What would I gain out of just making this up... I’m just trying to understand just how set in stone prerequisites are. She went to a disadvantaged school and had the Access Melbourne thing as well if that’s any help. I think people should still keep their preferences regardless if they satisfy the prereqs or not and just wait and see.
You're not wrong at all. Your friend might have got in from SEAS and/or subject bonuses which may have overridden her SSs. See, I've always been told that prereqs are set in stone, but that was back in 2014. Things might have changed since then and I'm just unaware of this, so thanks for enlightening me to your friend's situation.
In that case, by all means, Waldo, I would strongly encourage that you ask during the Change of Preference Day at that institute you've almost got the prereq for whether that's possible. Although I would also look into bridging courses and alternative courses with lower prereqs if they say 'no', as a back up.