Mature students playing an increasing role in college life

COLLEGE CHOICE:Brian Mooney's daily column will examine your CAO options until January 20th , the deadline for "early bird" online applications. Listen to Brian Mooney's podcast for both Leaving Certificate and mature students at irishtimes.com/education

ARE MORE MATURE STUDENTS HEADING TO COLLEGE?

The Government has a target of filling 15 per cent of all college places from mature applicants – those over 23 years.

In the past few years, colleges have put in place a range of supports, in admissions offices and academic departments, to meet the needs of adult applicants. The recent dramatic deterioration in the economy has also led to a huge increase in those who see the benefits of securing a third-level qualification. Last year more than 12,000 adults sought a CAO college place.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GOING BACK TO COLLEGE

You must act before the February 1st, 2010 deadline set by most colleges when considering adult applicants.

Adult learners are assessed on a range of criteria, only one of which is their academic history.

It takes time to properly assess your application, and the process has to be carried out independently, within individual faculties, because suitability for one programme may not necessarily mean that you are suitable for another course on your list of college choices.

WILL MATURE STUDENTS BE ABLE TO COPE WITH COLLEGE LIFE?

Whatever your life circumstances, whether you have been in long-term employment or recently unemployed, you have acquired a wide range of insights, skills and talents which will enhance your education experience as a college student.

In my experience, mature students make the greatest contribution to the overall education and social development of the class.

If you have always longed to study at third level, now is the time to take your courage in your hands and contact the CAO in Galway (at 091-509800), to get yourself an application pack or simply go online at www.cao.ie

IS THERE ANY SUPPORT AVAILABLE?

One of the great weaknesses of the Irish education system is that the guidance and counselling service is confined to second-level schools, PLC colleges, and targeted groups of disadvantaged adult learners.

The State does not provide the services of qualified guidance counsellors to mainstream adult learners.

Many of the careers advisers in Fás have secured a guidance qualification from NUI Maynooth but would not tend to deal with many clients seeking to apply to the CAO.

The Institute of Guidance Counsellors has a list online of their own members, who work with adults: www.igc.ie

You can also explore the options yourself: full details of every single course available through the CAO, and the specific entry requirements for every programme for those over 23 years of age, can be found at www.qualifax.ie.

Click on adult learners, followed by courses, which will then allow you to enter any key search word to start your exploration of the options open to you. If you find a course or courses that interest you, the admissions office, access office, and individual course offices will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

Firstly, go to the CAO website and familiarise yourself with their application process. Pay the application fee of €35 through the online process by Wednesday, January 20th.

Begin to compile a written record of your life story to date. You are going to have to present in writing your case for being offered a place on the programme/programmes you have selected, and submit it as part of your application to the CAO by February 1st.

Finally, as colleges have many variations in the entry procedures for mature applicants, all of which are outlined in the CAO handbook, you need to read all instructions carefully to succeed in securing a place.

TOMORROW:Business courses

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