- Opinion
- 27 Jan 20
In the run-up to the CAO deadline on February 1, we’re sharing some words of wisdom from students who have been through the process – and lived to tell the tale.
Richard Guiheen, New Media Studies, IADT
CAO deadlines can be an extremely stressful time for Leaving Cert students. My experience with the CAO was a difficult one – I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, or whether the universities I had put down were right for me.
I had researched a number of colleges that matched my interests in film, TV and media, and after attending open days and emailing course coordinators from several universities, I was able to lay out my college preferences in the order of interest.
My CAO offer came through – I didn’t get my first choice or my last. I was given my Level 7 choice, but I knew it wasn’t the course for me. I waited for the second round, hoping for a better offer, but that didn’t happen. I made the decision that I wanted to follow my interest in media, so I did a PLC in Radio and Journalism at GTI Galway, where I found my passion in radio. From my PLC, I got into NUIG, my third choice, which felt like a dream. I accepted, but later I got my second round offer, which gave me my second choice – studying New Media Studies at IADT. It allowed me to learn about media on a more practical level than my friends doing other courses, making films, documentaries, podcasts and more. Taking the course in IADT provided me the skills and confidence to do a diploma course with Today FM School of Radio, which provides insight into the radio industry from those working in that industry.
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When filling out your CAO, put down the maximum number of places you can, including Level 6 and 7s. Trust your gut instinct – if you can’t see yourself attending that college and doing that course with enjoyment and passion, don’t put it down. That’s what I did, and it has brought me path with so many opportunities.
Keep an eye on Hotpress.ie for more words of wisdom during the countdown to the CAO.