Leaving Cert Guidance

There are a number of exemptions that CAO applicants can apply for.  Universities might have matriculation requirements that outline an applicant must have Irish and/or another language.

In this episode, Donnchadh is joined by guidance counsellor from the Institute of Education, Aoife McArdle, to discuss exemptions for NUI universities, Trinity College, UL and Mary Immaculate College.

It is important to note that if you think you are eligible to apply for an exemption that you talk to your guidance counsellor.

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Alice Byrne is in 4th year medicine in UCD.  When she sat her HPAT in 2021 she scored in the 98th percentile achieving 197 points.

She joins Donnchadh in this episode to give some tips to potential HPATers.

Alice discusses:

• The importance of the HPAT
• How she prepared for it with specific strategies and resources
• Balancing the LC and the HPAT
• Importance of timing and pacing during the exam
• Advice for students who are anxious about the HPAT
• Tips for students sitting the HPAT in February

Connect with Alice via email [email protected]

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Donnchadh is joined by two 625 points students this week.  Juliet and Jessica chat about:

• How they structured their study
• What study techniques worked best for them.
• Subjects they had to prioritise
• The lead up to the exams
• Balancing school and life
• Staying motivated
• What advice they wish they had known in 6th year

Follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

Conan Meehan joins Donnchadh to chat about Irish applicants applying to UCAS in 2025.  Conan has been helping ROI students apply to UCAS since 2019.  In this podcast they talk about:

• What is UCAS
• How to make an application
• Deciding on a course to study
• What the 15th October deadline means
• The new entry criteria for Health Science courses in UU
• How to guarantee accommodation in Ulster University
• Free courses in the North of Ireland
• and much more.

Dont forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and Tiktok.

Ella Deasy joins the podcast this week to talk about her meteoric rise on TikTok, advice she would give to content creators starting out, how she found the LC and CAO processes, where she is going to be studying next year and advice she would give to current 6th years.

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The LC results come out on Friday 23rd August at 10am.

On this episode Donnchadh runs through what LC candidates can expect on the day and why the Candidate Self Service Portal is so important.

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There are so many important dates and deadlines upcoming.  So, Donnchadh and guidance counsellor Joe Farrelly, chat you through the most important ones got to do with the CAO, UCAS, HPAT, Tertiary degrees and PLC courses.

Make sure to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok

Donnchadh is flying solo this week in the podcast as he gives his top tips for preparation for the mocks.  Donnchadh talks about

• Study schedules
• Topics to learn
• Active study vs passive study
• Using nerves to your benefit
• Elite preparation
• Using the mocks as a positive
• Assessing post mocks
• Mocks vs HPAT

The very best of luck to all in their preparations for the mocks and dont forget to follow our socials in the lead up to a very important month for applications.

Follow us @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

Guidance counsellor Deborah Galbraith joined Donnchadh this week to discuss how students can make the most of their Christmas break.  How can students use the break in terms of relaxation, academic preparation and college research? Deborah outlines to students the type of studying they should be doing over the break and the self care practices they should be doing.

Follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

If you are a HEAR/DARE applicant for the CAO 2024 applications or you just want to find out more about these access programmes then this episode is a must.  Colm Downes who is the Access Programme Manager for the Irish University Association joins Donnchadh to tell us what these programmes are, how CAO points work for them, what and application involves, important dates and lots more.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok on @leavingcertguidance