Change of preference 2014 (low res)

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

Change of Preference

A gui guide to higher education Dates to remember

Back-up plans are essential Graeme Crosbie will be one of many school careers advisors ready to counsel Year 12 graduates on course pathways during the Change of Preference period.

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Wanganui Park Secondary College careers counsellor Graeme Crosbie said he had yet to meet a student who did not have a good option for their tertiary study.

However, he said with the surge of emotions that coincided with receiving VCE results and ATAR scores, students might not be aware of what pathways were available to them at that moment.

He advised students not to be disheartened if their result did not meet their expectations, but to realise there were numerous pathways to a qualification. “(Students should) give (themselves) 24 hours to process the result if they need, and in the second 24 hours, they should work on getting as much information as they can,” Mr Crosbie said.

“We are hoping the students will have looked at their options before the results even come out. It is really

important that they have not just a plan A, but a plan B and C as well.

“Research beforehand can include visiting the VTAC website, contacting the university or TAFE, or having a conversation with a careers counsellor.”

Mr Crosbie said the Change of Preference period allowed students to explore the different options available for career pathways, and they had one week to change their preference in relation to their ATAR score.

Universities have change of preference telephone hotlines available to students. Check individual university websites for further details.

Guidelines for the Change of Preference period can be found at www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au or www.vtac.com.au Change of preference closes at noon on December 22.

Speak to the careers counsellor at your school.

If your ATAR is lower than expected, look at other pathways to your chosen field of study.

higher entry requirements because they were more popular, whereas a local or regional option may have a more achievable entry requirement.

Students may also be able to use TAFE or a training qualification as a pathway to higher education at university, or they may be able to study a different course to gain credits needed for entry into their first study choice.

“Every university has established pathways for almost all courses,” Mr Crosbie said.

Although, he advised students not to wait until the closing date of December 22 to make a decision, because the system could become congested.

Students may also look at taking a break and exploring their field of interest, particularly if they are not certain of what road they wish to take.

“Looking at different universities that offer that same qualification may be an option,” he said.

“They may do that through employment, or a completely different course, and then they may wish to reapply in about August next year for a mid-year offer.”

Mr Crosbie said courses in metropolitan areas tended to have

November 24 Change of Preference opens at 9 am on the VTAC website.

December 15 VCE and ATAR results available from 7 am online and through the post from Tuesday, December 16.

La Trobe University’s Change of Preference Advisory Week, Shepparton campus, is from December 15 to December 19, 9 am to 5 pm. Register at www.latrobe.edu.au/events/ all/change-of-preference-studyconsultations December 17 Monash University’s Change of Preference Expo, Caulfield campus, 3 pm to 7 pm, register at the university’s website.

University of Melbourne’s Course Information Day, Parkville campus in Melbourne, 10 am to 2.30 pm, register at the university’s website.

December 22 Change of Preference closes at noon on the VTAC website (except for CY12 QLD, WA, IB and NZ NCEA).

January 19 Round one offers released by email at 2 pm — each university will have specific dates by which you must accept or defer your offer.

February 5 Round two offers released by email at 2 pm — each university will have specific dates by which you must accept or defer your offer.

February 23 to 27 University orientation week — check with individual universities for specific dates and activities.

More information: If you are confused about your VCE or ATAR results, phone the Post Results and ATAR Service on 9032 1717 or tollfree 1800 653 080; or email pras@edumail.vic.gov.au from 7 am to 5 pm on December 15, and 9 am to 5 pm on December 16 and 17.

VCE GRADUATE

Keen to live on campus Ally Flynn hopes to pursue her interest in nursing at La Trobe University in Bendigo next year.

Ally Flynn wants to study nursing at La Trobe University in Bendigo because it is an opportunity to expand on her interest in the field of health.

The 2014 Notre Dame College school captain, 18, said she would like to specialise in midwifery, which means an extra year of study, taking the course length to four years in total.

“I have family members who are nurses, but I have always had an interest in health and I would like to help others,” Ally said.

“I did work experience at a hospital in Year 10 and I loved it.”

