Appeal, wait, go abroad, repeat: what can you do if you don’t get your first CAO choice?

You can get more than 500 points and still miss out on your number one college choice. You can get 300 points, sail into your chosen course and go on to have a successful and lucrative career.Either way, many people will tell you the same thing: your results don’t define you. Yes, it’s a cliche, and it might even feel hypocritical coming from the mouths of people who, only months ago, were telling you that the Leaving Certificate is very important. But it is true, more so now than ever, and anyone still asking you this time next year about how many points you got is kind of … a loser. The reality is the class of 2026 have more options than ever before, so not getting your ideal option in CAO round one is a hurdle, not a setback. Today, students can enter their level-eight course through a