for registering courses, depending on whether you are applying for a restricted course or an non-restricted course.
Restricted courses
If you are applying for a course listed as “restricted” in the CAO Handbook this application must be completed by February 1. Restricted courses have additional requirements, for example if you are applying for medicine you are required to sit an exam called the HPAT (Health Profession Admissions Test ). HPAT consists of questions in three sections:
· Section 1: Logical reasoning and problem solving.
· Section 2: Interpersonal understanding.
· Section 3: Non-verbal reasoning.
Other restricted courses may require an interview, audition, or a portfolio.
Research all options
Even though you may know what you want to do, it is always a good idea to research all options as you may be surprised by new information you were unaware of which has become relevant and important. It may cause you to have a rethink or maybe even change your mind.
If you want to do a course leading to a specific career or occupation, for example such as muinteoireacht bunscoile (completely through Irish ), primary school teaching (English ), law, nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, podiatry, or engineering check to see if you are required to be Garda vetted or if you are allowed to be part of a professional body such as the Law Society, Engineers Ireland, the Teaching Council, An Bord Altranais, the Medical Council, etc.
Look at the course/modules/content
If you are applying for a course without a specific career in mind, but know that your interest is within a recognised sector, for example science, engineering, business, arts, languages, etc, check that you have the correct subjects for that course and at the correct level. Focus on the course content, for example, what you will be studying in year one, year two, and year three. Many students make the big mistake of thinking that they will enjoy the course simply because they like the title. Some students who do not carry out this basic research may drop out of college having made the wrong choice as they now find the course too difficult or not interesting enough to stick with it.
Research course modules/options thoroughly Careersportal.ie and Qualifax.ie gives you detailed information on every course. Is the course semester-based or not? Will the exams be before Christmas or after Christmas? Some students may find themselves having to study over the Christmas period as their exams are held after Christmas. Check if there are compulsory modules or if you have optional modules. If for some reason you need to repeat any of your exams, when is this likely to happen? If you had plans to travel abroad will you find yourself having to repeat some exams during the period that you had hoped to travel? Bear in mind that this might not be possible this summer (2021 ) due to Covid-19 restrictions.
HEAR or DARE applicants deadline
HEAR means Higher Education Access Route and DARE means Disability Access Route to Education. Detailed information for both schemes is on accesscollege.ie The criteria for both schemes are very different so I would advise you again to research those schemes thoroughly or check with your guidance counsellor if you are in any doubt, he/she will point you in the right direction. For the DARE scheme an up to date psychologist's report, neurologist's report, or psychotherapist's report, etc, will be required in addition to school assessments.
If you are a HEAR or DARE applicant you need to indicate your level of interest by February 1 on your CAO application. Applicants for HEAR and DARE need to complete the online part of their application by March 1 and all supporting documents must be with the CAO by the March 15, 2021 deadline.
Third level is not for everyone. There are numerous PLC and pre-apprenticeship courses available in colleges of further education throughout the country which are of one or two years' duration. There are lots of opportunities for young people following the completion of these courses. Consult with your guidance counsellor, parents/guardians, and where possible interview someone who is studying this course or who has completed a course in this sector. They will be able to give you the most up-to-date information. However trust your instincts and make sure that you are the one making the final course choice for you. Do not be influenced by family or friends.