She said she was excited about the prospect of living in the residence at the university.

“None of my friends are planning on going to Bendigo, they are all set on going to

Melbourne,” Ally said.

“I think living on campus will be a great way to meet new people.”

Ally studied psychology, health, maths, English and biology in Year 12, and undertook VCE outdoor education in Year 11.

Ally said she felt confident in a way about her exams and said her back-up plan would be to study nursing through the TAFE system.

“I’ve looked into it and you can study it here in Shepparton,” she said.

As the first person in her family to go to university, Ally said the application process had been somewhat daunting.

“It was a bit hard because I didn’t have someone who has been through the system to tell me what to do,” she said.

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

Change of Preference 2014 VCE GRADUATE

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A guide to higher education

Medical student well travelled on career journey

Sabiena van Es studied at the University of Melbourne Rural Clinical School in Shepparton for two years.

Beth Prosser has her eye on a career behind the camera.

Many courses incorporate area of interest Mooroopna Secondary College graduate Beth Prosser, 18, has applied for a degree in film and television, but plans on deferring her studies until 2016.

“I am taking a gap year to work, get some money together and to have a break from studying,” she said.

“I am also hoping to travel, to go on a trip to Europe with one of my friends, and to visit family that I have there.”

She studied English, literature, further maths, media, and health and human development.

Beth said it was a Year 9 media class, which her sister recommended she should do, that sparked her interest in media.

“I ended up really enjoying it and I just stuck to it throughout (secondary school), it’s just something that I really enjoy,” she said.

“In Year 10 I did work experience at the Shepparton News to look at journalism as well.

“I am really interested in media and behindthe-camera production work.”

She said her top preferences were to study at Swinburne University in Melbourne or Deakin University in Geelong.

However, as a plan B she has also applied for general media courses as well.

“I am lucky because it is quite a broad field so I was able to apply for other courses that are related, and the ATAR scores are all different for each one.”

Sabiena van Es has taken a circuitous route to gain her medical degree, travelling from the Netherlands to Bathurst in NSW, Tasmania and Shepparton in pursuit of her goal.

Dutch-born Sabiena arrived in Australia in 2005, fresh from graduating high school and intent on pursuing her education as an international student.

Having studied biology, physics and maths, Sabiena enrolled in a Human Movement course at Charles Sturt University and eventually transferred to the University of Tasmania with her then-partner.

Sabiena said around this time her father — who was sponsoring her expensive international education — fell ill and she was unable to continue.

“I did not want to stop studying though, so enrolled in a diploma in Laboratory Technique at TAFE Tasmania. I completed the diploma and worked as a laboratory technician for just over a year,” Sabiena said.

Credit for her previous studies allowed Sabiena to complete a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in two years at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus in Geelong before she decided medicine was an option.

Excellent results in the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) saw Sabiena accepted into the four-year postgraduate Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Melbourne.

It included two years of study at the Rural Clinical School in Shepparton.

Following her graduation Sabiena said she had no regrets going into medicine as a mature-aged student.

“I believe I will be a well-rounded doctor with my experiences out of the university system and would make the same choices again if I had to,” Sabiena said.

Shepparton Rural Health Academic Centre events, community engagement and alumni administrator Di Doyle said to gain access to the new

NOW’S THE TIME

Doctor of Medicine, students had to complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline with prerequisite second-year subjects of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.

For more information visit www. sc.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/ prerequisites Access Melbourne assists school leavers who attend the final two years of school living outside Melbourne or Geelong or are from a disadvantaged financial background. Some conditions apply.

They require lower ATAR scores than metropolitan students to be guaranteed a place at University of Melbourne in the following fields of study: *78 or above — the arts, environment or science *88 or above — commerce *95 or above — biomedicine For more information phone Di Doyle on 5823 4512 or email ddoyle@unimelb.edu.au

To help you make the right choice about your future, book a Change of Preference one-on-one study consultation at our Shepparton Campus.

Talk face-to-face or over the phone with

Change of Preference One-On-One Study Consultations

our specialist staff and current students about

MONDAY 15 - FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER 9AM - 5PM

all your questions.

