The Charles Sturt Advantage program is an early entry program designed around emotional intelligence, collaboration, empathy and communication skills, looking beyond test scores for those applying to get into university.

Charles Sturt's Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Shawn Walker said the program was expected to be 150 per cent more popular this year.

"The early entry program is proving very popular this year, particularly because of the uncertainty Year 12 students face around their COVID-19-impacted studies and their ATARs," he said.

Dubbo's Chantelle Walsh, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts, applied for the CSU Advantage program to give her another chance to get into uni if her ATAR wasn't high enough.

"I applied for the Charles Sturt Advantage as I knew if I was to go to uni, I would want to attend a local campus that is still in the country as it is my home, and major cities like Sydney would make me very homesick," she said.

"The program has given me the opportunity to be with an exclusive group of students where we support each other as well as being culturally emerged with each other, as we build confidence and friendships within the group."

Mr Walker explained the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program allows the University to recognise the whole student when assessing an application.

"By applying through the Charles Sturt Advantage program, students can be on the front foot by fully leveraging their social skills and can secure their place in September ahead of their ATAR score," he said.

"We made offers to more than 700 students last year, and already this year the program is proving to be even more popular, with 1,280 applications already received."

Mr Walker said the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program is for everyone.

"If you're coming to university in later life, we'll also look at your work experience," he said.

"Charles Sturt Advantage will enable us to receive a group of emotionally intelligent and driven students who will embody the values of Charles Sturt and who will be great assets to our campus communities in the years to come."

Almost all Charles Sturt undergraduate courses are available via the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program.

The program closes on August 31, for 2021 study. For more information visit www.csu.edu.au/advantage.

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