You dont need to know exactly what you want to do in your career one day but you should have some idea of a what field you would be suited to.There are limited spaces at universities and colleges especially for the popular courses. So don’t put all of your eggs in one basket and apply to just one institution. Keep your options open by applying to more than one, and apply for more than just one course. If you don’t get the marks you were hoping you still have a backup plan. Check the closing dates for the courses you are applying for and don’t miss the deadline.
Get prepared:
- Check the deadlines dates for when applications close
- Apply well before the closing date
- Apply to more than one institution
- Visit the university or college open day (check the dates)
- Apply to more than one institution as you may need an alternative if you are not accepted for your first choice.
Common questions asked by Grades 11’s and 12’s:
Question: I’m not sure what I want to study – should I still apply? Answer: Even if you are not sure what you are going to study next year, apply! Choose at least two courses even if you are not sure which one is right for you. To find out what fields you are suited to do the career guidance questionnaire.
Question:I’m in Grade 11. Why should I care about what I am going to study now? Answer: Universities use your Grade 11 marks to grant provisional acceptance. You apply to university with your Grade 11 marks. Your Grade 11 results are probably as important as your final marks in matric.
Question: I’m taking a gap year so what should I do? Answer: Same thing … apply anyway. It costs you very little, if you decide to take a gap year, just defer your studies to the following year.
Question: I don’t know what career I want to do. Can I still apply? Answer: You don’t need to know exactly what career you are going to do after school. However you do need to know more or less what career fields you are best suited to. A career field is a family of careers, for example: finance, sport, education, engineering, trades, etc. To find out what fields you are suited to, do a free career guidance questionnaire, www.gostudy.net/sa.
Question: I don’t know how I am going to finance my studies? Answer: The application costs very little. Some universities won’t charge an application fee. You can work out how you are going to finance your studies later. Read this article to help you decide how to pay for your studies, here.
Question: What about NBT’s? Do I need to write an NBT before applying? Answer: Most universities will require you to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) before granting you acceptance. The test is used in addition to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) for access to higher education or to determine the kind of learning support you may need during your studies. You must register for NBTs before but you will be the date and venue when and where to write it.