With the mocks around the corner, it may seem more productive for students to have their heads in the books rather than college prospectuses. However, the deadline for the Central Applications Office (CAO) is just around the corner on 1 February. Early birds can avail of the €30 application fee up to 20 January at 5.15pm. After that, the fee is €45 up to 5.15pm on 1 February.

If you are considering a restricted access course, make sure it is on your initial CAO application

It is important to fill out the application accurately. If you want to change your choice of courses this will be possible through the free “change of mind” facility that opens in May and closes at the start of July, after exams are finished (see timeline). For now it’s just important to get your application in.

However, some courses have “restricted access” and will have additional requirements such as a portfolio, interview, aptitude test or recital. Many of these will take place during March and April. So if you are considering a restricted access course, make sure it is on your initial CAO application. Examples include art, music or architecture courses.

Make sure you research the courses fully

Your number-one choice on the CAO should be the “pie in the sky”, dream course option. It should not be the course with the most points, but the one you are most interested in. Check that you meet the minimum entry requirements for the courses that you wish to include on your application. If you don’t meet these requirements you will not be offered a place, regardless of your points score. Make sure you research the courses fully, what modules will it cover, is there a work experience element to it and does it give you the opportunity to study abroad?

It is also important to fill out the CAO fully, in order to maximise your chances of obtaining a course. Applicants are entitled to apply for a maximum of 20 courses; 10 Level 8 courses and 10 Level 6 and 7 courses.

If you are eligible for the Disability Access Route (DARE) and Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) schemes, make sure you tick those boxes on your form and start gathering the necessary documentation. Furthermore, ensure you tick the box on the CAO form indicating that CAO may pass your information on to SUSI if you intend to apply for the third-level grant.

Keep a record of all your CAO-related documentation in one place

Ticking this section of the CAO form does not mean that you have applied to SUSI so make sure to visit www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie to complete the necessary steps.

Keep a record of all your CAO-related documentation in one place so that it is easier to find. Also, keep a copy of any original documents that you may have to submit.

Your CAO handbook is your bible, it should be able to answer most questions you have about the application process.

Check your application

Before the end of May you will be sent a Statement of Application Record from the CAO. This is your chance to check that all information has been recorded completely and correctly. If there is any error or omission; amend the statement and return it to CAO.

Are all the courses shown and in the correct order?

Are all the codes correct?

Are the exam numbers correct?

Are all exams mentioned?

Are all exemptions listed?

If you have not received the statement by 1 June you must contact CAO immediately. Failure to do so may mean that you might not receive an offer.