Entry rule changes bring chaos to hopefuls

Changes to university entry requirements are causing chaos and confusion for year 13 students.

Massey University has introduced preferential entry scores for courses with more applicants than places in 2011.

Victoria and Otago University are devising their own entry requirements, also based on grades.

Awatapu College principal Tina Sims said some year 13 students feared they might not make the cut after Massey announced a new point system this week.

"The information is certainly causing a high level of anxiety."

Staff have found it increasingly "chaotic" working through different universities' entry requirements so they can give clear advice to students and parents, she said.

The college would be analysing which students were affected and helping them. "So they don't think it's hopeless, we don't want them to give up," she said.

Massey University would provide some flexibility, she said. The changes were reflective of Government policies.

Other Palmerston North schools have also expressed concerns over the new requirements.

Queen Elizabeth College students who were aiming to meet bare minimum credits had found themselves outside the preferential point system, principal Michael Houghton said.

"No lead-in time makes it a bit of an issue."

But the higher requirements would be an extra incentive for students to work hard, he said.

Massey University has reassured year 13 students that they would not be disadvantaged by the late notice.

Students who have not chosen all approved Level 3 subjects can still gain entry, Massey communications director James Gardiner said.

"We will not penalise students in this position if they do not meet the preferential entry score, as the requirements were not announced prior to the start of the school year."

The university's 2011 prospectus states that most applicants will be offered a place in their qualification of choice.

But students are warned that not everybody will make the cut.

"The reality is we are not going to be able to enrol everyone who wants to enrol," Mr Gardiner said.

The university welcomed feedback on its enrolment information to make entry requirements clearer to students.

A decision on how long provisions would remain in place would be made once 2011 enrolment applications were analysed, Mr Gardiner said.

In the meantime, the university has urged students to take Level 3 courses to increase their chances of entry.

- © Fairfax NZ News