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It’s January, so 2022 CAO College applicants must keep a close eye on a fast-moving timeline says Guidance Counsellor Billy Ryle…
As a new year begins with alarming omicron variant uncertainty, college applicants must focus on the CAO form as the deadline looms large.
Indeed, it’s shaping up to be a very promising year for the 80,000 plus applicants – about 2,500 from Kerry – seeking a third level college course.
More than 50,000 college places will be available next August. Applicants have until 5pm on 1st February to submit a completed application form.
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So, use the remaining weeks wisely. Carefully consider your course choices. Follow your heart but keep an eye on the jobs market.
Since the new Leaving Cert grading system and CAO common points scale were introduced in 2017, points’ requirements for many courses have stabilised.
As the calculated and accredited grades considerably inflated course points requirements during the past two years, it might be wiser to consult the 2019 cut off points as a guide to likely points requirements in 2022.
But keep in mind that points’ requirements for courses fluctuate from year to year, so predicting cut off points is an inaccurate science.
Each Leaving Cert candidate should aim to achieve her/his best possible result in that exam. Points’ requirements for courses will take care of themselves in due course.
The CAO processes applications for admission to undergraduate courses in third level colleges in Ireland.
Every public sector university, college and institute in the country, as well as a number of private colleges, participates in the CAO system.
An applicant may choose from the entire range of courses in the CAO Handbook 2022. The courses are categorised as ‘Level 8’ or ‘Level 7/6’. The ‘Level 8’ category contains the Honours Bachelor Degrees while the ‘Level 7/6’ category contains Ordinary Bachelor Degrees/Higher Certificates.
All you have to do is submit a single application to compete for one of the available third-level places.
The interactive online application system, ‘Apply’ has made the process very straightforward.
‘Apply’ is easy to follow, particularly as the CAO provides an ‘Interactive Demo’ to enable you make a trial application.
The CAO Handbook 2022 also contains detailed easy-to-follow information on how to apply for the courses on offer.
The interactive online application service will remain open on the CAO website, www.cao.ie until 5pm on 1st February.
The fee is €30, if you apply by 20th January and €45 thereafter until the 1st February.
Before you apply, study the CAO Handbook 2022 – interactive flipbook or PDF format – which explains how to apply for a third level college place.
The colleges in the CAO system are listed in alphabetical order by location. The courses in each college are listed directly under the college title, with ‘Level 8’ courses being listed separately from ‘Level 7/6’ courses.
Select your personal preferences from the entire range of courses in the Handbook. Each course is assigned a code, which you enter on the application.
You may apply for up to ten courses in each of the two categories, listed in order of your preference.
Offers are issued independently in respect of the two lists (Level 8 and Level 7/6), so it’s well worth filling in both lists. CAO will release details of the finalised 2022 offers and acceptance schedule later in the year
The CAO Handbook 2022 doesn’t contain information about general academic requirements, specific course requirements nor content of courses so consult the colleges’ Prospecti and/or websites for that information.
Consider the potential career value of each course for which you are applying. Play to your strengths as you do your course research during the next few weeks.
Jot down your personal career profile, including such variables as ability, achievement, application, aptitude, ambition, values, interests and personality (5AVIP). Select courses that suit you in order to have a fulfilling and successful college experience.
2022 CAO Common Points Scale
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• 25 bonus points are awarded for Higher Level Maths for H6 or above if Maths is one of the six subjects being counted for points calculation
• Foundation Level Maths: F1 and F2 are valued at 20 and 12 points, respectively
• LCVP: Distinction, Merit, Pass are valued at 66, 46 and 28 points, respectively
CAO 2022 APPLICATION TIMELINE
20th Jan: apply by 5pm to avail of the online discount rate of €30
21st Jan: closing date to register for HPAT (Under Graduate Med.) test
30th Jan: closing date to register for MSAP (Mature Students) test
31st Jan: closing date to register for GAMSAT (Graduate Medicine) test
1st Feb: online change of course choices (free) close at 5pm
1st Feb: normal closing date, at 5pm, for applications
5th Feb: online facility to amend course choices opens at noon (€10 fee)
18th/21st Feb: HPAT-Ireland test takes place online
1st March: closing date, at 5pm, for amending course choices
1st March: completed online HEAR/DARE forms must be submitted by 5pm
1st March: closing date, at 5pm for completion of mature student application form
4th March: late application facility opens at 12.00 noon (€60 fee)
5th/9th March: MSAP test takes place online
15th March: HEAR/DARE supporting documentation must arrive in CAO by 5pm
18th/23rd March: GAMSAT test takes place
1st May: closing date, at 5pm, for late applications
5th May: online change of mind facility (free) opens at 12.00 noon
31st May: Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants before this date
Late June: HPAT-Ireland test results released
1st July: change of mind facility (free) closes at 5pm
22nd July: exceptional late closing date at 5pm for those already in 3rd level
Billy Ryle is a Career Guidance Counsellor and Educational Commentator
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