So, you've got an offer. Maybe two. What next?

Which course?

Your offer notice will show only the course code, so you must consult the CAO handbook or the points chart in this supplement to check the full title of the course.

Not one but two offers

If you filled out both the certificate/diploma and the degree lists on your application form you may receive two offers. You can accept only one and you have until Wednesday, September 2nd, (the CAO reply date for first round offers) to make up your mind. If the offers were not your first choice of course, remember you can accept a place without affecting your chances of receiving a higher-preference offer in later rounds.

You got your first preference

It's time to celebrate as this is the course you want. Unfortunately, a few students each year suddenly realise that they don't want to be doctors after all and that they would rather be architects. There is no change-of-mind facility at this stage. If you are offered your first preference you will not be made any further offers from that list (the degree and cert/diploma lists operate independently).

Essentially, the computer wipes out all choices below the one you were offered so, when it comes to first preference, your choices are to accept the offer or to re-apply next year. The basic CAO rule is that you can always move up the list but you can never move down.

Change of college

You have been offered commerce in UCD but you would rather stay at home and go to UCC. It's not possible to arrange a transfer or swop at this stage. You must stick with the list of courses in the order in which you sent it to the CAO. If students could come to private arrangements, among themselves or with colleges, it would cause chaos.

You want to accept an offer

You have until 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd, to pay the deposit and accept the offer. If you do not accept by this date, the place will be offered to someone else. The CAO asks that you do not accept an offer unless you intend to avail of it.

In some cases you may have to pay a fee. The fee schedule contains two columns: standard and SW status. You should consult the SW column if you have been notified by your local authority or VEC that you are eligible for a grant or you (or your parents if you are not self-supporting) hold a medical card or if you (or your parents if you are self-supporting) are in receipt of Social Welfare benefits other than child benefit.

Otherwise you should consult the standard column. Effectively, applicants who fall into the SW category need pay a fee only if they are accepting a place in one of three private colleges - American College, Portobello or LSB.

There are three parts to your CAO offer form. Part A is the giro form which goes to the bank. Part B you keep and part C (stamped by a bank if necessary) must be returned to the CAO. Get a certificate of posting - one is provided in the CAO handbook.

You want to reject an offer

This is an easy one. Simply do nothing. If you don't accept an offer by the reply date, you are deemed to have rejected it.