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

I am 30 years old and left school with a pass Leaving Certificate in 1990. I have worked in a number of jobs since then, always feeling that I had not studied to the best of my ability when in school. This feeling has grown stronger as the years have passed, but I never knew what to do about it.

Some months ago a friend told me about the option of applying to study at university as a mature student. I have applied for and received my pack from the CAO and have done a considerable amount of research on the courses that I am interested in studying. Now that I have allowed myself to begin to hope that I can fulfil myself to my full potential, I am extremely nervous about being rejected. Have you any advice to offer as to how I might improve my chances of securing a place?

The application process for mature students is quite confusing and very competitive. It is important that you read the information given in the current CAO handbook (page 6) regarding application. Different institutions have different rules and you would be well advised to check directly with the colleges you intend to apply to, regarding their particular procedures for mature student applications. If you are applying through the CAO, most colleges require mature applicants to apply by February 1st, 2004.

Remember that many colleges do not interview, but rely very much on your personal application - so you must present yourself in the best possible light. Be confident and do not consider any of your achievements as insignificant. It is not always necessary to have the standard Leaving Cert or its equivalent, as you have, but all mature applicants must be able to convince the application assessors that they have the motivation, interest and academic ability to pursue their chosen course.

Remember, they do want you to succeed and so it is in your interest to have some prior learning experience, be it in a relevant work, learning or voluntary or interest. Page 10 in the CAO handbook details eight points that should be used in completing the final page of the CAO application form. You must try to persuadethe relevant university departments that the combination of your past employment, education (certified, uncertified and current), voluntary unpaid work and hobbies/interests make you an ideal candidate to be offered a mature years place on their course.

All of your arguments must be supported by photocopies of certificates/ transcripts of results and, where appropriate, letters of recommendation. The application can be made online through www.cao.ie. You can then submit all supporting documentation within seven days of making the application.

You will delay and possibly compromise your application if you do not submit the certification fully and on time. Although very late in the day for this year, anyone interested in submitting an application for a mature entry place should contact the CAO at (091) 509800 for an application/information pack.