What’s the point?

Leaving Cert students have received first-round CAO offers for college places - and the old argument has emerged again as a career in medicine, physiotherapy, radiography or law is beyond reach for many hopeful applicants.

Do we expect applicants to be infallible? For example, in order to study medicine in Trinity College an applicant must gain 590 points. In real terms that means five A1 grades at higher level, and one A2, and all those achieving such a tremendous feat are still not guaranteed a place.

The points system is flawed. A student who can gain such formidable results may not make a good doctor, physiotherapist, solicitor or vet. Maybe a system of work placement, interview, or a written application where a student must state why he or she wants to do a particular course, should be considered before closing the doors to so many potentially great professionals.