Third-Level Applications: Only 10 per cent of last year's college applicants used the CAO's online facility. Anne Byrne examines the reasons for the low uptake - after all it's quicker, cheaper and doesn't let you make mistakes.

The CAO offers third-level applicants an easy, cheap electronic application system. It costs €30 to apply, in the traditional manner, on paper, and €20 to apply via e-mail.

So, why is the uptake so poor? Last year, only 10 per cent of applicants used the internet application system. A spokesman for the CAO says: "The barriers, I would imagine, include the fact that a large proportion of students do no have a computer at home. Most schools have limited computing resources, so if students all leave it to the last minute (as is their wont), it becomes a physical impossibility."

Parents may also play their part, as they may wish to see completed forms and are not happy with the idea of students filling out an electronic application at school. According to the CAO spokesman: "When applicants have completed their form, and go to the fourth screen, they should print out a receipt. They can then show this to their parents." This receipt is also the only acceptable evidence of application, so it's vital to print it out or save it to a file.

Applying online is a much safer, as well as a cheaper option, he says. In fact, it is the preferred method of application, according to the CAO handbook. The CAO computer will reject any application with incorrect course codes. It will also simply refuse to allow students to put down the date of application in the space for date of birth. This may seem obvious but, each year, a proportion of students insist they are barely born before they apply for college.

It's simple, and straightforward, says the CAO spokesman. Of the 10 per cent who applied online last year, 40 per cent changed their minds, and slightly more than half accepted their offers online. This year, the CAO expects the proportion of online applicants to double. All applicants, both paper-based and electronic, pay by bank giro so parents don't have to use their credit cards online.

EL asked a Transition Year student to test out the application system, to see if it is as simple as the CAO claims. Johnny O'Mahony, of Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Co Cork, was favourably impressed with the ease of application. "All of the links were working. It was easy to use with plenty of information - although it was a bit long-winded, with some complicated terms. You wouldn't need to look elsewhere, all the information is on the CAO website (www.cao.ie)." He will definitely be sending in his application online.

However, he was even more impressed with the website of the British Universities and Colleges Applications Service (www.ucas.com). "The site is more attractive visually. There is a wider variety of information, as opposed to just application information. It provides advice on college applications from start to finish," says Johnny.

The UCAS site is a delight to use, whereas the CAO site is purely a functional tool. The closing date for applications to most British colleges was January 15th, for EU applicants. Universities and colleges guarantee they will consider applications received before that date. If you send in your form after the deadline, but before June 30th, they may consider it, but they do not have to.

But, that's not the end of the college admissions process in Britain, as a huge clearing process puts thousands of places on offer later in the summer.

These places are all listed on the UCAS website daily.

For students thinking of going to college in Britain, but who can't afford a trip to look around the college first, the UCAS website has a link to a site which offer students the opportunity to participate in virtual open days (www.studentuk.com/chat/future.asp).

Nine institutions have confirmed they will have virtual open days this year: the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Durham, Hull, Liverpool, Westminster, Staffordshire and Liverpool John Moores. These provide contact with students and staff in the colleges, so would-be students can ask questions about facilities, accommodation, the library, social life...

While the CAO and UCAS provide centralised application procedures for third-level colleges, school-leavers should also consider opportunities offered in the further education sector.

This means more work as there is a substantial Post Leaving Certificate sector, but no central applications system. If you're doing your course hunting online, you must look for individual college websites.

Some VECs also provide details of courses and colleges in their area. For instance, the City of Dublin VEC (www.cdvec.ie) has a search engine which allows people to search for a CDVEC course or college.

There are also courses on offer with bodies such as CERT, FÁS, Teagasc and BIM.

There have been a number of changes in the further education sector recently. A State body, known as FETAC (www.fetac.ie), now guarantees the value of all certificates previously issued by NCVA, FÁS, CERT, Teagasc and BIM.

Students should ask their guidance counsellor for a list of useful websites.