Just popping in to remind you all to think about the 12 preferences* you are going to be putting through VTAC in August, which begins in
two weeks. *gasp* Time flew, right?
I know it seems like we rant a bit about preferences, but with good reason - it's your next step after the VCE journey ends. So it's fair to say that it will seem quite daunting. For many of you, you will be uncertain of what you want and end up deciding on way more courses than just 12. Others will be content with their smaller list of 4-6 options, which is cool too; it means you've set your sights on something already.
Remember that the forum is open and majority of the ex-high school students here are happy to answer your queries on X course, Y pre-requisites, the differences between X and Z course and so forth. (Even if it's an "I don't know what I want to do" post.)
Also,
don't forget the following:
1. Open days are generally around August sometime. Click
here for Victoria. If you're in NSW, check
here instead.
2. Listen to your school's Career Advisor or similar titled equivalent. Many will be repeating deadlines, dates and weird - but important - stuff at you. Don't tune it out! Some will also help you make an account with VTAC, so please check if they do. If not, you can do so
here.
3. Dates and fees can be found
here.
Don't forget to pay! (Don't say I didn't warn you when your Careers teacher comes knocking.)
Oh and here's something I typed for the Class of 2015, which I suspect will still be largely relevant for you all:
All you need to know on VTAC accounts (and some stuff in advance):
- Yeah, VTAC accounts open in
mid-August. Your school will somehow notify you of it. My Experience
Mine was kinder and told us at least thrice that it was open, by the Careers teacher invading on our assemblies AND had a session specifically to create accounts. Probably also helped that my home group teacher was the Careers teacher.
- It's open until the week before Christmas usually or thereabouts, but shuts during exams ('cause it's a 'distraction'). I'm pretty sure VCAA has this on their website and/ or on the exam timetable booklet thing they issue out. (I forgot its name. I think that shows.) Also, should be on VTAC's website soon, if not already.
- You get a maximum of 12, yeah, twelve preferences. Minimum is 4 (I think, or at least, that was how many my friend had.), most have 6 - 8, from what I recall. Each can be switched into your desired order and will be listed as "Science (Monash University, Clayton)" or something similar, using my current degree (and first preference) as an example.
- Don't worry. You'll get sufficient warning. Again, don't worry too much about it.
And a couple more...
For the beginner:
- There's a ~$29 fee. (It may have changed.) Fee may increase if you don't pay it within a certain time frame (about 2-3 months, if I remember correctly. Plenty of time, though.). Pay it on time, guys. Save your teachers the hassle. (Also, it's using card or cheque.)
- Preferences go through the account, as do your courses and your ATAR. *cue scary music* This'll actually be a secondary source for getting it; they'll be another link on the VTAC website. You also put scholarship, Special Consideration, medical, personal and other details through the account, including those of whether your 40+ SS should get published.
- Watch the inbox of that account from time to time. Give them the correct details as well and double check.
- Majority of it is pretty self explanatory, so you'll figure it out easily. If not, stake out your Careers Advisor/ teachers/ whatever point of call you usually go to, but not your pets. They're not really going to help.
Oh and if you're still worried about preferences, wait 'til Open Day and/ or until COP (Change of Preference) Week is here. The latter is the same week you get your ATARs, so keep that week free to wreck havoc on the city, whilst crying about your ATAR (Just kidding. It won't be that bad.) join the crowd of students who decided to flock to various tertiary institutions with hope that you'll be a student there some day.
tl;dr: Think about your preferences. It's almost time to send them in. * I'm typing this under the assumption that things haven't changed much and that the states are somewhat similar in processes. This is accurate according to how it was run in 2014 in Victoria.
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