"You shouldn't rely on mature age as entry and you shouldn't expect to get into uni even if you have completed a tafe diploma unless its A. at a low demand course B. at a crap uni."
^ Whilst you're correct in saying that mature age alone is not sufficient for entry, if we're discussing age alone, I'm sorry but the rest of what you said there is not correct at all. If someone has aced their tafe diploma, they're not going to be put on the "maybe" pile, and you should have a high expectation of gaining entry to university with a *completed* tafe diploma.
Mature age and alternative entry, when over the age of 20, seem to have a blurred line. Check the distinctions between mature age and alternative entry at the universities you're applying at. I've been applying to UNSW, and in order to be competitive as a mature age entrant, you need to complete one of a list of 4 tertiary preparation courses, I did Open Foundation at University of Newcastle (they convert your course marks into an ATAR, I scored an 87
, much better than my 2005 UAI of 55). However for alternative entry they take your previous tertiary study (TAFE, private colleges, other university study etc). Some unis like Macquarie and UTS ask you to submit a personal statement/essay along with previous study which is used along with your application for mature age, with heavy emphasis on the personal statement. So make sure to check the difference between an institutions alternative entry and mature age entry.
When I left high school I went straight to TAFE at Ultimo and completed a laboratory (pathology) diploma, 2 year course. The time I finished I was 20, and UTS considered me a mature age student. Most other unis it's 21, but UTS it's 20. All I did was submit an essay to the university and did the UAC application as usual and I got in, in 2008 to the B Biomedical Science. Stayed there for 2 years but left, because the course structure wasn't what I was after (I wanted to major in microbiology and they didn't provide that for me, plus being in a course I didn't like decimated my grade average because I hated turning up to classes I didn't want to do) + life problems got in the way to boot. They take your tafe results, and if you don't have them, then I guess previous work experience. Or if you've done a tertiary preparation certificate, like Open Foundation at UNCLE (which is recognised and recommended by UNSW and USYD). They didn't use my UAI at all - was probably out of date by that time.
I've never done the STAT test, but I honestly would only do it if your TAFE results were not good at all i.e you anticipate that you failed a core unit and will have to come back the following year to repeat it. About 1/3 of my pathology cohort, all made it to UTS with me, either in the same degree I did or the B Medical Science or the B Forensic Science (or whatever their forensics is called, can't remember), and nobody took the STAT. Others went to other unis such as Macquarie and Wollongong with no STAT as well. Whether you want to take the STAT is up to you. If you feel it's going to help you, then by all means do it. However not many universities will accept just STAT results on their own, so you can't just do STAT and expect to get into uni. I think Macquarie deem the STAT as sole entry for mature age students, but they may be the only one.
The benefits of mature age? If you pick up some tafe courses or college courses, you get the chance to study more and get ahead of the group when you get to uni, get yourself a qualifcation or two and have the time to figure out if it's really what you want to do. They don't use your ATAR/UAI. I wouldn't say it's easier, but it is definitely less stressful than HSC. You're getting difficult work whether at tafe, college or prep course, but you're not harassed with the looming cloud of scaling and other bullshit like that. What marks you achieve, they are yours. They won't fiddle with them, or scale them. If you get credit average, they'll judge you on credit average. (probably nobody would use the UAI anymore though I guess
)
The negatives? It obviously takes longer. There's the chance you may be demotivated.
Long story short, mature age entry does not mean you have done STAT test or extensive work history. Like myself, you could've done a tafe diploma, or done the Open Foundation course at UNCLE. Plus, not every university accepts the STAT test alone as a means for mature age entry. I think maybe Macquarie does that, but am not sure 100%.
P.S There's also another pathway I haven't seen mentioned that frequently around here, Newstep at UNCLE. It's for people aged 18-20, so it's something you should have a look into, and it's a one year course, where at the end of it all I believe you get another ATAR which overanks your year 12 one, but don't quote me on that, do your research. Site for more info here
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/foundation-studies/newstep/ As it's sponsored by the government, the course itself is free, you just need to pay for textbooks + other uni expenses. Definitely something worth checking out if you can travel to the Central Coast or Newcastle.
Good luck with whatever happens dude! Jeebus christ on rollerblades, sorry for the novel :/
