Getting in: what you can do to prepare
What can you do to give yourself the best chance of getting in? There are some rules to follow and some bits of advice but they will differ depending on your plans and your stage of life.
Whether you are looking at higher education or VET, there is one cardinal rule — check out the entry requirements, any cut-offs, prerequisites and selection methods for courses you’re interested in. Then:
- Do a bridging course: If you have not done a prerequisite subject, there are bridging courses that will get you up to speed.
- Get involved in VET: If you are hoping to study a VET course at tertiary level then you would be well advised to enrol in a certificate course (level I or II, which generally have no entry requirements) in your area of interest.
- Gain work experience: This is particularly relevant for very competitive courses and those which include interviews in the selection process. If you have gained some experience in a relevant field or organisation during your career, this experience and the interest it demonstrates will impress in an interview. In addition, even in courses without interviews, significant work experience may be used to supplement standard entry requirements if you are a mature age student who does not quite meet the criteria.
- Think about why you’re interested and why you would be good: Again, this is most relevant where you will be interviewed. You might even practice some answers to common job interview questions, such as ‘tell us about yourself’, ‘tell us why you are interested in the course’, and ‘what can you contribute to the field?’.
- Keep creating and practising: If your course requires you to perform and audition or submit a portfolio with samples of your work, it is recommended that you get started early on developing and refining your skills. This way, when the time comes, you will be ready to shine on stage or present your best work.
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