Published: Wednesday, 24th June, 2009 12:00pm

Deadline for your final college choice

As the Leaving Cert exams finish another important date looms for Leaving Cert students and those wishing to go to college in September. July 1st 2009 is the final date for submitting CAO Change of Mind applications. This option is widely relied on by many CAO applicants to make their final choices, and is often regarded as more important than the initial CAO application date.

Change with caution

With an increase of 4% in the number of CAO School Leavers applicants it is essential that students have selected the courses they really want. They should approach the Change of Mind facility with extreme caution as, it cancels all the previous course choices. Do remember that there are two categories, Level 8 and Level 7/6, which are completely separate. A change of Level 8 course choices will not affect Level 7/6 choice. There are some courses which you can not apply for under a Change of Mind facility. These include Restricted Application courses or any of the Mature Applicant course codes for nursing, unless at least one such code appeared on the original application and you have taken the test/interview in the current year. It is advisable that mature applicants, transfer applicants, FETAC applicants and those presenting entry qualifications other than recent EU school-leaving examinations should make enquiries from individual Admissions Offices before introducing new course choices.

Planning

In the stressful hot house that is the Leaving Cert many students may not have taken time to reflect on all of their course choices down to the last choice. July 1st is your final opportunity to decide on what you would like to do so and review all of your courses. However it is important that you don"t make changes just for the sake of it or based on your reaction to the exam papers as it is difficult to assess what will happen in terms of your results and the points for the various courses. Remember it is essential that you list courses in genuine order of preference rather than on the basis of your predictions about Leaving Cert results or course points levels.

In reviewing your course choices check out the list of courses available through the CAO website. Check the availability of the courses and make sure they"re not restricted and also check the alert lists of the various colleges as new courses are often confirmed after the 1 February deadline. Ensure that you research the course fully and the provider. Ask yourself if you receive an offer for that course will you accept it. Check that you are taking any subjects that are required for the courses you have listed. Applicants should complete their Change of Mind forms well before the closing date of July 1st as this allows them to check that their changes have been made, see the changes and reflect upon their choices.

Procedures for changing your mind

If you wish to change the courses for which you have applied, or to change the order of preference of your courses, you may do so online at www.cao.ie. Using the online system reduces your risk of error. If you change online, and have supplied an email address, an acknowledgement will also be sent to that email address. Alternatively, you may make changes by completing the Change of Mind Form, also available on CAO website. Change of Mind Forms may not be submitted by fax. There is no fee for change of mind service or limit on the number of times you may change course choices , up to 17:15 on the 1st July. The CAO will issue a revised Statement of Course Choices to confirm that your new course choices have been entered into your computer record. If this statement does not arrive by 7th July, you MUST contact the CAO immediately, and provide proof of the submission of the Change of Mind. It is very important to keep copies of all your correspondence with the CAO and notify them immediately of errors or omissions.

Finally enjoy the remainder of the summer, watch out for all correspondence from the CAO and best of luck with you results. This advice column will return after the publication of the Leaving Cert results.

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