UNI OFFERS BRING TEARS OF JOY
GOLD Coast teenagers woke to their academic futures yesterday as firstround university offers were released.
According to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), more than 16,334 school leavers received offers to study in 2019, 43 per cent of whom were offered their first preference.
Former Keebra Park State High School student Ananda Putri was one of the many who endured the wait.
She was accepted into medical science at Griffith University after achieving the highest possible ranking of OP1.
“I screamed out loud when I found out I got my first choice,” said the 18year-old, who wants to be a doctor. “I ran to Mum and we both cried. I can’t wait to start in February.”
For the Indonesian-born teen, the path to a medical degree has not been easy.
Having moved to Australia aged seven, Ms Putri battled language barriers at school.
“English is my second language so it did take me a little longer to understand some lessons,” she said.
“So I studied very hard. I’m through school, next step is university study.”
Ms Putri said she was drawn to medicine after watching doctors treat her grandmother following a major fall.
Health programs have proved popular across the state, accounting for almost a third of first-preference choices. Business courses were also in high demand.
QTAC chief executive Dr John Griffiths said study in the disability, mental health and aged-care sectors was in demand.
Applicants who received an offer yesterday should respond by January 22. Further semester one offers will be made on January 25.