Clearly-in/fringe confusion

[iao123]

Hello, just wondering what the deal is with clearly in/fringe enter's.

VTAC defines the clearly in ENTER as 'the rank at or above which all ranked (eligible) applicants who applied for that course were offered a place', and fringe enter as 'the rank, at or above which the majority (95%) of offers were made.' But in a course that bases it's offers entirely on ENTER scores (eg, Melbourne Arts) doesn't the clearly-in encompass all the offers? If there are no other factors influencing the selection process, why doesn't the uni just set a particular enter as the requisite enter for that year, reject everyone below it, in which case 100% of offers would be above that particular enter and fringe would just be the same as the clearly in?

Also, can someone explain why second round offers are needed? Aren't people told to accept their first round offer even if they are hoping for a higher score in the second round, so there can't be that many people rejecting their offers?

thanks.

[Gloamglozer]

For more info on Clearly-In's and Fringes, please go here.

... Why doesn't the uni just set a particular enter as the requisite enter for that year, reject everyone below it, in which case 100% of offers would be above that particular enter and fringe would just be the same as the clearly in?

Also, can someone explain why second round offers are needed? Aren't people told to accept their first round offer even if they are hoping for a higher score in the second round, so there can't be that many people rejecting their offers?

thanks.

You have to understand that not everyone has a perfect life and not everything goes to plan during their schooling.  Unexpected things can happen or other genuine things can happen that may disadvantage a particular student from performing at their personal best.  That is why universities have special considerations for these people.  This is primarily the reason why universities cannot set an iron bar for their courses and stop anyone getting below that certain ENTER from getting in.

Second round offers are needed because there will always be many courses that haven't filled up their quotas and need more people.  Hence if you look at some courses for the second round, their Clearly-In might be less stringent to allow more people into the course.  So if someone gets a second round and it is a "better" offer, why not accept it?

[Mollie]

Also, can someone explain why second round offers are needed? Aren't people told to accept their first round offer even if they are hoping for a higher score in the second round, so there can't be that many people rejecting their offers?

thanks.

Last year alone more than 30,000 applicants nationwide deferred their offers. That's 30,000+ extra places available from deferment alone. There will also be those that turn down their offers for what ever reason, maybe a change in circumstance, perhaps they've applied in multiple states so have to turn down all bar one offer, or they've just changed their mind and want to do a different course. The universities need to fill their available places, hence the second round of offers.