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You might also want to consider applying for special consideration. This can help you if you get into a tertiary institution if you are at a disadvantage to other students. Depending on your state, you may apply for:

• EAS – Educational Access Scheme (New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia)
• SEAS – Special Entry Access Scheme (Victoria)
• SCD – Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (Queensland)
• SEAS – Student Equal Access Scheme (Flinders University. Each institution in SA has its own access scheme. Contact the institutions for details).

The categories for special consideration access schemes include rural and isolated students, mature age students, non-English speaking background, recognition as an Indigenous Australian, difficult family circumstances, disadvantaged socio-economic background, under-represented schools, women in non-traditional courses, personal disability or long-term medical condition, and refugee status. In some cases, you may also apply for consideration on the grounds of the health of a family member, personal health or trauma, death of a close family member or friend, divorce or separation of parents, adverse living conditions, excessive family responsibility, or natural disaster.

If in doubt, apply. It is better to have applied for special consideration than miss out on a place at university because your marks weren’t high enough due to your circumstances. Applications open in August, and close around the same time as course selections close.

Now, once you have made your course choices (remembering that once you get your ENTER/TER/ATER/OP in December, you are able to alter your preferences), it’s time to make your selections. To apply, your will need:

• Your Application Number (in Victoria, just known as VTAC Number, and WA as TISC Number). You will have either been sent this number by your state’s admissions centre, or it will be on your student ID card. Contact your admissions centre if you have lost your Application Number.
• A PIN number, which you will get when you register online.
• The Course Code of each course you have selected. These codes are 5 numbers, and end in 1, 2, or 3. These final numbers are very important, as they indicate whether you are applying for a Commonwealth Supported Place (1), full-fee place (2), or as a non-Australian citizen – also full-fee place (3).

The application process varies slightly from state to state. However, for an example, those in Victoria need to:

• Register online (www.vtac.edu.au)
• Receive VTAC ID and PIN number
• Login to MyInfo
• Access the:
  • VTAC Course Application
  • STAT DULSAT Application
  • Scholarship Application
  • Apply!

If you are stressing about your course or career selections, don’t. Just remember that you can change your preferences along the way. If you are completely at a loss and have no clue, refer to some of the blogs on www.careernav.com.au or consider taking a Gap Year next year so that when you apply next August, it will be for something you’ve really thought about.

Happy selections!