Applying for tertiary study in Victoria A complete guide to applying for courses, SEAS, and scholarships through VTAC VICTORIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Telephone: +61 3 9926 1020 www.vtac.edu.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/vtacguide | Twitter: twitter.com/vtacguide | Youtube: www.youtube.com/vtacmedia

What is VTAC? The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) is the central point for applications to Victorian universities, TAFEs, and Independent Tertiary Colleges. VTAC also calculates the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for Victorian Year 12 students. Connect with VTAC today to receive updates, tips, and timely reminders: Facebook: facebook.com/vtacguide Twitter: @vtacguide Students won’t be applying individually to each institution, but instead submitting one application through VTAC for up to 8 course preferences.

The VTAC application process – key dates Key dates for 2018-2019 applications Applications open $36 for current Year 12 students $54 for all other applicants 9am, Monday 6 August 2018 Timely applications close 5pm, Thursday 27 September 2018 SEAS applications close 5pm, Friday 12 October 2018 Scholarship applications close Round 1 offers released Wednesday 16 January 2019 Full list of dates: http://www.vtac.edu.au/dates.html Annual selection cycle – can’t do anything before August Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and Scholarships applications are optional, but strongly recommended Late and Very Late application deadlines exist, but a higher application fee applies

Finding and comparing course information Making sure you’re eligible In this session Research Finding and comparing course information Making sure you’re eligible Apply Creating a VTAC account Filling in your course preferences ATAR How the ATAR is calculated How scaling works

In the next session SEAS Applying for special consideration, including under-represented groups Applying for scholarships Offers Accessing Results Getting your course offer Accepting, deferring, rejecting

Research

Compare course information for all tertiary institutions in Victoria CourseSearch Compare course information for all tertiary institutions in Victoria Advanced search options include filtering by institution, area of interest, and qualification level Available at vtac.edu.au CourseSearch lets you search across all the institutions at once – good for comparing courses Information displayed in CourseSearch is provided by institutions 2018 CourseSearch available from late July

The VTAC CourseSearch app Available free for iOS and Android After downloading, browse course information online or offline You can also use the Prerequisite and Course Explorer from inside the app – enter your VCE studies to find courses where you meet the prerequisites The app will automatically update with the latest course info whenever online.

Prerequisite and Course Explorer Enter your VCE study program to see which courses you meet the prerequisites for Refine your search by area of interest, institution, qualification level, and more Year 10 students can compare different potential VCE programs to see the impact of different subject choices Prerequisite and Course Explorer available with 2019-2021 course info from late July. Can save a program and then compare it to a new search to e.g. see the impact of adding/dropping a subject.

Year 11 & Year 12 Guide Information about how to apply A guide to researching and making decisions Interviews with students and professionals in various areas Pick up a copy from your school or download for free at the VTAC website The Guide does not contain course information. PDF download is located in the “Publications” section of the VTAC website.

Different types of tertiary courses VET Cert II-IV Diploma Advanced Diploma Higher Education Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Graduate courses You can list both VET and Higher Ed courses on your VTAC preferences Current Year 12 students not eligible for Graduate courses

Understanding course details A description provided by the institution offering the course Which campus? How long does the course take to complete? What kind of career options are there? Course design Information in course entries is provided by the institution offering the course. Look out for: information about the course itself, explain why looking at major studies can be useful Draw attention to essential requirements and admission criteria

Understanding course details Which prerequisites do I need to get in? Do I need to do an interview or audition? Are there any advantages to studying certain VCE subjects? Is special consideration available? Essential Requirements and Admission Criteria Information in course entries is provided by the institution offering the course. Look out for: information about the course itself, explain why looking at major studies can be useful Draw attention to essential requirements and admission criteria

Understanding course details Can I get credit for study I’ve already done? How do I apply? Where can I get further information? Policy information Information in course entries is provided by the institution offering the course. Look out for: information about the course itself, explain why looking at major studies can be useful Draw attention to essential requirements and admission criteria

What requirements might exist? Prerequisites Any VCE subjects you must complete to be eligible for an offer Interview Personal statement Audition Folio presentation CASPer test Online test needed for most teaching courses Subject adjustments Extra points for completing VCE subjects relevant to the course SEAS Special consideration Explain that prerequisites exist for all higher ed courses Information about how to organise e.g. auditions and interviews is found in each course description. Contact the institution if it’s unclear how to complete a requirement.

