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Dentistry Entry Discussion and Questions

Hi, I've got a 5.4/7 GPA & MCAT score of 503 (~60%), any advise on what aremy chances for acceptance into USYD/UWA MD/DMD programme? Should I try my luck?
Definitely worth an application! Keep in mind that some schools will set individual section hurdle scores for the MCAT, so you'll need to make sure you are above those for the schools you choose to apply to. You may have more luck on the PagingDr forum than on here - if you check out the offers threads from previous years you will see the scores that international students required to gain admission into various schools. Though, most of the reports are from applicants who sat GAMSAT rather than MCAT, so it might be hard for you to compare the two.

International students generally require substantially lower score combinations than domestic students, so you're probably still in with a decent shot with those scores, and there's little to lose by applying anyways. Good luck!
 
Hey, I did exactly this pathway in 2019 and was successful with a WAM of 90.9.

I don't necessarily want to scare you away, but frankly I would seriously caution you against taking this path unless you're willing to diversify your options with the UCAT, and apply everywhere (e.g. CSU, Griffith, UQ, Adelaide). This year it seems the minimum WAM for internal transfer was a 90, and realising this score was hands-down the most challenging task I've ever undertaken. I've heard it said that for 2020 entry there were over 200 applicants for 5-7 internal transfer places, and have received so many private messages on this forum alone from others who were unsuccessful despite amazing WAMs in the high 80s.

Frankly it's a huge gamble of a year with poor odds. Not only are you reliant on hard work and personal drive, but so much of your success will be determined by how generous your markers are, and how fortunate you are with group projects - factors beyond your control. Throughout my year in Bundoora I met several aspiring Physios and Dent students who were despairing that slack group members had sunk their chances. It's just the most awful feeling to go through the year knowing that any mark that starts with an 8 is going to undermine your chances.
Hi,

You said people got high 80s but still didn't get in. Does that mean 89, 88? Or 85?
I just want to be able to weigh out my chances.

Thank you
 
Hi,

You said people got high 80s but still didn't get in. Does that mean 89, 88? Or 85?
I just want to be able to weigh out my chances.

Thank you
High 80s as in 88/89 didn't get in. 85 would unfortunately have little to no chance for an internal transfer. La Trobe admissions are generally very upfront about this, citing 'Whilst a WAM of 85 is required, to be competitive you realistically need much higher' or something to that effect.
 
Hi guys,

Given the pandemic situation, would we expect the cutoffs for entry to increase or decrease this year?

Since people are now spending all day at home and have more time to study, I am projecting the cutoffs to increase a lot. However since education has moved online and the quality of education is taking a hit, I also see a reason why people could end up performing slightly worse on exams and therefore cutoffs to decrease slightly. Also some uni's like La Trobe are not proctoring their exams (my subjects at least), meaning we don't have to use a camera and screen record (potential to cheat) whilst other unis have to. This would mean people in my circumstances have an advantage in applying for 2021 admission and so maybe the cutoffs will increase?

I'm applying for an internal transfer into la trobe dentistry and I am on track for a 93-94 wam for first semester and hopefully will stay consistent for the second - I've heard that a 90 minimum wam has been enough in past years but do you guys foresee this to increase or stay the same this year given the circumstances.

Just looking for insights into how cutoffs will be affected this year in general. Perhaps the UCAT cutoffs will increase since its a self-study thing and GPA cutoffs will decrease.

Thanks
 
Hi guys,

Given the pandemic situation, would we expect the cutoffs for entry to increase or decrease this year?

Since people are now spending all day at home and have more time to study, I am projecting the cutoffs to increase a lot. However since education has moved online and the quality of education is taking a hit, I also see a reason why people could end up performing slightly worse on exams and therefore cutoffs to decrease slightly. Also some uni's like La Trobe are not proctoring their exams (my subjects at least), meaning we don't have to use a camera and screen record (potential to cheat) whilst other unis have to. This would mean people in my circumstances have an advantage in applying for 2021 admission and so maybe the cutoffs will increase?

I'm applying for an internal transfer into la trobe dentistry and I am on track for a 93-94 wam for first semester and hopefully will stay consistent for the second - I've heard that a 90 minimum wam has been enough in past years but do you guys foresee this to increase or stay the same this year given the circumstances.

Just looking for insights into how cutoffs will be affected this year in general. Perhaps the UCAT cutoffs will increase since its a self-study thing and GPA cutoffs will decrease.

Thanks
I am not too sure about the WAM as I'm currently in high school, but I don't think UCAT cut offs will change all that much. Percentiles are given relative to the performance of everyone else, so if they want to select the top x number of people this year, they will still have to select the same top x number of people next year, hence the same percentile. But yes, the raw score (/3600), I have a feeling will increase due to the extra time people have had to practice. But you really never know, just have to wait and see :chill:
 
For these non-standard entry applicants, do you need to finish the whole one-year full-time study before applying for dental school?
If I finish my one-year study in December 2021, can I apply for 2022 entry dental school or I have to wait for 2023?
 
