Concerning Careers

Year 12 Tertiary applications
Applications for university entry in most States of Australia opened on Monday August 3 and close on Wednesday 30 September. All Year 12 boys have been provided with resources to support their applications and the Careers Counsellor has conducted sessions with the Year 12s to explain the application processes and other considerations.

Interstate applications
Most applications to Tertiary Admission Centres (TAC) interstate have similar processes, arrangements and deadlines to the South Australian Tertiary Admission Centre. The Year 12 boys have been provided with some information on these applications because there are some differences, including applying for scholarships and for special entry arrangements. For any domestic students applying to VTAC, it is strongly recommended they also register for the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) in category 1, as this aspect covers an applicant’s living or school location, and this may apply to SA students that have to move to Victoria for study.

Any boys wishing to discuss their plans for 2021 and beyond or need any assistance with their applications can arrange to meet with the Careers Counsellor.

Resources to support tertiary applications can be found on Keystone – Learning Resource ID of JQ9ZXS.

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 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 is so 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 weeks notice is required to effectively prepare the reference, transcripts and/or academic statements, and students should factor this time requirement into any planning for applications.

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

University of Adelaide – music auditions
The Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide has announced that applications for all Music and Music Theatre degrees are now open and that in addition to the SATAC applications, applicants also need to apply for an audition. For more information and to apply for an audition, please go to: https://arts.adelaide.edu.au/music/study/auditions

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
• Bond University Indigenous Scholarship
• Sporting Scholarships
• Excellence Scholarship
• Leadership Scholarship

For scholarship and application details, please go to – https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply/scholarships. The scholarship applications have different closing dates, usually between 9 August and 6 September.

The University of NSW Co-op scholarship
The Co-op Program is a career development scholarship for high potential undergraduate students. It offers industry training, leadership and professional development, networking opportunities, mentoring and financial support of $19,600 p.a. tax free for up to four years. Australia’s leading companies take part in the training and professional development of the Co-op scholars with a view to recruiting high-potential young professionals. The scholarship is offered for study in many areas, including engineering, science and business. More details can be found at https://www.coop.unsw.edu.au/. Applications (https://www.coop.unsw.edu.au/apply) close on 30 September. The latest brochure can also be accessed here: https://www.coop.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/download/2021_Co-op_Brochure.pdf. The application may require applicants to prepare a short video ‘snapshot’ presentation. A School contribution is also required, so any boys intending to apply need to see Mr Colsey in the first instance.

St Andrew’s College
St Andrew’s is a residential college associated with the University of Sydney. applications for the St Andrew’s Scholars Program are closing on 31 August 2020. The scholarships offered as part of the Program provide full fee relief and are awarded for the entire duration of each student’s undergraduate degree.

To be eligible, students must:
Intend to study full-time at one of Sydney’s universities (including the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of NSW) next year.
Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen/permanent resident or the holder of an Australian humanitarian visa.
Be available for an interview with the selection panel in Sydney on 25 – 26 September 2020.

COVID-19 exemption: Ordinarily, applicants are also required to have a predicted ATAR of 95+ to be eligible to apply for the Scholars Program. However, if an applicant’s Year 12 studies have been detrimentally affected by the pandemic, the Selection Panel may deem it appropriate to lower the ATAR threshold commensurate with the detriment suffered. Scholarship details can be found at https://www.standrewscollege.edu.au/scholarships-3/ .

Studying in the UK
Applications for most UK universities can be commenced now and submitted from the beginning of September 2020. Applications for Oxford, Cambridge and for courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Science close on the 15 October. Other key dates can be found at www.ucas.com/apply/key-dates. Students wishing to apply for a full-time undergraduate course at university or college must use the UCAS online service called ‘Apply’. Apply is a secure, web-based application system which is available 24 hours a day. The UCAS application process is outlined at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-getting-started. Students considering tertiary study in the UK will benefit from registering for the UCAS Hub (https://www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options/create-your-ucas-hub-today) which will allow students to easily explore tertiary options, commence planning their Personal Statement and provides a ‘to – do’ list.

The School is a registered UCAS Centre. Consequently, the Careers Counsellor will need to guide the applicant for the initial set up their UCAS application, which includes the issuing of a buzzword to the applicant. This buzzword will allow them to apply and link their applications to the Centre. While the deadline for most UCAS applications is in early January, to guarantee that the all the documentation can be submitted by the School, the UCAS application must be completed by the student by the last day of the school year – Friday 4 December 2020. The British Council provides information and advice on studying in the UK, go to www.educationuk.org/Higher-Education for this information. There are also numerous resources available to prospective students and their parents on Keystone – learning resource ID of 8WPSZ9.

US College sport scholarships – NCAA
The NCAA Eligibility Centre has released a new guide on the academic standards required by potential student athletes. The guide is available here: http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/International_Information/International_Guide.pdf. Please go to page 47 for information specific to South Australia. For parents, students or coaches who wish to make contact with the Eligibility Centre to have any questions addressed, please go to http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/ncaa-eligibility-center-international-contact-form.

