There will be a significant rise in the points needed to get into popular college courses when CAO offers are published this afternoon.
Around 78,000 people have applied to for around 50,000 CAO places this year.
This year’s Leaving Cert results, published earlier this week, were significantly higher than previous years as a result of the calculated grades process.
Average grades were up 4.4% on the previous year as a result of the system, introduced as a result of COVID-19.
The difference has led to concern that around 20,000 students who are applying for college with Leaving Cert results from previous years will be at a significant disadvantage.
CAO board member and Registrar at Letterkenny IT Billy Bennett told Newstalk that points are sure to rise.
“There will be increases in quite a few of the programmes and it is simply down to the fact that the calculated grades, on average, are higher,” he said.
Officials have attempted to make up for the anomaly by opening up 3,600 extra college places this year.
Mr Bennett said the college experience will be very different this year; however, anyone considering putting it off for a year may find that the alternatives are “a little bit stark” while the pandemic continues.
“In other years, other than the option of further education or apprenticeships, students might have taken the option of taking a year out or travelling,” he said.
“Of course, travel and part-time work are not great options for students this year so I would strongly encourage students to consider taking up a place.
“There are great opportunities this year, particularly with additional places now available.”
He said people should not lose heart if they don’t get their top choice today.
“Remain calm,” he said. “You have got a few days to respond to the offer. Look at the offer carefully and if it is something you are interested in, do respond and accept the offer.
“You always have the opportunity of getting another offer in round two and if there is something that is higher on your list that you get the points for, you may get that offer in round.”
The offers will be published at 2pm this afternoon.
