There is no stressed-filled lead-up to the release of Year 12 results OP on Saturday for Caboolture State High School’s Lateesha McGrath.

The school’s Sportsperson of the Year found out she had a place in USC’s Paramedic Science degree before graduating high school after successfully applying for the University’s Early Offer Guarantee program.

Lateesha is among 750 school leavers from 105 different Queensland schools who gained early and guaranteed offers to USC degrees before receiving their Year 12 results and Overall Position (OP) scores which determine university entry.

The popularity of the scheme is growing, with an increase of almost 40 percent in applicants from 2017 and a 24 percent jump in the number of participating schools in the past two years.

“Since the start of Year 11 I have been stressing about getting the OP I needed, so it is a massive relief to not have to worry,” said the 17-year-old from Burpengary East.

“USC was one of my top preferences so by applying for an early offer I was assured of a place based not only on my academic performance, but also my motivation, passions and talents,” she said.

“It is wonderful way to finish Year 12. While others are now nervously waiting for their results I can take the time to relax and focus on getting ready for next year,” said Lateesha, who was a school House Leader in Year 12.

The talented sportsperson, who has represented the Sunshine Coast in swimming, athletes and cross country was also the school’s Sportsperson of the Year and received its School Spirit Award.

Lateesha said she had always wanted to work in a health-related field.

“Even as a child I’ve been interested in how the human body works. I am looking forward to exploring this further during my studies and turning this fascination into a career as a paramedic,” she said.

USC’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Nelson said the Early Offer Guarantee scheme helped students have security around their future before finishing school.

“To be eligible for the program students need to complete any prerequisite subjects for their chosen program, ensure their academic performance and potential is in line with the OP or rank required, and have the endorsement of their school,” she said.

Professor Nelson expects interest in early offers to grow with the introduction of Australian Tertiary Admission Rank to replace the OP system, starting with Year 11 students in 2019.

Applications are still open to study at USC in 2019.

— Clare McKay