WIT - CAO Offers: The Waiting Game

The time between Leaving Cert results and CAO offers is both full of excitement and uncertainty for college hopefuls but can be used to explore options

“What course will I be offered? Do I have enough points?” are some of the questions prospective students waiting on their CAO offers have.

Depending on the student’s situation there’s many a quandary. However, the waiting period can be used to explore options.

I don’t think I will get offered my first choice

Figure out what it is you really want to do using our worksheets in the booklets at www.wit.ie/how

I will have enough points for my first choice but I don’t want it.

You won’t get offered anything lower on your CAO list than what you’re offered in Round 1 offers, that's why you put courses in order of genuine preference. Your options to explore include:

• further education college opportunities and progression routes into what you do want
• really examine the opportunities the courses you’re likely to be offered in Round 1 will give you
• progression routes from a Level 7/6 course into your desired Level 8 course/career
• keep an eye on the CAO website for courses offered on the CAO’s available places list
   

I still don’t know what I want to study

Starting a course you don’t really want to do and later deciding not to continue it will offer you plenty of life experience and an opportunity to gain knowledge – however it may result in paying fees in the future or impact your grant. Look at other options such as:

• college of further education courses to help you mature and refine your interests
• working for a year or two while you learn more about yourself and reapply
• enquire about deferring a place.
   

I'm worried about the cost of going to college

For 2020 college applicants blended delivery will mean that while some students will be in college for labs, studios, and courses that require special equipment, other courses will be almost 100% online.

If you reckon you’ve enough points for your first choice and have realised moving away from home/or to an expensive city is not in the family budget you could:

• enquire about deferring, and work for a year to save money (if you have a job already, as it may not be the best time to find work)
• choose a college of further education near to home and apply to somewhere less expensive/closer to home for 2021 entry
• look out for available places courses on the CAO to see if a course you would like is offered within commuting distance of home or in a less expensive place to live

Helpful links

I want to find more about deferring a place http://www.wit.ie/deferrals

I want to re-examine what I’m really interested in http://www.wit.ie/how

I want to find out how to help my son/daughter/family member http://www.wit.ie/how

I want to find out about progression schemes from further education colleges http://www.wit.ie/FEprogression

I want to find out about progressing on from a Level 7/6 course. Read our How to use level 6 and 7 to progress your educational goals article on our news section.

I want to find out about available places http://www.wit.ie/availableplaces

I want to find out about common entry courses http://www.wit.ie/commonentry

I want to know about WIT registration and orientation http://start.wit.ie

I have a question. See www.wit.ie for details of how to contact us through our Ask WIT campaign by web chat or phone.

I failed maths/don't have maths entry requirements for a WIT course. Go to www.wit.ie/mathsentryexam