Admissions Centres Preferencing: General Discussion

[DrDrLMG!]

Hey, just heard from someone (not sure if its true) that UNSW has a preference for students putting UNSW as the first pref. Is that true? Surely not right?

In no year prior to this one has any university demonstrated an interview invite preferencing process for applicants who’d listed the course in a specific UAC/QTAC place. So far this year we’ve seen reports to suggest that both Griffith Dent and CSU Dent have done exactly this. Honestly, I’m kinda hesitant to say no, it’s not true, even though I do think it’s probably not.

 

[A1]

Hey, just heard from someone (not sure if its true) that UNSW has a preference for students putting UNSW as the first pref. Is that true? Surely not right?

It was never like that in previous years but this year we see such indications at some schools, so no-one really knows. For UAC med schools - WSU/JPM have released most invites except top-ups, UNSW won't until mid-January, UAC gives unlimited pref changes, safest to pref JMP highest for now, after JMP invites shift UNSW to highest. Then change to your actual pref order by the closing date for 26 Jan offers.

 

[SmoothCriminal]

It was never like that in previous years but this year we see such indications at some schools, so no-one really knows. For UAC med schools - WSU/JPM have released most invites except top-ups, UNSW won't until mid-January, UAC gives unlimited pref changes, safest to pref JMP highest for now, after JMP invites shift UNSW to highest. Then change to your actual pref order by the closing date for 26 Jan offers.

Imagine if they consider how long you have to have kept that certain degree at first preference. For example, they may have a requirement that it must be at first preference for at least a week. That would really be stretching it. Although, at the same time, this would make more sense as there would be no loopholes like "last minute" switches and would ensure that people who put it in first preference truly have that Uni as their first preference and are more likely to accept the offer, if given one.

 

[A1]

Imagine if they consider how long you have to have kept that certain degree at first preference.

The schools and the TACs are not doing applicants any favour this year. Using prefs as a factor in interview selection, QTAC gives 6 prefs for 13 med/dent courses, UAC doesn't allow preferencing unbonded vs schools vs campus. And they charge us a fee for giving us headaches!

 

[jooj]

UAC gives unlimited pref changes, safest to pref JMP highest for now, after JMP invites shift UNSW to highest

I just checked UAC and I've got this banner Isn't 12 Nov one of the guesses/estimates for when JMP invites come out?

 

[maybeobsessed]

I just checked UAC and I've got this banner Isn't 12 Nov one of the guesses/estimates for when JMP invites come out? View attachment 4977

12 November is the date the SRS (School Recommendation Scheme) offers come out. So it could also be that.

Schools Recommendation Schemes

The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) is one way institutions make early offers of undergraduate admission to Year 12 students.

www.uac.edu.au

 

[DrDrLMG!]

I just checked UAC and I've got this banner Isn't 12 Nov one of the guesses/estimates for when JMP invites come out? View attachment 4977

There will be numerous ‘lock out’ periods in UAC in the lead up to various offer rounds (including rounds that Med/Dent schools do not participate in). If you’re planning to preference shift at various points, it’s vital you’re aware of these.

 

[Lawso]

In a normal year JMP interviews NSW/ACT/QLD late Nov with offers mid Jan, then interviews interstate late Jan with offers early Feb.

This year due to NSW ATAR delay they combine the two offer rounds into 26th Jan (thus interstate interviews mid instead of late Jan).

So... if you're from NSW, Local, GWS, or Rural, you're pretty much only going to get a max of 1 offer from the 3 uni's here? Bruh.

 

[Nonstandard983]

So... if you're from NSW, Local, GWS, or Rural, you're pretty much only going to get a max of 1 offer from the 3 uni's here? Bruh.

That’s the point of preferacing, although it doesn’t remove the large issue of an applicant preferincing CSP>BMP or Wagga/Port/Orange/Armidale<Sydney/Newcastle

I guess it means people are more likely to receive an offer in the first round too rather than a top up as people can’t be holding onto multiple offers.

 

[Lawso]

That’s the point of preferacing, although it doesn’t remove the large issue of an applicant preferincing CSP>BMP or Wagga/Port/Orange/Armidale<Sydney/Newcastle

I guess it means people are more likely to receive an offer in the first round too rather than a top up as people can’t be holding onto multiple offers.

Yeah, seems like this way its "more" people getting an offer rather than there being 'duplicates' i guess. Fair enough?

 

[Nonstandard983]

Yeah, seems like this way its "more" people getting an offer rather than there being 'duplicates' i guess. Fair enough?

Thinking about it though I’m not actually sure that is the case? I think I messed up with my thought process there.

you have only every been able to receive one offer for each round from UAC, The only way multiple offers were received was if the individual repreferenced for the second round of offers? I could be wrong here A1 probably could give a more comprehensive answer than me on this one.

