Uni Preferences – the Do’s and Don’ts

Coming towards the end of Term 3, you will need to devote some time to your university applications. VTAC course applications are open now and the end date for timely applications is 29 September. After that, late processing fees apply. Remember, don’t just do them to get them out of the way! Weigh up all options and think hard about your preferences because they will influence the rest of your life.
 
Change of preference
If you are still undecided, don’t worry. The good news is that you can still change your preferences or add new ones after you apply (until November 8). You will then get another opportunity to reorder your preferences from late November until 20 December, which is about a week after ATAR results come out.
 
A few courses have early closing dates (Medicine at Monash, for example, does not accept applications after September 29), so keep this in mind when changing preferences. Usually, this means you will be able to reorder preferences for these particular courses, but not add them in after a certain date.
 
For more information on university courses, visit VTAC Course Search.

SEAS and scholarships
SEAS is available to students who have experienced hardship throughout VCE ® Exam or fall under special consideration. Common considerations for SEAS applicants include socio-economic background, disability, living in rural areas or being of indigenous descent. To be considered for SEAS, you will have to submit an application with relevant documentation to VTAC by 4 October. Each institution on your preference list will then review your application through their own process.

Applications for scholarships are done in much the same way, although they are competitive. To apply for a scholarship, you will need to submit a written application to VTAC by 14 October.

Offers
First-round offers will come out about a week after you receive your ATAR. If your ATAR is high enough and you meet all eligibility requirements, you will receive an offer from the highest course on your preference list. If you don’t meet the minimum ATAR requirement for your top preference, your next best preference will be considered, and so on.

You can only receive a maximum of one offer per round, which may or may not be your top preference. If it isn’t, you are still encouraged to accept the offer you do receive. There is no guarantee that a higher course on your preference list will give you a second-round offer, even if you decline your initial one. To be safe, you should hold onto your first-round offer and wait for second-round offers to come out before you decline it.

After you accept your offer, the enrolment process is all done directly through your chosen institution. You may also choose to defer your offer if you are taking a gap year.
 
Choosing uni preferences can be a daunting process, but if you do your research on courses, meet the deadlines for applications and regularly check your emails, it will run smoothly for you. For more information on VTAC applications, visit the VTAC website.