It seems even the weather has been beaten into second place. The topic on the tongues of most of this year's 65,000 third-level aspirants, and their parents, relatives and friends, is simply "What will the cut-off points be this year?"
The answer, I'm afraid, remains anyone's guess. All we know at present is that the Central Applications Office has received applications from 64,996 students and that the Department of Education estimates there will be some 35,000 first-year places on third-level courses. So, there is roughly one place for every two applicants.
These application statistics are further broken down into the various subject areas. For instance, we know that there were fewer mentions of science/ applied science degrees this year - 50,921, as opposed to 58,283 last year. Of these, 5,560 were first-preference mentions, as opposed to 6,030 last year.
It's tempting to play lots of games with the statistics, noting rises and falls in the number of applications over the past few years. However, each year, the cut-off points are a function of supply (the number of available places) and demand (the number and quality of the applicants as measured in points). So the cut-off points are set by you, the applicants - they are not arbitrary boundaries defined by the colleges.
The CAO is posting out its first round of offers on Monday, so you should have them by Tuesday. You will receive a letter from the CAO whether you are being offered a place or not. The cut-off points will be published on Tuesday in College Places, a supplement with The Irish Times. Those with late-night access to a computer can find out somewhat sooner: the points will be posted on The Irish Times on the Web from midnight on Monday (www.ireland.com/special/cao). The points will also be on RTE's Aertel service from midnight.
You might put in the time between now and Tuesday by exploring other options. For instance, UCAS, the central body for college applications to Britain and Northern Ireland, is advertising vacant places.
Already, as of June 30th, UCAS had received applications from 6,536 students from the Republic.
The A-level results are out today and any vacant places in colleges in the UCAS system will be advertised and allocated through a process described as "clearing". These places are open to everyone - you do not have to have previously applied to UCAS.
Last year, 67,988 applicants accepted places through clearing - 58,066 degree level places and 9,922 Higher National Diploma places. This is close to twice the total number of first-year places available in the CAO system. Of course, vacancies on the most desirable of courses such as medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy are unlikely to be offered through this process.
Information on vacancies will be published in the English Independent on the following dates: August 19th, 20th, 22nd (Independent on Sunday), 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th and 31st; September 7th and 16th. You must refer to the UCAS Handbook 1999, in which course codes are printed with the course titles.
Starting today, UCAS publishes an interactive course vacancy list. This service, which will be updated on a daily basis, will continue until Friday, September 17th (www.ucas.ac.uk).
If you do rush off and buy the Independent or log on to the Website and find yourself inspired by the thousands of vacancies, the advice from our helpline counsellors is to step back. Take your time. Going to college in Britain or Northern Ireland means leaving home, something you may not have previously considered. Lots of thought and discussion, they advise, combined with plenty of research on the course and college.
Having done that, how do you set about entering the clearing process? If you have applied to UCAS already you should have received a clearing entry form (CEF). If you haven't applied, write to UCAS at PO Box 67, Cheltenham, Glos Gl50 3SF, England, requesting a CEF; or telephone the UCAS helpline at 0044 (1242) 227788.
The British Council advises that you shouldn't worry too much about the form, but instead turn first to the listings and contact suitable colleges. If they are interested in accepting you, the paperwork can be dealt with later.
Money matters
There are fees, to a maximum of £1,025 sterling, payable in third-level colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland. This is a means-tested contribution. Those with a parental income under £17,370 sterling will not have to pay this, while those with more than £27,570 sterling may not be eligible for help. A sliding scale operates for those with incomes between the two limits. Income limits for independent students are slightly lower.
New third-level courses now accepting applications
And here's the scary bit. You studied the CAO handbook and read the college prospectuses. You consulted your guidance counsellor, your parents, the tea leaves . . . And still it seems there is more to do if you don't want to miss out on some excellent opportunities still available in the third-level sector in the Republic.
Each year, a number of colleges get late approval for courses. These are not listed in the CAO handbook or the late addenda to this bible. In fact, in many cases, you do not apply through the CAO, you contact the college directly.
So, where do you find these courses? Well, the ad sections of the national and local newspapers. And this column, of course. So far, College Places has found five courses which are still accepting applications.
Occasionally these courses can represent good value pointswise as many students are unaware of their existence. New NUIG degree in environmental engineering If you hurry there's still time to apply to NUI Galway, which is introducing a new degree this September, a BE in environmental engineering. In addition to a general background in civil engineering, students take courses in areas such as environmental legislation, water and waste water treatment, waste management, and pollution control.
Minimum entry requirements include at least a grade C3 in higher-level maths, or a pass in the NUI Galway special entrance exam in maths to be held tomorrow.
This course does not appear in the CAO handbook and the college is accepting direct applications. For further details and application form contact the secretary, Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway. Tel: (091) 750316. Completed forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. tomorrow.
Four new courses at DIT
You have until the end of August to apply to DIT for a first-year place on two new degrees (computer science, computer engineering) and two certificate/diploma courses, technology (integrated maintenance) and manutronics (automation).
These courses will be advertised later this month, after the first round of CAO offers, but, meanwhile, the DIT admissions office, Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, is accepting applications.
Subject requirements for the computer science degree include a minimum of a B3 in ordinary-level maths or a D3 in higher-level maths. For the computer engineering degree, a minimum higher-level C3 in maths as well as a higher-level C3 in physics or chemistry or physics/chemistry or applied maths is required.
For those wondering about the cert/diploma courses with the exotic names - DIT's admissions officer explains that technology (integrated maintenance) is aimed at those with a mechanical engineering bent with an emphasis on machine maintenance, testing, diagnostics and installation. Five passes in the Leaving Cert to include maths and English or Irish are required.
The same subject requirements apply for the manutronics automation cert/diploma. This is a combination of manufacturing, mechanical engineering and software. Both courses follow the same structure with two years to a certificate and a further year to a diploma.
Viewing scripts
A number of callers to the helpline yesterday were parents with offspring who are sojourning abroad. They wondered whether, in the absence of their offspring, they could view marked Leaving Cert scripts. The answer is no. The Leaving Cert student must be present at the viewing. He or she may be accompanied by one other person they nominate.
The College Places column will appear from Monday to Friday for the duration of the college offers season. Teachers can place group orders for The Irish Times by calling 1 800 798884 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.