I’ve Submitted My VTAC Application, What Now?
Hopefully by now you have submitted a VTAC application with your dream course as your first preference and seven other courses that will lead you to helping the same (or similar) people in the same (or similar) way, or solving the same (or similar) problems.
Wait...what VTAC application?
If you want to enrol in a tertiary course in Victoria next year, you need to submit a VTAC application. This is how most places in courses in Victoria are offered to students (there are some private institutions that accept direct applications instead). Timely VTAC applications were due at the end of September, but if you haven’t submitted one yet, it doesn’t mean you’ve missed out. All you need to do to submit an application is go to the VTAC website, create and account and put at least one course into your preference list. You don’t have to pay yet, but you lock in the lower price as soon as you create your application.
Don’t settle.
You deserve to have an amazing career.
Let’s work out what it looks like and how you’re going to get there, no matter what results you get.
Together we’ll discuss your interests, strengths and options, get clear on what you’d like to pursue, and research tertiary courses and pathways so that when results are released you know exactly which pathway you can take to get where you want to go.
And you’ll have everything you need to figure it out in less than 2 weeks.
If you’re not 100% sure what you want to do when you’ve finished school, still get an application in as soon as possible. You can change your preferences right up until just before offers are released, so you’ve got time to do some research and work it all out.
If you haven’t submitted a VTAC application yet, stop right now and put a late application in before the price goes up again (then come back here for the rest of the tips…)
My application is in but I’m not happy with my preference list
If you’re still not sure what you want to do next year, firstly I want you to know that you’re in good company. Sometimes it seems like everyone else knows what they want to do, but the reality is that the people who do know are excited and so they talk about it more, whereas lots of students who are stressed about making a decision keep it to themselves.
The best way to work out what you want to do is to do some research. I know that exams are approaching and it feels like there’s not time to do anything else right now, but spending a couple of hours finding your dream course and working out pathways to get there will take away so much pressure, because you’ll be excited about next year and you’ll know that there are ways to get there no matter what results you get.
Be aware of pathway options
One way to make you feel confident and excited about next year is to know that there are multiple ways of getting where you want to go. When you’re looking at pathways you want to consider:
Courses that can help you get into your dream course
Courses that will result in you helping the same (or similar) people in the same (or similar) way, or solving the same (or similar) problems
Courses that you can do that have fewer or lower entry requirements (just in case!)
Knowing about these pathways means that you can work hard and prepare well for your exams with the understanding that, while doing well might be the easiest way to get to your dream course, it’s not the only way. You don’t need a better ATAR, you need a better plan. So work out what that plan could look like now.
If you’re worried about not meeting the entry requirements for your dream course, make sure you look at pathway options at the university you’d like to study at. Some of them offer diplomas or other short courses that will allow you to get into one of their bachelor courses upon completion (sometimes even straight into second year!)
Look after yourself
You’ve had a big year, and you’ve still got exams to come. Make sure that in amongst all of the studying and thinking about next year that you’re looking after yourself. Drink plenty of water, get some exercise, talk to your friends, eat healthy food and get some sleep. It will all work itself out!
