Curtin Curtin Medicine: General Questions and Discussion

[Ranjana]

Rural victoria, non standard . so i guess i wont be able to apply under this scheme.

 

[TKAO]

Rural victoria, non standard . so i guess i wont be able to apply under this scheme.

Ah yes probably not. You can email them to double check but it is unlikely that you would be qualified as a rural applicant given what the information from their website says.

 

[Ranjana]

Thank you .

 

[matcha.latte]

- Curtin is explicit focuses on general practice and rural/remote medicine.

As a Curtin student, I just wanted to say that focus may not be the right word? To clarify for those who may be turned off by this, we do have a few experience opportunities (such as the Rural Immersion week and the Clinician mentorship program), but neither myself or any peers I’ve spoken to feel as if it’s being hammered into our curriculum. At most, we have a PBL case or two that touch on rural/remote medicine and their related services.
Your comments RE: research are valid though. We definitely don’t have many opportunities at the moment, but I know CMS is planning to incorporate more research into the program (soonish).

 

[TKAO]

As a Curtin student, I just wanted to say that focus may not be the right word? To clarify for those who may be turned off by this, we do have a few experience opportunities (such as the Rural Immersion week and the Clinician mentorship program), but neither myself or any peers I’ve spoken to feel as if it’s being hammered into our curriculum. At most, we have a PBL case or two that touch on rural/remote medicine and their related services.
Your comments RE: research are valid though. We definitely don’t have many opportunities at the moment, but I know CMS is planning to incorporate more research into the program (soonish).

I say this only as this is what was said in the latest AMC accreditation report available to me at the time? I think it was the 2016? maybe something like that 2017 report that was filed that basically talked about why the school exists and what they planned on doing with it. I (obviously hahaha) wouldn't know to what extent it's lip service or genuinely put in practice but that's why I mentioned it. But yes, totally valid point, I haven't heard of it having a heavy rural focus unlike what the report said.

Ok, so I searched it up, and according to the 2016 report it said this (on various pages just ctrl f to find the relevant sections):



NOTE: I didn't check UWA's AMC report thoroughly because I couldn't find the first AMC report that they first did that probably went into more detail than their current 2020 report which only says this (it's totally possible that this too is what UWA claimed at the time):

 

[matcha.latte]

I (obviously hahaha) wouldn't know to what extent it's lip service or genuinely put in practice but that's why I mentioned it.

I know that it was their main justification for starting the medical school and it‘s definitely reflected in the Rural/Equity/Indigenous entry pathways, but it hasn’t affected the content. One of my mates started at USYD this year and there doesn’t seem to be a massive difference in what we’re covering; same for the MS1’s I’ve spoken to from UWA.

 

[A1]

it‘s definitely reflected in the Rural/Equity/Indigenous entry pathways, but it hasn’t affected the content.

Though it hasn't affected the content the Curtin Admissions guide says
> https://study.curtin.edu.au/wp-cont...019/12/2020-Medicine-Admissions-Guide4919.pdf

"Curtin Medical School delivers:
• A medical curriculum that emphasises primary care
• A concentration of clinical placements in the underserved southeast metropolitan corridor and regional Western Australia.
CURTIN MEDICAL SCHOOL MISSION
With a strong emphasis on primary care, the mission of the Curtin Medical School is to position graduates well for rural and remote practice, as well as outer metropolitan locations, where there is a shortage of doctors."

Whether they will keep to this MISSION and Curtin graduates will be allocated more toward rural / remote / outer metropolitan intern positions remains to be seen. We will know next year when the first Curtin cohort graduate.

 

[Tomato]

Curtin needs the predicted ATAR, but the interviews for interstate applicants will be held in late January 2021. What's the point to send them a predicted ATAR?

 

[TKAO]

Curtin needs the predicted ATAR, but the interviews for interstate applicants will be held in late January 2021. What's the point to send them a predicted ATAR?

Curtin only needs predicted atars from local residents im pretty sure...

 

[A1]

Curtin needs the predicted ATAR, but the interviews for interstate applicants will be held in late January 2021. What's the point to send them a predicted ATAR?

Curtin selects for interview based on 60:40 ATAR+UCAT. Say they invite 200 non-rurals to interview, one way is to predetermine 150 locals (based on predicted ATAR) and 50 interstates (based on actual ATAR) which is likely to result in different ATAR+UCAT cutoffs for selection.

Curtin does better than that, they ask for predicted ATAR from interstates too so they can select 200 together for the same cutoff. How the 200 split into X locals Y interstates they don't care.

Curtin only needs predicted atars from local residents im pretty sure...

I think this is only for UWA. Curtin does require predicted from interstates.

