{"id":24655,"date":"2025-01-13T15:02:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T07:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&p=24655"},"modified":"2026-03-26T10:15:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T02:15:43","slug":"didnt-get-the-atar-you-wanted","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/didnt-get-the-atar-you-wanted\/","title":{"rendered":"Didn\u2019t get the ATAR you wanted? Let’s explore some of your options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The group chats are filling up and the DMs are flying back and forth. Your notifications are lighting-up fast and the TikTok FYP is springing to life with #ATARreactions videos. It feels, for a moment, like everyone and their friends are celebrating their ATAR scores. Except, perhaps, for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, and regardless of whether you have the score you wanted or not, the first thing to say is that ATAR results day can be a lot<\/strong>. Taking a moment to congratulate yourself on your achievement even before you\u2019ve opened that email is important. And if it is <\/em>the case that the ATAR score you read back isn\u2019t what you\u2019d hoped for, here\u2019s an interesting fact: as at last count, only 3% of students studying at Curtin were admitted via the ATAR-only pathway<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So where does the idea that getting into uni starts and ends with ATAR come from? Maybe it\u2019s the result of received wisdom, or just because the diversity of pathways into university aren\u2019t always well-understood (more on that soon) … but it\u2019s an idea that\u2019s clearly part a of a broader anxiety: in a 2019 survey, 75% of Australian senior students said their ATAR score would impact on the rest of their life, while more than 80% said a score under 60 would be detrimental to their life (Cluey Learning<\/a>).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact is, though, that your ATAR is not the number that defines you. Just because your ranking might not be exactly what you\u2019d hoped, it doesn\u2019t mean you have to give up on what you wanted to do next (far from it \u2013 all that effort you put into your ATAR was never going to be a wasted endeavour!). In this article, we\u2019re going to talk you through the many practical pathways that you could follow to get into the course you want.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to life after ATAR.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what should I do right now? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tim Pitman, Associate Professor in Education at Curtin, offers the following words of advice for students receiving their ATAR news:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFirst, take a breath … it\u2019s not the end of the world and you\u2019re definitely not the first student to have received a grade that was less than they were hoping for. Countless students have been in this position before you and have gone on to study, and succeed, in higher education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe second thing to remember is, don\u2019t lose sight of what you want to do. If you\u2019re passionate about a certain degree or profession, it\u2019s better to take some extra time and effort to get there, than do something else that your heart might not really be in.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Read the full article on The Conversation<\/em><\/a> here.)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perspective and self-compassion can be powerful tools in overcoming moments of disappointment. Treat yourself with some kindness, understanding,<\/s> and patience,  <\/s>and remember that you have unique strengths and abilities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s true that, every year, many students find themselves in similar situations and then go on to achieve success in their chosen fields. Stay open-minded, remind yourself that you have options, and most importantly, believe in your ability to overcome this challenge.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s take a closer look at some of the pathways into Curtin available to you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing your preferences <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to choosing your path after high school, knowing your options is key. Now that you have your ATAR results, you have another opportunity to \u201cmaximise your TISC preferences<\/a>\u201d in anticipation of second round offers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can view the most up-to-date TISC timings on the TISC website’s important dates calendar.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about it this way: Curtin offers a wide selection of courses, with each course having varying ATAR requirements. If your ATAR falls below the requirement for your preferred course, that means you may have the option to change your preferences to a course with a lower ATAR threshold \u2013 a course that either aligns with your future career aspirations or creates a scenario whereby you can later switch courses<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you can study the Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences)<\/a> to help you qualify for admission into a variety of health sciences courses, or you can study Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Science<\/a> as a pathway for admission into Bachelor of Science majors and STEM courses such as Computing, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Surveying, Medical Radiation Science and other health sciences courses. Successfully completing your first year at Curtin with a course weighted average of 70% provides eligibility into the Bachelor of Laws.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your ATAR is lower than the entry threshold for the above listed courses, then rest assured that you still have other options available to you right now. In the following sections, we\u2019ll look at the portfolio entry route (experience-based admission) and the UniReady Enabling Program.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portfolio entry <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We know all our students\u2019 experiences and journeys are unique, and portfolio entry allows you to showcase your enthusiasm and creativity to demonstrate why you\u2019re the perfect fit for studying at Curtin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The portfolio entry route<\/a> is ideal if you want to let your practical talents speak for themselves. Through portfolio entry, you apply for your preferred course with a portfolio of documents that showcase your academic achievements, qualifications, work experience, extra-curricular activities and suitability for university study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 You may be eligible for portfolio entry if you: <\/p>\n\n\n\n