Shepparton Campus, 210 Fryers St, Shepparton CRICOS Provider 00115M

your study options, they’ll be there to answer

REGISTER NOW

latrobe.edu.au/advisoryday

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

Change of Preference 2014

A guide to higher education

TAFE offers pathway in beauty therapy GOTAFE offers nationally recognised qualifications, hundreds of courses, and teaches practical hands-on skills that increase students’ employability.

Cobram’s Lizette Mezenberg is one of the 25 000 students who enrol at GOTAFE each year.

gave her invaluable handson experience in her field of interest.

supportive environment and well-sized classes also made GOTAFE an appealing option.

“I was able to try out studying at TAFE while I was still completing my secondary education; I really liked that,” Lizette said.

“I would definitely encourage other people to consider studying at GOTAFE,” she said.

Lizette, 19, is undertaking a diploma in beauty therapy at the Shepparton campus.

“I originally started out studying hairdressing, but I decided it wasn’t for me, so I changed to a course in beauty instead.”

She began her studies at GOTAFE while she was a student at Cobram Secondary College, and incorporated it as part of her VCE, which she completed last year.

After graduating from high school, her study load at TAFE increased to three days per week, and she currently commutes from Cobram to attend classes.

“I studied maths, English, design technology and visual communication in Year 12,” she said.

“The campus is close to home and that is a definite advantage, I didn’t have to worry about relocating and the cost of living away from home,” she said.

“The fifth subject I did was TAFE part-time, which I attended for one day per week at GOTAFE’s Shepparton campus.”

Lizette said studying at TAFE had opened her eyes to the best of both worlds and

Theory work in the diploma of beauty is mixed with practical experience in the salon, and students learn practices such as application of Shellac and gel nails, make-up and massage.

Lizette said the friendly and

“Especially if you can do it so close to home, I think it’s a way better option than relocating, and it is flexible.”

Lizette said the diploma would qualify her to work as a beauty therapist in a salon or spa.

GOTAFE campuses in regional Victoria are located at Shepparton, Wangaratta, Seymour, Benalla, Terang, Warragul and Werribee.

You can gain credit towards a university degree with GOTAFE and the study options are flexible, including on campus, online or mixed.

Lizette Mezenberg is studying a diploma in beauty services at GOTAFE.

For a full list of available courses visit gotafe.vic.edu. au or phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233) or email enquiry@gotafe.vic.edu.au

Shepparton students proud to study locally One-on-one support and smaller class sizes are among the many advantages that studying at a regional or rural location can offer, according to students Elsie Dunning and Xavier Graham.

Elsie, 21, and Xavier, 20, are both undertaking a three-year bachelor of nursing degree at La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus.

“The best thing about studying here in Shepparton is the small classes and the fact that you know the facilitators, and they know you by your name,” Elsie said.

“They can see if you are struggling and then they will refer you on to someone who can help such as a mentor.

“It is more of a sensitive environment for your learning needs and that works for me, plus it is really friendly and small.”

The Violet Town resident, who completed her VCE at Euroa Secondary College, said not having to relocate was another advantage.

“Starting university was a big enough change for me that I didn’t need to move out and struggle doing a fulltime course, to find a place to live and to work out my finances,” she said.

“I still live at home and I just drive across every day and that works for me and I can just focus my attention on my study.”

Her interest in nursing stemmed from a young age and she said the field just

stood out to her.

“I was in Year 9 and my mum and I were just throwing around ideas about what I could do and nursing came up, I just thought, ‘Yes, this is what I want to do’.”

Elsie began her degree in 2012, but after sustaining a broken foot in 2013, which hindered her ability to complete work placement, she deferred for a year and completed her second year of study this year.

“I’ve done placement at Goulburn Valley Base Hospital, I did community nursing in Benalla and I also did placement at the community mental health centre in Seymour,” Elsie said.

“I am not sure which area I like the best — I am just keeping an open mind.”

Xavier completed Year 12 at Notre Dame Secondary College.

“I stumbled into nursing, I applied for paramedics and I didn’t get the score I needed to go straight into that course,” he said.

