TWELVE years of hard work has paid off for Redlynch's Lachlan McLaren, who is among the Far Northschool leavers to land a place at university.

The former Trinity Bay State High School student is one of 80 to be offered a place in James Cook University's dentistry program in Cairns  a course that attracted about 1400 applications.

"I'm pretty shocked to get in," the 17-year-old said.

He will follow in the footsteps of his sister Riley, who is about to begin her third year in dentistry at the Cairns campus. "She's loving it and has been telling me how good it is," he said.

Lachlan said a work experience stint at a local dental clinic had cemented his decision to make dentistry his first preference.

And while some of his fellow school-leavers were heading south for their tertiary studies, Lachlan said he had no interest in leaving home.

JCU has offered 1013 places, with engineering and information technology among the most popular.

Deputy vice-chancellor Dr Stephen Weller said applicants had further options after this major round of offers.

"We will be making further offers in February. After you consider your offer there is still time to make a late application or change your preferences," he said.

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