An at-a-glance guide to your next step.

If I have received a second offer what should I do now?

Congratulations! Only a small number of students get offered a place in the second round. If you want this place, return your offer notice to the CAO by September 9th. Or you can accept via the CAO's website www.cao.ie. Make sure you print out a receipt when you are finished accepting your place. If you accepted a place in the first round, you do not need to tell the CAO. They are aware of this. By sending them a new acceptance you cancel your place from the first round. This is because the CAO operates on the principle that the most recent acceptance you send is the authentic one.

But what if I do not want this new offer?

That is not a problem. You are allowed retain your current offer. You simply do not reply to the offer notice for the second round. The CAO presumes you are content with your first round offer and leaves it at that.

AM I likely to be made any more offers?

Possibly, though it is highly unlikely. Some colleges will offer places in subsequent rounds, but for most students this is the end of the road. You can still apply for one of the vacant places which are listed on the CAO website, although these would generally be filling up very fast at this point in time.

Is there any other way I can still get the place I want?

Well, obviously, you can repeat the Leaving and re-apply through the CAO next year. The other alternative is to wait for the Department of Education's re-checks. The department releases these in early October and, in some subjects, almost one-third of candidates were upgraded last year. If you are lucky enough to be awarded extra points, you might still get that college place. The college is legally obliged to accommodate you even if you come to them in early October when term may have already started in some colleges.