Applying for tertiary study in Victoria · •Applying for Category 1 is as simple as giving...

Applying for tertiary study in Victoria

A complete guide to applying for courses, special consideration, and scholarships in Victoria

VICTORIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE

40 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205

Telephone: 1300 364 133

www.vtac.edu.au

Twitter: twitter.com/vtacguide| Facebook: www.facebook.com/vtacguide | YouTube: www.youtube.com/vtacmedia

The VTAC CourseSearch App

• Available free for iOS and Android

• After downloading, browse course information online or offline

• You can also use the Prerequisite and Course Explorer from inside the app –enter your VCE studies to find courses where you meet the prerequisites

Find Courses ApplySEAS and

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The VTAC App

• Is now FREE from the App Store or Google Play

• Allows users to:

• Browse and shortlist course entries, offline or online

• Use the Prerequisite and Course Explorer

• View institutional information

• The app automatically updates with the next selection period’s information when it is available

VTAC Videos

• Animated videos produced in partnership with ATAR Notes, covering:

• Creating a VTAC account• Choosing courses

• SEAS and Scholarships

• How the preference system works• Receiving an offer

• Change of preference

Available on our YouTube channel:youtube.com/vtacmedia

VTACmag

• Available in printed format from newsagents ($7.95 RRP inc. GST) and as an eMagazine ($4.49).

• Engaging content about the VTAC process and tertiary study options in general

• Advice on choosing courses

• Interviews with prominent graduates

• 30 Minute Mentor

• 2017 clearly-in ATAR information


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New selection framework for initial teacher education

• Context: New selection framework developed by Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and agreed to by all Australian Education Ministers

• Introduces the requirement for assessment of personal attributes – e.g. a reliable measure of traits like professionalism, ethics, communication, and empathy.

• Introduces a minimum selection rank of 65.00 for entry in 2018, with an increase to 70.00 in 2019.

• From 2018, students applying to all initial teacher education courses will be required to take the CASPer assessment.

• CASPer is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.

http://www.vtac.edu.au/files/pdf/publications/CASPer.pdf

http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1123761/170708_CASPer-FAQs_FA-links.pdf#search=casper%2Btest



Assessment of personal attributes

Institution Method of assessing personal attributes

Australian Catholic University CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement

Box Hill Institute Interview

Deakin University CASPer

Federation University CASPer

Holmesglen Interview

La Trobe University CASPer

Monash University CASPer

RMIT University CASPer

Swinburne University of Technology CASPer

University of Melbourne (graduate courses only) TCAT

Victoria University CASPer

CASPer test

• Non-cognitive test using video and written stimuli

• Taken online only, on specific dates in early October

and late November

• Registration requires photo ID

• A test costs $80 AUD and is valid for all institutions in

a single application cycle

• The computer used to take the test must have a

webcam and microphone to allow for online

invigilation

• Enter VTAC ID when registering. Results are sent

directly to VTAC and institutions. No results provided

to student

Note: VTAC does not administer the CASPer test. This summary

information is provided for your convenience only – authoritative

information about the test comes from the test manufacturer,

Altus Assessments.

All services are available through the VTAC account

Course Application SEAS Application

Scholarships Application

Other services:• Access offers

• Supply documents• Update personal details

• Change course preferences

VTAC Account

Tips for your VTAC account


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• Only create one VTAC account

• For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school email address

• Choose a secure PIN and security questions – you will be asked to choose a PIN – ensure you make one that nobody else will guess

• Don’t give your PIN or VTAC ID to anyone – you do not want anyone else accessing your account and preference list

• Choose an authorised nominee if needed

• VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering.

Creating an account

• Accounts can be created from 9am, Monday 7 August

• Students must read and accept the VTAC Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions before they can proceed

Create a VTAC account

• All VTAC applications are completed online using the same VTAC ID and PIN

• Creating an account is a simple question-based process

• If you’re a current Year 12 student, make sure you enter your student number so that we can access your results later in the year


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Creating an account• Students will need to provide:

• Full name

• Gender

• Date of birth

• Citizenship details (including date and sub class for international students)

• VCE/IB student number

• Mailing address

• Phone number

• Email address

• Choose a 4-digit PIN and two security questions

• Review your details - When you complete your registration you will receive a system-generated VTAC ID. You will need your VTAC ID and PIN to log in to your VTAC account. You will also receive an email containing all of your registration details.

Accuracy of citizenship information is very important in light of proposed fee reforms

Permissions and supplementary offers

• We recommend that all applicants give permission to receive supplementary offers in the event that they do not receive an offer in Round 1 or Round 2

• This permission can be changed from the ‘Course Application’ tab in their VTAC account

Authorised nominee

• Students can designate an authorised nominee at the time of application

• This can be added/changed/removed later from the ‘Course Application’ tab

• See the VTAC website for policy information about what authorised nominees can and cannot access

• VTAC will not provide authorised nominees with access to confidential documents, e.g. SEAS statements of support. If a statement has been provided by a teacher, release of this document by the school is subject to the school’s own privacy policy.