Two types of essential requirements You need to complete these to apply and receive an offer Essential requirements for selection and application Prerequisites Interview Audition Pre-selection kit Essential requirements for enrolment or graduation Immunisations Police check Working with Children Check You don’t need to complete these until you have successfully received an offer These are just some examples of each type and there may be other requirements under these headings

How does selection work? Applicants for an example course selecting on ATAR with 4 places and 6 applicants: ATAR Offered a place? Mel 95.00 ATAR Yes Geri 90.00 ATAR + subject adjustment = 95.00 rank AJ 75.00 ATAR + SEAS = 86.00 rank Victoria 85.00 ATAR Emma 80.00 ATAR No Howie 70.00 ATAR Lowest ATAR offered a place is 75.00 Explain that selection is competitive for most courses. This example has six people applying for a course with four places. Your ATAR never changes, but your RANK for a particular course might change e.g. in this course there is SEAS and subject adjustment. CLICK to draw the lowest selection rank and lowest ATAR Explain the lowest selection rank is the best number to look at because adjustments are only made upwards Lowest selection rank is 85.00

Extra points for completing VCE subjects relevant to the course Subject Adjustments Extra points for completing VCE subjects relevant to the course These are added to the overall aggregate (total score) from which your ATAR is calculated They are added by the individual institution

Things to remember when looking at published ATARs for a course The ATAR profile and lowest selection rank can provide you with an indication of how competitive it might be to get into a course However, these are not a cut-off or guarantee, just an indication of what happened last year It’s still worth applying for a course you want even if your ATAR is lower than last year’s lowest selection rank because: The lowest selection rank might change for next year You might receive subject adjustments or special consideration which boosts your rank higher than your ATAR

ATAR Profiles Published Booklet with all ATAR’s Monash University Deakin University Victoria University Individual Course ATAR’s – either via a link from CourseSearch or look up the course directly on the Uni website ACU Latrobe University RMIT Swinburne University of Melbourne

ATAR Profiles On the DCC Careers website under Important Information/Year 12 tab ATAR Profile Report for course entry in 2018 (this has adjusted ATAR and Selection Rank data) ATAR Selection data for course entry in 2018 (this has the ‘old’ clearly in data)

ATAR PROFILES ATAR Selection Rank Highest Median Lowest Link to course   ATAR Selection Rank UNI COURSE CAMPUS Highest Median Lowest Link to course Deakin Commerce Campus 90.85 67.95 54.00 96.10 77.50 66.55 Latest profile Burwood 96.15 79.45 69.90 98.00 84.25 80.00 Warrnambool 82.10 59.30 50.00 90.10 69.50 61.85 Commerce/Business Analytics Cloud Campus < 5 offers 93.35 78.25 66.70 96.40 85.85 77.25 Commerce/Law Waterfront 97.75 82.75 76.30 99.50 88.55 85.25 98.65 83.15 99.75 93.70 90.75 Commerce/Science 82.20 70.70 94.20 88.40 81.05

A brief look at CourseSearch http://delta.vtac.edu.au/CourseSearch/searchguide.htm

Any Questions So Far?

