11 September 2020
Year 12 Tertiary applications
Applications for university entry in most states of Australia opened on Monday 3 August and close on Wednesday 30 September. All Year 12 students have been provided with resources to support their applications and the Careers Counsellor has conducted sessions with the Year 12s to explain the application process 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 students wishing to discuss their plans for 2021 and beyond, or who 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.
Flinders University – Year 11 subject results pathway
Flinders University has just announced an admissions pathway based on a Year 12 student’s Year 11 results. There are some key features and timelines for this new admission pathway.
- It does not apply to all courses.
- Applies for SA, NT and students from border communities in Victoria and NSW.
- Any offer received is conditional on successful completion of Year 12 studies and meeting prerequisite requirements.
- Students need to apply online directly to Flinders University by 25 September. This can be done at https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/pathways/year-12-entry/year-11-grades-admission-pathway. This weblink also provides a consent ‘form’ for parents to complete so that the School can release Year 11 results to the University.
- Students need to apply to SATAC by 30 September, listing the Flinder University preferred course as preference one.
- The School will then be contacted separately at a later time to provide the results. For SACE students, PLP will not be included but RP will be included.
- All Year 12 boys have been sent a flyer that lists all the courses included in this scheme and the subject grades required.
- Any additional questions can be emailed to askflinders@flinders.edu.au.
- Parents and students have the opportunity to discuss individual circumstances with Flinders University during their online Preference Counselling Sessions, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Monday 7 to Wednesday 30 September. This will be facilitated via our Open Day online platform in the form of online chat. More information is available online at https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/high-school-students.html.
University of Adelaide – Medicine and Dentistry interviews
The processes for domestic interviews for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Oral Health are changing this year. As a result of COVID-19, all domestic interviews for the 2021 intake will be conducted via video conferencing only. This includes applicants who currently reside in South Australia. These interviews will be conducted by Zoom. The University will contact applicants who receive an offer for an interview with further information and links to access Zoom.
M D & R D Elliott MBE Scholarship: available for a current St Peter’s College Year 12 student who has accepted a place in the medical faculty of an Australian university for 2021. Applications forms which include details of the selection criteria are available from the Senior School Office and are also posted on Keystone with a learning resource ID of JQ9ZXS. Applications must be submitted to Ms Ennis in the Senior School Office by Tuesday, 27 October.
Leonard William Bakewell Law Scholarship: available for a current Year 12 student, who has accepted a place, whether immediate or reserved, in the law faculty of an Australian university for 2021. Applications forms which include details of the selection criteria are available from the Senior School Office and are also posted on Keystone with a learning resource ID of JQ9ZXS. Applications must be submitted to Ms Ennis in the Senior School Office by Tuesday, 27 October.
Mining scholarships
There have been two new scholarships announced. They are available for talented Year 12 STEM students hoping to study either Mining Engineering or Petroleum Engineering in 2021. The Playford Trust Mining and Petroleum Engineering Scholarships, funded by the resources industry and the South Australian Government, are for students commencing studies in either of these two disciplines in 2021 at the University of Adelaide. The scholarships are worth $10,000 per annum for both the first and second years of study. Applications open shortly, but students considering this option are encouraged to register at https://playfordtrust.com.au/contact-us/ so potential applicants can receive further advice. Applications close 22 January 2021. Additional information on the Playford Trust and its scholarships can also be found on this website https://playfordtrust.com.au/.
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 University, 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 University 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
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.
TAFE SA
Applications are now open for TAFE SA. View a video outlining some of the TAFE options available.
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 of 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.
University of Adelaide Campus Tours
The University is inviting Year 12 students and their families to visit our North Terrace campus in September. There will be an opportunity to view facilities and chat in-person to current students and staff about studying at the university. Tours will start at 4.00 pm on:
- Monday 14 September – Business and Law
- Tuesday 15 September – Architecture, Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences
- Wednesday 16 September – Sciences
- Wednesday 16 September – Health and Medical Sciences (from 3.45 pm)
- Thursday 17 September – Humanities, Social Sciences, Music and Teaching
Registration is essential. To find out more and register, please go to https://www.adelaide.edu.au/openday/?.
Applying for entry into Medicine and Dentistry courses in Australia
Students considering applying for undergraduate entry into medicine/dentistry courses are reminded that many of these courses do not allow late applications and may have extra application requirements. These requirements may require a school reference or other contributions from the School. To ensure that the School can complete and submit any additional requirements before the closing date for applications, it is very important that the institutional requirements and timelines are met by any potential applicants.
Flinders University Medicine – students apply via SATAC by 30 September. No extra application requirements.
