The CAO posts out the second-round offers today so tomorrow's post should bring welcome news to many applicants.
Those who do not receive their desired offer may turn their thoughts to the Post Leaving Certificate sector, which has some 20,000 first-year places.
This sector is designed to prepare students directly for employment but can also be used as a route to third-level where 2,000 first-year places are reserved for people with a level 2 qualification from the National Council for Vocational Awards (the usual PLC award).
Unfortunately, there still seems to be a lot of confusion concerning this links scheme. Certain PLC courses articulate with particular third-level courses in the institutes of technology. It is not a general scheme whereby any PLC holder can apply for any third-level course.
In all cases, you must have completed eight NCVA level 2 modules, and achieved a full certificate, to be considered for one of the reserved places. A high proportion of applicants are found to be ineligible because they do not have the eight modules.
If you are considering using a PLC as a route to third-level, you must do your homework. Get a copy of the NCVA's Guide to the Higher Education Links Scheme (tel: (01) 837 2211). This sets out the linkages. So, for instance, students who do an interior design PLC (code AIDXX) may apply for reserved places on Sligo IT's national diploma in design (industrial design; course code SG232).
In some cases, the third-level college may specify a particular module. For instance, to be eligible for one of the places on Tallaght IT's national certificate in mechanical engineering (TA005) you must have an NCVA level 2 certificate in control technology (CCTXX) or engineering technology (CENGT). The certificate must include the mathematical methods module C20038. So, you must check any particular module requirements as well as the course title and linkage.
And, remember, you are not guaranteed a place. The places are reserved for NCVA level 2 students so you are not competing with Leaving Certificate applicants on the basis of points but you may have to compete with other NCVA level 2 candidates.
Linked or not?
And sometimes it's even more confusing. One perplexed CAO applicant called the College Places helpline as he had completed a PLC certificate in electrical/electronic engineering (CEE) in Ballyfermot College of Further Education and had duly applied for DIT's technician engineering diploma (DT231) only to be told the courses were not linked.
Bewildered, he returned to Ballyfermot College of Further Education's prospectus to read: "The course (CEE) is offered in conjunction with the engineering department and the physics department of the Dublin Institute of Technology (Kevin Street). Students apply to DIT for a place in the technician engineering diploma (electrical) (DT231) or the technician diploma in applied science (DT273)."
College Places telephoned DIT's admission officer who was adamant that no link existed. We then telephoned Ballyfermot Senior College which was adamant it was linked. Indeed, a number of students from the course had been offered places in DIT Kevin Street this year.
So, back to DIT Kevin Street. Still no link, said the admissions officer. But, the principal of Ballyfermot Senior College may recommend a number of students to the head of DIT Kevin Street's department of electrical engineering, on the basis of their performance in the course. They may then be interviewed and offered a place. But, there is "no direct, automatic route into DIT" from this course; there is a "nebulous" relationship not a formal link, said the officer.
Now, where does that leave students?
Applications to British and Northern Ireland colleges
The College Places helpline has found a significant decrease in the number of inquiries about courses offered through UCAS, the British applications body. This may be a function of the free fees here combined with the introduction of fees in third-level colleges in Britain and the North. There are also more third-level places available in the Republic in recent years.
Son or daughter in Kos?
The trend for students to go abroad leaving their parents (mostly mothers) holding the CAO form has increased hugely judging by the number of calls from distraught parents. There's the issue of accepting or rejecting an offer as well as the need to search for accommodation.
There's also the application to view marked Leaving Cert scripts and the application form for rechecks. Scripts can only be viewed by the student and one other nominated person who can accompany the student. Parents can not go in the student's stead.
The counsellors on the helpline ask students to seriously consider the timing of their trips to sunnier climes.
This year, there are an unprecedented number of vacant places available through the CAO. The helpline counsellors say guidance counsellors did not know in advance about the new procedures for accepting vacant places. They would like a sample to be inserted in the CAO handbook if possible or sent directly to guidance counsellors so next year's applicants would be alerted to the changes.
Post Leaving Certificate vacancies
Colaiste Ide College of Further Education, Finglas, Dublin, has some vacancies on the following PLC courses: accounting technician; diploma in international trade and marketing; international teleservices (French); human resource management; computing; hotel, catering and tourism; hotel and catering with supervision skills. For further information telephone admissions officer Emily Walsh at (01) 8342333.
Ballyfermot College of Further Education has vacancies on the following courses: art and design; fibre art; classical animation; business studies; office management; interactive media design and production; computer games development; music management and production; professional music performance; preliminary engineering; hotel, reception and tourism studies; applied languages and information technology (international teleservices). Tel: (01) 626-9421
Bray Institute of Further Education can accommodate students on many of its vocationally-oriented courses in design, technology, the arts and the caring professions. For instance, among others, the college offers a legal secretarial course, stenography, information technology, international telesales, computerised graphic design, fashion design and portfolio preparation, interior design, furniture design and cabinet making, pre-nursing, applied sciences, electronic engineering, TV, video, performing arts . . .
The college also has places on its repeat Leaving Certificate programme. In an innovative development, it is offering a number of Open University programmes on a full-time basis (there is a tuition fee for these courses). Tel: (01) 282-9668.
Equine science by distance learning
UL is offering a certificate and diploma course in equine science by distance learning. It is primarily aimed at mature students who work in the horse industry or who have an interest in horses. Prospective students should contact the International Equine Institute at the university for application forms. Tel: (061) 202430.
Vacant places
LSB's arts (psychology) degree course, CP322, has been removed from the CAO's list of courses advertising vacant places as all places are now filled. There are still some 24 degrees and 71 certificate/diploma courses with vacant places.
Round two offers
The Irish Times will publish a Second Round Offers supplement tomorrow. This will contain the round two cut-off points for certificates, diplomas and degrees in the CAO system. It will include an analysis of the offers and advice on alternatives outside the CAO.
End of the helpline
The second round cut-off points will be published tomorrow and the College Places helpline will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the last day on which this service will operate.
No further telephone queries will be answered after 1 p.m. tomorrow. Please address any queries in writing to Questions and Answers, c/o Education and Living, 11-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Queries will be answered through the Q&A column in Education and Living.