The year that Rishi defied the odds

Student life

No ATAR.
No stopping him.

Rishi's astounding rise.

Although, Rishi always wanted to go to uni, for a while it looked out of reach. High school was going well until a chronic disease landed him in ICU for a week. From then, his attendance suffered as he tried to get his condition under control. By year ten, his attendance was sitting at 20-30%, and his school wouldn’t let him pass the grade. “It was really hard to be consistent and there’s a lot of learning I missed out on.”

He dropped out of high school that year and took some time off to sort out his health. As things improved, he studied at TAFE and started teaching himself skills through online courses. Eventually he knew exactly what he wanted to do – IT at uni – but without an ATAR his options were slim.

“Most universities required, you know, a minimum ATAR of 60, 70, 80, and I couldn’t hit that. It felt really disheartening. It’s kind of hard to keep going forward when you hit a barrier you can’t negotiate with.”

Helping keep Hyde Park clean

Rishi kept pushing and exploring his options, including UTS College. “I went to the UTS open day, and they had a panel about the College. Right then and there, I knew that was the spot for me.” His case was unique, and the college took his circumstances, determination, and TAFE results into account, offering him a place in their Diploma of IT.

It was the open door he needed, but he was still concerned he might be a long way behind his classmates. That worry soon disappeared as Rishi made the college’s resources work for him, building his confidence and knowledge step by step. One-on-one time with the teachers meant a lot. He could ask questions in a supportive environment, without feeling like it was something he should already know. That personal attention gave him the academic momentum he knew he was capable of.

First long distance run

Running in the 2025 Hoka Half Marathon

Rishi found more than academic support at UTS College. Like many students, he was unsure if (or how) he would meet people. After years of not venturing far due to illness, Rishi threw himself into every available activity. From photo hunting to speed-friending during Orientation Week, he did it all, making friends and finding his group almost instantly. “The friendships I made at UTS College from the very first week until now are my second family and my go-to support circle.” With teachers helping Rishi close any gaps and his ‘second family’ cheering him on, it wasn’t long before all his efforts paid off. “I had these goals I wanted to hit, and every time I hit one goal, an even better goal comes up. And it all still seems reachable.”

Receiving the Dean's Merit Award

Turning point for me academically, physical confirmation I was back on track

“After my first semester at UTS College, I received the Dean’s Merit Award for having the highest GPA in my course. I had a great opportunity to speak in front of everyone, and that told me that I feel really successful here.”

Garage is renovated and ready to move in

Speaking at the Dean's Awards

Beyond his academic success Rishi challenged himself whenever he could. He had experiences he could never have predicted. One such proud moment was hosting a panel for the College on AI and tech.

“I didn't know, but one of our UTS College alumni is a chief AI scientist for the government. For me to chair that panel while still a student in my second semester, was really, really big.”

Rishi's Takeaways

For Rishi, UTS College looked at the whole person not just his lack of ATAR, giving him an opportunity other universities wouldn’t.

Starting his year at UTS College nervous, uncertain, and facing a heap of barriers, Rishi knocked it out of the park. It was the year he defied the odds and took charge of his future. The year that made him prove the ATAR wrong, in the most epic way possible.

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