Clonard dux Khushi Madaan gets visa just in time for uni offers

Khushi Madaan was Clonard College’s 2024 dux, but without permanent residency she was unable to afford the cost of university. Now she’s finally learned her visa application’s outcome.

Khushi Madaan was the Clonard College 2024 dux with an ATAR of 97.85. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Geelong dux can finally celebrate her ATAR success, having received her permanent residency visa just days before the first round of university offers.

Clonard College student Khushi Madaan received an ATAR of 97.85 in December, but her hopes of studying medicine remained in limbo because without a permanent residency visa, she would be unable to afford the cost of university.

So instead of celebrating, the 17-year-old contacted the Geelong Advertiser to express her disappointment that her visa, which she applied for seven months prior, had still not been processed.

“The article was published on the Tuesday, “ she said.

“On Wednesday we got the request (from the Department of Home Affairs) for a medical, so we drove 200km to get it done that day,

“We got the results on Thursday and the visas on Friday (December 20).”

Khushi said her family have lived in Australia for seven years after moving from India, and were overwhelmed with joy to finally be granted permanent residency.

“It was around 2.30pm, my brother opened (the visa notification) first, and then he started screaming, running to my mum,” she said.

“He showed us and we all started screaming.”

Khushi said her dad was at work when they called him with the news.

“He was trying to be low-key because he was at work, but he was really excited,” she said.

”When he got home he kept hugging everyone, (and) we went out to dinner to celebrate.”

Khushi immediately contacted the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) to update her university application profile.

She said if the changes are made in time she hoped to be considered for university offers in round one of domestic offers, which are released on January 10.

“I’m a very shy person, so it was strange to be on the front of the newspaper,” she said.

“But mum and dad have worked so hard over the years, seeing them relax was worth it.”

“We’d been waiting on it for so long.”

Khushi Madaan was the 2024 dux of Clonard College.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker said outcome for Khushi and her family was a well-deserved outcome.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Khushi,” she said.

“I’m especially pleased that she plans to pursue a career in medicine – her determination and commitment will no doubt lead to great success.

“I’ve been proud to advocate for Khushi and look forward to seeing the incredible contributions she will make to our communities.”

Originally published as Clonard dux Khushi Madaan gets visa just in time for uni offers