Waterford Institute of Technology is helping record numbers of adults make the right choice at third level and staff at the Institute reported an increase in numbers attending the mature students open event at its College Street campus on Tuesday (January 13).

The Regional Educational Guidance Service for Adults (REGSA) say they were delighted with the turn-out at the event and said its staff are still available to help and advise mature students planning to complete their CAO college application form before the February 1 deadline.

Adults considering returning to college, up-skilling and improving their employment prospects are being encouraged to avail of the free and confidential help available before filling out their CAO form.

According to Peter Lucey, co-ordinator and guidance counsellor at the REGSA office in WIT, “Making the right choices at CAO time is important and we’re delighted to be able to offer free advice and helpful tips for those considering coming to WIT or any other Third Level college. Anyone considering going back to college should really contact us if they have questions or need help.

“There are a few pointers we gave to students during the open event and which still stand. We would advise applicants to read the CAO handbook carefully before they even attempt to fill out their CAO form. They should only use the codes provided in the handbook and on the CAO website, not those contained in a college’s own literature or on its website.

“We would also advise that applicants fill out their form online where possible. Should they make an error on a course code when applying online, they will be notified of this error and not allowed proceed with their application.

“Some courses set minimum entry requirements and it is important that applicants are aware of these as well as what the subjects/modules they will be asked to take throughout the length of their chosen programmes,” Mr Lucey added.

The percentage of mature students at Third Level continues to rise and with the economic downturn, it is anticipated that even more will chose to up-skill by returning to college. The latest Higher Education Authority (HEA) figures show mature student entries to higher education continue to increase steadily in line with strategic national targets.

• For further information on programmes at WIT, visit www.wit.ie.
• To learn more about the Regional Educational Guidance Service at WIT, visit www.regsa.org

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