COLLEGE CHOICE:Beginning today, Brian Mooney's daily column will address concerns raised by students and parents about Leaving Cert results and next week's CAO first round.
THE CLASS of 2010 is waking up to a new world this morning.
The celebrations are over and for many an anxious few days lie ahead as they await the publications of the college place offers from the CAO next Monday morning at six o’clock.
What’s on the helpline?
The Irish Timeshelpline was very busy all day yesterday as nervous students and their parents called to consult with the guidance counsellors manning the telephones.
As in previous years, a large number of callers have failed maths at either higher or ordinary level. This has left them with very limited college options in 2010.
Some good news. If you were interested in an engineering degree in either NUI Maynooth or DIT, both colleges are offering special maths exams in the next few days to provide students with a second chance.
For the near 4,000 ordinary level students who failed maths the path ahead is troubling. The option of securing a place on a Post Leaving Cert (PLC) course
is not available to many who would traditionally have taken this route.
Most courses in this sector have huge waiting lists, following the surge in interest in these courses from people of all ages who are unemployed and seeking to upskill.
Getting a recheck.
Another option open to those who have failed maths or who have not secured a hoped-for grade is to return the review script request form to their school by next Tuesday.
This will enable them to view their scripts on the weekend of September 3rd and 4th to ascertain whether it is advisable to request a full remarking of any subject or subjects.
There is a cost of €40 per subject, refundable if the upgrade is awarded. You have to be personally present to view your scripts.
You cannot delegate this task to anyone else, but you can bring a second person with you to view each paper. You do not have to review your script before you request a recheck; you may of course simply follow the procedure laid out by the exams commission and pay the €40 per subject.
Next week’s CAO points.
A huge issue of concern for many other callers was the level of points for all courses next Monday.
Nobody knows for certain what the points will be for any course as the points are determined by the number of people applying, the number of places that the colleges choose to offer this year and the Leaving Certificate results of those seeking those places.
The Irish Times published the details of the likely points for key areas based on this year’s trends on Monday last. This article is available at irishtimes.com
Points are set to increase for many courses, particularly in the medical and related areas. But points are set to fall for courses linked to the building industry, for architecture and for law.
Over the CAO season, careers expert Brian Mooney will act as a guide for students and parents
HELPLINE: 1800 946 942
EMAIL: advice@irishtimes.ie
PODCAST: irishtimes.com