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SECTION FIVE ›› COMMUNICATION
5.1. CAO's Communication with You
How do I know whether my application has been received?
• If you applied online you would have immediately received an abridged message stating 'Application Submitted Successfully'. If you did not pay the administration fee at the same time, you will receive a message within 24 hours and an emailed letter within 48 hours stating that your application has been received by CAO and has been placed on hold. Your application will be ACTIVE and available to the institutions to which you have applied as soon as the FULL administration fee is received.
If you paid the administration fee at the same time that you applied, you will receive a message within 24 hours and an emailed Acknowledgement Letter within 48 hours stating that your application is available to the institution/s to which you have applied.
• If you have not paid the administration fee, you will receive an automated message reminder to pay the administration fee every fortnight.
• Once the institution has made a selection decision, the CAO will inform you by message if you have been unsuccessful and by message and email if you have been made an offer.
• If at any point during the application cycle you wish to change any of your choices, complete the online 'Change of Mind' and once received together with the administration fee, the change(s) is/are immediately available to the institution(s) and we inform you by email with your new choices. Our website is www.cao.ac.za
5.2. Institutions' Communication
with You
Who makes selection decisions?
Institutions make selection decisions. The CAO does NOT make selection decisions. The CAO receives applications, processes the applications and passes on the information to the institutions. Institutions use the information to make their selection decisions and inform the applicant. Sometimes institutions also inform the CAO of their selection decision and the CAO then passes the decision on to the applicant.
When are offers made?
Institutions make selection decisions (conditional offers, firm offers, regrets, etc.) throughout the year. The earlier in the year you apply, the earlier you may receive the selection decision.
How will I know if I have been selected?
If you have given us your email address or cell phone number, we will send you a message when a decision is made on any of your programme choices. As soon as you are made an offer, we will communicate this to you. Some institutions may also send you letters or messages informing you of your offer.
How do I accept an offer?
You must inform the institution and NOT the CAO about whether you wish to accept the offer. They should send you a letter or message detailing the procedures you must follow. If they give you a deadline to accept a place, it is important that you reply within that time or the place
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CAO HANDBOOK ENTRY 2025