How do I apply to DARE?
If you are a school leaver and you want to be considered for the DARE scheme, you must follow the 3 steps below:
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Step 1
Apply to the CAO at www.cao.ie by 17:15 on 1st February 2012.
- Step 2
No later than 17:15 on 1st March 2012 you must disclose your disability and/or specific learning difficulty in your CAO application and fully and correctly complete Section A of the Supplementary Information Form (the SIF is a part of your CAO application). If you wish to to be considered for the DARE scheme, you must indicate this on Section A of the fully completed SIF by ticking “Yes” to Question 5 by 17:15 on 1st March 2012.
- Step 3
You must return the fully completed Second Level Academic Reference (Section B) and Evidence of Disability (Section C) to the CAO by 17:15 on 1st April 2012.
Supplementary Information Form
There are four sections to the Supplementary Information Form which you, your school and an acceptable medical consultant or specialist must complete.
- Section A – you must complete a Personal Statement which gives your opinion on the academic impact of your disability or specific learning difficulty.
- Section B – you must return a Second Level Academic Reference completed by your school. This form provides background information on your educational experience and helps to determine appropriate supports at third level.
- Section C – you must return the Evidence of Disability Form completed by the accepted Medical Consultant/Specialist. This form provides verification of your disability and helps to determine appropriate supports at third level. All applicants must complete this form with the exception of the following:
- Applicants with specific learning difficulties (Dyslexia or Dyscalculia), and applicants with DCD-Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia, who must provide a full psycho-educational assessment completed by an appropriately qualified psychologist. The report must be less than 3 years old i.e. must be dated after 1st February 2009. Please note verification from an Occupational Therapist or Neurologist is also needed for applicants with DCD-Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia.
- All other applicants may submit an existing report completed within the appropriate timeframe by the accepted Medical Consultant/Specialist. The report must contain the same detail as the Evidence of Disability Form.
- Supplementary Admissions Routes – Tick ‘Yes’ to Question 5 to say you want to be considered for DARE.
- Eligibility for DARE may be carried forward for one year
Under question 6, supply your correct 2011 CAO number. You do not need to supply supporting documentation.
Top Tips and Common Mistakes
There are a number of common mistakes that students can make when completing a DARE application. Click on the link below for details of those mistakes and for our tips in making a successful application.
Top Tips and Commmon Mistakes.
Closing Dates for DARE
DARE has strict closing dates so that the CAO and the colleges that take part in the scheme have enough time to process applications. Please note that closing dates will be strictly adhered to and late applications will not be accepted. For closing dates see steps 1-3 above.
What Happens Next
As soon as all applications have been processed to see if they are eligible for the DARE scheme, you will get a letter telling you if your application has been successful.
If you are not eligible for DARE, you will be told why.
You can ask for a recheck of your application if you believe that a mistake was made during the screening of your application.
DARE 2012 Application Guide
To confirm you have completed your online application correctly (Question 1-5), please go to www.cao.ie, click on My Application, enter your login details and check the information you have entered. You can make changes to your DARE application until 1st March 2012.
Applicants who are unable to complete the online form may contact the CAO directly to request a paper application form.