Going to CollegeThree out of four students got one of their first three preferences yesterday, but many will still be disappointed they didn't get their number one choice. Points went up so much in popular courses - particularly in healthcare and broad humanities - that some students who would have thought from last year's figures they had got their first preferences, discovered they were a mere five points short.
Even worse, some lost on random selection. This is where on initial application to the CAO students are given a computer-generated random number. This number is used by colleges if they need to select between students with the same points for remaining places.
The parents are bearing the brunt of the misery, as disappointed students look at their options. Parents are trying to inform themselves about the CAO system overnight, when what they needed was information a year ago when their children started out on this course.
Message to next year's Leaving Cert parents: start learning about the system now.
The big question disappointed students and parents are asking is: will the points drop enough for me to be offered a place in the second round? (These offers should arrive in the post on September 2nd, and will be put on www.cao.ie from 6 a.m.)
Even with a crystal ball, it's impossible to predict. However, you can get an idea by looking at how far points dropped in the second round last year.
Appealing your exam results in one or more subjects may boost your points enough for you to get the course you wanted most. Today is the deadline for returning completed application forms to view scripts.
If your score is raised on appeal, you will be offered the course with the highest points for which you qualify. You can leave the course that you have accepted, and start the new one. Unfortunately, this news doesn't arrive until October, when you may be settled in the course you were offered.
Those determined to study a particular course - particularly in medicine, pharmacy, teaching and media - may be considering going to the UK. More than 5,000 Irish students will make this move.
Contact UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admission Service) - www.ucas.co.uk - for information. You do not need to have applied to UCAS previously to apply for a course listed as "clearing", which means there are vacancies.
The website provides the Irish Leaving Cert equivalent of UK requirements. When you see a course that interests you, get in touch directly with the college admissions office because popular vacancies will be snapped up. You can always do the paperwork afterwards.
The British Council's website www.britishcouncil.org/ireland has useful information on many popular courses and links directly to the websites of most British universities. Entry requirements vary. A few courses may accept only students with UK A-levels.
Fees for all EU students, including Irish students are set at a maximum of £1,125 for 2003/2004 throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland.
However, no fees are charged in Scotland, although students are asked to pay a £2,000 contribution when they begin working.
Irish students entitled to higher education grants in the Republic can use these to cover attendance at approved courses in the UK, including dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine and teacher training.