Early data shows UQ scores highest QTAC first preferences

The University has received the State's highest number of Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre first preference applications for places in 1998, going against the State trend for a declining number of applications.

Preliminary QTAC data presents a positive picture for the University, according to University Manager, Courses and Admissions, Maureen Bowen.

Mrs Bowen said data as of October 28, 1997 indicated that the University of Queensland's first preference applications had increased by 1.7 percent on the corresponding figure for October 28, 1996, whereas total first preference applications for the state had declined by 5.8 percent.

She said the data were still subject to fluctuation as all applicants could amend their preferences by telephone as often as they liked until the first week in January 1998. (Year 12 students were required to submit their preferences to QTAC by telephone by the end of September.)

As of October 28 this year, 11,603 first preferences and 37,500 total preferences had been recorded for UQ courses compared with 11,409 first preferences and 37,320 total preferences at October 28 last year.

This compares with a slight decline in total QTAC applications for all institutions from 49,855 first preferences and 219,366 total preferences in 1996 to 46,972 first preferences and 196,873 total preferences in 1997.

Mrs Bowen said the number of school leaver applicants to UQ had increased by more than 370 by October 28, despite an overall decline in the rate of QTAC applications from school leavers.

This suggested the University's schools liaison program and other communications were effective in conveying the quality and relevance of the University's courses to this age group.

'It is interesting to note that the total pool of QTAC applications from school leavers for entry to all higher education institutions was down by more than 2000,' she said.

'One possible explanation for this stems from a change to the application process used for Queensland Year 12 students this year.

'Year 12 students are now required to lodge their own applications, usually from home, via the interactive telephone application service. Schools no longer collect the applications on disk for submission to QTAC and, while schools still play a monitoring role in this process, is is likely that students who are not highly motivated to seek tertiary study have chosen not to lodge applications. In previous years, many schools would have insisted that all OP eligible students lodge a QTAC application. '

The main QTAC offers for 1998 admissions will be made on Friday, January 16, 1998 (the major offer round); and Wednesday, February 4, 1998 (final offer round).

For further information, contact Mrs Bowen, telephone 3365 1979.