If it's not a degree offer, throw it in the bin. If the offer doesn't come from a university, it's not worth considering.

It is this attitude rather than the lack of available college places that causes much of the "points race". In effect, if you can look beyond the traditional doctor, dentist, lawyer-type professions, your chances of securing a college place are better this year than ever before. Also, if you are Dublin-based but are prepared to risk moving outside the metropolis, you significantly increase your chances of getting a first-year place.

The problem is many students do not take cert and diploma courses seriously. They are valuable qualifications in their own right. And - importantly for those who feel a degree is the only worthwhile qualification - they can be stepping stones to degrees and beyond.

The most recent statistics from the Higher Education Authority show that two-thirds of those who graduated with a national certificate in 1997 continued their studies, presumably to diploma level. The usual pattern is to progress from a two-year certificate to a one-year diploma course. Most colleges demand a merit or distinction in your exams. They may also accept applications from certificate graduates who passed their exams and who have completed a year's relevant work experience.

After a diploma, almost half of the 1997 graduates continued their studies, presumably to degree level. A further 42 per cent went directly into employment.

The number of add-on degrees available in the ITs increases each year. This year, for the first time, the CAO handbook indicated the availability of these courses. So, when you filled out your CAO form - even if you ignored the exhortations of your guidance counsellor and didn't read the college prospectus - the presence of +DP and +DG in the columns beside the course listing were a clue that further progression was possible (+DP means add-on diploma; +DG means add-on degree).

Eligible students are entitled to free fees and maintenance grants as they progress towards a degree, whether this takes four or five years. There are more than 100 add-on degree programmes; the number increases each year.

So, if you have got a second-round offer today and it comes from the certificate/diploma list, hesitate a while before you discard it. Presumably you chose this course because the title at least is of some relevance to you. If you didn't and it's there simply because someone said you should fill out the cert/diploma list, there's still time to research it. Get a copy of the college prospectus or ring the admissions office. Find out about the subjects offered, the job prospects and the possibility of progression.

Here's how it might work for you. You accept a place on Athlone IT's national certificate in business studies. This two-year, full-time course prepares students for a variety of careers in industrial, commercial and service organisations. If you wish to continue your studies and you achieve the required standard in the certificate, you can apply to join one of the college's three national-diploma courses in business studies, or you can apply to any other third-level college for one of their business diplomas. Alternatively, you could avail of the exemptions granted by professional accountancy bodies and opt to join full-time accountancy studies at Athlone IT.

Again, after your diploma, if you do well enough in the exams, you can apply for the college's one-year add-on bachelor of business studies degree programme. And, from there, you may proceed to postgraduate studies or enter the marketplace. And who knows? You might enjoy yourself along the way.