Speaking of getting into uni

In her own words, Evie Chalmers could talk to a brick wall. So combining her love of science with communication was a no-brainer when the 18-year-old opted to study speech pathology at ACU.

To make sure that happened though, Evie applied for the ACU Guarantee program while still at school.

The former Caringbah High School student took advantage of the early entry program to relieve a bit of the stress from her Year 12 studies and ensure she secured a spot at university.

“I found out about ACU Guarantee early in high school from other students and kept it in my mind until senior school,” Evie said.

“I applied for every single early entry program available because I was convinced something was going to happen and I would be left without options once I finished school. I’m so glad I did because it took so much stress off. Also, ACU is the only speech pathology early entry program.

“ACU Guarantee took much of the stress away from me in Year 12. I felt so much more relaxed knowing if something went wrong, or I didn’t do as I’d hoped, I had an entry I could use.

“The feeling of being able to turn down other university offers rather than panicking because I had no options was unmatched.”

The perfect fit

Now in her first year of study at ACU’s North Sydney Campus, Evie is finding speech pathology to be the perfect fit for her future aspirations.

“I loved science in school so always wanted to do something in health, and I could talk to a brick wall so combining communication and health was a no-brainer for me,” she said.

“I also have an aunt who works in speech pathology and she was a big encouragement for me. She’s had a very varied career outside of simply speech pathology practice so I knew I could have variety in my future.

“I’m looking forward to my placements, because I think it’s going to confirm my love for the field, and I can’t wait to get some practical experience.”

It’s a career that Evie also hopes can take her around the world while specialising in traumatic brain injury assessment and recovery.

“I’m interested in working in the UK for a while because I think it would be a really interesting experience,” she said.

“And I’d like to work in traumatic brain injury assessment and recovery because it’s something that’s really interested me so far.”

The early bird gets the worm

Having experienced the benefits of the ACU Guarantee program, Evie’s advice to other students is to make the most of universities’ early entry initiatives to take the stress away from Year 12 studies.

“If you want to do something, you can find a way to make it happen,” she said.

“Apply for every early entry program you can. It’s the best thing I did in Year 12 and it’s so much nicer to turn away universities after your results come out than to be left without immediate options.

“If early entry and your ATAR don’t work out, there are always options to get you to where you want to be.”

Ever the good communicator, Evie also recommends speaking up and asking questions when deciding your future path.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to the university to ask questions – that’s what they’re there for.”

Keen to get an early offer to study at ACU? Learn more about ACU Guarantee.