Choosing An Undergraduate Degree: Questions and Discussions

[Crow]

So would you 'rank' the uni's from easy to difficult like so: Griffith, QUT, UQ?

No.

 

[dotwingz]

I have had similar experiences comparing the computer science exams at UNSW, UoN, Macquarie, and UQ. The difference between UNSW/UQ and UoN/MQ were phenomenal, the MQ and UoN course was significantly easier than the UQ one... but in the same vein, the UQ and UoN Chemistry courses I compared were pretty much the exact same.

I dont really think its worth choosing a different uni for it being perceived as easier....

 

[A1]

I personally don’t buy into the viewpoint of “Go8 unis are more prestigious, therefore their exams are harder and the degree is worth more”

I said nothing about prestigious or degree is worth more. All I said was about exam difficulty levels so please don't twist my words.

Adding to what dotwingz just posted "The difference between UNSW/UQ and UoN/MQ were phenomenal", here's a few more comments from other people

> https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2217399#r41900927
"In my opinion having studied at a number of universities, the higher ranked universities do tend to have tougher assignments."
Another poster: "However the thing that really matters is how hard the exam is! I seen some non G8 with the identical book, have it soooo easy."

> Are certain unis harder than others?
"Anyone who thinks there is no appreciable difference in difficulty in say, a Maths degree, at the 100+ institutions offering that course is mistaken."
"If 10% of students on a course with AAA entrance requirements get a first, and 10% of students on a course with CCC entrance requirements also get a first then I would say that there is some difference in difficulty between the courses."
In answering the question if there's difference "Yes, compare a Cambridge maths exam with say an ex-poly maths exam (I have nothing against ex polys)."

 

[denosawr]

I said nothing about prestigious or degree is worth more. All I said was about exam difficulty levels so please don't twist my words.

Adding to what dotwingz just posted "The difference between UNSW/UQ and UoN/MQ were phenomenal", here's a few more comments from other people

> https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2217399#r41900927
"In my opinion having studied at a number of universities, the higher ranked universities do tend to have tougher assignments."
Another poster: "However the thing that really matters is how hard the exam is! I seen some non G8 with the identical book, have it soooo easy."

> Are certain unis harder than others?
"Anyone who thinks there is no appreciable difference in difficulty in say, a Maths degree, at the 100+ institutions offering that course is mistaken."
"If 10% of students on a course with AAA entrance requirements get a first, and 10% of students on a course with CCC entrance requirements also get a first then I would say that there is some difference in difficulty between the courses."
In answering the question if there's difference "Yes, compare a Cambridge maths exam with say an ex-poly maths exam (I have nothing against ex polys)."

Do you think that there will be much of a difference within the Go8? That is, say, UWA vs Monash vs UNSW? Or are they going to be similar?

 

[A1]

Do you think that there will be much of a difference within the Go8? That is, say, UWA vs Monash vs UNSW? Or are they going to be similar?

Bear in mind the post you quoted above was about doing a non-med degree. For medicine there will be some differences between the schools, Go8 or non-Go8 they can't all be identical. But 90+% of people here will tell you there's no material difference in the end result - we all graduate with an AMC-accredited medical degree.

If you are fortunate to get multiple med offers to choose from, this thread is more applicable
> Guide: Choosing Between Multiple Offers for Medicine/Dentistry

 

[singhi]

Theoretically any applicant, once their ATAR+UCAT achieves interview selection, with a top/near-top interview should get a final ranking high enough to qualify for an offer. Otherwise the school would be wasting its time & the student's time interviewing them for nothing.

(One exception is Adelaide med - its ATAR eligibility is 90.0, invites based solely on UCAT. So one with 91.0 + 96th%ile gets an interview but I don't think a top interview can lift overall to the top 1/4th or 1/3rd for an offer).

You have been so helpful. Thank you. One last question I have is whether or not a bachelor of biomedical science is a good backup degree? On one hand, I've heard that the degree alone isn't great if you don't pursue further study, but I've also heard that it's a great stepping stone to medicine. What are your thoughts?

 

[A1]

One last question I have is whether or not a bachelor of biomedical science is a good backup degree? On one hand, I've heard that the degree alone isn't great if you don't pursue further study, but I've also heard that it's a great stepping stone to medicine.

Actually any degree can be a good stepping stone to medicine. So choose one that's most suitable & useful to you (provided it's not so hard it prevents you getting a sufficient GPA for graduate-entry med).

Have a read of this post/thread, you'll find BioMed/MedSc is among the least favourite in MSO's opinions
> Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

 

[DanielG28]

Once you have got provisional entry into UQ they allow you to do engineering as an undergraduate degree. Are there any other University like this - which provides you provisional entry into the graduate MD and allow you to complete an undergraduate in engineering?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Once you have got provisional entry into UQ they allow you to do engineering as an undergraduate degree. Are there any other University like this - which provides you provisional entry into the graduate MD and allow you to complete an undergraduate in engineering?

