First-year Criminology student Olivia O’Reilly knows better than most the vital support that that provides. She feared that COVID disruptions to her final year at high school in 2020 might jeopardise her dreams of studying at UNE. Her Early Entry application, which took into account her sporting success and community service work, allayed those fears.
“It was a very difficult final year and hard to be in the right mindset to study effectively,” Olivia says. “Knowing that I had an Early Entry place at UNE relieved a lot of the pressure. It gave me time to consider my options and some breathing space to focus on doing my best in the HSC exams.”
Students even more beset by lockdowns, school closures and deferred examinations this year now have until 1 October to submit their Early Entry application to UNE, with the university extending its closing date for applications by two weeks.
“UNE has always recognised that an individual and their potential to be a successful university student is more than an ATAR, and this is especially true in 2021,” says Vice-Chancellor Professor Brigid Heywood. “We will keep Early Entry applications open longer so that no student is disadvantaged by the trying events of this year.”
UNE’s commitment to supporting Year 12 students will now see two rounds of Early Entry offers made. The first will cater to the thousands who have already lodged applications, who will receive their offers mid-November, subject to them completing their HSC exams. A second round of offers will also be made in late November.
"We understand the challenges that Year 12 students have faced this year and that they deserve recognition not only for what they have achieved but also for what they are capable of,” says Professor Heywood. "What continues to set our Early Entry program apart is that UNE guarantees all applicants – ATAR and non-ATAR students – an offer. This enables students to maximise their opportunities and successfully complete tertiary study.”
Students applying for Early Entry to UNE are asked to list three course preferences. UNE staff determine their suitability based not only on their academic results but also the recommendations of their careers advisor and/or principal. Students may not always get their first course preference, but an offer is guaranteed for either a degree, diploma or Pathways Enabling course.
Early Entry gives many prospective students self-belief during a time of doubt. "UNE assesses a student based on their ability, not an exam that happens over three weeks and carries with it a great deal of stress," Professor Heywood says. "An offer demonstrates that we have faith in them, and generally our Early Entry students perform just as well as those who gained entry to UNE via their ATAR.
“This year, Early Entry to UNE provides the next generation of leaders with reassurance and a sense of purpose at a time of uncertainty.”
For more information on Early Entry to UNE, go to https://www.une.edu.au/earlyentry
