Tomorrow is the closing date for acceptance of round one offers, so make sure those acceptances reach the CAO in Galway by 5.15 p.m. Remember, if you do not send in an acceptance the place will automatically be offered to someone else in round two. Preliminary engineering in DIT Bolton Street. A very annoyed mother contacted the Points Race helpline to highlight the fact that the preliminary engineering course in DIT Bolton Street (DT120) is no longer covered by the free fees initiative.
In January, her daughter listed DT120 on her CAO form and, at this stage, there was no indication that fees would be charged. She says that a letter informing her of the change was sent out during the Leaving Certificate. She duly hid the letter as she did not want her daughter to be worried. It only resurfaced recently during college offers season.
The letter, from the DIT admissions office, states that the Department of Education had informed DIT that this course is no longer eligible for free tuition fees under the third-level free fees scheme. "Consequently, a tuition fee, in addition to the registration fee, will be payable by each entrant to this course for session 1997/98 and thereafter. The total fee due in 1997 will be in the region of £730 although this figure has not yet been finalised." The letter was sent out in time for CAO applicants to use the change-of-mind facility to alter their choices. But the upset mother makes the point that many parents and students are focused on the Leaving Certificate at this time and do not have the time or energy to deal with additional problems.
Why couldn't the change have been left until next year and flagged well in advance? she asked. A spokesman for the Department of Education says that, under the published criteria, a course must be of at least two years' duration to qualify for free fees. DT120 is a one-year access programme.
British and Northern Ireland colleges Many of the callers to the helpline are worried about the fees situation in British and Northern Ireland colleges.
The proposed reintroduction of fees does NOT affect this year's applicants so, if you are thinking of going to Britain or Northern Ireland, there is no need to panic. You will qualify for free fees throughout the duration of your course. Only new entrants, who will begin their courses in October 1998, will be affected.
The exception is where you have already applied and been given your place this year and have opted to defer your place until next year. In that case, you will be treated as a 1997 applicant and will qualify for free fees even though you will start your course in 1998. So, nothing has changed for this year's applicants.
As always, students who are applying for certain paramedical courses may not qualify for free fees in colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland. In many cases these fees are paid by the local health authorities, not the local education authorities. Details of vacant places in colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland will appear next Wednesday in the London Independent. If you are interested in a particular vacancy, you should ring the college tutor directly and deal with the paperwork later.
A-level students Converting A-level results into points is a tricky business. There is no one formula for all colleges, as there is for Leaving Cert results. For instance, Trinity College Dublin, awards 190 points for an A; 160 for a B; 130 for a C and 100 for a D while Dublin City University gives 175 points for an A; 160 for a B; 130 for a C and 100 for a D. DCU applicants who achieve three grade As at one sitting receive a bonus of 45 points.
In the case of NUI Dublin (UCD), A levels are not assessed on a points system. Minimum Alevel grades are specified for different courses. For instance, AAA is the minimum required for medicine.
The regional technical colleges award 170 points for an A; 140 for a B; 100 for a C; 70 for a D and 40 for an E.
Private third-level colleges
Parents are often worried about the value of qualifications obtained from these colleges. There are also worries about financial security as a number of private colleges have closed down in the past, leaving students in the lurch.
There are some good private colleges offering worthwhile qualifications but how do you identify them? The following checklist provides some pointers:
Is the college approved by the National Council for Educational Awards?
Is the particular course you are interested in validated by the NCEA?
If not, what body will award the final qualification?
Will this qualification gain you any exemptions from relevant professional bodies?
Is it accepted for postgraduate studies elsewhere?
Is the college bonded?
If not, think again.
If it is bonded, exactly what arrangements are in place? There are a number of different types of bonding around. If the college closes in the middle of the academic year, will you get your fees back or will you be guaranteed tuition until the end of the academic year or, indeed, until you have completed your course?
The good news on the bonding situation is that a number of the private colleges have made or are making arrangements to protect their students in the event of the college closing. What about library, laboratory and study space?
How have past graduates fared in the jobs market?
If you can, make contact with a past student and find out what the quality of teaching and the social scene are like. Additional reporting by Catherine Foley
The Irish Times is providing a special rate for group orders for schools in the coming year. It covers The Irish Times Business 2000, Computimes each Monday, Education and Living each Tuesday, Mediascope each Wednesday and the Business supplement each Friday.
There is also an option to take The Irish Times on a daily basis Monday to Friday during term time. All orders may be placed by telephoning Freefone 1-800-798884 from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.