phs parents presentation - jan. 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Parents Presentation 7th Jan. 2015
Marie Cumiskey Guidance Counsellor
Content
• What to consider? • CAO • HEAR / DARE, SUSI • PLCs • Apprenticeships • Support
‘While the economy cannot be ignored students are always encouraged to follow a third-level and career path that suits their abilities’ – Mc Grath
It is highly competitive. Employers are looking for individuals that are brighter, ambitious and have a proven track record. (Mark Byrne, IT Manager at Brightwater Recruitment Agency) Despite the difficulties in the job market, Byrne and Mc Grath agree that a third-level qualification is crucial for job seekers. ‘It’s almost a standard’ say’s Byrne... It shows an aptitude for learning and dedication. Even if you do get a role straight out of school there’s a marked difference in salary in the long term.
The Sunday Times – 20-09-2009 – Supplement – University Guide 2010
Employers View of Third Level Qualifications • Self-motivated – work on one’s own initiative • Responsibility • Ability to meet deadlines • Ability to source information / check details • Prioritise what requires immediate attention • The era of on-going learning / training...
Humanities/Arts
Psychology Philosophy
Anthropology Geography
History English
Medieval Irish & Celtic Studies
Factual / Technical
Mathematical Studies
Mathematical Physics
Computer Science
Engineering
Economics
Law Finance
Accounting
Business
Music
Languages / Literature
“Over 70% of the world’s population do not speak English, and only 9% speak English as their first language.” “If we neglect to ensure adequate availability of foreign language skills in Ireland, the opportunities of the global market-place will not be realised.” – Tony Donohoe (IBEC), [Irish Examiner, Oct. 23, 2014]
French (HC3)
CAO - (Central Applications Office)
47 Participating Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) • Institutes of Technology
• Universities • Teacher Training Colleges
• Private Colleges
www.cao.ie
• Age 17 on year of entry • EU citizen • Institution Requirements
Level 6/7 = 5 subject Leaving Cert Level 8= 6 subject Leaving Cert 2HC+4OD3
(note: TCD – 3HC+3OD3) And Other
• Faculty Requirements Specific subjects at specific grades
• Points (final selection criteria)
The 5 Selection Criteria
Example:
40
95
90
100
80
50
455
• 2 lists of 10 choices (alike to two applications in one form)
• Level 8 and Level 6/7
• Restricted Application courses (1st Feb. Deadline. E.g. auditions – music/ drama, portfolio – Art, HPAT – Medicine)
• Place in order of preference
• Study ALL preferences carefully
CAO Application
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?
Dream Courses
Realistic Courses
Banker Courses
A WORD OF CAUTION: WHEN FILLING IN ALL 10 CHOICES, ONLY CHOOSE COURSES THAT YOU WOULD BE HAPPY WITH – DON’T ‘THROW IN’ A COURSE!
Students Choices – Influencing Factors
• Ability / Interests - KNOW YOURSELF
• Subjects (in the course) - Look at college calendar or book of modules for each course to see WHAT will be studied in each year of course
• Style of learning – How is course taught (Theory/Practical/Combination of both)
• Geographical location - support systems
• Finance - Costs and grants (Student Contribution for 2015-16 is €3,000)
• Specific v broad courses - personal value system
• Career Implications
• Research and talk to people, open days, email course directors (information is power..)
• FRIENDS’ DECISIONS…
• Back up Plan
www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie (courses)
www.careersportal.ie (very comprehensive courses/careers)
www.careersnews.ie (daily news feed on career selection)
www.postgradireland.com www.eunicas.ie (European University Central Application Support Service -
Info on courses taught in Continental European Universities exclusively through the English language)
www.ucas.com (UK equivalent to CAO, closing date for general application
15th January 2015)
College Prospectus College web sites CAO handbook Professional Bodies Websites (e.g. Engineers Ireland...)
