Year 12 students can put some of the stress of the new ATAR system and COVID-19 learning disruptions behind them with USC fast-tracking its early offer guarantees for 2021.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said to help ease pressure on students, USC was making offers three months earlier than usual, and for the first time introducing weekly offer rounds.

“With all the disruptions and uncertainty for Year 12 students this year, a USC early offer guarantee can provide students and their families with clarity in their last few months of schooling – long before final results and ATAR scores are released,” Professor Bartlett said.

More than 150 students have already received early offers from USC, with more to follow.

Interested students still have until 12 October to apply for early entry to more than 100 undergraduate degrees. Some health and science related programs are not available.

“If students can show they are on track to succeed in gaining entry to their preferred USC degree and have the right level of motivation and commitment, they can lock in their study path for 2021 almost immediately,” Professor Bartlett said.

“As well as knowing they have the next step towards their future career in place, as soon as they receive an offer, students can also start to access USC support services, including pre-semester academic skills and career advice.”

Students do not need to be ATAR eligible to apply for early offers, which are made based on the recommendations of school principals. All normal course prerequisites and other program specific requirements still apply.

The final offer round will be on the last day of school for Year 12 students on 20 November.

Year 12 Bray Park State High School student Chloe Harrison has already accepted an offer to study Counselling at USC Moreton Bay next year after receiving an early offer at the end of August.

Chloe, 17, said she could now focus on her final months of high school without stressing about what the future might hold.

“The combination of ATAR and COVID-19 has made it a pretty crazy year, so it’s the best feeling to know I'm all set for 2021,” said the talented artist, who is considering merging art therapy into her counselling practice when she completes the Bachelor of Counselling.

“I have always had a strong passion for helping others, however it was not until I made a wellbeing podcast to encourage other students to continue spreading kindness throughout the peak of the COVID-19 crisis that I decided to pursue counselling as a career.”

Bray Park State High School Principal Peter Turner said the school was a strong supporter of USC’s Early Offer Guarantee program.

“Our Year 12 students have had a tough year with the goal posts being changed with their studies and being the first cohort to go through senior under a new university entry system,” he said.

“To have certainty about their future will benefit their wellbeing and help them to remain positive during their final months of high school.

“We encourage our students to be aspirational and to consider taking up the opportunity to further their education – with a world-class learning institution right on our doorstep, they can do that close to home.”