UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program

[owidjaja]

Hey there,
How does one know if they're expecting an ATAR of 96 (or even a 90 ATAR)? I don't really trust ATAR calculators since it's never really an accurate representation on your performance in exams.

[jamonwindeyer]

I saw that you said you were a Coop scholar, so I was just wondering how long it took for you to answer the questions and prepare for your application?

Do you recommend thinking about starting now, or is it too early?

I did my application in August/September, probably did it over a few afternoons after Trials, from memory? it doesn't have to be a hugely time intensive thing!

If you've got some spare time over the holidays, sure, why not! But I'd personally view it as a post-Trials activity

Hey there,
How does one know if they're expecting an ATAR of 96 (or even a 90 ATAR)? I don't really trust ATAR calculators since it's never really an accurate representation on your performance in exams.

You are absolutely expecting an ATAR of 90+

Especially for the purposes of this scholarship too. Like, anyone with a reasonable chance of a 90+ should be applying (if they want it of course), because you just never know

[owidjaja]

You are absolutely expecting an ATAR of 90+

Especially for the purposes of this scholarship too. Like, anyone with a reasonable chance of a 90+ should be applying (if they want it of course), because you just never know

Haha I was more concerned over the fact that my teacher was waiting for the results of the ATAR estimator tool my school happens to have and I was internally screaming over my marks (how does one get their hands on this magical tool?).

I was looking at the UAC guide and noticed how they have Commerce Co-op (or some business course- wasn't paying much attention whoops) but when I looked for engineering, they didn't really have 'Engineering Co-op.' So what exactly do you put down in your preferences? Also, if I were to get the scholarship in mechanical engineering, does that mean I can't specialise in aerospace (since UNSW has a course dedicated to the aerospace degree)? Even then, would it be better to just get a mechanical engineering degree instead of an aerospace degree?

[jamonwindeyer]

Haha I was more concerned over the fact that my teacher was waiting for the results of the ATAR estimator tool my school happens to have and I was internally screaming over my marks (how does one get their hands on this magical tool?).

I was looking at the UAC guide and noticed how they have Commerce Co-op (or some business course- wasn't paying much attention whoops) but when I looked for engineering, they didn't really have 'Engineering Co-op.' So what exactly do you put down in your preferences? Also, if I were to get the scholarship in mechanical engineering, does that mean I can't specialise in aerospace (since UNSW has a course dedicated to the aerospace degree)? Even then, would it be better to just get a mechanical engineering degree instead of an aerospace degree?

Yep, so a couple of the Coop Programs have their own degree structures to account for placements and such. Others (like Engineering) are just the regular degrees, with placements fitted around. So for you, you'll just pick the corresponding, normal Engineering preference

Coop scholarships are not transferrable to a different discipline, so if you get one for mechanical, you have to study mechanical (or forfeit the scholarship). You shouldn't sacrifice doing your ideal degree to get Coop - That said, there may be a way to tailor a mechanical degree to get some aerospace units in there, you might need to do some research! I don't think one discipline is better, it is just down to preference - And you shouldn't give up your preference to get Coop!

[emilyygeorgexx]

I did my application in August/September, probably did it over a few afternoons after Trials, from memory? it doesn't have to be a hugely time intensive thing!

If you've got some spare time over the holidays, sure, why not! But I'd personally view it as a post-Trials activity

Ah yes! I was thinking about that as well but then realized in that time I’ll probably need to start preparing for the LAT.

So maybe it might be a good time to start thinking about it now.

Also, for the last 3 years I have been heavily involved the introduction of solar energy into our schools and developed the program, etc.

So, could I use this for one of the questions about project?

[jamonwindeyer]

Ah yes! I was thinking about that as well but then realized in that time I’ll probably need to start preparing for the LAT.

So maybe it might be a good time to start thinking about it now.

Also, for the last 3 years I have been heavily involved the introduction of solar energy into our schools and developed the program, etc.

So, could I use this for one of the questions about project?

Yeah you can definitely use that! Exactly the sort of thing they would be looking for

[owidjaja]

Coop scholarships are not transferrable to a different discipline, so if you get one for mechanical, you have to study mechanical (or forfeit the scholarship). You shouldn't sacrifice doing your ideal degree to get Coop - That said, there may be a way to tailor a mechanical degree to get some aerospace units in there, you might need to do some research! I don't think one discipline is better, it is just down to preference - And you shouldn't give up your preference to get Coop!

