The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) provides cover for clients criticised, yet again, for equity admission schemes.
UAC got involved after media reports of students admitted to courses on the basis of inconsequential ATAR’s bulked-out by equity add-ons. The centre includes scores in the system it runs for NSW and ACT universities.
According to UAC, “equity schemes level the playing field” by supporting students “with circumstances beyond their control,” it cites natural disasters, financial hardship, medical conditions and “difficult personal circumstances” as examples.
Low SES students and from regional/remote communities can also be covered. UAC adds equity considerations “do not override merit and are not automatic bonus points, but they do take personal circumstances into account when institutions select applicants for courses.”
However UAC’s explanation of the Educational Access Scheme also states that for applicants with ATARs below the required entry score, “it can increase your selection rank … making you more competitive for a place.”
None of this addresses concerns that equity access admits students to courses they will struggle to complete. An analysis of attrition rates by equity admission might.