ATAR and Scaling

Scaling Why? How? For what? Study scores received from the VCAA are a rank for that particular subject 30 is the average for every study, regardless of how competitive the cohort How? By looking at the students undertaking the study this year, and their performance in their other studies For what? Scaled scores are used only for the calculation of the ATAR Prerequisites and subject adjustments are based on raw study scores Scaling: Is not about difficulty, it is about the strength of competition within the subject Is based on the results of all Victorian students doing that study this year (not by school, not by class) Is done fresh every year (scaling report on the VTAC website shows it is relatively stable from year to year)

Results for all Chemistry students in Victoria: The scaling process Results for all Chemistry students in Victoria: English 31.35 Music Performance 36.62 Further Mathematics 33.45 Psychology 28.51 Politics 34.11 Biology 33.72 Etc. 31.52 Average for all studies 32.75 Chemistry Raw study score average: 30 Chemistry Scaled study score average: 32.75 For example, to scale Chemistry, we start off with the raw score of 30, which is the average VCAA score for all subjects when VTAC receives them. How hard was it to get that 30? (i.e. the average mark in this particular subject) To find out, we look at the results of everyone doing Chemistry, and find the average of their results in all their studies, not just Chemistry. In this example, Chemistry students performed above average in all their subjects, showing that Chemistry was more competitive – therefore Chemistry scales up this year.

Composition of the aggregate Highest eligible English group subject Next highest eligible subject 10% of next highest (or other increment) The “Primary 4” subjects (required to receive an ATAR) You must pass the VCE and have at least four scored subjects including English to qualify for an ATAR. If available, we will also use up to two more subjects as increments. If there are seven or more subjects completed, we will use the highest allowable six. The sum of all of these contributions is called the “aggregate” (total). Increments (only if available)

+ Example Highest score from English group and “Primary 4” Highest score from English group and Three other highest scoring studies + 10% increment of the 5th and 6th subjects 2015 2014 In this example you can see the grades for each study. The study score allocated by the VCAA. VTAC has then taken those study scores and scaled them to ensure that a 35 in English Language is equivalent to a 35 in Visual Communication and Design. Some of these have been scaled up and others have been scaled down. Based on the principles of using: English, the next best three and 10% of a fifth and/or sixth study we have an aggregate. This aggregate is converted into an ATAR.

Calculating the ATAR The ATAR is a percentile rank based on the aggregate. So an ATAR of 50.00 means you have performed better than 50% of the Year 12 age group.

Apply Create a VTAC Account Register for Courses

Create a VTAC account All VTAC applications are completed online using the same VTAC ID and PIN Creating an account is a simple question-based process If you’re a current Year 12 student, make sure you enter your student number so that we can access your results later in the year If you have a student who is currently enrolled, they are current! If they get this question wrong, we do check. If a student gets this question wrong the following automatically happens: They will be charged the full processing fee – not the current year 12 processing fee. VTAC will not look for the VCE results when they are released in December and their results and ATAR won’t be matched to their course application. What to do if they get it wrong: Tell the student to telephone (03) 9926 1020 immediately. If the processing fee hasn’t been paid, then it can probably be fixed. If the processing fee has been paid, there is no reimbursement but we can fix the application.

Tips for your VTAC account Only create one VTAC account For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school email address Choose a secure PIN and security questions Choose an authorised nominee if needed VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering. One registration only To correct errors, change the details online or call VTAC. Do not create another registration. For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school email address Some school email addresses are deactivated by the time offer emails are sent Four digit PIN Lost PINs can be retrieved from the log in form. Nominate a proxy if needed VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering.

