Dentistry Entry Discussion and Questions

[A1]

Well it depends if they use it before or after the ucat.

Applicants with the same entry score

There may be more applicants with the same ATAR or selection rank than there are places available in a program.

In these circumstances, we choose between applicants by using more detailed measures within each ATAR or selection rank. These measures might include:

• the aggregate of the first 4 section scores in the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) (for entry into certain programs)
• Section 5 and section 1 UCAT scores (where applicants have the same UCAT aggregate score)
• further breakdown of an applicant's GPA (for selection ranks based on tertiary study)
• applicants who achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 99.00 or above without adjustments will be considered before applicants who achieve a selection rank of 99.00 or above after adjustments are added.

This^ reads quite clear to me the raw vs boosted rank is only a 3rd-level tie breaker if needed, probably 1 in a million cases.

I understand UQ Dent selection process is : you must meet Rank 99 (bonus included if applicable, otherwise what's the point of giving the bonus), then differentiate on UCAT sections 1-4, then tie break by section 5 & 1 / GPA / raw vs boosted on the last few places.

 

[mangoes1]

Hm, they haven't replied an enquiry I've sent 4 days ago now. Just checked my email and still nothing yet, hopefully they answer this one quick

I received the following back in August, it may be outdated. The UQ admissions team told me:

"Applicants with an outright rank of 99 do not have any advantage over applicants with an adjusted rank of 99, as the only tie-breaker used under the current system for applicants to the Bachelor of Dental Science is the UCAT score."

 

[yeezyboy]

I've just called UQ, the lady on the phone said as this year there are increments in their selection ranks, it may change to whereby a 99.95 is a stronger applicant than a 99.0 applicant then those with the same ATAR scores are then differentiated by UCAT score.

Which I've been thinking theoretically means a 97 + 2 points ATAR probably wouldn't be enough, and instead I would be needing a 97.95 + 2 points ATAR minimum.

 

[dotwingz]

I was under the impression based on the wording on UQ's documents that the selection rank was incremented, but didn't go above 99.

Like this:

You can receive a maximum of 5 adjustments across all schemes. If you already have an ATAR or selection rank of 99.00 or above, adjustments won't boost your rank.

Where if your atar is above 99, any boost wont increase it - i.e. max is 99

or from here

Selection ranks range from 1 to 99 (maximum)

Where it quite literally says max is 99 ahah

 

[yeezyboy]

The second doc, the PDF, says correct as of March 2020.

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/australian-tertiary-admission-rank-atar

This webpage states Last updated: 28 August 2020,

Could anyone else please try and call QTAC to confirm? Both UQ and QTAC have just told me over the phone since this is the first year, they don't have the 99+ atars on their websites, but they are ranking students such that 99.95 atars are higher applicants than 99.00. Then in the case of UQ Dentistry, the UCAT is used as a differentiator between those with the same score... Most probably being 99.95.

 

[A1]

but they are ranking students such that 99.95 atars are higher applicants than 99.00.

That's in general, not specific to UQ Dent.

Then in the case of UQ Dentistry, the UCAT is used as a differentiator between those with the same score... Most probably being 99.95.

For UQ Dent specifically > Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) | Future Students - The University of Queensland

"Entry is competitive and not all applicants who meet the OP1/rank 99 cut-off are offered a place. Applicants are selected on the basis of the UCAT score."

The first sentence indirectly says you need to meet Rank 99 to be in the selection pool. Then it's on UCAT.

 

[dotwingz]

Now im confused. On their (instituion-wide not dent specific) entry requirements page they say this

Selection ranks range from 30.00 to 99.95, with 99.95 being the highest score.

Which is contrary to the other documents including the 2021 undergrad guide

Now if you consider they say specifically for dent here

If applicants have the same OP or rank, QTAC uses their UCAT aggregate score from the first 4 sections as a secondary differentiator.

Means that the process will be 99.95, then UCAT. But considering they still include OP in there makes me think its a remnant from the past system.

Tbh, I think this is just a remnant from the past where they werent technically doing the 99 hurdle, its just it worked out that way due to the op-atar conversion. I think its likely they will continue to use the 99 hurdle/ucat method. Although someone can email in no uncertain terms to the dent faculty how they will consider applicants this year.

 

[A1]

Tbh, I think this is just a remnant from the past

I can't find a "Last updated" date on that page to be sure, but I too suspect it's a remnant.

Otoh the page I linked two posts above (which says meet Rank 99 then UCAT), that definitely has been updated for this year since just couple of months ago it was still showing last year's "Selection is by Rank as first differentiator, UCAT second differentiator".