“I went into nursing because you can transfer.”

However, he said after he sustained a football injury and had to go to hospital, his eyes were opened to nursing.

“I found that I liked nursing, I would like to work in the emergency department and my mum was a theatre nurse, so I would like to give that a go,” he said.

Studying in Shepparton has made the transition to tertiary education a lot easier for Xavier Graham and Elsie Dunning.

“I may still do paramedics in the future — it is two extra years on top of the nursing degree.”

Xavier has completed placement at Goulburn Valley Base Hospital and at Mansfield Hospital.

“You learn so much on placement and (you get to consolidate what you have learnt),” Xavier said.

Xavier said the local option was a clear choice for him, being just a twominute drive from home and having plenty of support networks close by.

But he also said it was seeing his brother, who studied accounting

at the Shepparton campus, obtain his first job locally after finishing university which inspired him to study at the same university.

Both students looked at Melbourne universities as study options, but chose Shepparton as their first preference.

“I think there is an idea that because the university is rural there are not enough resources and that it is not the same course, but it is,” Elsie said.

“Plus on top of all that we have pretty high-tech equipment and we get a lot of help when we need it.”

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

Change of Preference 2014

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A guide to higher education

VCE GRADUATES

Not ready to move away just yet

Callum Green is looking to turn his long held interest in digital art into a career.

Interest leads to possible career path Shepparton High School graduate Callum Green, 17, might not work with a paint brush or pencil, but he is following his field of interest in art.

Callum’s equipment of choice is a tablet “drawing pad”, where he completes his digital artwork.

He studied studio art, media, English, further maths, psychology, and fasttracked literature in Year 11, as part of VCE. His first preference is to study fine arts at the University of Melbourne next year.

“I don’t know exactly what I want to be yet, but I know it is something to do with art,” Callum said.

“This degree will allow me to practise studio-based work, and to trial different mediums.”

His sister, Krystal, is currently studying at the University of Melbourne, and Callum said she helped him through the application process.

For his interview at the university this month, he provided a minimum of 20 art works, and three folios.

Callum said he had considered taking a gap year, but the University of Melbourne did not allow Year 12 applicants to defer.

“I figure if I don’t get in, I will take a year off and then reapply next year,” he said.

Callum said completing work experience at Prominent Group in Shepparton had given him insight into the graphic design industry.

“It was a pretty good experience; it is a career field I would consider.”

Wanganui Park Secondary College graduate Jasmine Wright plans to defer her tertiary education and take a gap year to earn money and gain some experience outside of study.

Jasmine said she made this decision fairly early this year, because she felt she wasn’t Jasmine Wright is planning to take a gap ready to leave home yet to year before going to relocate for study. university.

While the stress of exams is no longer looming, she said the wait for results had been suspenseful.

“They have a great psychology “It is going so slowly; I just want course and Geelong is a bit more to get the results, it feels like it’s of a country town compared to so far away,” Jasmine said.

Melbourne,” she said.

“I think I will do pretty well, I worked pretty hard so I’m hoping “Everyone that I have spoken to that has studied there said they that shows.” loved it.”

Jasmine studied health and human development, psychology, Jasmine plans to live on campus English, maths methods and when she goes to university. legal studies.

“I know one or two people who She hopes to start her university are planning to go to Deakin degree in 2016.

University, but most of my “I would definitely like to study friends have applied for La Trobe something health related, like University in Bendigo,” she said. psychology or something in that “I think living on campus would kind of area,” she said. make it a lot easier to meet Her first preference is to study a bachelor of psychology at Deakin people and make new friends, University in Geelong. rather than living on your own.”

ONLINE COURSE INFORM ATION DAY 18 DECEMBER 2014 COP.UNIMELB.EDU.AU

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

Change of Preference 2014

A guide to higher education

VCE GRADUATES

Gap year offers chance for extra study

Catherine Fonte hopes to pursue her interest in law at university in Melbourne next year.

Courtney Bruton, 17, is planning on deferring her university studies for 12 months, although she won’t be idle.

