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
What is UAC?
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 the ATAR?
 It’s all about POSITION – it’s a NUMBER that shows
your position relative to other students
 For example, if Ann’s overall academic performance
was good enough to place her in the top 15% in her
age group → her ATAR = 85
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
THESE ARE
- the school you attend
MYTHS!
→
Fred and Laura
Course
HSC mark
Percentile
HSC mark
Percentile
Biology
70
35
80
70
Business Studies
70
37
80
68
English Advanced
70
16
80
51
Mathematics
70
26
80
54
Modern History
70
25
80
56
Visual Arts
70
13
80
53
ATAR
57.55
80.00
Steps to applying
1
2
3
4
Prepare
Apply
Manage
Accept offers
Prepare
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PINs – HSC and UAC
Name – legal name
Tax File Number – HECS-HELP
Prerequisites
UAC Guide
Choosing your courses
Prerequisites
 STAT
 UMAT / ISAT
Include your candidate number when you Apply
 Check other requirements including subject
prerequisites and additional selection criteria
UAC 2015 Guide
 General information about the participating
institutions
 Table of courses available with last year’s cut-offs
 Detailed course descriptions
 Additional selection criteria
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!
Apply
 Uni
 Scholarships
 EAS
Apply to UNI
 APPLY online at www.uac.edu.au
applications open early August; on-time closing 30 September
 LIST 1 to 9 courses in your order of preference
 PAY processing charge PRINT confirmation and
payment
 CHANGE course preferences up to 7 January
BUT check early closing dates
Apply for scholarships
Through UAC:
 Equity scholarships
– apply online through UAC
– check closing dates
 Others:
– Merit - direct application to uni
– Commonwealth – Centrelink
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
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
Manage
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
selection rank
bonus points
additional selection criteria
Check & Change
changing preferences
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
Bonus points
 Institutions allocate bonus points based on
different criteria. Examples include:
– subject bonus points
– regional bonus points
– EAS
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
Additional selection criteria
Some courses don’t have a published cut-off.
 Tests eg STAT & UMAT
 Personal statement
 Interview
 Portfolio
 Audition
Check & Change
 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
Changing preferences
Change your course preferences before offer
round deadlines …
 Deadline for MAIN offer round
Wednesday 7 January 2015
 After Main Round offers (21 Jan) you can change
preferences for the later rounds
Check and accept offers
 Accept Main Round offer
Main Round offers released
6pm Wednesday 21 January 2015
Most offers are made in the Main Round
Follow institution instructions carefully
 Keep options open
Change preferences for later rounds
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)
Summary
1 Prepare
2 Apply
3 Manage
4 Accept offers