So, it's almost time where you'll find out what the next few years of your academic life will entail. Round 1 offers will be available from VTAC on
16 January 2012 17:00 on MyInfo.
However, with previous years, I know Herald Sun likes to publish Round 1 offers in a special souvenir edition and hang around Federation Square. The souvenir edition is also available from some newsagents/petrol stations, etc. However, I'm not sure if they are going to do this this year since offers are available at 17:00 and not 19:30 like last year. If you want to know the locations last year, I managed to dig up an article. Thanks to
Koopa who notified me about this,
The Age and
Herald Sun will not be making any souvenir editions of the Herald Sun.
Neither The Age or Herald Sun are doing early editions this year - they will publish offers at 4pm on their websites, VTAC at 5pm
Source:
http://twitter.com/vtacguideEDIT: Please see luken93's post below for update on the Herald Sun status.DOUBLE EDIT: Post edited to include update on souvenir edition.Q: I've achieved over the Clearly-In and met all the pre-requisites. Does that mean I am guaranteed an offer?A: Meeting all the pre-requisites is the first step and if you've done that, then you're definitely in the running for selection. with regards to the Clearly-In, it changes each year for a lot of courses. The clearly-In ATAR doesn't reflect on the quality of the course but rather the supply and demand of the course. So it is quite difficult to predict what it might be. If supply is high (ie. a lot of places available) and demand (number of applications) is low , then the Clearly-In will be low. Conversely, if supply is low and demand is high than that will push the Clearly-In through the roof.
So any previous Clearly-In's should be used as a guide only and is not an iron clad guarantee that you will be made an offer.
Q: I have relatives/friends who received multiple offers in each Round a few years back. Which one should I select?A: It is now not possible to receive more than one offer in each round. The only exception is the Supplementary Round where you may receive more than one offer.
Q: What is the "Supplementary Round"?A:
This round operates entirely differently to previous rounds. It is also important that this is the last round and pretty much your last resort. To be eligible for this round you need to have:
- Not received an offer in previous rounds (early offer round, round 1, round 2).
- Have not received an Irregular Offer.
- Given VTAC permission to give your details to courses that still have places available.
Please note point number 3. During your VTAC application process, it is important do give VTAC that permission. I remember ticking a box somewhere during the middle of my application and I'm sure it will be similar this year.
How it works is that given your academic achievements and the subjects that you have done, selection officers will determine whether or not to offer you a place since you have not received an offer. Unlike round 1 and round 2, this round is processed weekly until a certain date.
Q: I have applied for a new course and this is the first year it is being offered. What is the Clearly-In for the course and why is it blank?A: Because the course is new, it won't have any previous applications and hence no previous Clearly-In is given. It is possible to ask academics in charge what they think the Clearly-In will be but please note that it will only indicative. No one in the public will know until Round 1 offers are out.
Q: Are all middle band requirements for every tertiary institution the same?A: No. Institutions like La Trobe and Monash, for example, set their middle bands so that if you did complete certain subjects in VCE or equivalent, you rank a little higher in the middle band. The University of Melbourne, for example, sets their middle band so that if you are not a SEAS applicant (Access Melbourne applicant), then if you do not achieve higher than the Clearly-In, then you have next to no chance to get into UoM.
Q: I have changed my mind now and wish to add/remove courses. How can I do that?A: Unfortunately, it is too late to add or remove courses now. When Round 1 offers are released and you wish to change to a new course, you may do so by applying for an Irregular Offer.
Q: What is an "Irregular Offer"?A: When offers are released and you wish to either:
- Change to a course that is lower on your list of preferences
- Change to a course that isn't on your list of preferences
Then your only option is to apply for what is known as an "Irregular Offer".
Who can't apply for an irregular offer:
To apply, you firstly need to make sure that you meet all the requirements for the course you want. Next, you need to contact the selection officer for the course you want and ask them these three vital questions:
1. Are there still vacancies in the course? (I've heard some are reluctant to answer this but the next few questions they will definitely answer)
2. Are you accepting irregular offers?
3. If so, what documentation are required?
Then you need to log into MyInfo and complete the form.
Important Note: When the Irregular Offer is approved, you are forfeiting your list of preferences in subsequent rounds. This means that your list of preferences won't mean anything and won't get any offers on your list. This means that you are either stuck with the offer and you cannot apply for another Irregular Offer. So make sure that this is the final offer you really want.
Q: I received an offer... But it wasn't my number 1!!!! What do I do?A: Firstly,
ACCEPT THE OFFER!!! I cannot stress this enough. Accepting an offer does not eliminate you from receiving future offers since it wasn't your first preference. In Round 2, if permissible, you will still be considered for any preferences that are higher up on your list than the one you have already been offered. If you do not accept the offer, then you run the risk of not receiving any offers at all and will be without a place in 2012.
Q: I received an offer and it was my first preference. Will I still be considered for future rounds?A: Congratulations on receiving your top preference! You've worked hard for it and you've finally achieved your academic goal! Unfortunately, as it is your first preference you will not be considered for any future offers. If you have changed your mind, you are still free to apply for an Irregular Offer.
Q: I've received my offer... Now what?A: You should be receiving an enrolment package in the mail to your nominated address that you put in your VTAC application either the next day or within the next few days. VTAC will also send you a letter informing you of the outcome of your application. Please note that any verbal or any other offers should be taken as suspicious and you should ask for the identity of the person and contact VTAC as soon as possible.
Q: I will be overseas during this time. How do I accept my offer?A: Firstly, accepting your offer and enrolling can be considered two different things. If you are overseas, make sure you have someone to receive your enrolment package when it arrives. You can accept your offer anywhere in the world so long as you have access to the Internet. Once you've accepted your offer before the due date, then you're fine. Depending on your course and your institution, you may be required to attend an "enrolment session" or similar. This requires you to be in person to finalise your enrolment and perhaps take a picture for your ID, etc. They say this is "compulsory" but if it's uni, you'll quickly learn that not many things (you could say nothing) at uni is compulsory. If you're concerned about these types of sessions, perhaps call the institution and make alternative arrangements with them.
Q: If I am overseas, can't I just send a proxy to enrol on my behalf?A: You will have to check with the institution. Yes, you may have applied for a proxy during your VTAC application but rather strangely, it is a separate process from getting a proxy to enrol for you at an institution. I know that in 2010 (unless it has been changed since) the University of Melbourne would not allow proxies to enrol on your behalf due to strict privacy laws that they were following. However, La Trobe University did allow proxies in 2010 (provided rules have not been changed since).
Q: How long do I have before my offer lapses?A: This question I cannot answer with absolute certainty. But I do know that you are given adequate time to decide whether or not you want to accept your offer. I know at Monash last year for the Faculty of Business and Economics, the enrolment package came through the mail on 17 January and on the 20 January, there was a compulsory information session at Monash. Additionally, on 24 January there was a final enrolment session to get a Monash ID and to fill in some forms.
Ultimately, if I didn't do anything and waited after the 24 January the offer would have lapsed.
Q: I want to defer my studies. How long can I do that for and how do I do that?A: Instructions on how to defer should be enclosed in your enrolment package. But if you are wondering about it generally,
here is a good link to see how to do it for all the institutions that VTAC represents.
Q: I want more information about how offers actually work in detail. Where can I find that?A: I've made a summary of how it all works
here.Lastly, good luck everyone! And remember, if you don't get your desired preference, it's NOT the end of the world. There are many ways into the course. If you are truly passionate about it, there are many, many ways... Especially if it's university.
EDIT: Post edited to include Herald Sun update.
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