The Three Most Common Myths About Selecting Your Preferences and Why They’re So Wrong

Let's do some mythbustin'!👻

This article is presented in partnership with RMIT University.

Why does choosing your uni preferences feel like making an eternal deal with fate that could go horribly, horribly wrong?

There’s no need to suffer that queasy feeling. When it comes to preference selection, there’s a lot more myths circulating the school halls than there are truths.

So, in partnership with RMIT University, we’re here to bust ‘em.

Myth: you need to know what you’re definitely going to study to make a good preference selection.

Got any classmates who are dead set on becoming a lawyer, doctor or concert pianist—meanwhile you’re still flicking through the uni pamphlets?

You absolutely do not need to know what you wanna do with the next few decades of your life in order to list your preferences.

Certain degrees are ideal because they are designed to grow with you. Take for example RMIT’s Bachelor of Business. Undergraduate student Tatu said they chose it because "it seemed like a versatile study choice that I could use in a number of different industries."

And by the way—if you do happen to be that person who knows exactly what path they wanna go down, RMIT offers Guaranteed Pathways as a way to preference pathway packages. These packages are a way to secure a place in your dream course by completing a vocational course (aka TAFE) first. So, if you know where you’re headed and don't mind starting with a vocational course, you’ll guaranteed a pathway that will help you achieve your goals at RMIT. Check it out here.

Myth: you’re locked into your preferences once you’ve submitted them.

Okay, so submitting your preferences before 30 September allows you to avoid VTAC's late fees, but you should know your choices are flexible and can be changed all the way until January. There's loads of time to change your preferences if you need to!

There’s no cost involved in changing your preferences, as long as you’ve paid your course application processing fee.

On the other hand, if you’re pretty chuffed with your preferences, some universities are extending early offers. You can apply for the RMIT Early Offer program until 18 September. It's a great way to have your experience outside of the classroom considered as part of your application.

Myth: whatever offer you get and accept will determine your whole future.

If you don’t get the offer you hoped for, that doesn’t mean you should abandon all hope of ever pursuing that vocation.

There are so many alternative pathways you can travel to get to where you wanna be. Like, just look at this huge list of pathways available at RMIT. If you miss the mark on your ATAR, you can still find a way to pursue a Bachelor Degree.

Feel calmer? Taken a deep breath? Your preferences aren’t as scary as they seem. For more info on early offers at RMIT, you can check it all out here.

Happy preferencing!