Message

inbox in top

right, and

unread

messages

are

highlighted

Direct link to

start course

application

Applying for courses


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▪ List up to eight courses/institutions

▪ Preference order – always list courses in the order you want to get into them

• To add course preferences: Select institution and/or course or type in the course code.

• To move a course on the preference list use the up/down buttons.

• To delete a course use the x button.

▪ Courses with early closing dates cannot be added after these dates

▪ Most commonly courses with specific selection requirements (e.g. Medicine, Fine Arts)

▪ New filter for qualification level

After submitting course application


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• Application receipt sent by email and in user account

• Submit payment by the closing date• Unpaid applications are not submitted to institutions

• Complete any applicable selection requirements• E.g. personal statement, providing any documents requested by VTAC

• Apply for SEAS and Scholarships

• Change preferences and update personal information

Admissions Tests (STAT, UMAT, CASPer)


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• If you’re not a current Year 12 students and don’t have recent results, some courses will accept STAT results

• Current Year 12 students are not required to sit STAT for Victorian courses

• If you’re applying for undergraduate medicine, you might need to sit the UMAT/ISAT

• If you’re applying for a teaching course, you might need to sit CASPer, an online test.

Change of Preference

• Students can change their preferences as soon as they have applied, as many times as they want until the closing date

• Change of Preference will again be open between offer rounds, but the vast majority of offers are made in the first round, so the message to students remains:

• Change of preference between rounds should be viewed as an emergency/backup option, as many courses will have already filled their places by this time.

• Not all courses participate past Round 1 in January

• Always list courses in the order you most want them

Get your preferences right by December 20 to maximise your chance of an offer.

Change of Preference


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• You can change your course preferences any time between applications opening and late applications closing (August 7 – November 3, 2017).

• It must be noted that some institutions have earlier closing dates – refer to VTAC in Coursesearchunder ‘Additional Information’.

• After this there are designated change of preference periods that provide you with the chance to update your course list.

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)


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• SEAS is a special consideration program used by most institutions

• Filling out a single SEAS application will cover all of your eligible preferences

• Primarily for students who have suffered long-term disadvantage

• Except: Category 1 (Personal Information and Location) – everyone should apply

• SEAS allows selection officers at institutions to grant special consideration for course entry to applicants.

• SEAS application becomes available after a course application is submitted

• All applicants (Y12 and NY12) can apply for SEAS

• All of the categories will be on one page

• Apply for as many categories as are applicable, but do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

SEAS does not exempt you from meeting course requirements.

You must study course prerequisites, attend all interviews, sit any required tests, and submit all required folios and forms.

SEAS is not a guaranteed entry scheme or reserved quota, but may allow you to gain entry to a course with a lower ATAR than otherwise


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No late SEAS applications are possible

The SEAS deadline applies to both the application and all necessary supporting documentation

Most institutions have indicated that they will not consider the personal statement as a replacement for SEAS

SEAS categories


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Category 1: Personal information and location

• As simple as ticking a box

• All applicants should apply for this category

Category 2: Disadvantaged financial background

Category 3: Disability or medical condition

Category 4: Difficult circumstances

• E.g. disruption to living situation, affected by illness or death of relative/friend, natural disaster, refugee status

Category 1 – Personal Information and Location

• Consideration for circumstances based on information applicants have already provided (no documentation needed).

• Applying for Category 1 is as simple as giving permission and answering a simple question.

• All applicants should apply for this category.

• First in Family is now asked explicitly in this category, all other aspects are automatic

Category 1 includes:

• Age

• Gender

• Living or school location

• Recognition as an Indigenous

Australian

• Under-represented schools

• Non-English speaking

background

• First in family to attend

university

Category 2 – Disadvantaged financial background• Education impacted by disadvantaged financial background, for example:

• Individual or family poverty

• Excessive financial obligations

• Economic hardship

• Not limited to applicants in receipt of Centrelink benefits. • Applicants who are not in receipt of Centrelink benefits must submit an impact statement and a

statement of support

Category 2 – Disadvantaged financial background

OR OR123456789A(CRN)

Impact statement

Statement of support

Category 3 – Disability or medical condition

• Educational disadvantage as a result of a disability or medical condition experienced by the applicant.

• Must provide an impact statement and a statement of support from the treating healthcare professional that details the condition, its duration and impact.

• Important to start making appointments early to ensure statements of support are ready before the closing date.

