How do students get a 90+ ATAR?This is like asking how long a piece of string is. Some may say it’s studying smart, hard work, enjoying your breaks and/or having a life outside high school. Some may give a more technical answer and say an average of X raw SS in all subjects (depending on your subjects). It’s a case by case scenario too. What’ll get you a 90+ ATAR will differ to how someone else gets it; after all, everyone has different strengths, weaknesses and experiences. Add in a plethora of other factors e.g. marks, exam difficulty, and this gets a lot harder to predict what will or won't get you to that 90+. So, can’t really answer this one in any concrete way. Sorry.
How hard is it to get a 94?Same as above. Harder than a 90+ and statistically more difficult, as you’d imagine, but that’s about all I can say. Impossible though? No, not at all.
What kind of study habits to 90+ students have?Again, it varies per person. Whatever study habits work best for you is certainly what you should be doing. Otherwise, the main thing I do see a lot from these sorts of students is studying until you have a deeper understanding of the topic, which again, isn’t exactly an answer you’re looking for because it’s quite abstract.
Is it unrealistic for you to have that ambition?Nope. Ambition and determination are great motivators. If you do the best you can, no one can argue after that. You’ll never know if you don’t try.
Any advice? We have a bunch of articles detailing how people got 50 raw SSs in subjects and high ATARs, which you can see under the spoilers in the OP of
this thread. I'd be focusing on the VCE articles and General articles. We've also had a bunch of threads where people have talked about their tactics to achieve 90+ ATARs, so I'd give it a search.
In terms of my own advice, ensure your health remains first, don't drop everything you love just for this one goal and be disciplined, but more importantly reasonable with yourself. (By this, I mean take breaks where you need to.)
Can you transfer into a law course if you dont get a high enough ATAR?Already answered by Brenden, but to reiterate, yes! I've seen plenty of people transfer internally (within the one institute e.g. Monash Arts --> Monash Law) and externally (between institutes e.g. Deakin Law --> Monash Law). Just make sure that if you're going via this route, that you do your research beforehand (such as on credit transfer) and ask the appropriate people.
Are there any other pathways?? (I've looked but it's confusing) Also answered by Brenden already. Basically:
- direct entry
- transfer (internally/ externally)
- bridging courses e.g. Diploma*
- postgrad e.g. JD, Masters, Graduate Diploma*
- TAFE and specialist institutes*
There's also the option to drop or add degrees (i.e. go from single --> double degree and vice versa), provided they exist in the system already. For Monash, you might also be eligible for
these pathways, which I think started in 2017 or 2018.
*Do your research for these especially, including calling institutes and attending events e.g. Open Days and asking people. I really don't know much about these. Does hard work actually pay off?Yes usually, but only if you are heading in the direction you deem to be successful (which, again, is abstract). But there's a fine line between hard work, working smartly and overworking yourself. Working hard may not be as effective as working smart, if it's in the wrong direction.
Has anyone here gotten into a law degree with a <90 ATAR? I have a friend who does Deakin Law. They got a <90 ATAR.
How can I make my dream real?Keep trying, keep researching, keep studying, keep understanding. Don't stop until you get into law or paramedicine. If not Monash, try another institute. If not undergrad, go postgrad. There's a multitude of ways to get into these courses, so one way or another, you'll have plenty of chances to make it in.