A new adventure: Shepparton high school graduate Charlotte Collins, 18, is moving to Bendigo to begin university studies.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
Greater Shepparton Secondary College graduate Charlotte Collins, 18, accepted an offer to study at La Trobe University in Bendigo following the January 14 offer round and, although her 2022 plans are drastically different than what she imagined two years ago, she’s confident on her path.
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Miss Collins previously planned on taking a gap year in Italy, Greece and the United States when she finished Year 12, before moving to Melbourne to study public relations.
“I really love travelling, it was so unexpected for me to go straight to uni,” she said.
Taking part in La Trobe’s Bradford Pathways Program while in her final year at GSSC helped Miss Collins follow her nose, and her heart, when it came to exploring her options after school.
The program was launched in Shepparton in 2019 to connect high school students with mentors and encourage participation in higher education.
After much deliberation and consultation with her Bradford mentor, Miss Collins has settled on a degree in business enterprise, which will prepare her to run her own venture in the future.
Shepparton head of campus Elizabeth Capp said Bradford participants received a conditional offer to study at La Trobe University while they were still finishing high school subject to meeting entry requirements.
“It’s about building confidence in a group of young people who may not necessarily aspire to further study,” she said.
In 2021, 64 students completed the Bradford Pathways Program, 42 of who were at Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
The others were from Numurkah and Cobram secondary colleges.
The key takeaway from the program for Miss Collins was that no matter what ATAR she achieved, there would be pathways into any course she wanted to pursue.
“Don't ever let anyone tell someone, tell you that you can't do your dream course,” she said.
Welcome: The Shepparton campus of La Trobe University has capacity to welcome about 100 new students in 2022.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
More than 1100 students have received an offer to study at one of four regional La Trobe University campuses as part of the January Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre offer round.
There is room for about 100 new students at the Shepparton campus, which delivers a variety of undergraduate degrees, including in nursing, social work and education.
Ms Capp said students who lived close by and studied online degrees with La Trobe would receive support from the Shepparton campus.
“We’ve developed a program called Regional Connect for online students,” Ms Capp said, adding the program would encourage students to visit the campus and tap into the opportunities and help on offer.
Ms Capp said the Shepparton campus received more applications this year than the previous one, and the majority were from mature-age students.
La Trobe University acting vice-chancellor Susan Dodds praised all students starting this year for their resilience and determination.
“After completing their secondary education under very difficult circumstances, this year’s cohort are to be congratulated for their flexibility, resilience and firm focus on pursuing their passion,” Prof Dodds said.
Prof Dodds said in addition to the January VTAC offers, La Trobe made many offers to direct applicants.
A variety of courses are still open for direct application, including in Shepparton.
To find out more, visitlatrobe.edu.au or call 1300 135 045.
