CAO 2008- Change your mind time starts
I posted this last year but had a few queries so am posting it again this year.
From 1st of May to 1st July you can change your CAO college choices on your application that you submitted earlier in 2008. Even if you do not intend to change your college choices you still need to review your application for any errors.
Here’s some tips on managing this process
First
You should have or will shortly receive your “statement of application record”. It is vital you check all the information on this as if it’s incorrect it could affect your college offer in August. Make sure to check the following
Date and place of birth can affect college eligibility so make sure they are correct
Your address is correct- yes it got to you this time, but the wrong postal code can mean delays in receiving your offer in August.
Your course choices are the courses you’ve actually picked and the code is the right one for your preferred course. i.e. the course codes listed are the ones you actually meant to pick
Details of any examinations you passed previously are correctly stated
Your exam number is correct
If you are entitled to any language exemption make sure it is noted on the form.
If there are any errors as distinct from a change of mind on college courses, amend this form and return immediately.
Secondly check for important changes which are not in the CAO handbook.
These are
Cancelled courses. For example DC 213 acting in DCU has been cancelled. You don’t want to waste a course choice on cancelled courses
New courses added such as a new course in Performing arts (Acting) DK766 in Dundalk. Some of these new courses may be of interest to you.
Some courses have introduced a portfolio requirement e.g. GC494 fashion design in Griffith college.
Changes in your preferred course titles. For example DN024 was sports management now, it’s known as sports and exercise management. Noting this now can avoid stress when your course offer arrives and you think it’s incorrect.
If you’d like to see full details of these changes. Click here
to go to the CAO web site
Check whether you are still interested in the course choices you’ve made so far. (I’ll come back to this in another blog entry)
Use the online change of mind facility as this means you are less likely to make errors.
Do keep copies of your preferred college prospectus and amendments made as you might need to refer to them, to check your understanding of what you’ve signed up to.
For example Trinity college’s common entry engineering course currently allows student to choose their own specialisation without restriction. i.e. not subject to exam performance or class size restrictions.
One current 1st year student mentioned to me that this year they were told the college authorities would choose for them. A quick review of the college literature soon showed that students had signed up to choose their own courses and the decision was changed!
Finally don’t leave updating your choices until the last minute (1st of July). After the Leaving Cert finishes people tend to forget to update!
Other posts that may be of interest
Pick right CAO course for you
Look beneath surface - CAO trends
CAO under attack
CAO 1st March deadline
CAO 1st February deadline
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