I think the large issue with UACs system is the inability to preference CSP over BMP and campus location as while you may prefer UWS if you get into Sydney campus you may not prefer it over JMP if your offer for JMP was Newcastle and your offer for JPM was orange? If that makes sense

 

[Lawso]

Thinking about it though I’m not actually sure that is the case? I think I messed up with my thought process there.

you have only every been able to receive one offer for each round from UAC, The only way multiple offers were received was if the individual repreferenced for the second round of offers? I could be wrong here A1 probably could give a more comprehensive answer than me on this one.

I think the large issue with UACs system is the inability to preference CSP over BMP and campus location as while you may prefer UWS if you get into Sydney campus you may not prefer it over JMP if your offer for JMP was Newcastle and your offer for JPM was orange? If that makes sense

Yes this would stay true if there was actually a 2nd round to go off. Seems like no one's giving those. In previous years people had the opportunity to do the following:

Have UNSW 1st pref, get an offer in the first round, but, lets say its Port CSP, they change their mind, swap it out for JMP or WSU into 1st pref and then get an offer 2nd round (if they qualify). In this way, people had the option to swap, obviously no guarantees, but at least they had a potential to get another offer somewhere more preferable.

If there are no 2nd rounds, it seems like all offers get shot out on the 26th; you get what you get, and don't get upset.

 

[Nonstandard983]

Yes this would stay true if there was actually a 2nd round to go off. Seems like no one's giving those. In previous years people had the opportunity to do the following:

Have UNSW 1st pref, get an offer in the first round, but, lets say its Port CSP, they change their mind, swap it out for JMP or WSU into 1st pref and then get an offer 2nd round (if they qualify). In this way, people had the option to swap, obviously no guarantees, but at least they had a potential to get another offer somewhere more preferable.

If there are no 2nd rounds, it seems like all offers get shot out on the 26th; you get what you get, and don't get upset.

I don't know why people pref UNSW first... WSU has a shorter course at 5 years and is still in Sydney it makes no sense to me why someone would purposely add another year onto their degree for no tangible benefit. (regardless of what some say the general consensus is that the ILP does not help career prospects when it comes to residency significantly). Additionally, port and Wagga are both further away from Sydney than orange unless I'm wrong?

Personally JMP is my first preference because I love Newcastle but I don't get the appeal of UNSW. (Prestige also does not help career prospects before someone replies with that)

 

[Lawso]

I don't know why people pref UNSW first... WSU has a shorter course at 5 years and is still in Sydney it makes no sense to me why someone would purposely add another year onto their degree for no tangible benefit. (regardless of what some say the general consensus is that the ILP does not help career prospects when it comes to residency significantly). Additionally, port and Wagga are both further away from Sydney than orange unless I'm wrong?

Personally JMP is my first preference because I love Newcastle but I don't get the appeal of UNSW. (Prestige also does not help career prospects before someone replies with that)

Sure thing. You must be different from most. Many people don't use MSO or aren't aware of the 'meh'-ness of the ILP. Others don't want to live in Campbelltown or Orange. Others want to have relatively smaller commute times to things in the city, friends, family, and obviously the 'prestige' of going to UNSW, be it superficial, its still a valid argument and it plays into peoples prefs. Theres a relatively significant difference between the preferences of those 3 uni's in NSW. The image attached shows how many people have put these courses as their 1st prefs.


Besides, point is, if there are going to be no 2nd rounds going out, it will inevitably lead to people not getting a choice (albeit a small chance of 2nd round offers to pick between). UAC is annoying for people not being able to select CSP/BMP and location prefs. I'm sure it doesn't take too much to designate an algorithm to cater for it :|

Edit: Saw you're from WA, which makes you picking a spot 'relatively' easier because you're going to have to move no matter what, so you really can pick 5 years vs 6 years vs campus location. Lucky ducky

 

[Nonstandard983]

Sure thing. You must be different from most. Many people don't use MSO or aren't aware of the 'meh'-ness of the ILP. Others don't want to live in Campbelltown or Orange. Others want to have relatively smaller commute times to things in the city, friends, family, and obviously the 'prestige' of going to UNSW, be it superficial, its still a valid argument and it plays into peoples prefs. Theres a relatively significant difference between the preferences of those 3 uni's in NSW. The image attached shows how many people have put these courses as their 1st prefs.
View attachment 4990

Besides, point is, if there are going to be no 2nd rounds going out, it will inevitably lead to people not getting a choice (albeit a small chance of 2nd round offers to pick between). UAC is annoying for people not being able to select CSP/BMP and location prefs. I'm sure it doesn't take too much to designate an algorithm to cater for it :|

It definitely wouldn’t take too much for them to do that QLD does something similar with different codes for CSP and BMP (although they have a limited amount of preferences)

continuing the previous point, the commute to Campbelltown is a valid issue but does it negate an extra year of medical school, an extra year without intern pay and another $11000 worth of debt. If someone is choosing to preference UNSW purely for prestige they are placing importance on a metric that affects nothing bar maybe friends/families perception of your degree. Whilst I may have also been harsh about the ILP (it may give you vital knowledge on a speciality you have interest in) that’s all it can do for you and personally I would prefer another year actually doing my job to garner competence.

