The time between Leaving Cert results and CAO offers is both full of excitement and uncertainty for college hopefuls but can be used to explore options
“What course will I be offered? Do I have enough points?” are some of the questions prospective students waiting on their CAO offers have.
Depending on the student’s situation there’s many a quandary. However, the waiting period can be used to explore options.
I don’t think I will get offered my first choice
Figure out what it is you really want to do using our worksheets in the booklets at www.wit.ie/how
I will have enough points for my first choice but I don’t want it.
You won’t get offered anything lower on your CAO list than what you’re offered in Round 1 offers, that's why you put courses in order of genuine preference. Your options to explore include:
- further education college opportunities and progression routes into what you do want
- really examine the opportunities the courses you’re likely to be offered in Round 1 will give you
- progression routes from a Level 7/6 course into your desired Level 8 course/career
- keep an eye on the CAO website for courses offered on the CAO’s available places list
I still don’t know what I want to study
Starting a course you don’t really want to do and later deciding not to continue it will offer you plenty of life experience and an opportunity to gain knowledge – however it may result in paying fees in the future or impact your grant. Look at other options such as:
- college of further education courses to help you mature and refine your interests
- working for a year or two while you learn more about yourself and reapply
- enquire about deferring a place.
I'm worried about the cost of going to college
If you reckon you’ve enough points for your first choice and have realised moving away from home/or to an expensive city is not in the family budget you could:
- enquire about deferring, and work for a year to save money (if you have a job already, as it may not be the best time to find work)
- choose a college of further education near to home and apply to somewhere less expensive/closer to home for 2021 entry
- look out for available places courses on the CAO to see if a course you would like is offered within commuting distance of home or in a less expensive place to live
Helpful links
I want to find more about deferring a place http://www.wit.ie/deferrals
I want to re-examine what I’m really interested in http://www.wit.ie/how
I want to find out how to help my son/daughter/family member http://www.wit.ie/how
I want to find out about progression schemes from further education colleges http://www.wit.ie/FEprogression
I want to find out about progressing on from a Level 7/6 course. Read our How to use level 6 and 7 to progress your educational goals article on our news section.
I want to find out about available places http://www.wit.ie/availableplaces
I want to find out about common entry courses http://www.wit.ie/commonentry
I want to know about SETU registration and orientation http://start.wit.ie
I have a question. See www.wit.ie for details of how to contact us through our Ask SETU campaign by web chat or phone.
I failed maths/don't have maths entry requirements for a SETU course. Go to www.wit.ie/mathsentryexam