New CAO guide for parents launched
The Central Applications Office (CAO) has launched The CAO: A guide for parents and guardians to coincide with the opening of the online applications facility this week.
The online guide is intended for parents and guardians who are assisting a student with their undergraduate application to Irish higher education institutions.
The document contains information for parents about their role in the CAO process and how best they can support their child with their application throughout the year.
Speaking at the launch of the guide, Operations Manager of the CAO, Joseph O’Grady, said: “Making course choices can be an extremely daunting task for a student, and it is important that they receive as much practical support as possible.
“Whilst parents cannot and should not make the decision on which courses to apply for, they can assist their child by helping them to research the courses that they are interested in and by keeping track of the important deadlines and correspondence throughout the year.”
Designed to support parents, the guide should not replace the CAO Handbook for students who are completing the application process. Students are also advised to speak with their Guidance Counsellor for professional assistance before submitting their CAO application.
The CAO: A guide for parents and guardians contains advice on researching course-choices and making sure that applicants place their course choices in genuine order of preference.
The guide also asks parents and guardians to note the important deadlines, including closing dates for change of mind or change of course-choices, restrictions that may apply, and the latest date for the acceptance of an offer.
The online resource is available to download from 5th November on www.cao.ie.
The normal closing date for online and paper applications to CAO is February 1 2014 - restrictions may apply. Applicants wishing to avail of the reduced price online application fee of €25 must apply before 5.15 PM on January 20th 2014.
Students encouraged to start CAO application process when online facility opens on November 5
The Central Applications Office (CAO) online application facility for undergraduate courses at Irish third-level Institutions opens on 5th November.
Students are encouraged to start the online application process in November by entering their personal information and paying their application fee. Once registered on the system students will receive their application number and can continue to edit their application online until 31st January.
Applying before 5:15 PM on January 20 will result in applicants benefitting from a discounted application fee of €25.
Speaking about the opening of the application facility, Operations Manager for CAO, Joseph O’Grady, commented: “When the application facility opens in November students should take the time to start their application by entering their identifying information and obtaining their CAO application number. They can then become more familiar with the system and introduce, re-order and remove courses right up until January 31 for no extra charge.
“Familiarity with the system and leaving ample time to complete an application will help students to avoid some of the many common errors and omissions recorded by applicants each year.”
Applicants can also avail of a Change of Course Choices and a Change of Mind facility at different intervals throughout the application process, but there are restrictions.
An online application demonstration will be available on the CAO website for students and parents.
For more information on the application process students should read the CAO Handbook which was distributed to all schools in September and is available online via www.cao.ie. Students are also advised to consult with their Guidance Counsellor for advice.