If you are making a CAO application this year, you may be aware that the CAO applications system opened on November 5, 2021.
The following important dates are worth noting.
Register by January 20 2022 (today ) no later than 5pm to avail of the discounted application fee of €30.
February 1 2022 is the normal closing date for applications which will cost €45.
On 5th February 2022 the CAO offers an online facility whereby applicants can amend course choices, however there is a charge of €10, this should be avoided as it is totally unnecessary.
Unrestricted courses can be added up to 1st July 2022, there is no need to amend unrestricted courses on 5th February. If you are considering a restricted course, please ensure that this is listed on your CAO application on 1st February thus avoiding the unnecessary €10 fee.
What do I mean by Restricted Courses?
If you are applying for a course listed as “restricted” in the CAO handbook this application must be completed by 1st February.
Restricted courses have additional requirements, there are a number of courses which require more than the end of Leaving Cert year terminal exam, for example, you may be required to complete a portfolio of work, attend an audition or interview or sit an aptitude test.
Courses in Colleges of Art and Design, Photography, Architecture (some colleges ), Muinteoireacht Bunscoile (Marino ), Music etc. to mention but a few all have additional requirements.
The importance of researching your course choices thoroughly
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, year three. Many students make the big mistake of thinking that they will enjoy the course by simply likeing 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.
MEDICINE important closing date 21 st January 2022.
Registrations for HPAT – Ireland 2022 has been open since November 2021. It will close on 21 January 2022 at 5.15pm. Late registrations will be accepted up until 2 February 2022 5.15pm. on payment of a late fee. An exceptional late registration is available until 4 February 2022 at 5.15pm. The exceptional late registration is available only to candidates who have submitted their application to the CAO by 1 February 2022 at 5.15pm.
“Due to the requirement to lock in final testing numbers, we are not able to make exceptions and cannot accept registrations after the exceptional late registration deadline of 5.15pm GMT on 4 February 2022”.
The On-line HPAT exam takes place this year over a 4-day period. Friday 18th February to Monday 21st February 2022. There will be various time slots to choose from. HPAT 2022 will be supervised. This involves a supervisor, who is located remotely, helping you register for the test (by checking your identification and ensuring that your testing environment and equipment is suitable ), providing you with access to the HPAT exam and ensuring that you do not break any exam rules.
Please check this website for further details and information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDir4KqIP_8
The HPAT consists of questions in three sections:
Section 1: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving
Section 2: Interpersonal Understanding
Section 3: Non-Verbal Reasoning
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 Psychologists report, Neurologist report or psychotherapists 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 st on your CAO application, applicants for HEAR and DARE need to complete the online section of their application by March 1st and all supporting documents must be with the CAO by the 15 th MARCH 2022 deadline.
