Guidance Office

Making the MOST of an Open Day

Research is the key to career choice! Whether you are thinking about taking on a modern apprenticeship as farm Manager or planning on heading to Trinity to study Human Genetics, the rules are the same: Find as much information as possible, from as many sources as you can locate. Then think, reflect and make a decision!

The non-completion rates in the Higher Education Institutes (Third Level Colleges) are between high, non-progression rates were lowest for honours degree or level eight courses (14 per cent) and highest for ordinary degree (31 per cent) and advanced certificate (25 per cent) courses. Add to this those who do not up for registration, dropout, fail exams or switch courses. The dropout rates from the Modern Solas Apprenticeship system are also higher than you might think! These figures do not include the number of people who opt for training or courses with which they are evidently unhappy yet continue with their studies because changing their choices causes too much inconvenience personally or indeed financially. Much of this can be avoided with proper, thorough research! It will save you time and possibly tens of thousands of Euro.

Much of the information you need you can get from Subject Teachers, from the Guidance Counsellor, from people already working in your area of interest, from pamphlets, booklets, TV Programmes and most importantly your own copy of the Free Prospectus from your Higher Education Institutes of choice and of course the most easily accessible information available directly the Internet sources.

But there is much vital information, which you can only access through other means. These include Career Evenings, Seminars, Summer Programmes and of course the all important Open Days.

All the 4) plus third level institutes represented on the C.A.O. have Open Days, as well as the 200+ PLC Colleges around the country. Most colleges have more than one, sometimes a separate day for Arts, or an evening set aside for a particular Department. Always check the dates and times for these events early in the year, as some such as Queen's Universit Belfast are usually early September, while the Royal College of Surgeons is early in the New Year, but does require booking a ticket in advance. For 6th Years the Higher Options conference usually organised for around mid-September, is a good way to get a lot of information quickly, early in the year. But, but given the impact of college and course choice on the rest of your life, even this event is no substitute for visiting individual colleges.

Ill prepared students will get nothing more out of the day other than a few wasted hours away from school, spent aimlessly touring buildings with a carrier bag full of brightly coloured brochures and maybe a free pen. Getting the best from an Open Day requires that you arrive with a plan, including some well thought out questions!

If you are still unsure of what course you are interested in, as most are, then Open Days are a great opportunity to see what is available and what might suit you. Of course you should use some interest tests to give you a good place to start. Talk to your Guidance Counsellor.

Sample questions might be:

How does this course differ from similar courses? (How does Trinity Science differ from Maynooth Science?)

How is it taught and assessed? (Is it project work throughout the year or a nasty exam at the end? What's the failure rate like? Do I get to spend much time in the lab?)

What number of places are available? (Trinity Psychology has 20, over 280 in Humanities in UCD.) (This can also affect the points)

What are the points? (Is there a pattern?) (Do I get extra for a Suitability Test, an Interview, a Portfolio Review or an Audition?)

What are the specific requirements? (Pharmacy in Trinity you need a H4 in Chemistry and another Science subject, but they'll accept Maths. A lot of PLC courses look favourably on Foundation Level Maths!)

Are there any tests or interviews? If so when? (Are there any guidelines available to help me with this?)

How many graduates get jobs? (Most Admissions Offices keep track of this information)

What are my post-graduate opportunities? (Do I have to transfer College or leave the country?) (There is a

B.A. (Hons) Top Up Degree In Animation available in Colaiste Dhulaigh, accredited by Wolverhampton University.)

How long do I have to travel everyday to get here? (Might living away from home, be a better choice?)

There are more questions to ask on the copy of the powerpoint used in Senior Cycle class, available on TEAMS. Bear in mind that everyone's situation is unique and there may be questions that you need to ask that others don't.

There is no substitute for exploring the Campus and seeing first hand the facilities available in various Departments.This is vital for those interested in Science & Technology Subjects as well as those interested in Design & Media Courses. Similarly, it is a good idea to check out the library, computer rooms and language laboratories. Sit in a lecture theatre and see if you like it!

It is also a good idea to remember that College life is not all about studying, so you would do well to check out the sports and social amenities available to students. A trip to the Student Union Office will give you information on shops, bars, music venues, clubs and societies.

Be sure to talk to some of the students. There is no one better to give you an insight into the standard of teaching, the food in the canteens, the night life, the cost and availability of accommodation and the prevailing atmosphere of the place. Finally when you get home, reflect seriously on what you have heard and seen, discuss it with your parents / guardians and friends and read carefully all the relevant literature you have collected. Remember course and college choice is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, so take it seriously!

To give you some help when attending an Open Day, use the College Research Worksheet to keep track of all the information you are gathering.

WORKSHEET