27 Sep 2015

The deadline for uni preferences is fast approaching, so it’s time to get down to business and double check everything. You can add or change your preferences until about January at the latest, but to avoid paying higher fees to apply, all states want your on-time applications in by Wednesday the 30th (that’s literally two days away). All I can say is thank God we don’t have to write an admissions essay for every individual course we apply for like you see in American high school movies.

To help you sort out your choices, triple check them, or to give you a little guide if you haven’t started(!), these are the five items you’ve gotta have on your preference list.

1. Dream course, dream university

Shoot for the stars, honestly. Your first choice has to be your dream course, at your dream study institution. Don’t bump it down the list because you think you might not get the ATAR for it, or because you think you’ll get a higher ATAR than it asks for. You’ve got to be confident you’ll be happy with your first choice, and then you can order your other preferences by the offers you’d most like to receive.

2. Same course, different university

Or vice versa. If you’re set on a university that you desperately want to go to, choose other courses you’re interested in there, or if there’s a course you really want to study (or similar ones) offered at other unis, put them down.

 3. One you’re confident you’ll get into

The next thing you should have on your preference list is a course you’re interested in that you’re confident you’ll get the marks for. It’s good to know in the back of your mind that if all else fails, you’ve got options. You know, reach for the moon, land amongst the stars etc.

4. Backups

Think about a few options that will give you the opportunity to step up. If you don’t get your dream course, do some research: you might be able to transfer in later from one of your backups. It’s always good to keep your options open, and have things to fall back on should you need them.

 5. Wildcard

This one might be something you’ve not really thought about that much, something pretty out there that you think you might be interested in. This one can also be used as a “parents choice,” if they insist, but keep it low down on the list. You want your real preferences to take priority.