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16th Aug 2016

It’s not all about the CAO – 6 options for anyone getting their Leaving Cert results

JOE

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If you don’t get the results you were expecting, its very important to remember that it’s really not the end of times.

by Michael Dargan

The clock keeps ticking and the world keeps spinning. Don’t forget that there are options if results doesn’t go the way you planned. Here are six ways to advance into third level after school has ended.

1. The CAO

The CAO points system has some flaws… a lot of flaws… okay, innumerable flaws.

But if you really push yourself to the best of your ability in sixth year then why not go for the tried and tested CAO entry system and nail it first time? OK, it may be easier said than done but we are all on this path anyway so why not keep steady and see where it leads, and hey if it works out, best of luck.

Shaun-Drink

2. The Do-Over

There is no shame in persevering if you don’t get your top choices. Repeating is simply taking another shot at your dream college, another chance to reach that course you want so badly. If at first you don’t succeed, try again, again and again.. well maybe not the “again and again” part. It is the Leaving Cert, after all.

Friends

3. The PLC route

Post Leaving Certificate courses are another popular option for those evading the CAO system.

There are over 1,000 PLC courses in a variety of fields that will earn you internationally recognised ‘FETAC’ qualifications for just one or two years’ work. Many of these courses offer the option of progression to University or Institutes of Technology.

PLCs don’t rely on points; rather hinge on a simple interview procedure in the institution running them. PLCs are fantastic gateways into third level institutions and also provide qualifications of their own that will stand to you in later life.

4. Study abroad

Our CAO system is drastically outpaced by its international counterparts.

For example, there are nine universities in the Netherlands alone that are ranked higher than our own Trinity College with remarkably lower entry requirements. However, lower entry requirements doesn’t mean less quality, but rather less pressure for places in the college.

Ireland, in 2016, is expecting a record number of college applicants. With most students after the Leaving Cert vying for top-level universities and courses, a huge demand for places is created but our colleges can only facilitate a certain number of students.

Therefore “the high points=low number of places” concept is born. Studying abroad is not necessarily too expensive, either. Scandinavian and German universities charge ZERO euro in fees for Irish and UK students who meet course requirements.

Bonjour

5. The Gap Year

Many students who don’t achieve the necessary points for a course will often take a year out of the education system, and go on to reapply the following year.

The root of a decision to take a gap year could be marginally missing out on a course, hoping the entry requirements fall, or potentially a dislike of the chosen college course in the end. Also if you’re not sure what to do in college at all, why not take a year to clear all that ambiguity and indecisiveness up?

6. Apprenticeships 

Apprenticeships are popular among young people as they teach new and practical skills that don’t rely on the CAO points system.

They are a doorway into craftsmanship professions like carpentry, plumbing, metalworking, electrical works etc. No Leaving Cert credentials are needed; however, a qualified craftsman does need to agree to take you on and train you as an apprentice, involving both on the job and off the job training.

The CAO system is known to be notoriously unfair and creates an intense and stressful atmosphere in every school across Ireland.

Students are becoming frustrated and fed up with the rigid, rigorous points system and it’s only a matter of time before it has got to change. Results day can go one of two ways, you’re either happy or disheartened, but these choices are available to students either way and it’s important to always to keep your options open.

Topics:

Leaving Cert