For many Leaving Cert students, the CAO course decision already feels settled. But for others, there’s still a nagging doubt about whether they picked the right path. The good news is that the CAO Change of Mind facility gives students one more chance to reconsider their choices before the deadline closes for the year.
If your teen has been having second thoughts, there’s still time to make a change — but that window won’t stay open for long.
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What Is the CAO Change of Mind Deadline?
The Change of Mind facility lets CAO applicants revise their course preferences online at cao.ie, without losing their original application. It typically opens in the spring and closes in early July, with the exact date and closing time published on the CAO website each year — so it’s worth checking cao.ie directly to confirm this year’s cut-off.
For students who are still unsure whether they’ve made the right course choices, this is a genuine opportunity to look at alternatives they may not have considered first time around.
How Can Parents Help?
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A survey carried out by Smartfutures found that 51% of college students said their parents had influenced their decision-making, often based on what parents thought would suit their child’s personality.
That influence can cut both ways. If a parent holds any stereotypes about certain subjects themselves — “maths is too hard” or “that’s not really for girls” — a teen can easily pick up on that, and it can quietly limit what they feel able to consider.
This makes it especially worth being mindful during Change of Mind conversations. A few things that help:
- Discuss the options with your teen and keep an open mind.
- Try not to steer them toward the choice you’d make yourself.
- Encourage them to think about what genuinely interests them, not just what seems safe or sensible.
- Remember that starting a course a teen isn’t invested in often ends in them dropping out — which helps no one.
Some families find it useful to bring in a career guidance counsellor at this stage, especially if a teen is torn between very different paths.
Key CAO Stages to Keep in Mind
The CAO calendar follows a broadly similar pattern each year, though exact dates shift slightly — always confirm the current dates on cao.ie rather than relying on last year’s timeline. Roughly, the sequence runs:
- The online Change of Mind facility opens in spring, free to use for existing applicants.
- The Change of Mind deadline falls in early July, with a specific closing time on the day.
- Initial CAO offers go out in early July to mature applicants and those who deferred a place the previous year; these offers lapse if not accepted within about a week.
- The State Examinations Commission completes its standardisation process later in the summer.
- Leaving Cert results are released in August, with round one CAO offers following shortly after online at CAO.ie.
- Round two offers typically follow a few days after round one closes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAO Change of Mind deadline?
It’s the closing date for CAO applicants to revise their course preferences online. It usually falls in early July each year, with the exact date and time confirmed on cao.ie.
Can my teen still change their course choices after they’ve already applied to the CAO?
Yes. The Change of Mind facility exists specifically for this — it lets applicants update their preference list without needing to submit a brand new application.
Does using Change of Mind affect my teen’s original CAO application?
No. It simply updates the preferences already on file. There’s no penalty for using the facility, and it doesn’t create a separate or competing application.
Should parents get involved in choosing CAO courses?
It’s natural to want to help, and most teens value a parent’s perspective. The key is offering support and information rather than steering them toward a particular choice — especially if that choice reflects a parent’s own preferences rather than the teen’s interests.
Where can we find the exact CAO deadline dates each year?
The CAO publishes all current dates, including the Change of Mind deadline and offer rounds, on cao.ie. It’s the most reliable place to check, since dates can shift slightly year to year.
Related Articles
- 9 Practical Tips for Parents to Help with Exam Stress
- Key Dates for Parents of Leaving Cert Students
Before You Go
Weighing up course choices is a big moment for any family. If you’d like more practical guidance like this as your teen moves through school milestones, browse our learning hub for more articles on exams, study support and life after school.
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