Leaving Cert results are out – now for the CAO offers!

The long wait ended yesterday for the 55,000 students nationwide who sat this year’s Leaving Certificate Examination, and the general consensus was that the 2016 results were very satisfactory, but now that they have been pored over and the points totted up, an anxious few days lie ahead as college hopefuls await next Monday’s CAO first round offers.
Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Annie Hoey said that receiving the Leaving Cert results and CAO offers are two of the most exciting and stressful days young people can experience, because five or six years of studying and hard work lead to one day. She added that there is plenty of help available for students who didn’t get the points for their preferred course choice. “Young people should talk to career guidance counsellors if they feel disappointed. Services like Childline are also available 24/7 on 1800 666 666,” she said.
CAO Round Two offers will be issued on Wednesday, 31st August, and USI is reminding students that if they don’t get their first choice they should wait and see what they get in the second round. Ms Hoey said that anyone feeling confused or worried about their choices should get in contact with the college’s Students’ Union or access office. In terms of finding and securing student accommodation, she said that if students are set on a certain college, they should ring the accommodation office ASAP so they have a place to stay during their studies. Further ‘digs’ accommodation is available on homes.usi.ie.