Maddie Rogers had known since she was a little girl that she would be a scientist.
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In high school, she thought more deeply about her ambitions and decided she wanted to do advanced honours at university.
But the day the ATARs were announced was a dark one. Her mark was lower than she had expected - too low for entry into the University of Wollongong's science program.
"I was really disappointed," Maddie said.
"My exam results were OK, but the [ATAR] was low because of scaling."
The Menai 18-year-old was among admissions hopefuls at UOW on Tuesday for the annual Options Day.
The day is intended to help with decision-making among students who received an ATAR higher or lower than they expected, with academic staff and representatives from UOW College and TAFE Illawarra on hand to answer questions and explain pathways.
Abbie Boyd, 19, of Bomaderry, came in search of inspiration.
"I've come here as one of those kids who has no idea what they want to do," she said.
"They say to turn your passion into a career, and I really love taking photographs. This has given me some options. Sometimes the day yields a second chance.
After taking her turn at the information counter, Maddie broke into tears and hugged boyfriend Jye Morrell. She would be studying science after all.
"They looked at my bonus points and my exam results and said they can make it happen," she told the Mercury.