1 Points

Did you add up your points correctly? Remember you can only count six subjects from anyone sitting of the Leaving Cert. Bonus points for higher-level maths are awarded by UL only. DIT gives some additional points for maths and science subjects in the case of one degree only - electrical/ electronic engineering.

2 Subject requirements

Many courses have specific subject requirements as well as points requirements. For instance, you need a B3 in higher-level maths to get a place on UCD's engineering course. A master chart of subject requirements was published in the Going to College supplement published in The Irish Times on August 19th. You must fulfil the subject requirements no matter how many points you have.

3 Random selection

You have both the points and the subject requirements but you didn't get an offer. If there is an asterix beside the points listing, this means that random selection applied. Not all students at this points level were offered a place. Places were allocated by computerised lottery. You will have to wait until round two offers are made to see if any vacancies arise.

4 You suspect your letter is held up in the post

Students who did not receive an offer should have got a letter from the CAO stating that they did not get an offer in round one. The CAO advises that it will be difficult if not impossible to telephone them during the period August 24th to September 18th. An enquiry form has been supplied to each applicant and this form should be posted to the CAO where it will be answered by return of post.

5 Helplines

If you would like to speak to someone in the relevant college about your particular situation all of the colleges are operating helplines. See pages 2 and 3 of this supplement for telephone queries.

CAO queries should be posted to the CAO using the enquiry form mentioned above. The Irish Times College Places helpline (phone 01 671 0328), is in place and is staffed by experienced guidance counsellors who will do their best to answer your queries.

6 Still no offer

You have got a letter from the CAO stating that you do not have a round one offer. You may well get an offer in subsequent rounds, but it would be good to use the waiting time to begin looking at options outside the CAO. There are still vacancies on some Post Leaving Cert courses as well as in private colleges and colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland. There is also the possibility of repeating your Leaving Cert.