Don't make these 3 common mistakes when picking your uni preferences

In Year 12 and choosing your uni preferences? It’s a big deal, and we get that – it's only natural to feel anxious.

But the good news is making the right call is easier than you think. Just look out for these three common pitfalls.

1. Picking course with highest entry ATARs > picking courses you actually want to do

It’s tempting to pick courses because they sound impressive or because everyone else is doing them. But uni is your journey, and it’s important to choose what you're passionate about.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’re ‘wasting’ your ATAR if you don’t squeeze every last decimal out of it to get into a course especially one that you may not even be that interested in.

Think about what excites you, what you’re curious about, and where you see yourself in the future.

At VU, one of our core beliefs is that ATAR doesn’t define you or your future. That’s why ATAR is no longer a consideration for many VU degrees. Instead, we’ve got a range of courses that let you follow your interests, with the flexibility to shape your own path.

2. Picking uni that your parents think is the most prestigious > picking uni that's right for you

Every university has its strengths, but only you can decide which one is right for you. When building your preference list, consider what truly matters to your future. There are many things to consider when you’re picking the unis to fill out your preference list. Ask yourself:

Is the uni campus location convenient for where I live?
Does it offer the course I'm passionate about doing?
Who are the experts and partners that I'll learn from? Are they connected to the industry that I want to work in?
Are the learning and student facilities of a high standard?
Does it also offer strong learning support and employability services?

These factors can have a bigger impact on your success than just having a prestigious name on your degree.

3. You panic about not getting your preference list 100% right

After you submit your preference list, your decision doesn’t have to be final. You’ll still have the chance to change and shuffle your preferences in December, after you get your VCE results. Results are released 12 December at 7am, and you'll have until 12pm on 14 December to reorder, add or remove courses.

Even if you start uni and realise that your course isn’t the perfect fit, there are always options to transfer to a different course and find the right pathway to achieve your study and career goals.

Explore our pathway options

Bonus tips from the experts: VU Admissions

We quizzed VU’s selection staff about some of the biggest preference blunders to avoid.

Every year they find that students unnecessarily miss out on an offer due to these five common mistakes:

Not listing the course they most want to do as their first preference.
Not following the direct application process for Vocational Education courses, or applying too late.
Listing preferences for courses for which they don’t have the prerequisite subjects or otherwise meet the admission criteria.
Not making the most of subject bonuses, early offer programs, special consideration schemes and supplementary rounds.
Forgetting to pay their VTAC application fee.