Research
Offers - Example
Simon’s Leaving Certificate Results = 480 points (best six)
Points for Simon’s Level 8 Courses
Level 8
DC200 490
DC195 485
DT025 480
DN077 460
DN078 480
GY401 320
GY405 315
GY413 300
LM073 480
Points for Simon’s L8 Courses What he will get offered
Level 8
DC200 490
DC195 485
DT025 480
DN077 460
DN078 480
GY401 320
GY405 315
GY413 300
LM073 480
Simon may be offered either of these if the points drop in round 2
OFFER
All
Of
These
Choices
Are
Now
Gone
The same system operates for Simon’s level 6/7 choices. He gets the two offers but can only accept one. By accepting one he automatically loses the other. Whether Simon accepts or rejects either offer if he becomes eligible for a higher up choice he will be offered it. Simon can then decide to accept the second offer or keep the first one he was offered.
Important Dates
• 5th Nov. On-line application process opens
• 20th Jan. discounted closing (€25)
• 31st Jan. closing date for free change of course choices
• 1st Feb. application closing date (€40)
• Mar/April tests, interviews, portfolios etc for restricted courses
• 5th May online change of mind available
• 1st July CAO closes
HEAR/DARE/HPAT • HEAR The Higher Education Access Route This is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds • DARE Disability Access Route to Education This is an access route for students who have a disability/specific learning difficulty • HPAT Health Professionals Aptitude Test Must be sat by anyone considering a career in medicine Registration Oct/Nov Testing Feb Register early on HPAT Website and order practice test • CHECK DEADLINES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE IF APPLICABLE TO YOU
Remember to tick the SUSI box on the CAO
application form if you intend applying for student funding.
Statement of Application Record
You will be sent this as a final acknowledgement and to verify that all information has been recorded accurately. (Have you an official exemption from Irish and have they a record of this)
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS BY 1ST JUNE CONTACT TO CAO IMMEDIATELY!
Offer of Places
• Round 1 - One week after LC results (18th August) • Round 2 - Late Aug/early Sept (25th August approx) • After offers will be issued as necessary to fill remaining places Reminder: • Regardless if you accept or reject a round one offer if you become eligible for a higher up offer you will be made an offer. • You may get the chance to receive a higher up course than your first offer but you will never receive an offer on a lower course choice
Deferred Entry
This can only be dealt with by the institution involved. Procedure • Confirm that the HEI operates deferred entry • On receipt of an offer notice Do not accept in the usual way • Write/email IMMEDIATELY the Admissions office stating the reasons for deferral • Mark “DEFERRED ENTRY” clearly on the envelope • Attach your offer notice to the letter • This must arrive in the admissions office at least two days before the reply date • The HEI will communicate the decision to you • Deferrals are dealt with by the Admissions Office NOT CAO
Vacant Places
Advertised on www.cao.ie under the heading Available/Vacant Places. These are courses that have not been filled through the round of offers.
Random Number
• Is only used when a number of applicants with the exact same points are competing for the last few places on a course
• The applicants with the highest Random number will be offered the places.
• It is very rarely used!
Brief Overview
Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC’s)
FETAC AWARDS now QQI
Another Option/Route
Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs)
PLC’s courses offer an alternative route to a third level qualification. PLC courses are available through Further Education Centres nationwide. They meet the needs of a large amount of Leaving Certificate students who are not catered for within the CAO system.
Why? May be considered for the following reasons:
• Students who are more practical than academic
• Students who don’t want to commit themselves to 3 or 4 years of third level study
• Students who want to improve their skills in preparation for further study e.g. portfolio preparation pre-engineering
• Students who can only find the course they want within the PLC system
• Students who wish to confirm that this is the area of study they wish to pursue
• Financial circumstances - give more time
PLCs – Progression Route
The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) provides progression opportunities for learners achieving QQI-Fetac Level 5 and Level 6 major awards and who are interested in applying for Higher Education programmes through the CAO (Central Applications Office).