Impact statement


Category 4 – Difficult Circumstances

• Education affected by family or life events

• Examples include: • Disruption to living situation• Illness of a friend of family member• Affected by death of relative/friend• Natural disaster• Bullying• Issues associated with refugee circumstances• Issues associated with gender identity

Impact statement


SEAS documentation


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Where needed:

• Impact statement – written by applicant

• Statement of support – written by relevant responsible person

Impact statements without an accompanying statement of support will not be considered.

• For more information about SEAS documentation, visit www.vtac.edu.au

http://www.vtac.edu.au/

Three ways to provide SEAS documentation

Uploading

Hard copy

Online statements of support

Online statements of support

▪ Process:

1. Applicant enters provider’s name and email address

2. Provider receives an email with link, login name, and password

3. Provider completes statement

4. Applicant can log in to VTAC account and verify that one-time provider login details have been used

▪ Online statements of support can be used for both SEAS and scholarships (if the applicant selects that option).

Online statements of support – checking if submitted

Hard copy and scanned submissions

• Review scanned and uploaded documents after the upload is complete

• New: Applicants will be asked to review documents as part of the submission process

• “Secure” PDFs cannot be used and will appear as blank pages

• Review documents well before the closing date

• Most recent date of receipt for hard copy documents appears in the VTAC account

What to include in supporting statements

• Focus on the educational impact

• Both impact and supporting statements are in two sections:

• Description of circumstances (500 characters)

• Educational impact (1500 characters)

• Download our one-page fact sheet which can be provided to e.g. doctors for some background information about SEAS and what to include

Scholarships


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• VTAC collects scholarship applications for many institutions

• One application, many institutions

• Scholarships are not just for academic performance

• Many equity scholarships have similar documentation requirements to SEAS

• Statements must be submitted separately for each using the correct coversheet.

• List of scholarships available on the VTAC website

• Including scholarships which require direct applications to institutions

Scholarships

• One VTAC Scholarship application, completed online, covers many different scholarships

• Students are automatically matched to eligible scholarships based on the information they have entered and the courses they have applied for

Key messages for students:

• Scholarships are not just for academic high achievers

• One VTAC scholarships application, many available scholarships

Accessing your offer


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• Offers are available on the release date:• By email;

• In your VTAC account; and

• (If you gave permission) in newspaper supplements

• The offer advice will contain a message from the institution with enrolment instructions.

Always accept an offer

• Even if a student is hoping for a higher preference offer in a later round, they should still accept any offer they have received

• Accepting an offer does not stop the offer process – they will still be considered for higher preference courses

• If they do receive another offer in a later round, they can withdraw from the earlier offer at that point


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Receiving offer advice

• Applicants will receive a maximum of one offer per round – from the highest course on their preference list which indicated they would make an offer

• Emailed to applicants from midnight on the day of offer release

• Available online in the VTAC account from 2pm

• Published in newspaper supplements (if permission was given during application)


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Responding to an offer


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• To accept an offer, follow the instructions in the offer advice to enrol at the institution.

• No separate acceptance notification to VTAC is needed.

• To defer an offer, contact the institution.

• Not all courses allow deferment.

• To reject an offer, take no action.

• The offer will automatically lapse if you have not enrolled by the deadline.

Supplementary offers


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▪ For applicants who have given permission and not yet received an offer in Round 1 or Round 2

▪ Institutions will contact you directly to suggest courses which still have vacancies if you agree to Suppmentary Offers

Changing preferences after a round

Higher preference courses. Automatically considered in future rounds.

Offered course – can’t be removed but can be moved

Lower preferences. Not considered unless moved above offered course.

VCAA

• Responsible for assessment of studies

• Determines performance of individuals in each study

• Produces raw Study Score (mean = 30)

VTAC• Calculates ATAR based on Study Scores, so need to ensure a

30 in one study = 30 in all others

• Adjusts study scores by looking at competition (scaling)

• Based on scaled Study Scores, ensuring that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged because of their subject choice

ATAR and scaling overview

ATAR

Demo applications

• Available in the first week of applications opening

• Demo applications are exactly the same as the real applications, but no data is saved and the application cannot be submitted

• VTAC account login details for Careers Practitioners sample shared account will be available on the Careers Practitioners Blog from Monday 7 August

TAKING A GAP YEAR

* Consider applying for a course and deferring your start for a year.

* You will then have a place and you can apply for a different course that following year should you change your mind.

* To find out what the deferment policies are for the courses you are interested in, check out :

‘Deferment’ under the ‘Courses & Institutions’ on the VTAC website.

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http://www.vtac.edu.au/dates.html

http://www.vtac.edu.au/dates-update.html?highlight=WyJzdXBwbGVtZW50YXJ5IiwiJ3N1cHBsZW1lbnRhcnkiLCJvZmZlcnMiLCJvZmZlcnMnIiwiJ29mZmVycyciLCJzdXBwbGVtZW50YXJ5IG9mZmVycyJd

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