Hmm, didn't know you could tailor a mechanical degree for aerospace units. Essentially, the structure of these degrees are the same- the only difference is that in third/ fourth year aerospace, you do more aerospace designs and flight performance.

Would it still be worth applying if I put mechanical engineering as my second preference or do I have to be certain that I want to do mechanical? To be honest, if I wasn't able to get aerospace (in UNSW or USyd), I'd have to go through the mechanical engineering route since the degree is so specific.

[jamonwindeyer]

Hmm, didn't know you could tailor a mechanical degree for aerospace units. Essentially, the structure of these degrees are the same- the only difference is that in third/ fourth year aerospace, you do more aerospace designs and flight performance.

Would it still be worth applying if I put mechanical engineering as my second preference or do I have to be certain that I want to do mechanical? To be honest, if I wasn't able to get aerospace (in UNSW or USyd), I'd have to go through the mechanical engineering route since the degree is so specific.

No idea myself! If you've looked into it you'll know better than me

Yeah I think you should apply even if you only might be doing mechanical, if you like the idea of Coop - You can always decline down the road. Make sure you are comfortable with the fact that you are sort of locked into your degree choice if you do end up getting and accepting Coop, and comfortable with being at university for an additional year

[owidjaja]

Yeah I think you should apply even if you only might be doing mechanical, if you like the idea of Coop - You can always decline down the road. Make sure you are comfortable with the fact that you are sort of locked into your degree choice if you do end up getting and accepting Coop, and comfortable with being at university for an additional year

If I didn't get the Co-op or decided to choose aerospace over mechanical, would there still be opportunities to do internships/ work placements with sponsors that are affiliated with UNSW?

[jamonwindeyer]

If I didn't get the Co-op or decided to choose aerospace over mechanical, would there still be opportunities to do internships/ work placements with sponsors that are affiliated with UNSW?

I'd imagine so! My faculty (Electrical Engineering) is pretty good at connecting students with internship opportunities. It's not like no Coop = no internships. But Coop guarantees you those places

[emilyygeorgexx]

Hey,

Just a quick question about the word count. Do you think they would be looking at if we fulfilled the max word count, ie 1000 words for some questions. Obviously I wouldn't be just writing 200 words about myself, but if it was like only 700-800 words would they really consider that?

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey,

Just a quick question about the word count. Do you think they would be looking at if we fulfilled the max word count, ie 1000 words for some questions. Obviously I wouldn't be just writing 200 words about myself, but if it was like only 700-800 words would they really consider that?

I think the big thing is common sense. Obviously writing just a sentence isn't a good look, and they don't want a novella on how dropping an ice cream in Year 6 made you more resilient

They just want to know about you - So yeah, that sounds absolutely fine keep in mind (because I think this confused me when I did it) there is a difference between a word limit and a character limit! A 1000 character limit is only like a couple of hundred words. I forget what Coop uses, just keep it in mind (I wouldn't expect you'd need to write 1000 words for anything)

[emilyygeorgexx]

I think the big thing is common sense. Obviously writing just a sentence isn't a good look, and they don't want a novella on how dropping an ice cream in Year 6 made you more resilient

They just want to know about you - So yeah, that sounds absolutely fine keep in mind (because I think this confused me when I did it) there is a difference between a word limit and a character limit! A 1000 character limit is only like a couple of hundred words. I forget what Coop uses, just keep it in mind (I wouldn't expect you'd need to write 1000 words for anything)

Ahhh, I just checked and it goes by a character limit!

I think you just saved me writing more than I anticipated I had to. Thank you so much!! 

[jamonwindeyer]

Ahhh, I just checked and it goes by a character limit!

I think you just saved me writing more than I anticipated I had to. Thank you so much!! 

All good! I saw 1000 words and I didn't think I had to write that much! I'm like, Wow, they've upped the ante. Best of luck with it

[owidjaja]

Hey there,
So I was looking up the Co-op Evening and unfortunately they clash with my tutoring. Would you say they're worth going?