For these non-standard entry applicants, do you need to finish the whole one-year full-time study before applying for dental school?
If I finish my one-year study in December 2021, can I apply for 2022 entry dental school or I have to wait for 2023?
Yep, you can complete your 1.0 FTE in December 2021 and apply for 2022 entry (given that you have a high-enough UCAT mark when you do your exam in 2021 and are successful in the interview round, also held in 2021). However, because december is relatively late, you need to tell the TAC companies ASAP when you get your results so that you can have your GPA and stuff uploaded before they give out the offers (esp. for griffith and UQ).
 
Hi Guys!

I've finished my BSci at Monash with a WAM of 69, and currently studying a Masters of Teaching at Monash too.

For the past year, I have taken up a huge amount of interest in studying dentistry as a non-school leaver and have deduced that I am only applicable for JCU or La Trobe. That said, my undergrad WAM is quite low but I am studying extensively for the UCAT in July - trying not to lose any hope here....

1) Does anyone know what the requirements (UCAT/WAM/prereqs) are for Griffith, UQ and CSU are for higher education applicant 2021 intake?
2) I won't be able to qualify for UAdel as I have studied more than 2 years of tertiary study?
3) I believe I have stronger interviewing/interpersonal communication skills so which unis rely on interview % more?

Any help/answers/inspiration will be greatly appreciated and obliged :D
 
First off all your going to need to calculate your GPA so grab your transcript and read through the UAC guide (im pretty sure these are equivalent interstate) How your tertiary qualifications are graded and assessed

1) If you wanna look at this it will help. Unfortunately i think Griffith and UQ will be out of your reach but depending on your GPA but CSU and JCU are definitely doable

2) Yeah i think thats how it works (See here: Bachelor of Dental Surgery | Degree Finder)

3) see the link i posted in (1) - in general your best bets are probably JCU and CSU

EDIT: I didnt even see that your doing a Masters of Teaching my bad. Im not sure how your performance in this will affect your GPA!
 
Quick totally unrelated question to admissions but I'm not sure where else to put it - does the uni that you went to for your dent degree matter? Eg. in med it doesn't but perhaps because dentistry is a bit in the 'private sector' maybe the rules governing employment are different? I'm not sure I'd love to hear people chime in.
 
Quick totally unrelated question to admissions but I'm not sure where else to put it - does the uni that you went to for your dent degree matter? Eg. in med it doesn't but perhaps because dentistry is a bit in the 'private sector' maybe the rules governing employment are different? I'm not sure I'd love to hear people chime in.
I don't think uni rep matters for dent when it comes to employment; they all have to be accredited in the same way and produce graduates of equal skill (and I'm sure practice owners are all aware of this). However, I think what might matter is specialisation, as the 'higher rep' unis offer the bulk of speciality pathways + extensive research background. So by going to these unis, you can build those connections with the speciality course coordinators more early and easily, increasing your chances to get accepted into such programs (factoring in work experience and research commitments). This is ofc just my take!
 
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If I complete 4 single subject study ( or in a course ) and then transfer it to a course within in the same uni and do 4 more subjects which will be 1FTE overall. Will QTAC consider that to be 1FTE.
 
If I complete 4 single subject study ( or in a course ) and then transfer it to a course within in the same uni and do 4 more subjects which will be 1FTE overall. Will QTAC consider that to be 1FTE.
yea, I did exactly that last year and they considered it 1FTE, so there are no problems there :)
 
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Hi, I am a new and here was wondering if I could get some advice. I am currently studying first year oral health and was intending to transfer into Adelaide dentistry next year using my GPA (as my atar isn't up to par) obtained from oral health. However, I have just been notified that I am unable to gain a GPA due to the type of course which only generates one at the end of the 3 years (making it harder to obtain a good GPA). Due to this, I was contemplating in switching to a semester of health and medical science after receiving my ucat score next week. I'm stuck on what would be the best possible outcome to help transfer whilst having the security of a decent job prospect such as oral health if all fails but realistically I don't want to complete the final 3 years without having any possible chance of transferring until I've completed the course.
 
Hi, I am a new and here was wondering if I could get some advice. I am currently studying first year oral health and was intending to transfer into Adelaide dentistry next year using my GPA (as my atar isn't up to par) obtained from oral health. However, I have just been notified that I am unable to gain a GPA due to the type of course which only generates one at the end of the 3 years (making it harder to obtain a good GPA). Due to this, I was contemplating in switching to a semester of health and medical science after receiving my ucat score next week. I'm stuck on what would be the best possible outcome to help transfer whilst having the security of a decent job prospect such as oral health if all fails but realistically I don't want to complete the final 3 years without having any possible chance of transferring until I've completed the course.
Hello, welcome to MSO :)
Your situation is very new; I had no idea there was a course where GPA is obtained only after completion. I can defs see the dilemma :confused: Are you interested in any other health degrees other than oral health e.g. physio, optom, radio ? They also have decent job prospects and are "safer" options than health and med sci, but arguably more challenging to get higher GPAs in (need strong clinical skills). However, GPA isn't as important (not to say it isn't) for Adelaide dent offers, more focused on interview (1st criteria) and UCAT (2nd criteria + 100% interview offer criteria). This may be helpful in your situation.
At the end of the day tho, this is just my 2 cents. I'm sure you'll make a decision that you're happy with 😀 Best of luck for UCAT!!
 
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