[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by IslandKid

whats the story on the rise in applications for CAO? i know last year there was 45 766 cao applications processed (BBC), but is there an official figure out for the number of applications this year? i know uk applications have increased but other than that?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18175060

Here are the stats for this year.

[It neny!]

''CAO - a few important points''

Was that pun intended?

[randylonghorn]

Originally Posted by It neny!

''CAO - a few important points''

Was that pun intended?

>_>

<_<

[Zhavey]

Hi I was just wondering, with the honours bonus maths points - does it have to be in your top six to actually get the extra 25? Like in the following instance:

I get all 6 D2's in honours, but I get a D3 in honours maths? Are the 5 D2's and Maths D3 counted since they are higher points or is it the six D2's since they are your higher grades? i.e in this case I would lose 20 points?

Sorry if it is a silly question, but I see this happening for me since maths didn't go too well!

[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by Zhavey

Hi I was just wondering, with the honours bonus maths points - does it have to be in your top six to actually get the extra 25? Like in the following instance:

I get all 6 D2's in honours, but I get a D3 in honours maths? Are the 5 D2's and Maths D3 counted since they are higher points or is it the six D2's since they are your higher grades? i.e in this case I would lose 20 points?

Sorry if it is a silly question, but I see this happening for me since maths didn't go too well!

No, it doesn't originally have to be in your top 6 to get the bonus. Once the bonus is added on, if the points you have then are high enough to be in the top 6 then they will be So in your example, the 5 D2's and the D3 are counted as the D3 will be 45+25 = 70, and the D2's are 50.

[csallmighty]

Is it possible that a certain course on the CAO can go down in points at all?

[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by csallmighty

Is it possible that a certain course on the CAO can go down in points at all?

Yes, it is possible. Read the first post in this thread again, at the start I've edited in a bit about how the points system works

[robbiep94]

Am do you know if you put a course down for 380 points which is your first choice and then you put down a course for 400 points for second choice. Does this mean you cant get your second course?

[Bears and Vodka]

Originally Posted by robbiep94

Am do you know if you put a course down for 380 points which is your first choice and then you put down a course for 400 points for second choice. Does this mean you cant get your second course?

Once you are offered your first choice you cannot go down.
Remember: on the CAO you can go UP, but not DOWN. So list your courses in order of preference not points. You never know.

[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by robbiep94

Am do you know if you put a course down for 380 points which is your first choice and then you put down a course for 400 points for second choice. Does this mean you cant get your second course?

Well firstly, always put your courses down in order of your preference, ignore the points.

Both of your courses could have different cut off points in September. Last years points are only a guide. If the points stayed the same, and you got 450, for example, then you would be offered your first choice as you have achieved the points for it.

The CAO will offer you the highest one on your form that you qualify for, NOT the one with the highest points just because you got them. It assumes that the number 1 on your list is the one you want the most...so make sure it is.

[Togepi]

Originally Posted by randylonghorn

The whole CAO application process works on a basic principle ... that YOU know what you want!

Originally Posted by randylonghorn

Or ... as one of your own peers puts it ...

Maybe I'm just tired/confused/half-blind after all these exams, but should the words "up" and "down" not be the other way around there?!

[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by Togepi

Maybe I'm just tired/confused/half-blind after all these exams, but should the words "up" and "down" not be the other way around there?!

Yes, as in if you are offered your 4th choice, everything from 5th-10th is now completely gone, you will never be offered it, whereas you may still be offered 1, 2 or 3.

I'll edit the post, its a bit confusing!

[amtw]

My son who was in 1st year deferred his place in college in February this year having completed just over half the year. He is not sure now if he wants to go back to this course.

What are his options, can he avail of the change of mind option and apply for a new course before 1st July, or will he have to wait and appply through the CAO process next year.

The course he started on was a level 8 course if he can change does the new course have to be at this level or can it be at a lower leve?

[thedice]

say if I put down my first three course in order of preference. And I dont get the points for the first two but I do for the 3rd. Does this mean i will get offered for my 3rd ahead of the people who put this course down as no.1? Considering that I have more points than them.

[QueenOfLeon]

Originally Posted by thedice

say if I put down my first three course in order of preference. And I dont get the points for the first two but I do for the 3rd. Does this mean i will get offered for my 3rd ahead of the people who put this course down as no.1? Considering that I have more points than them.

On your form, the highest one you qualify for becomes your new number 1, so you have the same chance as someone who had this as 1 originally. The places are then given out to those with the highest points, so yes, you would get offered it first if you had more points.