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CSU CSU Dentistry: Q&A and General Discussion

Hutcherson

Emeritus Staff
Emeritus Staff
CSU Dentistry Questions & Answers Thread
This is the official mso thread for any questions relating to CSU Dentistry. I have been receiving a number of messages from people and a lot of the questions are the same. So if you send me a question, I will post it here only. Please do not message me questions that have already been posted up here. You may wish to post questions in this thread and I will add it on to the thread answered ^^.

Admission
What is the process?
Step 1. Apply for CSU Dentistry on UAC by 30[SUP]th[/SUP] September.
Step 2. Fill the written application form and ensure it arrives at the Orange Campus by 30[SUP]th[/SUP] September.
Step 3. Wait for interview offers in Mid-November.
How many people apply?
Roughly 1,000-1,200 apply each year.
How many get in?
100 Interviews will be offered and 40 places given.

School Leaver Entry

What ATAR do I need?
CSU requires a 90 minimum as the cut off.

Non-standard Entry
How many non-standards do they accept a year?
Half the cohort each year are non-standards.
What GPA do I need?
CSU requires GPA of 5.0 as the minimum to be considered. But higher the better.

Written Application
What tips can you give me for the written application?
Answers the questions provided and make it an individual response. Make it unique and show who you are as a applicant and your opinions about dentistry.

Should I answer all the three questions separately or together?
This will depend on the person. The structure won’t matter. Structure it, in such a way, so you can express your answers to the best of your ability.

What should the word count be?
Fill the spaces provided. There is no word limit.

What does a letter of support contain?
A reference from someone who knows you well and can support and explain why you should study dentistry.

Why study at CSU and dentistry at CSU?

That will depend on you. What is it about CSU that attracts you? Everyone will have different views and opinions on this.

Is it okay to write "CSU" or should we write "Charles Sturt University"?
I suggest you write Charles Sturt University (CSU) then CSU anytime after that.

Work Experience

Do I really need to do it? Yes.
How do you get work experience?
Just hand in a resume to a dental clinic your interested in working at and ask them if they are willing to have you shadow them for a few days.
How many days do I need to do?
As many or as little as you want. Everyone has a different number of days. This has varied from days to years for applicants due to past experiences.
Do I have to fill all 5 spots?
No. Fill as many as you want.
Should I bother applying if I don't have work experience?
Doesn't hurt to try.

Interview
What tips can you give me for the interview?
You can find many practice interview questions on google, MSO and other sources. Just be yourself and show who you are as a person and why you want to study dentistry. Be honest and show what you have to offer as an applicant.

What motivated you to do dentistry?
My motivations should not matter to you and copying them is simply wrong. I am confused ask to why someone would as me this. It’s your motivations that matter when writing your application. Be yourself.
How did you get in?
I applied just like everyone else.
Is it hard to get in?
Dentistry at any university will always be a strong competition.
How do you deal with finances?
Majority of students get support from centrelink and scholarships.For general information about the university & admission process please click on the following link: http://www.medstudentsonline.com.au/content/about-csu-dent-322/
 
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mighty

Regular Member
Thanks so much for this Hutch. :) Very helpful. :)

One quick question, in the written component of the app, is it okay to write "CSU" or should we write "Charles Sturt University"?
 

mighty

Regular Member
Apologies.. another question.

Is it okay to use contractions? Ie. I'm, I've, I'll, It's etc.
 

miss_universe

muse.
Emeritus Staff
Apologies.. another question.

Is it okay to use contractions? Ie. I'm, I've, I'll, It's etc.

Yes, ensuring you use correct punctuation and english.
 

miss_universe

muse.
Emeritus Staff
Would using the contractions detract from the formality of my app though? I'm just a bit iffy on what register I should be using to answer the questions.
You can use contractions and still have formal English. I would use them to avoid sound overally formal
 
Hey Hutch really good advice summary :)

I just finished my application tonight after a very long process of writing and re-writing the letter :) ( and in the middle of midsemester exam period...kill me now ) however when I was trying to fill the application on the comp it kept not letting me fill in the appropriate areas etc. I got really frustrated and printed it and filled it in by hand? does anyone know if this matters? like do they use a text recognition program to sort entries or something? I know its probs a dumb question but filling the form out on my computer just seemed much harder then necessary
 

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also does anyone know why we are asked to write the letter rather then type? what the point? are they analysing our writing skills ? or neatness? tradition maybe? or manual dexterity?? I can't seem to figure out the point...
 

Omm

BDSc BSc(HONS) PGradDip Ortho (UK)
@shewanabadentistreallybad

I think you mean the work experience practitioner details, fields 2 and 3. I tried ringing CSU once about it but then got a bit busy with end of school stuff and just hand wrote the name and phone number neatly in the two spaces where they wouldn't go. I sent my application about a week ago as well. I didn't get a bomb in the confirmation envelope so it can't be extremely bad :p But wait for Hutch :D


Maybe manual dexterity? xD My writing was tiny and neat for a male I think xD
 
I think you mean the work experience practitioner details, fields 2 and 3.

Yeah thats right, I was going to do that too but I thought I should probably keep it in all one format, perhaps ill redo it.... Surely if multiple people are having problems with the form they will excuse any hand writing right?

and Goodluck Omm :D

My writing was tiny too and I tried to make it as neat as possible but I had 900 words I had to try squish in lol
 
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Hutcherson

Emeritus Staff
Emeritus Staff
also does anyone know why we are asked to write the letter rather then type? what the point? are they analysing our writing skills ? or neatness? tradition maybe? or manual dexterity?? I can't seem to figure out the point...

If the computer won't let you write details, just hand write it. I will let admissions know :) I got told a while back by a lecturer why you had to hand write but it has slipped my mind.
 

ohynnahs

Member
Hello Hutcherson,

Do you have any suggestions as to how to show my GPA in my application form? I was planning to print out the GPA form from GAMSAT booklet and hand write it.... what do you think?
 
I hope being a dental assistant gives me a good chance.
*fingers crossed*
my academics are average, sure there ill be better but I hope my experience so far in the dental field pays offfff..
I don't know what the chances of it are but we'll see soon.
Apparently, we'll be nnotified if our applications are successful or unsuccessful at the end of october.
GOOD LUCK to everyone.
 

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ohynnahs

Member
Thanks Hutcherson! I hope my 5.1GPA will be overlooked and my dental background will win them over!
I called today and asked more about BDs and the lady told me i needed at least a Credit GPA which made me annoyed =(
 

Hutcherson

Emeritus Staff
Emeritus Staff
Thanks Hutcherson! I hope my 5.1GPA will be overlooked and my dental background will win them over!
I called today and asked more about BDs and the lady told me i needed at least a Credit GPA which made me annoyed =(

A credit is a GPA of 5.0 :)
 

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