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March 29, 2024, 02:06:01 am

Author Topic: Stuck on preferences and pathways  (Read 923 times)  Share 

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Theo1290

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Stuck on preferences and pathways
« on: September 27, 2019, 07:34:51 pm »
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In a panic situation at the moment, only a couple days until vtac preferences are due and I'm still undecided on what I want to do.

My subjects this year are: English, Literature, Math Methods, Physics, Informatics and Greek

I want to do something that involves programming, and so my main preference right now is Bachelor of Science- computing and software systems at Melbourne Uni. I have no idea what exact pathways I should take for this, I've been given advice to look at getting into RMIT and Swinburne (apparently they are most tech-specialised and perhaps better than Melbourne in this respect) but my dad insists on me looking into Monash and Deakin as well- but is most focused on me going to Melbourne.

I've tried looking into pathways, just left confused by the way university sites detail their entry requirements and/or what their courses can be used as pathways for other courses. As such I'm pretty afraid of choosing a course that is 100% useless for transferring to Melbourne Uni Bachelor of science- computing and software systems. I doubt I'll get into Melbourne Uni; mainly due to the physics prerequisite (my physics average is not so good and having done the indicate exam, I feel I will completely flunk the actual one) so with most of my other preferences (at least 4 out of the 5) I don't want to have a physics prerequisite.

I'm also looking for at least 2 decent preferences that only need Methods raw study score 20 instead of the 25 that Melbourne Uni requires. (because I haven't done too well in Methods, 28,48, and 63% on my sacs) this year either and can't afford flunking the methods exam. And in the case I get methods raw study score below 20, I'm looking for at least 1 preference that only requires English as a prerequisite. (which appear to be extremely rare, and the ones I found I have no idea if they are actual pathways for Melbourne. They also tend to last for like 3/4 years, which makes sense but if possible I don't want to spend that much time on a pathway course. Though I definitely need an emergency 8th preference in this case.

Informatics and Greek I'm expecting at least 30 raw. English and Literature also 30, though if I improve my writing time I can try to go for a 40 or at the very least high 30 in both of them.

« Last Edit: September 27, 2019, 07:36:38 pm by Theo1290 »

AngelWings

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Re: Stuck on preferences and pathways
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2019, 12:16:06 am »
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Hey there Theo1290!

From what I read, clearly Preference #1 will be the BSci at UoM - put the course you want most in first preference, no matter how unlikely it is.

From there, select what interests you more and you’d be comfortable with. If RMIT and Swinburne are more your style, then go for it!

As for entry requirements, there’s a few ways you can approach this:
1. Direct entry - rather self explanatory; just get into the BSci at UoM straight out of the gate.
2. Internal transfer - take a different course at UoM and switch after a semester or two, assuming you can make the requirements for transfer (usually this is a certain grade, e.g. 70+ WAM, and maybe taking any equivalents of prerequisite subjects or missed the cut for). Ask UoM which courses will allow you to transfer into the BSci. You can use most of your breadth units to taste test BSci units to make the transfer more efficient.
3. External transfer - take a course at a different institute, as close as possible to the one you want. Make the grade cut and apply after a semester or two. To avoid disappointment, make sure you contact UoM to see if the course you do prior to transfer will allow you to transfer and ask about credit transfer to make the whole transfer process a lot easier for you.
4. Bridging courses - usually used to meet prerequisites and is usually a 1-2 year program achieving a Diploma (considered to be between Year 12 and a Bachelor). I have little knowledge about this, so definitely do your research and contact people.

Note that transfers (external and internal) usually occur each semester but you’ll need to apply in the latter half of the previous semester or prior to semester start to make the deadline.

Some courses, apart from computing and software systems, include:
- information technology (has a 20 SS prerequisite for Methods, when done at RMIT and some other unis, from memory)
- computer science
- technology/ computing studies (RMIT has a BTech (Comp Studies) with just an 25SS English prerequisite and includes programming)
- software engineering (Deakin has 20SS Methods and English prerequisites)

Let me know if you need any more help or if I headed in the wrong direction. :)
VCE: Psych | Eng Lang | LOTE | Methods | Further | Chem                 
Uni: Bachelor of Science (Hons) - genetics
Current: working (sporadically on AN)
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Theo1290

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Re: Stuck on preferences and pathways
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2019, 03:57:23 pm »
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Thank you AngelWings! Could I just inquire about some of the terms/abbreviations you mentioned: BSci, WAM (is that related to atar or something? I just know that I'll get raw study scores that count for prerequisites, and then they're scaled for my atar, and there's an atar selection rank which is atar+adjustments such as SEAS)

Macrophagee

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Re: Stuck on preferences and pathways
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2019, 05:32:30 pm »
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Hey
BSci stands for Bachelor of Science ---it's a pretty general abbreviation so not just limited to Melbourne Uni.
WAM stands for Weighted Average Mark. It's a university grading system so it has nothing to do with the ATAR

Good luck with your VTAC preferences.

AngelWings

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Re: Stuck on preferences and pathways
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2019, 09:02:17 pm »
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Thank you AngelWings! Could I just inquire about some of the terms/abbreviations you mentioned: BSci, WAM (is that related to atar or something? I just know that I'll get raw study scores that count for prerequisites, and then they're scaled for my atar, and there's an atar selection rank which is atar+adjustments such as SEAS)
Macrophagee is right on the money.

Sorry about the confusion! I tend to use abbreviations since it’s easier and quicker to type on my device and often forget that people aren’t familiar with them! (These abbreviations are generally found at uni, as mentioned above. BSci is something that will appear in business cards, email signatures and on some informal transcripts at uni. If you have limited space for credentials, you can use these abbreviations like people use the term PhD.)

Some other abbreviations I mentioned:
- UoM - University of Melbourne
- BTech - Bachelor of Technology
- Comp studies - Computer studies
VCE: Psych | Eng Lang | LOTE | Methods | Further | Chem                 
Uni: Bachelor of Science (Hons) - genetics
Current: working (sporadically on AN)
VTAC Info Thread