01 Sep 2022 | 3 mins
Overview
  • We know the struggles of selecting and ordering your preferences, so follow our tried-and-true advice!

While studying for your exams, talking about schoolies plans (that actually make it out of the group chat) and choosing between uni courses, selecting your preferences should be right up there.

While it can seem unimportant, the way you preference your courses can have a big impact on how your application is assessed. So if you’re unsure about where to place your dream course versus a safe choice, here are UTS’ five tips to help you through it:

1. Put your first choice first

Whether you receive an ATAR that you’re ecstatic with or one that you weren’t expecting, your aspirations and goals don’t just disappear. It can be hard in the midst of what your parents, older siblings or friends are telling you to do. If you do get into your first preference, that’s an amazing result! If not, don’t worry, universities offer plenty of pathways to get into your dream course.

2. Use all of your five UAC preferences

Every preference you make is an opportunity to get into university. Even if you miss out on your top picks and you’re not 100% sold on your back-up plan, think of these as the stepping stone to your desired uni course. In similar courses, you could even pick up units that count towards credit, meaning you won’t have to repeat them once you change into your desired course!

3. Have a calendar with the key dates and rounds

Mark down the dates of when preference selection is due based on the offer rounds. Write them down on sticky notes, in your diary, next to your laptop touchpad - something that reassures you that you’re confident with the ordering of your preferences! P.S. you can always add, delete and change the order of your preferences before each offer round.

4. Talk with an expert

UAC hosts events throughout the year (especially during the latter end) with key information about preferences, schemes and applications. You can find events held by UAC on their website! 

If you can’t wait to talk about preferencing, UTS has a live online chat where you can ask your questions about admissions, your options and more! 

5. Remember that your plans can change

From the time you get your UAC log-in details, you can reshuffle and change your preferences minutes (or seconds) up to the change of preference deadline. The same works for life after high school - if your ATAR surprises you, good or bad, it’s okay to change your course of study at any point, or work towards something that gets you there. You’re not locked in, and that’s the beauty of university and following your own path.

Whether you’re still weighing up your options or have your preferences set in stone, get the most out of your five course choices by sussing out the hundreds of courses available at UTS!