The CAO process is important not just to students, but to other members of the family too. Unfortunately, some parents can feel left out of this process. Additionally, they may not have experience with the online CAO system. So, here’s a guide to the CAO aimed at parents and guardians. Hopefully this will help not just with the process itself, but as a guide on what to talk about and how to discuss this process.
In this post, we will be using the phrase ‘parent’, but of course, this advice is applicable to anyone who’s a carer for someone of Leaving Certificate age, whether you’re a stepparent, foster parent, carer or relative.
Helping them choose the CAO course
When talking to Leaving Cert students about college courses, look at it from as many angles as possible.
1. Favourite subjects
Talk to them about their preferred subjects and favourite parts of school. Note, this doesn’t necessarily mean the subjects they get the highest grades in!
2. Personal interests
What are their strengths and talents? What are their hobbies? And are any of them relevant to a future career? For instance, if they’re captain of a team, management might be an option. Maybe they’ve shown an entrepreneurial flair already, in which case business could be the route for them. Or they are empathetic and interested in human rights and justice, which might point to a career in the psychology, law, charity/NGO, or nonprofit sector.
3. Previous work experience
By the time the student is filling out the CAO form, they might have had work experience in TY (transition year) or in a summer or part time job. This might give them a steer in what they like, or dislike, about working life.
4. Course curriculum
Find and browse a college prospectus for any college that’s under consideration. A prospectus usually contains information about the institution and the available courses, including minimum requirements for courses, student experience opportunities, and other support services available to students.
Read the prospectus for information about the different courses, modules and subjects, especially for the first year, to see if the subjects or college are a good fit. For example, are they more suited to practical assignments or academic learning? Also, are there any subjects in the course that might prove especially challenging?
Encourage the student to pick up information at school’s career fairs, and events such as Higher Options in the RDS. Also, don’t forget to register for events, such as DBS’s open events.
5. Routes to the course
Maybe most important, but a piece of advice often ignored: List courses in order of preference, not in order of point requirements. In other words, the most-preferred choice should be what’s top of the list.
Other factors in choosing CAO courses
It’s not just academic talent and preferences that decide on a CAO course. Other factors include:
-
Minimum entry requirements (for example, here are the minimum requirements for DBS)
-
Job market in relation to the qualification earned
-
Location of course
-
Order of preference
-
Other routes: It’s worth examining whether or not there are routes to the course beyond the traditional Leaving Certificate points race. Some diploma courses can then lead to degree courses, for instance.
-
Cost
Keeping an eye on dates
One aspect of CAO application that can slip through the net is deadlines. There’s no shortage of key dates, so parents and students alike should keep a calendar or diary of key dates.
For the most up-to-date important CAO dates, please visit the CAO website.
Important correspondence from CAO
The CAO will be in regular contact with students throughout this process, so it’s helpful to be aware in advance of the important emails that will be winging their way to the applicant’s inbox. The student will receive regular correspondence throughout the application stage. Make sure to remind the student about these emails regularly, and when they arrive, to collectively and thoroughly read these emails, and especially to notify CAO immediately if you spot any errors or omissions.
Application number email
This is the first correspondence applicants will get from CAO, and a pretty important one. They should receive it immediately after applying online. The automated e-mail will have the applicant’s application number, an e-mail verification code and the application details. Remind applicants to write down their CAO application number and keep it somewhere safe and easy to find, as it will be needed for future correspondence.
Statement of Application Record
Before June (probably before the end of May) every applicant should receive a Statement of Application Record. This is a significant email, giving the applicant the chance to review their account information, and correct it if an error slipped through.
Offer Notification/Statement of Application Record
(August or earlier) - At this stage, hopefully, the prospective student will get notification of an offer, or a Statement of Application. A statement of application means they didn’t get an offer in this round.
Make sure that the applicant checks that all the information the CAO has on file is correct.
If they get an offer notification, this means that they are entitled to a place on one of their Level 8 or Level 7/6 courses (or possibly both).
Accepting an Offer
Let’s look at this from two angles. Firstly, the emotional one. Don’t panic if they don’t get their first choice straight away. The second choice might be just as good, or you can wait until the second round of offers.
If they do accept an offer, it’s vital that they accept the offer (online) by the reply date given.
If they are in the fortunate position of having an offer from both lists, they have to choose between them.
Accepting a round one offer doesn’t stop students from getting offers in later rounds. If they accept a new offer, they must inform the HEI. The new offer automatically cancels the previous one.
CAO Parents Helpline
The best way to contact CAO is via the CAO website. For urgent enquiries, they are also contactable at 091 509800. However, as you might expect, it can be hard to get through at busy times of the year, so online correspondence is recommended in most circumstances.
CAO Resources
And DBS has several courses across a range of disciplines. Nothing beats visiting a college campus in person, and you can find a wealth of information at one of our open events.