Changing preferences isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but a few handy tips never hurt anyone!
September seems so long ago, doesn’t it? It seems like an eternity for me, and I haven’t done the change up from school, to the HSC, to Schoolies, to the HSC results! So its not surprising that a few of you you might be thinking of changing your preferences, especially if you’ve just got your HSC results or if you are after an offer in the different offer rounds, so its good to know a bit more about the process.
September seems so long ago, doesn’t it? It seems like an eternity for me, and I haven’t done the change up from school, to the HSC, to Schoolies, to the HSC results! So its not surprising that a few of you you might be thinking of changing your preferences, especially if you’ve just got your HSC results or if you are after an offer in the different offer rounds, so its good to know a bit more about the process anywho.
Changing preferences is not a very difficult task. What you need to do is go back to the UAC, either by phone or on the net, and go through and change your preferences in a similar manner to the way you initially entered them when you first applied. The final date you can change your preferences before the main round of offers is January 5th, which is also the day after Info Day at Sydney Uni, so keep it in mind! Info Day is a good chance to talk to students and academics before the cut off closes. Really helpful if you’re still not sure what you want to do!
So, changing the preferences itself is not that hard, what is hard is deciding what you want to do!!! When putting down your preferences, don’t list them from highest UAI to lowest, or by university, list them by which you one you want to do the most. UAC matches your preferences to your marks, and will start from your first preference and work down. So make sure the course that you want to do is at number one, and then goes down from there. Its always better to take a course that you want to do than to take a course that you might not enjoy at your favourite university. Simply, you won’t enjoy the uni as much if you don’t like the course!
I changed my preferences twice. After I entered them in September I changed them for the main round of offers, and then after the main round I changed them for the late round. I got my fourth preference in the main round and my first in the late round, but I was lucky, as normally the UAI’s go up in later rounds. Remember that it’s important to accept your offer, just to make sure you have one if you miss out in the later rounds! And most importantly don't forget that you accept your offer by enroling and at Sydney Uni, enrolment is only a couple of days after the offers are made.
It’s probably best to limit the amount of times you change your preferences, if you chop and change them everyday you will probably go round in circles, so just sit down and think what you really want to do, and go from there. Have fun,
Brendon
Comments
Hi Brendon
Thanks! this has made things clearer, but i have a few questions. You said you got your 4th preference and then 1st in the late round. How did you change your preferences after the main round?
I'm having trouble choosing between two courses- Physiotherapy and Pharmacy- and i put them in slots 1 and 2. Do i get to know if i made it into both?
Thanks again!
Posted by: Peter | December 28, 2005 01:51 PM
Thanks for your question Pete, its a good one too. Yeah, I changed my preferences after the Main Round, you can do it in the same manner as what you are doing at the moment. You will only get one hecs offer (you can get two, one fee and one hecs) in each round, and I was quite lucky to get an offer in the late round, there are less offers made. What I would say too is that you should give the University Helpline a call on 1300 362 006 to get some more advice on picking courses, or take advantage of Info Day, which is on the 4th of January. Its a great chance to talk to lecturers and advisors before you have to finalise your preferences. Thanks again for your question, thanks for leaving a comment too!
Posted by: Brendon | December 28, 2005 09:23 PM
Hi Brendan,
You mentioned that enroling at Sydney Uni is only a couple of days after offers are made. I will be overseas at that time. How then do I enrol?
Thanks,
Jess
Posted by: Jess | December 30, 2005 01:09 PM
Hey Jess,
thanks for your enquiry. What you will need is someone to enrol for you, we call them a Proxy. Have a look at the website which is www.usyd.edu.au/su/studentcentre/proxy/proxy.html to download the form to allow them to act on your behalf and to see what else you need to provide for them. Thanks for the enquiry and for checking out the blog! Keep it up!!
All the best, especially for the holiday, sounds tough!!!
Posted by: Brendon | December 30, 2005 02:35 PM
hey i am thinking about been a p.e teacher but i don't have my hsc? do i have 2 go back 2 tafe do yr 12 to get into uni
Posted by: craig | October 29, 2006 09:51 AM