 

[knowthyself]

i called uq a few weeks back honestly its confusing
the lady who answered 1st was like 99.95 is needed for uq dent i was like uhh i heard ppl got in with low 99s last yr she was like oh is that the case let me forward u onto our specialist admissions team who r the ones who do this stuff n a dude picked up who was like anyone who meets 99 hurdle is ranked based on ucat to be selected, he also said cos theres ppl who might still be applying with OP we rnt yet looking at atar past 99 we might transition to that in a few yrs but honestly when 2 ppl say 2 different things u get confused/scared so maybe someone can confirm what i heard
(i didnt ask about under 99 atar n then being adjusted sorry, but if ur getting worried/confused ask the lady to transfer u to the specialist admissions team maybe if u havent already done so? this sounds extra but maybe write down b4 u call what ur q is cos i got confused legit talking to them explain ur specific scenario properly to them & ask maybe thatll help?)

 

[dotwingz]

he also said cos theres ppl who might still be applying with OP we rnt yet looking at atar past 99 we might transition to that in a few yrs

For context, the way UQ used to *technically* select entry, was based of academic rank, and when two applicants tied they would differ them from UCAT, its just the max academic rank you could get at UQ was 99, so it essentially became a 99 ATAR hurdle.

I suspect the first woman is just reading that, and applying it to the fact the max academic rank is 99.95. But given the guy has given a reason why they are keeping a 99 makes me think hes right.

Although future student services (i.e. the people who pick up the phones - not sure who the guy was), dont always know exactly what the fine processes are given the wide breath of admissions circumstances, so if you have any queries youre best off sending an email to the admissions staff.

 

[yeezyboy]

For USyd Dent, is the score on their current website of 99.6 a hard cutoff?
I can see the exact score for my SAT required is a 1500.
I got a 1490. Worth applying?
It is the next increment down from 1500.

 

[Blackmores]

I've just called UQ, the lady on the phone said as this year there are increments in their selection ranks, it may change to whereby a 99.95 is a stronger applicant than a 99.0 applicant then those with the same ATAR scores are then differentiated by UCAT score.

Wouldn’t that mean tertiary students are screwed for UQ dent? Since they can only convert to a maximum of 99 ATAR from their GPA

 

[Tomato]

For USyd Dent, is the score on their current website of 99.6 a hard cutoff?
I can see the exact score for my SAT required is a 1500.
I got a 1490. Worth applying?
It is the next increment down from 1500.

Why not to apply? It's no harm anyway.

 

[yeezyboy]

All my preferences are full UNSW Law backup in case none of the med/dent options work.

 

[theyheyhey]

Is it a lot more difficult to get into dentistry for University of Queensland and University of Adelaide through 2nd round?

Both of the courses' main offer round would be in mid January with the due date of submitting documents by mid December. However, I will be receiving my transcript after the due date.

 

[Crow]

Is it a lot more difficult to get into dentistry for University of Queensland and University of Adelaide through 2nd round?

Both of the courses' main offer round would be in mid January with the due date of submitting documents by mid December. However, I will be receiving my transcript after the due date.

What do you mean by your transcript? Is this for a trimester over the summer? Will you have 1FTE year of study completed before then? Adelaide traditionally offers many top up offers as lots of interstate students reject them, however, you obviously have to be offered an interview in the first place to be eligible there.

Off the top of my head, UQ dentistry usually over-offers and don't usually have many second round offers, but I'll let Yamster or Cal confirm that because my memory might be hazy.

 

[theyheyhey]

What do you mean by your transcript? Is this for a trimester over the summer? Will you have 1FTE year of study completed before then? Adelaide traditionally offers many top up offers as lots of interstate students reject them, however, you obviously have to be offered an interview in the first place to be eligible there.

Off the top of my head, UQ dentistry usually over-offers and don't usually have many second round offers, but I'll let Yamster or Cal confirm that because my memory might be hazy.

As I am studying a bachelor degree right now and is planning to transfer to dentistry. However, I will defer my exams which lead to me receiving my transcript late (after the due date of submitting documents)

 

[Crow]

As I am studying a bachelor degree right now and is planning to transfer to dentistry. However, I will defer my exams which lead to me receiving my transcript late (after the due date of submitting documents)

Ok. We can’t answer the question without knowing how much tertiary study you have currently completed and will have completed once you receive your updated transcript.

 

[theyheyhey]

Ok. We can’t answer the question without knowing how much tertiary study you have currently completed and will have completed once you receive your updated transcript.

I will be using the academic result this year as I am currently a Year 1 student and my high school results does not meet the criteria. My UCAT is above 90 percentile so that should not be a big problem. I am just very panic will it affect a lot if I submit my transcript after the deadline for the first round offer

 

[Cal]

What do you mean by your transcript? Is this for a trimester over the summer? Will you have 1FTE year of study completed before then? Adelaide traditionally offers many top up offers as lots of interstate students reject them, however, you obviously have to be offered an interview in the first place to be eligible there.

Off the top of my head, UQ dentistry usually over-offers and don't usually have many second round offers, but I'll let Yamster or Cal confirm that because my memory might be hazy.

They do over offer, but last year there were second round offers. But I will say that because of the interviews, there will likely be more rejection of offers for interstate med, resulting in more second rounds.