Normally students use college open days to help them make their CAO choices. Open days provide a wonderful opportunity for both students and parents to get a feel for a college, and chat with staff and students.
However, Covid has meant that there have been very few physical open days over the last two years. While this is not ideal for students, there are still lots of other ways to engage with colleges.
Take part in virtual open days
Most colleges have adapted their traditional open day model to deliver an open day experience online.
The key to making the most of these virtual events is to be familiar with the schedule in advance and have your questions ready for any live online Q&As.
The Q&As can be either live on screen, where the people speaking answer your questions, or a chat facility where you type your question and an expert from the college will get back to you during the event.
Many colleges will make the recordings of these virtual open days available afterwards, so you can catch up on any talks you missed. For example, all GMIT’s virtual events are available at openday.gmit.ie under “past events”.
Follow colleges on social media
It is a great idea to follow the social media accounts of the colleges you are interested in, whether it is TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
They will help you to get a feel for the campuses and student life. College social media accounts often have updates on events, new courses, and changes to existing courses too.
Campus tours
Since Covid affecting the running of open days, many colleges are offering small campus tours on request.
For example, in GMIT we have been offering campus tours since October (on weekdays ) in all five campuses. Interested students just need to email [email protected] with their preferred days and times. Advance booking is essential to ensure public health guidelines are followed.
Many other colleges are offering similar tour services so keep an eye out and book a tour for the colleges you are interested in.
Contact schools liaison offices
All colleges have a schools liaison team/office who are there to help prospective students make the right choices about the next step in their education.
With limited school visits due to Covid, schools liaison teams are available to prospective students and parents via video chats, phone calls, and WhatsApp, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Pay close attention to course content
One of the most important pieces of advice we give to students, during Covid times or not, is to make sure you look at the content of the courses you are interested in. It is important not to pick a course just based on the name of the course.
While prospectuses list the subjects you might study, college websites have a lot more detail about individual course modules – what year you will study them, what you will learn, and how they will be assessed (continuous assessment vs exams ).
College websites and digital prospectuses also tend to be more in-depth than a printed prospectus because they can include videos from students and staff, and give more details about course modules.
Finally, if you have questions about specific courses, college prospectuses and websites will contain a contact person for each course, so don’t be afraid to contact them with any in-depth queries as they know their courses inside-out.
Need extra help?
We know it can be difficult to choose, but there are extra supports available.
Stay in contact with your school guidance counsellors as they have years of experience matching students with courses.
You could also do a personality test or strength profile to help you decide on possible courses and careers based on your interests and strengths. For example, GMIT has a “careers corner” on openday.gmit.ie where you can do a free online strengths profile to help you choose the right career path and course for you.
Your CAO application
Points
We know that some students are anxious about CAO points and how they might be affected by this year’s Leaving Cert. Regardless of how the Leaving Cert is run, CAO points will be determined by the number of places on each course, the number of students who select the course, and the points of the student who apply each year.
Level 6/7/8
A good tip is to make sure you apply for courses at both Level 6/7 and Level 8. Remember you can get two offers from the CAO – one at Level 6/7 and one at Level 8. So, make sure to fill out both lists on your CAO form.
CAO closing date
Make sure you apply by February 1, the CAO normal closing date. Applications made between January 21 and February 1 will incur a charge of €45. Or apply by 5pm on January 20 to avail of the early bird closing date.
Changing your mind
CAO Change of Mind will be open from May 5 until July 1, so you will have time to change your course and college choices at a later date.
Lorraine Cunningham is GMIT’s schools liaison officer.
GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo will become Ireland’s newest technological university - Atlantic Technological University (ATU ) - on April 1 2022.
