There has been a massive rise in the number of early round offers being made to students nationally, according to data compiled by the ABC.
In fact, the figures show some universities have more than doubled their number of early offers, with many delivered before final exams have even begun.
Take for example Western Sydney University (WSU), which has seen early offers rising from 7,000 in 2019 to 15,000 in 2020.
Angelo Kourtis from WSU told the national broadcaster that the increase in early offers was an acknowledgement the ATAR could be a “blunt instrument” for measuring student ability.
“We recognise that students are more than just the ATAR,” he said. “We think it actually disadvantages many students, especially students from regions.”
Mr Kourtis said that internal analysis done by the university shows they are actually recruiting better students with these early offers as well.
“We found their performance is as good, and in some instances better, than students who were admitted solely on the basis of the year 12 result,” Mr Kourtis said.
Early admission selection criteria can include individual subject and exam marks, Year 11 results, or the portfolio work of creative arts students.
However, proponents also point out many early round offers were conditional, meaning students must still complete their final exams.
Source: ABC News.
