News
Tips for filling up the CAO form
&
As many students are busy preparing for their mocks at the moment, worrying about the CAO is bound to bring extra stress.
However, students are urged not to worry unnecessarily. Applicants who have registered ahead of the January 20 early bird deadline at 5.15pm will have received their CAO number and they can add/change courses up February 1, also at 5.15pm. For those who have not yet registered, you can do so on www.cao.ie and the discounted application fee of €30 applies up to the early deadline of January 20.
There is a fee of €45 thereafter for those who register after and before the normal closing date of February 1. Students will be asked to submit personal and contact details, school details, indicate if you wish to apply for the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) and/or DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) schemes, for exemptions from minimum entry requirements, for the maintenance grant and to input the courses you are interested in.
For students who are completely undecided at this stage, don't worry. You can revisit your choices when the Change of Mind Facility opens on May 5 until July 1, at 5.15pm. In the meantime, the following steps will help:
- Think about the type of person you are, your aptitudes, interests, qualities, strengths, subjects or tasks that you enjoy.
- Talk to those who know you well such as parents, teachers, your guidance counsellor and to those who have studied the courses you are interested in.
- Research the detail of the courses by checking out all the modules you will study over the duration of the course. This detail can be found on the college websites.
- Check the entry requirements for the course, which must be met if you are to be considered eligible.
- There are some restricted courses which must be included before February 1, so applicants are encouraged to consult the CAO handbook to check these courses.
- Put your choices in genuine order of preference. This is the golden rule of filling the CAO form. Points are based on supply and demand therefore they rise and fall every year and students won't know the cut off points for 2020 until the first round offers are issued in mid-August.
- The key tip at this stage is make sure not to miss any of the deadlines, all of which are available on www.cao.ie. Students applying for the HEAR and DARE schemes must complete these forms by March 1 and send supporting documentation by March 15. See www.accesscollege.ie for more details of both schemes and speak to your guidance counsellor. Application Information Sessions for both schemes take place nationwide tomorrow (Saturday, January 11) with Institute of Technology, Tralee hosting the event for Kerry from 10am-2pm.
Information on key dates see www.cao.ie.
Niamh Dwyer is a guidance counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore and is PRO of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She can be contacted on careerfocusnow@gmail.com.
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square
A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council...
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on...
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas...
Grady demands Killarney traffic review
Killarney councillor Martin Grady has called for an urgent review of traffic management across the town following severe delays along...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
