Varsity applications call
MATRIC pupils, who returned to school this week, have been reminded to apply for placement at universities next year.
George van der Ross, chief executive of the Central Applications Office (CAO), in Durban, said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Grade 12 pupils might have questions. These could range from ‘what study opportunities are available?’ to ‘who can help me complete my application?’
“Applying to university is always filled with questions, uncertainties and nervousness. Sometimes learners don’t know where to apply and wonder if they’ve made the right choices.
“Fortunately, our office is available to assist matric pupils with their questions and completing of their applications to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Zululand, the Durban University of Technology and the Mangosuthu University of Technology,” he said.
“While most university staff are working from home and are not available to answer learners’ questions, the CAO staff are manning the call centre and the data processing staff are processing online and hard-copy applications, making them available to the universities.
“When the university staff return to their campuses, the processed applications will be ready for them to make selection decisions and early offers.”
Van der Ross said applications to the universities opened in March for the 2021 academic year. “By May 15, UKZN had received over 10 000 applications and their medical school 2 403 applications. UniZulu had over 5 000, DUT over 8 000 and MUT over 3 000.”
He said universities made early conditional offers based on learners’ final Grade 11 results and final matric results were merely used to confirm early conditional offers.
“However, with the current status quo, there is the uncertainty that these results would be used by universities. But one thing is certain, the 2020 academic year will be completed by both schools and universities, and the 2021 academic year will commence.”
Van der Ross said he did not want pupils to be caught unaware and find themselves overwhelmed when they returned to school. “I, therefore, encourage all learners to complete and submit their applications on time.”
Applications close at the end of this month and the medical school does not accept late applications.
Apply online at www.cao.ac.za or call the call centre at 0860 860 226 or 031 268 4444.