What to do after getting your ATAR?

Well done! You’ve studied hard all year (maybe with the help of a tutor) and now your nerves and stress have settled with the release of ATAR results. Now it's time to face the next challenge: using said ATAR to actually get into university!

While it may seem daunting, there’s some key information you should keep in mind to help maximise your chances of getting into your desired course.

Table of Content:

• When are Offers released?
• What happens when you receive an offer?
• What do I do if I do not get the offer I want?
• What does it mean if I didn’t receive an offer this round?
• FAQs

When are offers released?

It is important to keep track of the offer release dates. To find the most relevant information for you, check out the following tertiary admission centres (TAC), which manage course applications, offers, and more in your state:

• VIC: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
• ACT/NSW: Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)
• SA/NT: South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)
• QLD: Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)
• TAS: University of Tasmania
• WA: Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC)

The good news is that there are multiple offer rounds, which run all the way from December into February.

You will receive a maximum of one offer per round. When you log into your respective TAC account, you will see up to 5 to 8 preferences that you would have listed earlier in the year. Make sure your preferences are ordered with the course you want the most at the top.

What happens when you receive an offer?

Throughout the day, offers will be progressively released, so keep your eyes peeled for an email from your state's university admission centre. Remember to check your spam or junk folder too!

This email will tell you what course you have been offered a place in. The next steps may vary, depending on what your circumstances are, but my number one advice is:

If you receive an offer, ACCEPT IT! (Don't worry it doesn't lock you in).

Once you’ve accepted the offer, don’t stop - you’re not done yet!

Later that day, you will receive another email from the university that you have received an offer for. This will contain instructions on how to enrol with the university. Be warned, this can be a lengthy process! If you have any questions regarding enrolment, it would be best to contact the specific university - they have specific teams to help you out. If you’d like to take a gap year, you also have to apply to defer matriculation through the university.

If there’s another course that you’re still hoping to get into, you can still receive offers in later rounds - just make sure you have it listed higher than your current offer. You can always withdraw your enrolment if you receive another offer.

What do I do if I do not get the offer I want?

ALWAYS accept any offer you receive! You can change your preferences later or try again for another course, but you cannot accept an offer you'd already rejected.

Can I change my preferences?

There are certain windows where you can change preferences around. Keep in mind that the majority of course offers are made in December and January, so these change of preference windows can be very important!

Below are the following dates for Victoria:

To change preferences, use the arrows to move courses up and down your preference list. If you’re happy with your preferences, just leave them alone - you’ll automatically be considered for any course you’ve listed higher than this offer.

If you’d like to make some changes, make sure that these preferences are listed above the offer that you’ve already received.

What does it mean if I didn’t receive an offer this round?

Don’t panic! The good news is that if you miss out on the first round, or you didn’t get your first preference, there are multiple offer rounds. It might be worth shifting your preferences around. If you need any support or advice, here are some people who could help you out:

• Parents
• School friends who graduated last year - they have gone through the same process!
• VTAC (or your relevant TAC) - if you’re having any issues with your account
• School - even though you’ve graduated, your teachers and guidance counsellors are still useful resources

Throughout this journey, it is important to remember:

• Your ATAR doesn’t define you.
• If you didn’t get the ATAR you were hoping for, there are always alternative pathways and other options you can consider.

Conclusion

Ultimately, university offers are one of the final hurdles you must face before leaving high school behind for good. It’s challenging and can be stressful, but keeping the above tips in mind should make it a little easier.

Once you’ve got all of that sorted out, take a step back and enjoy the free time! You’ve well and truly earned a break, so take it easy before things start up again in February next year!

For additional resources, check out these KIS Academics articles:

FAQs

Written by Charlie Goldsworthy who pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Melbourne.

Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!