However, I agree UNSW is the most popular school within NSW to do medicine I just think that it is is ludicrous considering JMP and WSU both have better offerings.

 

[Lawso]

It definitely wouldn’t take too much for them to do that QLD does something similar with different codes for CSP and BMP (although they have a limited amount of preferences)

continuing the previous point, the commute to Campbelltown is a valid issue but does it negate an extra year of medical school, an extra year without intern pay and another $11000 worth of debt. If someone is choosing to preference UNSW purely for prestige they are placing importance on a metric that affects nothing bar maybe friends/families perception of your degree. Whilst I may have also been harsh about the ILP (it may give you vital knowledge on a speciality you have interest in) that’s all it can do for you and personally I would prefer another year actually doing my job to garner competence.

However, I agree UNSW is the most popular school within NSW to do medicine I just think that it is is ludicrous considering JMP and WSU both have better offerings.

Indeed. I just want UNSW because of my mates/family.

Either way we digress. Still pissed off about no follow up rounds. NSW peeps really do have it a bit crappy

 

[A1]

Keep this in mind first - when UNSW & JMP have two offer rounds the round2 is *primarily* for interstate. Round1 they release say 75% of places to locals+rurals, keep 20% for interstate + 5% (~10 places) "error margin". If interstate fills only 20% as anticipated the 5% is offered back to locals in the round2.

you have only every been able to receive one offer for each round from UAC, The only way multiple offers were received was if the individual repreferenced for the second round of offers? I could be wrong here A1 probably could give a more comprehensive answer than me on this one.

Two ways this^ can happen for a local:

(1) Round1 they don't qualify for pref1 UNSW but qualify & receive pref3 JMP. They leave UNSW at pref1 for round2. If interstates don't fill more than the anticipated 20% *and* they were within 10 places of round1 cutoff they get round2 UNSW, likely to be Port/Wagga BMP.

(2) Round1 they get pref1 UNSW but it's BMP. They accept/lock it in then move JMP to pref1 hoping for round2. Again if JMP interstates leave a few unfilled places there are two sub-cases:
- if they were within these few places of round1 cutoff they get round2 JMP, but likely BMP anyway
- if they actually qualified for round1 JMP CSP (but no offer due to receiving pref1 UNSW) JMP can say buzz off we ranked you for a CSP but you "declined" it for UNSW, we won't consider you again as we want to offer it to another applicant instead.

In previous years people had the opportunity to do the following:
Have UNSW 1st pref, get an offer in the first round, but, lets say its Port CSP, they change their mind, swap it out for JMP or WSU into 1st pref and then get an offer 2nd round (if they qualify). In this way, people had the option to swap

With my explanation above I don't think you lose out much in JMP not having round2. At best JMP round2 could only give you UoN/UNE BMP, probably only better than Wagga BMP.

 

[Lawso]

Keep this in mind first - when UNSW & JMP have two offer rounds the round2 is *primarily* for interstate. Round1 they release say 75% of places to locals+rurals, keep 20% for interstate + 5% (~10 places) "error margin". If interstate fills only 20% as anticipated the 5% is offered back to locals in the round2.


Two ways this^ can happen for a local:

(1) Round1 they don't qualify for pref1 UNSW but qualify & receive pref3 JMP. They leave UNSW at pref1 for round2. If interstates don't fill more than the anticipated 20% *and* they were within 10 places of round1 cutoff they get round2 UNSW, likely to be Port/Wagga BMP.

(2) Round1 they get pref1 UNSW but it's BMP. They accept/lock it in then move JMP to pref1 hoping for round2. Again if JMP interstates leave a few unfilled places there are two sub-cases:
- if they were within these few places of round1 cutoff they get round2 JMP, but likely BMP anyway
- if they actually qualified for round1 JMP CSP (but no offer due to receiving pref1 UNSW) JMP can say buzz off we ranked you for a CSP but you "declined" it for UNSW, we won't consider you again as we want to offer it to another applicant instead.


With my explanation above I don't think you lose out much in JMP not having round2. At best JMP round2 could only give you UoN/UNE BMP, probably only better than Wagga BMP.

So this all boils back down into the location preferences, if you get a 1st pref wagga CSP then rip. Although i guess it is only the applicants fault for ticking port/wagga even if they didnt want to go there, so i guess its a fair enough system.

 

[rv333]

So, what would the final 'plan' be for someone who doesn't want a bonded place, and prefers UNSW over WSU? Is there no way to avoid the 'risk' of being offered a UNSW BMP over WSU CSP in Jan Round 2?

 

[A1]

So this all boils back down into the location preferences, if you get a 1st pref wagga CSP then rip.

Wouldn't Wagga CSP be preferable to UNE bonded, which is what you likely would get if JMP had a round2?