Changing Your Mind

Did the Leaving Cert; got the hand cramp and had the celebrations; the climax of exams and their abrupt end can often seem as sudden and confusing as New Years Day as you wonder; what happens next? You may have spent the last few days recreating scenes from Macbeth with your Physics notes and cackling wildly while howling ‘No more LC!’ but although you are entitled to smugly smile at the 5th year student at the bus-stop remember that September is a long way away…go to our Key Dates for your Diary article for some tips on what days you should set your alarm clock for…

July 1st may be Canada Day; but it's also the final date for change of mind and juggling of preference options on your CAO form. The Change of Mind option is free and is open for any student to make use of as many times as they want; although it is advised that you give each change high levels of attention and do not do so lightly. You can avail of it on-line (recommended as there’s less likelihood of making a mistake) or by post with the Change of Mind form.

All students should take the time to re-evaluate their CAO choices and preferences however it is important that you don’t make changes just for the sake of it. If you were disappointed with your performance in the exams and are now thinking of taking your first choice off the list remember that it is difficult to assess what will happen; it would be a terrible shame if you did so but discovered in August that you would have received an offer. Don’t change your choices too widely solely on the basis of how you think you did.

For many of you; the Change of Mind process may be the first time you have properly analysed your choices. With the pressure of exams weighing heavily open you, you may not have dedicated sufficient time to researching colleges and courses. Step one should be to go to the CAO website and read through all of the courses available. See if the courses you have chosen are available this year; make sure they’re not restrictive (those which are highlighted) and most importantly; if there are new courses introduced this year that you may be interested in.

A good tip to bear in mind is to vary your choices as much as possible by including certificates as well as ordinary and honour degree options; this will give you a greater chance of securing a place in a course. Don’t list a course without looking into it and the course provider; you don’t want to receive one offer for something you can’t remember choosing!

If the last time you looked at your form was as early back as February you may have a different view; for example if cramming for your French oral made you realise how much you enjoyed it you might want to change your Business preference into a Business with French choice. Check that the courses you are going for has requirements that you meet; some courses require honours Maths or an honours language subject; even if you so get the points these admission conditions might stop you from receiving an offer.

Candidates taking part in the process should all get a CAO written confirmation by July 7th; if you don’t you should contact CAO immediately and alert them to this.

Finally don’t leave it until the last day. We at Daycourses.com know that your summer calendar is stuffed full of important scheduling arrangements such as holidays, meeting up with friends and just generally having a life again but do take the time to give the Change of Mind process the attention it deserves…your future depends on it (said in a scary, threatening voice)