Possibly UMelb? But that would be it, I’d think.
Griffith = set undergrad
Flinders = set undergrad
USyd = BA or BSc (I think?? Maybe the BSc would have an engineering major possibility?)
UWA = set degree if you go the 6 yr route, not sure if you take the longer option

 

[A1]

Once you have got provisional entry into UQ they allow you to do engineering as an undergraduate degree. Are there any other University like this - which provides you provisional entry into the graduate MD and allow you to complete an undergraduate in engineering?

Adding to LMG's reply, UQ MD now has a few biomed prereqs you should check whether Engineering allows these prereq subjects as electives.

UWA Med says "Students on a Assured Pathway may choose to undertake any UWA bachelor’s degree" so I assume BEng(Hons) is possible
> Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
(Btw I think this is only from this year, previously UWA Engineering was a Melb-model Masters (BEngSc+MPE) so not possible).

 

[justwantdent]

not sure where to ask this, but what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree if i muck up my atar? you'll probably say that it's all subjective and depends, but eeeeveryone somehow says that medical science is really hard and not worth it?

just not sure what to put for uac bc i like lots of different degrees but can't prioritise them

 

[A1]

what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree

Finance/Accounting?
Be warned, if you choose MedSc you run the risk of being disowned by MSO

 

[jyangy]

what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree

Economics and Commerce is probably what you're looking for imo. Would suggest you stay away from engineering if you want to keep a high GPA, otherwise that's pretty good too

 

[dotwingz]

not sure where to ask this, but what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree if i muck up my atar? you'll probably say that it's all subjective and depends, but eeeeveryone somehow says that medical science is really hard and not worth it?

just not sure what to put for uac bc i like lots of different degrees but can't prioritise them

Why don't you think the advice applys to you? Not that you should be taking everything you read on anonymous internet forums at face value, but i find it hard to disagree that your choice of a uni degree would be a subjective choice.

 

[chinaski]

not sure where to ask this, but what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree if i muck up my atar? you'll probably say that it's all subjective and depends, but eeeeveryone somehow says that medical science is really hard and not worth it?

Perceived and experienced "difficulty" of a degree is entirely subjective and contingent on your personal abilities, interest and application. Personally I've completed three degrees and the medical degree wasn't the "hardest" of the three. I have a mate who did a BSc in pure mathematics who got straight HDs without even turning up to classes. That doesn't mean that medicine and pure maths are "easy" degrees. And no, before anyone goes there, an Arts degree is not by default "easy" - so put that right out of your head too.

 

[Caffeine]

not sure where to ask this, but what's a relatively 'easy' science/math-y bachelor degree if i muck up my atar? you'll probably say that it's all subjective and depends, but eeeeveryone somehow says that medical science is really hard and not worth it?

just not sure what to put for uac bc i like lots of different degrees but can't prioritise them

Just as caution. I've had some very good friends fall into the trap that "lower SR" courses such as commerce/arts are easy. First of all you should like your course in case your unable to get into dent at all, second selecting courses based on what others say leaves the possibility that you dislike the course making it significantly harder to do well , or get a job in the field (It's not a walk in the park to get jobs in commerce, eng etc). If you actually are excellent in science and are really interested in it you'll do your best in that compared to commerce where marking can get a lot more subjective. Also whilst medsci is said to be very competitive I think that's very dependent on the uni you go to and the same applies to other degrees.

 

[christinaa123]

Hey,
I am not sure if this is the right thread, but I was wanting advice on a backup option for medicine. I definitely want to do medicine, and if I am unable to get in this year (I am a Yr 12 student), I will try again next year. Currently, I have put dentistry as my second option, as in the case where I would never be able to do med, I would choose dentistry.
I just wanted to know if this is a poor back-up decision, due to the fact that it would be difficult to get a good GPA in dentistry (which is required to get into med) and also balance re-sitting UCAT/GAMSAT with the rigour of the dentistry course.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Crow]

Hey,
I am not sure if this is the right thread, but I was wanting advice on a backup option for medicine. I definitely want to do medicine, and if I am unable to get in this year (I am a Yr 12 student), I will try again next year. Currently, I have put dentistry as my second option, as in the case where I would never be able to do med, I would choose dentistry.
I just wanted to know if this is a poor back-up decision, due to the fact that it would be difficult to get a good GPA in dentistry (which is required to get into med) and also balance re-sitting UCAT/GAMSAT with the rigour of the dentistry course.
Thanks for your help!

You shouldn’t select your undergrad degree on the basis of what might be easier/harder to achieve a high GPA. If dentistry is genuinely your next highest preference for a career after medicine, then you should preference dentistry second.

 

[Lazy_Penguin]

Hi everyone, I received an ATAR of 99.4 and an interview offer at JCU earlier but sadly was not able to receive any medicine offers in the offer round yesterday. I am now looking at pathways to medicine. Between physiotherapy, nursing, or biomedical science which pathway would allow me to maximise my GPA the most without sacrificing too much time so that I still be able to extensively study for GAMSAT. I don't doing any course as long as it is the one the maximises my chances of getting in. I don't know anyone personally I could talk to about this and was wondering if someone with experience could give me some advice?
Thanks for the help

 

[DrDrLMG!]

I feel like there’s already a thread similar to this but I can’t find it. Perhaps the discussion is just spread all over the forum…

If I find an existing thread I’ll merge them