UAC Round Up

Much of what I am involved in at the moment is dealing with UAC questions for Year 12. Please find below answers to commonly asked questions as well as general information taken from the UAC website www.uac.edu.au

UAC Deadlines

• On-time applications close at midnight on Friday 30 September 2016. Cost is $41 Complete and submit you application by this date to avoid a higher processing charge (increases to $188)
• Main Round applications close at midnight on Friday 2 December 2016
• Final applications for Semester 2, 2017 close on Wednesday 12 July 2017
• Processing charge for 2016 Year 12 applicants (until 30 September 2016) is $41.00
• You should 
  • apply and pay by midnight on Friday 2 December 2016
  • provide all documents by 4.30pm on Friday 13 January 2017
• You can change preferences by midnight on Friday 6 January 2017.All undergraduate applicants will be unable to change course preferences between midnight Friday 6 January and 6pm Wednesday 18 January 2017
• Offers will be released on the UAC website at 6pm on Wednesday 18 January 2017

Questions and Answers

1. Can I check and change my preferences as often as I like?
   YES
2. Can I remove my preferences and add completely new ones?
   YES
3. Can I change my preferences after I get my ATAR?

YES and this is of critical importance.

1. Can I defer a place once it is offered?
   Deferment is a process decided by each institution but most institutions offer a 12-month deferment. Follow the institutions guidelines on their processes and do your research.
2. Should I be strategic in my preferences?
   Students get nine choices. Put them in order of your preference. If your ideal choice is currently listed as choice four you need to move it to choice one so that it becomes your first choice. UAC will then work through your list until an institution accepts your cut off for their course.
3. What happens if I do not get into any of my choices? 

You will need to apply in the subsequent rounds for options that are more realistic. In your preferences choose one towards the end as a back up – a course you are more certain of getting into … your plan B.

1. If I know a B.Business at UTS has a cut off of 90 does that mean if I get 90 that I will automatically get in?
   NO because the published cut offs were those from the 2016 entry. We never really know exactly what the new cut offs will be as you are competing in another year group. Use these numbers as a guide.
2. Can I put nine preferences, all for the same course at different institutions, for example, B.Science at UNSW; B.Science at Uni Sydney and B.Science at UTS?
   YES
3. Can I submit nine preferences all for the same University with nine different courses for example, B.Science at UNSW; B.Arts at UNSW and C.Comm at UNSW and so on?
   YES
4. Do I complete the EAS process and send it off?
   YES (usually with some school assistance) and only if it is applicable to you.
5. Can I apply to other states for Universities?
   YES but you need to follow the other states application system, for example, VTAC for Victoria, QTAC for Queensland etc (all very similar processes and dates). This means you get nine preferences for each State.

UAC is a much simpler process than people realise, so don’t feel daunted by it and just register to take the pressure off yourself, then at a later date you can change your preferences. Good luck!

Claire Pech