Adelaide University Medicine & Dentistry – students apply via SATAC by 30 September. No extra application requirements unless applying for a rural based place.
NT Medical Program Charles Darwin University – students apply via SATAC by 30 September. No extra application requirements
Monash University Medicine – students apply via VTAC by 30 September. No extra application requirements.
Uni of NSW medicine – students apply via UAC and on the Uni of NSW medicine website by 30 September.
Uni of Tasmania Medicine – students apply direct to UTAS by 30 September. No extra application requirements.
Bond University Medicine – students apply via QTAC in mid-January 2020. No UCAT required. Course starts in April/May.
Uni of Queensland Medicine – Provisional entry as the course is graduate entry, but has an undergraduate entry path. Apply via QTAC by 30 September. No extra application requirements.
Uni of Sydney Medicine – combined degree entry. The course is graduate entry but has an undergraduate entry path. No UCAT required. Students apply by 30 September to UAC. No initial extra application requirements.
Griffith Uni Medicine – students apply via QTAC by 30 September. Successful applicants do an initial 2 year degree at Griffith Uni first. No UCAT required. No extra application requirements.
Uni of WA Medicine – students apply via TISC by 30 September. The medicine course is graduate entry, but has an ‘assured pathway’ into this course. No extra application requirements.
Uni of Melbourne Medicine – apply for Chancellor’s program in Biomedicine or Science via VTAC before 30 September. No UCAT required.
Western Sydney Uni medicine – students apply via UAC by 30 September.
James Cook Uni medicine and dentistry – students submit an application form to JCU (available online) AND apply via QTAC by 30 September. No UCAT is required. The additional application forms need to be downloaded from the JCU website. There is an application form and a school prediction form. Applicants complete the personal and other details on the school prediction form and forward it to Mr Colsey by 18 September. This deadline is to allow sufficient time for the School to complete and return the school prediction to JCU. Please note: the student part of the JCU application is quite detailed, requiring the applicant to provide extended responses. This part of the application also requires the applicant to sign their application in front of a Justice of the Peace or similar – a list of suitable witnesses is indicated in the application. Unlike medicine, no school prediction is required for dentistry at JCU.
Uni of Newcastle & Uni of New England joint medical program: applicants need to complete and send an application form (available online) to the University and apply via UAC by 30 September. No school reference is required.
Curtin University Medicine – apply by 30 September and a school reference form needs to be downloaded from the Curtin website. The personal and other details need to be completed on the form by the applicant and then be given to Mr Colsey by 18 September to allow sufficient time for the School to complete and submit the school reference to Curtin University.
Macquarie University Medicine – clinical science degree indirect pathway to graduate medicine (GAMSAT). Apply via UAC by 30 September. No UCAT.
La Trobe University – rural pathway. Biomedical Sc degree pathway to graduate medicine. Apply via VTAC by 30 September. No UCAT.
University of the Sunshine Coast – Medical Science clinical science degree pathway to graduate medicine. Apply via QTAC by 30 September. No UCAT, no interviews.
Charles Sturt Uni Dentistry –apply via UAC by 30 September. Additional application form required if applying as a rural or indigenous candidate.
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.
MEGT – Apprentice and Trainee vacancies
MEGT is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports local employers, apprentices, trainees, job seekers and students in facilitating apprenticeship opportunities. Details can be found at https://www.megt.com.au/ and to explore apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities, please visit their Job Board at https://www.megt.com.au/job-board.
Ormond (residential) College, University of Melbourne
Ormond College is the largest and oldest of the 10 residential colleges at The University of Melbourne. Applications are now open for 2021. The College will welcome any contact from prospective students and a flyer is available at https://www.ormond.unimelb.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Flyer-Ormond-for-schools.pdf that outlines many aspects of Ormond College, including a virtual tour. For more details, please go to https://www.ormond.unimelb.edu.au/.
Undergraduate Accountancy employment opportunity
The accountancy firm Tilbrook Rasheed is looking to appoint students to trainee accountant positions to commence in 2021 as a part of their Undergraduate Recruitment Program. The program involves working as a trainee accountant (getting experience and being paid) while studying commerce/accounting part time at a South Australian university. Details have been emailed to the Year 12s. Any boys interested in this as a career path, particularly Year 12 Accounting students, should see Mr Colsey for more details. Applications close on 18 September.
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/.
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.
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 – 29-30 September
- Biological and physical sciences (including sport sciences) – 16 October
- People studies and teaching (including psychology, sociology, geography, politics) – 23-24 October
- Maths, engineering and computing – 2-3 November
- Creative subjects – 13-14 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.
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.
Mark Colsey
Careers Counsellor