Applying to Uni: it’s easy if you know what to do…

1. Applying to Uni:it’s easy if you know what to do…

2. Thinking about uni??? • It’s a big decision … uni isn’t for everyone • Take your application seriously … read and follow instructions • Be responsible for your decisions and your application

3. Universities Admissions Centre processes applications for: undergraduate courses some postgraduate courses educational access schemes (EAS) equity scholarships on behalf of participating institutions administers STAT in NSW Calculates the ATAR in NSW and sends advice to HSC students What is UAC?

4. What is the ATAR? • It’s all about POSITION – it’sa NUMBER that shows your position relative to other students • For example, if a student’s overall academic performance is good enough to place them in the top 15% of their age group → their ATAR would be 85.

5. Maximising your ATAR • The only way you can maximise your ATAR is by working to your potential. • It is NOT TRUE that your ATAR is influenced by: - the subjects you choose - the school you attend → THESE ARE MYTHS!

6. Fred and Laura

7. Steps to applying 1 Prepare 2 Apply 3 Manage 4 Accept offers

8. Step 1Prepare

9. Prepare • PINs – HSC and UAC • Name – legal name • Tax File Number – HECS-HELP • Prerequisites • UAC Guide • Choosing your courses

10. Prerequisites • STAT • UMAT Include your candidate number when you Apply • Check other requirements including subject prerequisites and additional selection criteria

11. UAC 2014 Guide • General information about the participating institutions • Table of courses available with last year’s cut-offs • Detailed course descriptions • Additional selection criteria

12. Choosing your courses • Check out Uni Open Days • Choose courses that interest you, with subjects you are good at • up to nine courses, at up to 9 institutions • preference-based system Change your course preferences later – as many times as you like!

13. Step 2Apply

14. Apply • Uni • Scholarships • EAS

15. Apply to UNI • APPLY online at www.uac.edu.au applications open early August; on-time closing 28 September • LIST 1 to 9 courses in your order of preference • PAY processing charge PRINT confirmation and payment • CHANGE course preferences up to 4 January BUT check early closing dates

16. Apply for scholarships Through UAC: • Equity scholarships • apply online through UAC • check closing dates • Others: • Merit - direct application to uni • Commonwealth – Centrelink

17. Apply for EAS Educational Access Schemes (EAS) • EAS can help students who have experienced long-term disadvantage(s) – beyond their control - get into UNI • Students can claim from 24 Types of Disadvantage from six broad categories: disrupted schooling financial hardship home environment/ responsibilities English language difficulty personal illness and disability school environment

18. EAS (cont) EAS is not open to applicants who are: • International fee-paying applicants • Claiming disrupted schooling arising from commitments as an athlete or performer

19. Step 3Manage

20. Manage • Selection rank • Bonus points • Additional selection criteria • Check & Change • Changing preferences

21. Selection rank • For most HSC students, your selection rank = ATAR • Bonus points and EAS points can change your selection rank for a particular course - they do not change your ATAR • Some courses have additional selection criteria SELECTION RANK = ATAR + BONUS POINTS

22. Bonus points • Bonus points can increase your selection rank for a particular course or a particular institution • Institutions allocate bonus points based on different criteria. Examples include: • subject bonus points • regional bonus points • EAS

23. Bonus points & cut-offs Example – Bachelor of Sandology 6 applicants for 3 places: 1. 89 (ATAR of 89) 2. 88 (ATAR of 83+5 bonus points) 3. 87 (ATAR of 85+2 bonus points) ---------------------------------------------------------- 4. 86 (ATAR of 86) 5. 85 (ATAR of 76+9 bonus points) 6. 84 (ATAR of 84) XX = selection rank (Course cut-off = 87) Bonus points DO NOT change your ATAR

24. Additional selection criteria Some courses don’t have a published cut-off. • Tests eg STAT & UMAT • Personal statement • Interview • Portfolio • Audition

25. Check/change contact details course preferences UAC PIN View/print confirmation of application correspondence from UAC tax invoice Add or modify qualifications eg STAT & UMAT Check & Change

26. Changing preferences Change your course preferences before offer round deadlines … • Deadline for MAIN offer round Thursday 4 January 2014 • After Main Round offers (16 Jan) you can change preferences for the LATE and FINAL rounds

27. Step 4Check and Accept Offers

28. Check and accept offers • Accept Main Round offer Main Round offers released 9pm Wednesday 16 January 2014 Most offers are made in the Main Round Follow institution instructions carefully • Keep options open Change preferences for LATE and FINAL rounds

29. Deferring • Institution policies differ - follow instructions • Deferred place is guaranteed • Apply to pick up your deferred place direct to the uni or through UAC • If through UAC, you can list other courses above deferred course (if you’ve changed your mind)

30. Summary 1Prepare 2Apply 3Manage 4Accept offers