The Shepparton Christian College VCE graduate will continue to work part-time while she undertakes Certificate Four in Youth Work at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE.

Setting the bar for a career in law Mooroopna’s Catherine Fonte has her sights set firmly on a career in law.

The McGuire College graduate, 17, completed English, literature, maths, legal studies and psychology as part of her VCE. In Year 11 she also fast-tracked outdoor education and legal studies; and she took the latter subject again in Year 12 to achieve a higher score necessary for entry into her chosen university.

“When I repeated legal studies I found it so much easier and I did a lot better; I did heaps better the second time,” Catherine said.

“I got a good score the first time but it was not as high as I needed to get into law, which is why I repeated it.

“I definitely would encourage other students going into their last years at school to do a VCE subject, I found when I got to Year 12 it was just a lot less stress knowing I had already completed two subjects.”

Her first preference is to study a double degree, a Bachelor of Arts and Law, at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.

“I went to all different university open days but I went to ACU twice, it is just the one that I really loved,” Catherine said.

“Everyone was friendly, it was really welcoming.”

Her plan B if she doesn’t get the score she needs to get into law first off is to study a straight arts degree, and then transfer into law.

The thought of a gap year crossed her mind briefly, however she said given the course took five years to complete, she wanted to make a start as soon as possible.

Catherine said ACU in Melbourne did not have a residence on campus but she hoped to find accommodation with her sister, who will be transferring to Melbourne from La Trobe University in Bendigo next year.

Study Medicine Locally

Courtney studied philosophy, English literature, maths methods and history (revolutions) in Year 12 and fast-tracked psychology and Vetamorphus — Certificate Three in Christian ministry and theology — in Year 11.

Her eventual aim is to enrol in a double degree bachelor course in criminology and psychology at Deakin University’s Geelong campus.

“I’ve always had a passion for people and I think psychology could lead me into so many fields; schools, social work or youth work,” Courtney said.

During Year 12 Courtney balanced

her studies with other interests including music, tenpin bowling and part-time work. She encouraged future Year 12 students to adopt the same approach.

“I would tell them to really enjoy that last year, you do have to make some sacrifices for your study, but you also have to have a social outlet as well,” Courtney said.

Courtney said she was reasonably happy with her exams and throughout the year was driven by wanting to achieve the best possible ATAR score.

Healthy approach to balancing study and life With her keen interest in the field of health, it is no surprise that Eloise Vaughan saw the need to balance her VCE revision with sport and life outside of study.

The Goulburn Valley Grammar School graduate, 18, studied English, maths methods, biology, chemistry and physical education while also engaging in extra-curricular activities, training for competitive cycling, and swimming for leisure.

“I think you have to make sure you have a balance, and being involved in all these things teaches you time management,” she said.

“I had sport every day and involvement in the students’ representative council and I managed my time well to incorporate study.”

RURAL HEALTH ACADEMIC CENTRE 49 Graham St, Shepparton T: 03 5823 4500 Email: rhac-info@unimelb.edu.au Like us on facebook.com/ruralhealthacademiccentre Visit our website www.ruralhealth.unimelb.edu.au

Courtney Bruton will undertake a TAFE certificate course during her university gap year.

Eloise Vaughan is interested in health science.

“I have always had an interest in the functioning of the human body because of my sport interest, and I did work experience at Nathalia Hospital in Year 10 and I loved that.

“Plan B would be to do a general science course, because that is a lower ATAR, and it is still a really good course, and it opens pathways.”

Eloise is a University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar and said this had given her good exposure to university life.

While she wasn’t 100 per cent sure if she would go straight to university, Eloise said she was interested in health science.

“It is really appealing to go to the University of Melbourne; I like the colleges, the location, and it is a prestigious university,” she said.

“I am not entirely sure if I want to go in the physiotherapy or medicine direction; that is why I am thinking a biomedicine degree would be a good course,” she said.

Eloise said it was hard to gauge how she went in her exams but she would be happy with her result, because she had studied as hard as she could.

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SHEPPARTON NEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014

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I AM ... ready to make my dream career a reality Enrol now and start in 2015

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