Torrens University – Bright Awards
The Bright Awards is a ‘prize’ competition for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who are creative and wish to submit their work for consideration. The competition provides an opportunity for the student to have his work recognised by industry professionals. The Bright Awards are designed to highlight emerging talent across Australia, with winners for 2020 receiving a $1,000 prize and $3,000 for their school. For more details, please go to https://www.billyblue.edu.au/apply/bright-awards?. Entries close 16 November 2020.

The following information outlines how institutions are engaging/communicating with potential students and families in an online mode, including Open Days.

Monash University Open Day
The Monash University Open Day will be an interactive digital experience held over three days: Saturday 29 August 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, Sunday 30 August 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, and Monday 31 August 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Even though an online event, participants will receive a unique look into Monash life as a student via:

• Interactive Q&A panels, online lectures and information sessions about courses, student life, scholarships and support services
• Live chat with current Monash students, alumni, academics and support staff to have their questions answered
• Virtual campus tours and walk-throughs of buildings and learning spaces
• A 360-degree immersive display of the award-winning A Future Without Change exhibition
• A swag bag of digital course guides and brochures
• Student ambassadors to help guide their digital experience on the day

Students will have the flexibility to personalise their experience to match their interests, and the freedom to explore our campuses at their own pace, from home. Students interested in attending Open Day 2020 should register at https://www.monash.edu/open-day?utm_campaign=openday2020 and will also receive event updates.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) study pathways
CDU is offering online information on the institution’s study options and pathways to the University. This can be found at: https://www.careersevent.com/seminar/charles-darwin-university-your-study-pathways/.

UNSW Virtual Open Day
This will be held on Saturday, 5 September. Open Day will include streamed info sessions on degrees, entry requirements and admissions, the chance to connect digitally for a one on one conversation with educators, admissions, scholarships and student experience experts. For details, please go to https://www.futurestudents.unsw.edu.au/openday?.

Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)
AIE is holding an information evening on Wed 16^th September. There will be two sessions: 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm and 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The evening will include presentations on different areas of industry to get into as well as information about AIE full-time and part-time courses and entry requirements. For more information, please go to: https://aie.edu.au/aie_event/information-evening/?

CDW Open Days
These are being held on Saturday 29 August at the CDW studios, Level 4 of the Myer Centre in Rundle Mall. There will be three separate sessions and due to covid restrictions bookings are essential. The sessions are 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Details available at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cdw-studios-open-day-tickets-115449413303.

University of Tasmania Virtual Open Day
This is being held between Friday 28 August and Sunday 30 August. Details can be found at https://www.utas.edu.au/open-day?

UCAS (UK) Virtual Exhibitions
UCAS is conducting virtual exhibitions that are designed to help students focus their research within their chosen subject area. The details are:

• Business, law, and finance – 29 to 30 September
• Biological and physical sciences (including sport sciences) – 16 October
• People studies and teaching (including psychology, sociology, geography, politics) – 23 to 24 October
• Maths, engineering and computing – 2 to 3 November
• Creative subjects – 13 to 14 November

Students interested in exploring these study areas in the UK need to register at www.ucas.com/virtual-exhibitions. These exhibitions allow students and parents to explore courses at numerous universities and colleges all around the UK. There will also be a chance to speak directly to key subject specialists, teaching staff and admissions experts, listen to topical seminars and ask questions, and pick up digital prospectus’ and gain other information.

Adelaide Central School of Art
The Adelaide Central School of Art is holding an Open Day on Saturday 29 August from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the campus (with social distancing measures in place), hear from lecturers and talk to current students. More details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/760994047981998/.

The following information outlines alternative entry arrangements that institutions have made in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Western Sydney University (WSU): alternative entry
Due to the pandemic, Western Sydney University is establishing an alternative entry pathway for admission to the University based on the best results from Year 11 or Year 12. Called the HSC True Reward Early Offer Program. Students interested in the program will need to register with the University. Details can be found at https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward.html?cid=em:2020.

University of Tasmania: School’s Recommendation Program
The University of Tasmania has introduced a School’s Recommendation Program. This program is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by any challenges they face this year. The program aims to give students confidence in completing Year 12 and receiving a university place in 2021. Students can apply now directly to the University of Tasmania and be considered for this program. The School will then submit additional information required. Please note: not all degrees are covered by this program. For more information, please go to:https://www.utas.edu.au/undergraduate-study/your-path-to-2021.

Torrens University Early Entry Program
Students can apply for a place at Torrens University Australia through their Early Entry Program, with no obligation. Eligible students will receive a conditional offer for 2021, before receiving their ATAR. Early Entry is open to all Year 12 students in NSW, QLD and SA. Torrens University class sizes are small and can fill quickly via this pathway. For more details, please go to https://www.torrens.edu.au/apply-online/early-entry-program?

Mark Colsey
Careers Counsellor