VTAC account Highlight location of message inbox – a copy also sent to email

Applying for courses List up to eight courses/institutions Preference order – always list courses in the order you want to get into them To add course preferences: Select institution and/or course or type in the course code. To move a course on the preference list use the up/down buttons. To delete a course use the x button. Explain why preference order matters – you won’t find out about lower preference courses Be careful with X button – if a course has an early closing date and it is removed after that closing date, it can’t be re-added

After submitting course application Application receipt sent by email and in user account Submit payment by the closing date Unpaid applications are not submitted to institutions Complete any applicable selection requirements E.g. personal statement, providing any documents requested by VTAC Apply for SEAS and Scholarships Change preferences and update personal information

Personal statement A statement for course selection officers to consider, completed online through the VTAC user account Writing prompts include your motivation for study, academic performance, and previous relevant work experience If not specified as a requirement by the course, selection officers are not obliged to consider the information provided Usually not required for current Year 12 applicants; check course entries Advise students not to waste their time by completing this form unless it’s required or relevant. Many courses include this as an admission criterion but ask applicants to complete it only if they have ‘relevant’ work experience. The same statement is provided to all courses on your preferences list (except the course-specific statement) Four general questions plus one course-specific statement for each preference. The VTAC Personal statement may be used as either an essential requirement or admission criterion.

Change of Preference After applying, you can change your course preferences free-of-charge as many times as you like while Change of Preference is open Check the deadlines carefully prior to the start of each round The main deadline for Round 1 is 12pm, Wednesday 19 December 2018 Get your preferences in the order you want by this date to maximise your chance of getting the offer you want No limits or extra fees for change of preference. COP is closed for two weeks in November during selection for early offers (which are not available to current Year 12 students).

Applying Interstate A similar process applies if you are planning on studying interstate. You will need to create an account and apply for courses if you are considering studying in another state. If that is you, see me for further details.

More information Need help? Call VTAC on (03) 9926 1020 Email us through your VTAC account Send VTAC a Facebook message More information Step-by-step info on the VTAC website Articles in the VTAC Year 11 & Year 12 Guide (printed copies at school or free PDF online) Fact sheets on the VTAC website Short videos on our YouTube channel

Your turn – VTAC Guide and create a VTAC Account Create an Account Demo Go to Vtac.edu.au Click on ‘Create an Account’ Use a personal email not the school email Once you have created an Account you can register for courses. Course Application Demo Go to your VTAC account Click on Apply for courses DON’T FORGET TO PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF TIMELY APPLICATIONS

Accessing Results and Offers

How do I get my ATAR and VCE Results? Free online access at resultsandatar.vic.edu.au Online Free download of joint VCAA/VTAC results app ATAR also available in the VTAC app Results app Paid VTAC applicants will receive a printed ATAR statement Mail Registration required VCAA student number Password Registration for the results service is separate from the VTAC account and will be available later in the year.

Offer round timeline ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 6 August – applications open Nov – change of preference closed for non-Y12 offers Dec 19 – preference deadline for Rd 1 4 Jan – change of preference window 16 Jan – Round 1 offers released 17 Jan – change of preference opens 25 Jan – change of preference closes Feb 4 – Round 2 offers released Feb 5 – change of preference opens Feb 5 – change of preference closes 11 Feb – Round 3 offers released 12 Feb – change of preference opens 13 Feb – change of preference closes 18 Feb – Round 4 offers released 19 Feb – change of preference opens 20 Feb – change of preference closes 25 Feb – Round 5 offers released SUPPLEMENTARY OFFERS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Even though there are five offer rounds, your best chance of getting an offer is in Round 1 This graph is based on the real offer numbers from last year. The vast majority of offers are made in the first round. This is why the 19 December COP deadline is so important.

2pm Next day Offer advice From: VTAC Enrolment instructions From: Institution 2pm Accept Defer Reject Applicants will receive TWO emails: one from VTAC advising of the course being offered, and a follow up directly from the institution with instructions on how to accept and enrol. Advise students to check enrolment deadlines carefully. These are set by institutions so are not all the same. To accept (and defer) an offer, contact the institution making the offer, not VTAC. To reject an offer, just do nothing and it will lapse after the enrolment deadline. Next day

Unless you’re sure you don’t want it even as a back-up option… Reject We strongly advise students to always accept an offer, unless they don’t want it even as a back-up option. The offer process will continue regardless of whether you have accepted or rejected your offer.

