College hopefuls thinking about changing their CAO applications must do so before close of business this evening.

The CAO has said 50% of students end up using the ‘change of mind’ form every year.

The deadline for submissions passes at 5:15pm this evening CAO spokesperson Eileen Keleghan said applicants should check through everything carefully this afternoon.

“[Applicants should] check their courses – are the codes correct? Are they listed in the correct order? My advice would be for applicants to log in today before 5:15pm to check all of this information,” she said.

“So, their personal details, their exam information and specifically their course choices.

“Over 50% of applicants used the change of mind facility last year and it is important for everybody to login today and just reassure themselves that they have all of their courses listed correctly.”

Applicants can use the form to add or remove course choices or change the order of their preferences.

Ms Keleghan advised students not to change anything based on the results they expect to achieve or speculation about what points may be needed.

“If applicants simply follow the golden rule of placing all of their courses in their genuine order of preference, they will be offered the course highest up on their preference list that they are deemed entitled to,” she said.

Guidance counsellor Brian Mooney, says many students may defer going to college this year.

“The first thing I would say to students is apply for the courses in the order you want them because you will get the highest order of the course for which your assessed grades or your previous Leaving Cert results makes you eligible.

After making changes, applicants will receive a final email which they should read carefully to make sure there are no mistakes and nothing has been left out.