Advice: Brian Mooney | The Irish Times

Financially, funding an apartment or other accommodation on a full-time basis is beyond reasonable in the present circumstances. Photograph: iStock

Should my daughter defer her college place?

Ask Brian: Many families are struggling to justify the cost of accommodation given so much material will be taught online

About 20,000 applicants did the Leaving Cert last year or earlier

CAO: Four things you need to know before accepting an offer

Grades are up significantly this year, so expect increased points for many programmes

On Friday at 2pm when first-round offers are released, all will be revealed. Photograph: iStock

How much will CAO points increase? All bets off this year

Grade inflation will send points upwards – but more college places may ease pressure

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD with students Lauren Smyth, Claire Geoghegan and Róisín Culligan from Dominican College, Griffith Avenue, Dublin on Leaving Cert Results day. Photograph: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography

Have private schools lost out in the calculated grades process?

Discrepancies in the way grades were lowered raises some urgent questions

Further education courses offers excellent alternative routes into many degree courses. Photograph: iStock

I’m worried I won’t get the CAO points I need. Are there alternatives?

Ask Brian: Further education is excellent alternative route into many degree courses

My son’s school work at home since the lockdown in March has been patchy. Photograph: iStock

How can I help my son’s Leaving Cert study get back on track?

Ask Brian: There are simple ways to help students re-engage after losing focus during Covid-19 lockdown

Its not unusual for a student to fixate on a single course and refuse to look beyond it. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien

My daughter plumped for single course in CAO application. Is this risky?

Ask Brian: I strongly encourage all applicants to have a wide list of possible courses

There are a few reasons to be hopeful that points for some high-demand courses may fall this year. Photograph: iStock

My daughter thinks she won’t get the points for medicine. Should she reconsider?

Ask Brian: Points for some high-demand courses could end up droping this year

Fifth-year students are a particularly vulnerable group going into the new year but all students are in the same boat

My fifth-year son has fallen behind. Should I be worried?

Ask Brian: The coming year’s Leaving Cert students are, by and large, in the same boat

Despite stress in the lead-up to the exams, this year’s Leaving Cert have more options than ever in securing the points they need for their chosen course. Photograph: iStock

Will I be able to pick and mix my predicted grades with Leaving Cert results?

Ask Brian: The good news is the class of 2020 will have lots of options to make the grade

Many college applicants may consider deferring going to college this year due to the Covid-19 fallout. Photograph: iStock

Should I defer going to college this year due to Covid-19 chaos?

Ask Brian: Most lectures will be online and campus may be only partially open

There are still postgraduate options available for both primary and post-primary teaching. Photograph: iStock

Is it too late to apply for a postgraduate course in teaching?

Ask Brian: There are still options available for both primary and post-primary

The Depatment of Education is planning to issue the new calculated grade results in mid-August, which will be in time for applicants applying for most courses abroad.

Will Leaving Cert ‘calculated grades’ be accepted by universities abroad?

Ask Brian: About 2,000 students have applied for college courses in the UK or Europe

You do not need your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to submit an application to Susi. However, you will need to indicate your preferred course so that Susi can assess your application. Photograph: iStock

I want to apply for a grant but am not sure I’ll get my course. Can I still apply?

Ask Brian: You do not need your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to submit an application

The minimum entry requirement for apprenticeships – managed through the State training agency Solas – is for a a learner to have achieved the Junior Cert/Junior Cycle. Photograph: iStock

Will Junior Cycle exam cancellation scupper my son’s plans to do an apprenticeship?

Ask Brian: Junior Cycle is minimum entry requirements for many apprenticeships

A drop in international students is likely to be beneficial to Leaving Cert students considering Irish, UK and EU universities. Photograph: iStock

Leaving Cert students in a stronger position than they may realise

Ask Brian: Covid-19 is likely to lead a to drop in CAO points for college courses

For exam year students, sitting back, doing no work and expecting your school to pick up the pieces after this is over is not a viable option. Photograph: iStock

How can I motivate my children to study at home?

Ask Brian: Try to make learning fun for younger children and help older ones focus

It can be easy to lose the motivation to study during these disuptive times. Photograph: iStock

How can I motivate my children to study during the school closures?

Ask Brian: The effort which students make today will stand to them over time

Consider the skills you have and name them. Photograph: iStock

I work in hospitality and fear losing my job. How do I upskill?

Ask Brian: Many underestimate the wide range of skills they have acquired

Engineering is one career route for students who want to do their bit to protect the planet. Photograph: iStock

My daughter wants a job combating climate change. Is this possible?

Ask Brian: Engineering is a very practical way to address issues such as sustainability

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