Welcome to our Guidance Webpage

Guidance at Coláiste Muire, in keeping with the schools Mission Statement, has a remit to help students make informed personal, educational and career decisions, set realistic personal and career goals and develop the skills necessary to accomplish these goals. The service also offers students support in coping with personal problems or academic concerns. Guidance is an integral part of our school’s educational provision on a whole school level, and has at its core a deep commitment to the well-being of each individual student. Guidance refers to the range of learning experiences to allow students make informed decisions about their lives and encompasses the three areas of Personal, Educational and Career Guidance.

Information for students

As a student you will make significant decisions while still at school. These choices are related to personal and social issues, educational issues and career issues. Guidance Counsellors are trained professionals with the expertise and knowledge to help you make choices in the three important areas outlined above in consulatation with the wider school community. This is done through individual consultation, guidance classes, and other activities.

Throughout your years at Coláiste Muire, you may undertake some or all of the following.

Explore your feelings about your present life situation.
Explore choices open to you and the consequences of each choice.
Discover solutions to any problems you may be experiencing.
Receive information on various educational and training courses and/or employment opportunities.
Organise classroom activities where you prepare a CV, Letter of application and Mock Interview.
Get advice and help on study and examination techniques.
Complete Assessment and Aptitude Testing and Career Interest Inventories.
Explore the CAO system and receive assistance with the application.
Get information on studying abroad.

Subject Choice

Junior Cycle Subject Choice

Click on the links below to access information on Junior Cycle Subjects

1st year Subject Choice Booklet

English / Irish / Maths / Science / History /

Geography / Wood Technology / Home Economics / Technical Graphics /

Art / Coding / Music / French / German / Business / CSPE

5th Year Subject Choice

Click on the subject links below to access information on Senior Cycle Subjects

Accounting / Ag Science / Art / Biology / /

Construction / DCG / French / Geography / German

History / Home Ec / Music / Phy/Chem / Computer Science / LCVP

Click to view Senior Cycle Subject Choice Presentation January 2025

Click to access Careers Portal - information on Subject Choice

Guidance Events

Peoplehawk information evening Thursday 28th August 6pm for parents.

CareersPortal.ie C lick here to view upcoming Guidance Events including Open Days

Spotify - Music and Podcasts – Apps on ... Click here to listen to the Leaving Cert Guidance Podcast

Click here to subscribe to careersnews.ie and keep up to date with the most recent career and educational news.

Students who are interested in applying for the HPAT examination for medicine - there are a number of companies offering prepartory courses online. More information on the exam itself can be found at https://hpat-ireland.acer.org/

www.cao.ie

2025 Applicants

Accepting a CAO Offer

Accept Online: Log in to the CAO website and accept the offer online.
Confirm: You will receive a confirmation email, and you can verify the acceptance on the CAO website's "My Application" facility.
Meet Deadlines: Make sure to accept the offer before the reply date indicated on the Offer Notice.

Deferring a CAO Offer

Do Not Accept:

Do not accept the offer through the CAO system.
Contact Admissions:

Immediately email or write to the Admissions Office of the institution that made the offer.
Include Details:
- State your name, CAO application number, and the course code.
- Clearly put "DEFERRED ENTRY" in the subject line of the email.
- Explain the reason(s) for your deferral request.
Meet the Deadline:

Your deferral request must reach the Admissions Office at least two days before the reply date.
Await Decision:

The HEI will communicate their decision to you directly. If the deferral isn't granted, you can still accept the offer for the current year by the reply date.

Refusing a CAO Offer

Do Nothing: If you do not want the offer, you do not need to take any further action.
Previous Acceptance: Your previous acceptance will remain in place, or you will remain on the waiting list for higher-preference courses.

Applications for 2026 entry will open in November.

Applying to CAO - a video guide

CAO how offers are issued

CAO Important Dates

Applying to CAO - course choices dos and donts

Accepting a lower preference CAO offer

https://accesscollege.ie/

The HEAR Scheme is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education.
The DARE Scheme is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education

If a you think you may be eligable for either of these schemes, speak with your Guidance Counsellor. You must indicate on your CAO that you wish to apply before 1st February.

:Apprenticeships

Click her for further information on Apprenticeships

:PLC /Further Education Courses

For further information click here

Students applying for Further Education courses apply directly to the college of Furthe Education. Keep an eye on individual websites for application opening dates.

Interested in studying Law - click for more information & advice

Click for further informaiton on Careers in Tourism