Like many of his peers, Bachelor of Commerce student Laurie was unsure what he wanted to study when beginning university. Through the Early Offer Year 12 (E12) Scheme, he undertook a Bachelor of Arts for a year before realising his passion lay in the world of business.
E12 takes into account factors beyond the ATAR to assess your eligibility for a course. Through E12, for example, the ATAR required for admission to the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies is reduced to 85.
"The E12 Scheme helped with my transition into higher education, covered my textbook expenses and gave me a foot in the door to the University of Sydney," Laurie says.
"After my first year of study, I became interested in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management and transferred into a Bachelor of Commerce."
The E12 Scheme reduced pressure going into the HSC exams, as I knew my ATAR would not be considered as the sole measure of success.
For Bachelor of Commerce student Tracy, the Inspired by Business Program opened up a world of personal and professional development.
"The financial support meant I could pursue opportunities like studying abroad in London and volunteering in Indonesia," Tracy says.
The Inspired by Business Program is available to E12-eligible students who've preferenced the Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies first.
In addition to a $10,000 per year scholarship, students receive financial support for studying and working overseas, personalised career planning opportunities and peer mentorship.
"Being a part of the Inspired by Business family meant establishing friendships very early on in university and having teachers and mentors I could rely on when I needed advice," Tracy says.
The Inspired by Business support system - the staff and other students - was the backbone to my university experience.
Bachelor of Commerce student Duncan's dream to become a business leader led him to admission through the Broadway Scheme, which allows up to ten adjustment factors for students whose high school education has been disrupted through factors such as illness, financial hardship or excessive home responsibilities.
"I was fortunate enough to gain entry via the Broadway Scheme, and I have constantly benefited from the vast array of support and opportunities provided to me," Duncan says.
I feel that I have become a much more efficient, passionate and mature student as a result of the Broadway Scheme.
Juggling year 12 and extra responsibilities as High School Captain, Josie wasn't sure she could meet the ATAR requirement for the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degree.
"Though school leadership responsibilities like speeches, open days and assemblies are rewarding, they still take away from potential study time," Josie says.
Josie applied for the Future Leaders Scheme, which offers Dux students and school captains a guaranteed place at the University of Sydney.
Future Leaders was one of the most amazing things that I stumbled across during my HSC. It allowed me to maintain my leadership commitments whilst granting entry into the course I’d been aiming for my entire school life.