24 May 2019
Year 12 – Careers based interviews
Year 12 boys who completed a post school options survey in Term 1 are being rostered to attend an interview with the Careers Counsellor. These interviews aim to assist the boys with their career/study planning for 2020 and beyond. The interviews commenced in Week 9 of Term 1 and are expected to continue until at least Week 4 or 5 of Term 2. They are initial interviews, where the boys are able to discuss their plans, ask questions and explore different post school options. The boys are welcome to organise additional subsequent interviews as needed.
Australian National University (ANU) application and selection processes
ANU has changed the application requirements (including an earlier application deadline) and selection criteria for undergraduate courses. Undergraduate applications to study at ANU are now open and close on 31 May. Please note, applications to ANU are now made directly to the University. For details and to commence applications, go to http://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/domestic-applications-anu-undergraduate.
Bond University – Scholarships
Bond University’s Scholarship Program offers a number of full-fee and part-fee tuition remission scholarships. These scholarships are available to students who show leadership, academic excellence, sporting prowess, community involvement or ‘all round’ abilities. Scholarships available include:
- Vice-Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship – 100% tuition remission
- Bond University Indigenous Scholarship – up to 100% tuition remission
- Sporting Scholarships – up to 100% tuition remission
- Excellence Scholarship – 50% tuition remission
- Transformer Scholarship – 50% tuition remission
- Leadership Scholarship – 25% tuition remission
For scholarship and application details, please go to – https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply/scholarships.
Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA)
The PQA is a ‘test’ designed to assess a range of personal qualities considered to be important for the study and practice of medicine, dentistry and other health areas. The PQA is used by Adelaide University as a part of the selection process for international students for medicine and dentistry. The test is held in different centres on several dates during the year. Registration to sit the PQA is done via Adelaide University’s international applications website and must be made before 30 June. For more details, please go to www.pqa.net.au.
International Student Admission Test – ISAT
International students currently studying in Australia and who are considering applying for Medicine and/or Dentistry at some institutions in Australia, will need to sit the ISAT. ISAT is a three-hour computer-based test that is held at various times during the year. However, applicants MUST check with each institution to determine their deadline for the ISAT results. The following institutions use the ISAT:
- Monash University, Melbourne – Medicine
- Monash University, Malaysian campus – Medicine
- Flinders University, undergrad pathway to Medicine
- University of New South Wales (UNSW) – Medicine
- University of Queensland – Medicine
- University of Tasmania – Medicine
- University of Western Australia (UWA) – pathway to Medicine & Dentistry
- University of Western Sydney (UWS) – Medicine
For more information on the ISAT go to https://isat.acer.edu.au/about-isat
University of Adelaide student events
The Faculty of Arts at The University of Adelaide is holding two events, a Criminology Workshop on June 18 and a History Day Out on June 21. For students contemplating careers in criminology, policy development or in law enforcement, the Criminology session may assist in exploring these areas in more detail. The History Day Out session will explore careers as a historian, writer or archaeologist. For information on both events, please go to https://arts.adelaide.edu.au/events/list/2019/06.
Defence Forces Gap Year
Gap Year 2020 applications are now open. Interest in this Gap Year opportunity is usually very high. The Gap Year program is a great opportunity for 18 – 24-year olds to experience a diverse range of roles in the Australian Defence Forces, all with a one year sign on. Early applications are encouraged as each ADF role in the Gap Year program has a maximum capacity and when this capacity is reached, it is closed. For more information please go to https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/gap-year/
Australian Defence Force Academy – ADFA
Year 12 students considering applying for ADFA are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time for the application process. Year 11 students can also apply now. ADFA develops and educates the future leaders of the Navy, Army and Air Force. The program at ADFA combines military and leadership training with a recognised degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). There are a range of degrees available at ADFA: Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Technology. For more information, go to https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/australian-defence-force-academy.
Law Admission Test – Registrations now open
For students considering studying Law at UNSW will need to sit the Law Admission Test (LAT). LAT is a written test that is used to demonstrate a student’s aptitude and suitability for studying undergraduate Law at UNSW. A LAT score, in addition to academic results (e.g. ATAR + additional points) will be used in the selection process to allow us to better differentiate between the many high achieving applicants to Law. For more details, go to http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/LAT-FAQ. The test will be held on Thursday 3 October. Applications are now open.
UniTEST – Flinders University
uniTEST is an aptitude test that has been designed by ACER to assess the kinds of generic reasoning and thinking skills that are needed for students to achieve success in tertiary education. uniTEST assesses this reasoning and thinking across the broad domains of mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences. At Flinders, uniTEST is available for school leavers and has the potential to effectively improve an applicant’s selection rank as the uniTEST result is weighted at 40% and considered alongside the applicant’s ATAR (weighted at 60%) during the selection processes for Flinders Uni courses. For details about the test, go to https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/pathways/year-12-entry/unitest
References
Often students require school references for tertiary applications (in particular overseas applications) or residential college applications. The references can usually be categorised as being academic or personal/character type references. The School does have a policy to support students requiring a reference or to provide school-based referees. Any student requiring a reference or seeking a staff member to be a referee should contact the Careers Counsellor in the first instance. This process is in place so that the type of reference required can be ascertained and appropriate arrangements made to prepare a suitable reference. References, transcripts of results and academic statements cannot be prepared immediately. A minimum of two week’s notice is required to effectively prepare the reference, transcripts and/or academic statements, and students should factor this time requirement into their planning for applications.
Army Reserve Information Session and Experience
The Army Reserve is holding an Army Reserve Information Session & Experience (ARISE) at Keswick Barracks, Anzac Highway, Keswick, on Saturday 25 May 2019 from midday until 2.30 pm. The day will provide some insight into Army Reserve jobs and routines through some static and practical demonstrations for the attendees. Concurrently with this activity, the Army Museum at Keswick will be open from 10 am to 4 pm with free entry for this day only. Those planning on attending are asked to register their interest by emailing 9Bde.Recruiting@defence.gov.au to assist with the planning for the day.
Mark Colsey
Careers Counsellor