For more details see www.qqi.ie search ‘Higher Education Links Scheme’
Rules for Eligibility to the Higher Education Links Scheme
• Progression requires a Level 5 or Level 6 major award, with at least 120 credits
• Component awards, or achievement of less than 120 credits, will not suffice
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring their provider applies to QQI for a Major Award prior to application to CAO
Applicants MUST check both the individual Higher Education Institution and CAO websites to ensure they meet any special requirements
PLCs – Application
• Application forms are available on-line
• Application should be made as early as possible in the new year
• Further applications can be made in August but places in the more popular courses tend to be filled.
• Application forms take less than 10 minutes to fill out.
• There may be an application fee.
• Interviews are normally held in May or after the Leaving Cert.
PLCs – Learning Style
• Continuous assessment as well as final exams. • Usually a work experience module. • Tutors who teach also mark assessments and set and correct exams under the guidance of FETAC (QQI).
Apprenticeships
Real Employment Experience
On-and-off the job learning
Preparation for a specific occupation
Nationally recognised qualification
All combined with being paid while you study
What it involves:
• Currently a seven stage on-and-off-the-job training programme over three years before becoming a fully qualified trade-person
• The employer meets the cost of on-the-job training for 170 of the 201 weeks of all apprenticeship programmes, and pays the apprentice a wage during that period
• The State bears the cost of the forty weeks of off-the- job training and the cost of the apprentice’s wages for this period
Potential developments:
If recommendations on the review of apprenticeships are implemented, new models will be developed for technical roles in areas of growth in the economy such as: ICT Medical Devices Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology Food and Drink Engineering Financial Services Business and Marketing
The new model if developed will incorporate
qualifications from Level 5-9,
i.e. intermediate and advanced apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in the Craft Industry
There are three primary providers of craft education outside of higher education institutes:
- ETBs (Education Training Boards formally VECs) - City & Guilds - Crafts Council of Ireland
A full list of course providers across all disciplines is available on the Craft
Council website (www.ccoi.ie)
Wood – Metal – Glass – Clay - Textiles
HEAR / DARE
www.accesscollege.ie
DARE The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points to school leavers with disabilities. DARE has been set up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that disability can have a negative impact on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college.
Who should apply to DARE? School leavers under the age of 23 as of 1 January, 2015, who have completed an Irish Leaving Certificate and have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education, but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of a disability or ongoing illness.
www.accesscollege.ie
HEAR
www.accesscollege.ie
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. HEAR has been set up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that socio-economic disadvantage can have a negative effect on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college. HEAR Applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support. Who is it for? HEAR is for school leavers under the age of 23 as of January 1st 2015, who have completed an Irish Leaving Certificate. Applications to HEAR can only be made online through the CAO.
HEAR – Eligibility Indicators
For more details go to www.accesscollege.ie
www.accesscollege.ie
Important dates for HEAR/DARE
-1st March 5.15pm (closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms) -1st April 5.15pm (latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO)
DARE and HEAR Application Advice Clinics will take place this Saturday 10th of January from 10.00am to
2.00pm in the Glencarn Hotel Castleblaney
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland)
www.susi.ie
NB
1. Tick the SUSI option on your CAO form NOW - so CAO can confirm your college place offer to SUSI 2. Check out your grant eligibility at www.susi.ie All you need to know about grants. Information for 2015-16 will be updated closer to May 3. Apply online – Applications open in early May (early application receive priority processing)
Income Limits for 2014 applications
Income Limits for 2015 SUSI Applications still to be confirmed. Check www.susi.ie in the coming months for the most up to date information. Note: The Student Contribution fee for 2015-16 is €3,000
SUSI - Key Dates (2015 dates TBC)
www.susi.ie Remember If your son qualifies for HEAR, a separate application is still needed for SUSI
www.patricianhighschool.ie
www.patricianhighschool.ie
So for now...
• Good night’s sleep
• Healthy Diet & Fresh Air
• Monitor their study habits
• Calm
• Ensure your son is ready for school and attending
• Help them manage their time effectively
• Support the school’s initiatives that are put in place so that all student’s can reach their potential.
Concerns?
Make contact with the school
Thanks for Listening!
Any Questions?