MORE THAN 35,000 people have accepted their round-one offers from the CAO.

That’s two-thirds (67%) of the 52,028 applicants who received offers this week.

Applicants have until 5.15pm on Monday (24 August) to accept their offer.

The CAO office has said the most common query it is receiving is about order of preference.

“We have received a large number of emails from applicants wondering if they will receive a lower preference offer in Round Two” CAO communications officer Eileen Keleghan said.

“If you have received an offer of a place in round one you will not receive a lower preference course. You may receive a higher preference offer if deemed eligible in a later round, but not a lower preference.”

Another common query relates to the impact accepting an offer in this round will have on receiving an offer in a later round.

If you receive an offer of a course in this round, and you choose to accept this offer, this will not prevent you from receiving a subsequent offer of a course higher up on your list if you are deemed eligible.

“If you receive your first preference course you will not receive any subsequent offers, so you should treat this offer as the last offer you will receive from that list,” Keleghan added.

For applicants who wish to apply for ‘available places courses’, more information is available on the CAO website, including a video guide to the process.

Different options

Keleghan said applicants can apply for one or more of the 200 courses advertised under ‘available places’. Previously published points can be ignored, but minimum entry requirements must be met and an application does not guarantee an offer. This facility is open to new and existing applicants.

If you still wish to be considered for courses on your existing application you must place the ‘available places’ course below these courses on your order of preference list.

“Alternatively, if you wish to prioritise an ‘available places’ course you must place this at the top of your list, and above any offers already received.

“Accepting a Round One offer will not prevent you from receiving an ‘available places’ offer in a later round providing you have listed the available place course above your offer, and if you are deemed eligible by the institution,” Keleghan added.

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