 

[Tomato]

Curtin selects for interview based on 60:40 ATAR+UCAT. Say they invite 200 non-rurals to interview, one way is to predetermine 150 locals (based on predicted ATAR) and 50 interstates (based on actual ATAR) which is likely to result in different ATAR+UCAT cutoffs for selection.

Curtin does better than that, they ask for predicted ATAR from interstates too so they can select 200 together for the same cutoff. How the 200 split into X locals Y interstates they don't care.



I think this is only for UWA. Curtin does require predicted from interstates.

UWA says may use SJT if cannot have interviews. Will Curtin does the same or interview online?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

UWA says may use SJT if cannot have interviews. Will Curtin does the same or interview online?

Any reply from anyone here would be literal speculation.

Personally, I think online interviews will be the norm, but whether Curtin choose to do this, I have zero idea until they update the masses.

 

[KB8]

Hey everyone, having checked the collated data I have not seen anything on interview offer scores/offer scores for Curtin rural applicants... Does anybody happen to have anecdotal scores? I am attempting to get in as a course switcher, but even ATAR scores/UCAT scores would help...
Thanks

 

[TKAO]

Hey everyone, having checked the collated data I have not seen anything on interview offer scores/offer scores for Curtin rural applicants... Does anybody happen to have anecdotal scores? I am attempting to get in as a course switcher, but even ATAR scores/UCAT scores would help...
Thanks

Unfortunately, anything we would be able to give you would be based purely on speculation. Perhaps matcha.latte might know a thing or two but I doubt they'd be able to help either. They simply don't get enough applications, and rural applicants no less is an even smaller subsection. Remember that Course Switchers are only able to have a MAXIMUM of 8 positions according to their AMC documentation.

 

[KB8]

Unfortunately, anything we would be able to give you would be based purely on speculation. Perhaps matcha.latte might know a thing or two but I doubt they'd be able to help either. They simply don't get enough applications, and rural applicants no less is an even smaller subsection. Remember that Course Switchers are only able to have a MAXIMUM of 8 positions according to their AMC documentation.

Ah, thanks TKAO. I didn’t realise that there are only 8 positions for course switchers too... I know someone got a bonded offer with a 90 CWA and 50th percentile UCAT, unfortunately I’m not doing much better with a 85 CWA and 67th percentile UCAT - since according to their 2021 admissions guide, rural students “will only compete with other eligible rural applicants” for positions, I’ve been wondering Whether this means I only compete against OTHER rural course switchers, due to the separation of the school leaver and non-standard applicant pools???
I would say surely not, as I am probably the only one, or 1 of a handful as the rural applications are contained to Curtin University WA-based rural students. I will contact Curtin on whether as a rural course switcher I will compete against High school rural students, or Curtin course switchers since we are a seperate pool of applicants...
I will try and keep people updated since MSO data has helped give me rough targets to hit this year.

 

[Dea6]

Hi,
I’m wondering if anyone can tell me when Curtin sends out its interview offers? Also given COVID and border closures are they likely to offer more places for WA students as opposed to interstate?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hi,
I’m wondering if anyone can tell me when Curtin sends out its interview offers? Also given COVID and border closures are they likely to offer more places for WA students as opposed to interstate?

Last year it was around the 20-25th of November for first round interviews in early December. And I’ve not heard anything about Curtin altering their offer procedures to deliberately preference local students (beyond their already-in-place programs such as Curtin course-switchers, etc). I wouldn’t think they’d do this. Medicine is always WELL over-subscribed, they’ll have no trouble filling their place offer spots using their typical selection methods.

 

[saba5678]

I just posted in a UQ thread but I am truly feeling for those with these high 80s / low 90s UCAT scores this year - such amazing scores and yet just not enough this year (significantly contributed to by university "local graduate" quotas). USC Griffith and JCU may be your best shots at this point. The others are sadly looking unlikely. Best of luck regardless

I was hoping maybe WA unis (uwa & curtin) might be a bit more lax. Are those unlikely too, given that I'm interstate?

 

[Crow]

I was hoping maybe WA unis (uwa & curtin) might be a bit more lax. Are those unlikely too, given that I'm interstate?

Curtin is actually really difficult to land an interview at, and I haven't seen score combos like yours land a UWA interview as an interstate applicant in the past couple years. You might scrape interviews there if you're lucky, but I would plan for the alternative, unfortunately.

 

[esprioas]

Curtin is actually really difficult to land an interview at, and I haven't seen score combos like yours land a UWA interview as an interstate applicant in the past couple years. You might scrape interviews there if you're lucky, but I would plan for the alternative, unfortunately.

I received a Curtin Interview and offer last year with a 99.70 ATAR and 88th UCAT if that might give you some hope - I feel for you!!! (I am from nsw with no special considerations or rural etc.) saba5678