ABOUT 880 Dubbo year 12 students will find out their marks in their Higher School Certificates (HSC) exams today.
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And those students planning to go to university will find out tomorrow whether their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) tomorrow will get them into their desired degree courses.
The focus of students now shifts to the mark they require for particular courses, but not everybody gets the result they want.
However while falling short is disappointing, it doesn't mean they can't take another path into their desired course, according to CSU executive director of student administration, Geoff Honey.
"ATAR is a rank and if students don't get what they want then it's not the end of the world, there are always other pathways to get where they want to go," he said.
CSU has a service centre that offers advice to students and Mr Honey said regardless of what mark a prospective student got, they should call and find out their options.
"That will give people a better idea of their options. It might be that they do have enough marks and they don't realise it. CSU does a regional bonus scheme that gives students additional ATAR points and that might be enough to get someone in," he said.
"Not only that but ATAR ranks change from year to year."
Even if someone does fall short of the required ATAR, there are different options that can ultimately help them get into the course they want.
"There is a diploma of general studies that doesn't require an ATAR for entry and upon completion it guarantees entry to a number of degrees. There are also options like single subject study where a good result in that can then gain entry into a full course.
"If people are looking at a course where there is high demand they might be able to start in another one and transfer across later on. Some of these options will also give course credits that can count towards the degree a person wants to do."
Mr Honey said the important thing to remember was that even if someone did not quite reach the level they want, they could still find a way into their preferred course.
"There is always a way and it's important that students realise that," Mr Honey said. Anyone wanting more information on their post-HSC options can call the CSU contact centre on 1800 334 733.