You will be automatically considered for any higher preferences Higher preference courses. Automatically considered in future rounds. Offered course – can’t be removed but can be moved Lower preferences. Not considered unless moved above offered course. If they are happy with their preferences, they can just leave them alone and they will be automatically considered for any higher preferences. And you also have the option to change your preferences

Supplementary offers If you gave permission for supplementary offers and did not yet receive an offer in Round 1 or Round 2 Institutions will contact you directly to suggest courses which still have vacancies You can accept or reject any supplementary offers you receive Some institutions may make supplementary offers after Round 2 if they have places available. Applicants may receive supplementary offers if they have: not received an offer in any of the previous offer rounds (Early, Round 1, Round 2); and not been granted an offer for a negotiated offer; and have given VTAC permission to release their application to all courses with vacancies. Applicants give this permission at the time of applying, or later in their VTAC account. Supplementary offers will be processed weekly throughout February. If an applicant receives two or more offers at the same time, they will need to choose which offer to accept – applicants cannot accept more than one offer.

Casper and Other Requirements for Education Courses

Selection framework for initial teacher education CASPer / Interview / Teacher Selector Statement Minimum selection rank (70.00)

CASPer Online test required for most undergraduate teaching courses in Victoria Taken online at specific dates and times Listed under essential requirements if used by a course Contact support@takecasper.com if planning group sittings at your school New resources from Altus Assessments: FAQ for applicants Step-by-step screenshots for registration process August webinar for CPs (details TBA)

Other Resources Fact Sheets ATAR Profiles

Fact sheets

FACT SHEETS The Application Process How to Use CourseSearch The ATAR profile explained Am I elgibile for a scholarship? CASPer Preparing for interviews, auditions and folios Change of Preference FAQ’s Download from DCC website/Important Info/Year 12

ATAR Profile Report for VTAC Round 1 Offers ATAR PROFILES ATAR Profile Report for VTAC Round 1 Offers Selection Rank and ATAR data for all courses Download from DCC Website/Important Info/Year 12

SEAS and Scholarships

SEAS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) SEAS is the special consideration program used by most institutions Filling out a single SEAS application will cover all of your eligible preferences Primarily for students who have suffered long-term disadvantage Except: Category 1 (Personal Information and Location) – everyone should apply SEAS allows selection officers at institutions to grant special consideration for course entry to applicants. A single application for all eligible preferences

What can SEAS do? ATAR Offered a place? Mel 95.00 ATAR Yes Geri 90.00 ATAR + subject adjustment = 95.00 rank AJ 75.00 ATAR + SEAS = 86.00 rank Victoria 85.00 ATAR Emma 80.00 ATAR No Howie 70.00 ATAR SEAS does not exempt you from completing essential requirements and compulsory admission criteria. You must study course prerequisites, attend all interviews, sit any required tests, and submit all required folios and forms. SEAS is not a guaranteed entry scheme or reserved quota, but may allow you to gain entry to a course with a lower ATAR than otherwise Show how in the example from earlier, special consideration through SEAS allowed AJ to get an offer ahead of Emma, even though AJ’s ATAR was lower.

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) One application form covering special consideration for 27 institutions Does increase the selection rank of eligible applicants to compensate for disadvantage Consideration is applied in accordance with each institution’s policy, so may be different between courses. Institutions may refer to SEAS by other names, e.g. Access Melbourne, Access Monash SEAS is not a separate quota or pool of places. Selection is still competitive. SEAS does not exempt applicants from essential requirements and admission criteria, e.g. prerequisites The outcome of a SEAS application is confidential and not disclosed to the applicant.

