Your education questions answered, by Brian Mooney, president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

I have a query with regards entrance to universities and third-level colleges for mature students i.e. persons over 23 years of age. What are the main merits on which an applicant is judged? Do past exam results count? Would work experience or would personal motivation be more relevant? I expect one must prove to the jury why they should let you in. Have you any tips for potential applicants?

The situation regarding mature applications to our third-level colleges is a very complex one, lacking the clarity of the points system for younger students. The Government White Paper has set a target of 15 per cent for mature students by 2006.

The starting point is to identify your possible options. I would suggest a visit to the Qualifax website at www.qualifax.ie, where a comprehensive list of all courses and their contents is available. You should then contact the college offering the course you are interested in and enquire about the application procedure for mature students.

Most colleges insist that an applicant apply through the Central Applications Office in Galway, as well as sending an application directly to the college. A number of colleges, listed on page five of the CAO handbook, do not require an application to be made through the CAO.

Once a college has received an application from a mature student, it is a matter for the individual faculty or department to evaluate the application. There is no agreed procedure.

Having said that, the quality of a prospective student's application is hugely important. The life path of any person, their educational backgound, their life and work experience, courses undertaken and, most importantly, their motivation for applying will be crucial in determining their success or failure.

The final date for receipt of applications by colleges varies, but many use the standard CAO date of the February 1st. Once a college decides how many places it is going to offer to mature students on any particular course, offers are made, either through the CAO in what is known as round zero in August, or, for some colleges, directly to the applicant.

I was reading Q&A last week where you said that many schools have "interest inventory" computer programmes as part of their career guidance service. I was just wondering if you could tell me if any of these programmes are available on the Internet or outside of schools, in public libraries etc.

There are a number of organisations, which provide Interest Inventories, both online and in CD form. The Institute of Guidance Counsellors will launch the latest version of Qualifax in late October, which will have an interest inventory linked to the entire data base of all courses available in the State at degree, diploma, certificate, and post-Leaving Certificate level. Qualifax is available online at www.qualifax.ie

FÁS have recently launched its latest version of "Career Directions", containing an interest inventory linked to a comprehensive database of careers. It is available in all FÁS offices and online at www.fas.ie

Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

You can e-mail him your questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie