1) I am aware to list my preferences in order of "preference"and not "what I think I will get into." That being said after my results are released there's 2 days to change them right?
Yes, there's usually a short period between ATAR Release Day and Change of Preference Deadline. Two days is correct. (VTAC Course Preferences close for December round at 4pm 14th December.)
And study scores are non-negotiable from what I know, so if I get maths methods ss 24 for example and I want to get into a course with ss25 requirement, should I thus remove ss25 courses, or is there still a chance and I should keep them on my list?
There's been a couple of super rare cases where people have been admitted with a 24 raw SS in a prereq subject (albeit usually with a fair bit of SEAS in their favour). If you discover that you have achieved a close to 25 raw SS and the Bachelor of Science (Computing and Software Systems) is still your top choice, I'd probably keep that as Preference #1 and make sure that you still have a few course preferences (so probably something like Preference #5-8 somewhere) that you have fulfilled the prereqs for.
2) I'm a bit unsure of where my atar comes into this. I'm confident I'll get roughly 78 atar, maybe higher, but I'm confused between "atar" and "atar selection rank." I'm considering going with the Bachelor Art course, and I see here: "https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/undergraduate/bachelor-of-arts/entry-requirements/" mininum atar is 85 but "72.25" is the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made. I get that my atar selection rank is my atar and a bunch of other factors (like seas application- I applied for category 1 and 3) but what if I just straight up get an atar that is lower than 85, do I still have a chance or no? I don't know if your atar selection rank is something that is included in the results that I'll get on 12 december, and if they'll consider my atar selection rank despite having an atar less than the "minimum atar required to be eligible for an offer" which is 85.
OK, so basically:
lowest ATAR required 2019 - the ATAR of the person with the lowest ATAR who was accepted into the BA in 2019 (i.e. they're in first year uni now). I always thought this was simply the ATAR only, but it looks like this includes adjustments including the Access Melbourne program.
lowest selection rank 2019 - the rough guide to the ATAR + all other adjustments (e.g. SEAS) for students accepted into the BA. This is the old "clearly-in ATAR" before the change to "selection ranks". People would often get ATARs below this and still be accepted, mostly due to adjustments.
minimum ATAR 2020 - a rough guide to the ATAR you'll have to achieve (excluding SEAS + any other adjustments) to get into the course. This is simply an estimate of the ATAR you'll need to be pretty comfortable that you'll get an offer for the BA at UoM, so it could be higher, it could be lower. Depends mostly on demand and if they have a spot for you or not.
Access Melbourne 2020 - If you are successful in your application for Access Melbourne (which usually means you ticked a box for the disadvantages listed
here in your VTAC SEAS application), you'd be able to get guaranteed entry into the BA at UoM if you achieved a raw ATAR of 80.
but what if I just straight up get an atar that is lower than 85, do I still have a chance or no?
You will have a chance, if one or more of the following happen:
1. your adjustments make your selection rank above 85.00
2. UoM decide to offer you a place because there was a place available for you
Remember that there's more than one round of offers, so if you don't get it the first time, you might be able to get the offer the following round(s), although the chance of an offer becomes increasingly more slim with each round that passes.
3) If I go the Bachelor Art track, I have to pick a subject equivalent to "Introduction to Mathematics (MAST10012)" which you said Melbourne Uni accepts as a breadth unit. I see Bachelor of Arts has "maths for economy" "accelerated maths" and "maths and statistics" as breadth units, how do I know which one Melbourne Uni accepts without having to ask them?
You will probably have to ask them in that case, unfortunately. A unit counts as a 'breadth unit' only if it's not within the Arts faculty, so if there's a maths unit within the Arts faculty, it'll count towards a major, minor or within faculty elective unit, depending on the rest of the units you've picked. Typically you'd also be able to read up on the handbook entries and see if any of it sounds like Methods/ MAST10012 equivalent content, but even then I'd double check with the student services (I think it's Stop 1) to be sure you've picked the right unit(s).
4) Leading from the previous question, it may be a bit presumptuous for me to ask you this, but as a mod of these forums do you know anyone I could ask that was in a similar predicament to me or just underwent the same/similar procedures to get into the course they want; and possibly have experience as a Melbourne Uni student.
I'm sure that there people out there who have but I can't think of anyone immediately, unfortunately. Sorry.
I've emailed Melbourne Uni about pathway options and detailed my situation, IIRC was promised an email within some days. It's been 2 weeks now not a single email, I've checked my junk folder and everything. Feel unsure trying to contact them again as they ask for your name and everything.
I've generally found calling via phone to be a more efficient use of my time for uni enquiries (at least at Monash). Not sure if that's helpful at all. Asking for your name is usually a uni policy thing, so it's likely to be an obligation on their part. Edit: politely bumping the email is also a great idea, if calling isn't your thing, as Bri has suggested.
5) Why are bridging courses more common for those who don't make the atar requirement either?
Not entirely sure why, but that's what I've heard. I don't have a lot of experience with these things, so I can't say for sure.
Would the student not then have to go to a different uni and do external transfer?
Nope. Bridging courses are typically tied to the desired course or desired institute, so you'd usually complete and pass/ score well in the bridging course, and then be able to apply for the desired course. Best to ask UoM to confirm what I've said though - not 100% on what I've said is correct.
Note: Bri MT replied as I was typing. Pretty much was spot on what I was going to say. Will leave response here anyway. Reminder that you should take everything I have said with a grain of salt; I am not from UoM at all and may have inaccuracies in my posts.