All applicants (Y12 and NY12) can apply for SEAS Applying for SEAS SEAS application becomes available after a course application is submitted All applicants (Y12 and NY12) can apply for SEAS All of the categories will be on one page Apply for as many categories as are applicable, but do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

Personal information and location 2 Disadvantaged financial background SEAS Categories 1 Personal information and location 2 Disadvantaged financial background 3 Disability or medical condition 4 Difficult circumstances

Category 1 – Personal Information and Location Category 1 includes: Age Gender Living or school location Recognition as an Indigenous Australian Under-represented schools Non-English speaking background First in family to attend university Consideration for circumstances based on information applicants have already provided (no documentation needed). Applying for Category 1 is as simple as giving permission and answering a simple question. All applicants should apply for this category.

Category 2 – Disadvantaged financial background Education impacted by disadvantaged financial background, for example: Individual or family poverty Excessive financial obligations Economic hardship Not limited to applicants in receipt of Centrelink benefits. Applicants who are not in receipt of Centrelink benefits must submit an impact statement and a statement of support

Category 3 – Disability or medical condition Educational disadvantage as a result of a disability or medical condition experienced by the applicant. Must provide an impact statement and a statement of support from a health practitioner that details the condition, its duration and impact. Important to start making appointments early to ensure statements of support are ready before the closing date. Impact statement Statement of support

Category 4 – Difficult Circumstances Education affected by family or life events Examples include: Disruption to living situation Illness of a friend of family member Affected by death of relative/friend Natural disaster Bullying Issues associated with refugee circumstances Issues associated with gender identity Impact statement Statement of support

Impact statement – written by applicant SEAS documentation Where needed: Financial evidence – receipt of Centrelink benefit or Family Tax Benefit Impact statement – written by applicant Statement of support – written by relevant responsible person Impact statements without an accompanying statement of support will not be considered. For more information about SEAS documentation, visit www.vtac.edu.au More information and examples online

What to include in supporting statements Focus on the educational impact Both impact and supporting statements are in two sections: Description of circumstances (500 characters) Educational impact (1500 characters) – how has it affected your ability to study, your concentration and attention, your ability to attend school, complete assessments and SAC’s etc Download our one-page fact sheet which can be provided to e.g. doctors for some background information about SEAS and what to include. You can download this statement from the DCC careers website -Important Information/Year 12

Uploading SEAS and scholarship Documents

New: combined upload option As long as both applications have been submitted, a student can now add a document to both SEAS and Scholarships with a single upload Single upload SEAS supporting documents Scholarships supporting documents

NEW: Advisory date for documentation verification For SEAS applications and documentation submitted prior to 27 September 2018: Any uploaded documents will be verified by VTAC staff and “approved” or “rejected” in advance of the SEAS closing date Any CRNs provided to VTAC which do not return benefit information will be identified, and applicants notified Documents can still be submitted until the 12 October closing date, but these may not be reviewed by VTAC staff until after the closing date (i.e. there is no opportunity to resubmit if a document is illegible etc.)

NEW: Combined deadline for SEAS and Scholarships There is now a single closing date for SEAS and Scholarships: 5pm, Friday 12 October 2018 Deadlines apply to both the application and all necessary supporting documentation

VTAC Scholarships One VTAC Scholarship application, completed online, covers many different scholarships Students are automatically matched to eligible scholarships based on the information they have entered and the courses they have applied for Key messages for students: Scholarships are not just for academic high achievers One VTAC scholarships application, many available scholarships

Direct Application Scholarships Download the scholarship brochure or access the scholarship link from the institutions webpage to see what scholarships are available Many different scholarships and bursaries – make sure you check out what is available and apply.

Scholarships Resource A comprehensive list of Merit Scholarships for Universities and tertiary institutions in Victoria and across Australia is outlined in the Scholarship Resource on the DCC careers website – Important Information/Year 12 tab

More information Need help? Call VTAC on (03) 9926 1020 Email us through your VTAC account Send VTAC a Facebook message More information Step-by-step info on the VTAC website Articles in the VTAC Year 11 & Year 12 Guide (printed copies at school or free PDF online) Fact sheets on the VTAC website Short videos on our YouTube channel