[Undergrad] EAS/SCATS/UES/SEAS General Discussion and Enquiries

[David3sber]

Hey guys, I'm applying under the gateway pathway. I satisfy both conditions of eligibility.
1) Bottom 25% SES (In fact my address is in the bottom 1 percent)
2) Gateway identified school (My school is on the list + ranks around 400-500 in the state)

On top of this I am applying under two EAS initiatives through UAC. (Financial hardship + automatic application for low ses students).

I predict that I will achieve an ATAR in the ballpark of 93-97. I believe i should get a UCAT over 80th percentile(content removed).

I'm a bit confused with what you guys are saying about the selection rank and EAS.
1) What scores would i have to achieve to get entrance through this scheme (4 people were selected under this scheme in 2020 according to UNSW). Hypothetically, If i meet the minimum academic criteria and only 8 other people applying under this scheme meet the minimum academic criteria, then would i be able to gain entrance even with a 91 ATAR and 50th percentile UCAT score?
2) How will my two EAS applications be applied? On the website it says minimum 87 ATAR and 91 Selection Rank. Thus, since I'm applying under two EAS schemes, could i receive a boost of my ATAR of 94 (hypothetically) to a 99.95 selection rank???

I'd love if one of the 4 people admitted under this scheme shared their results.

 

[fortune]

wow thanks! gives me a slither of hope after a lacklustre UCAT score.

Can I ask you that did you get in through the gateway pathway. me trying to apply this year.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

Hey guys, I'm applying under the gateway pathway. I satisfy both conditions of eligibility.
1) Bottom 25% SES (In fact my address is in the bottom 1 percent)
2) Gateway identified school (My school is on the list + ranks around 400-500 in the state)

On top of this I am applying under two EAS initiatives through UAC. (Financial hardship + automatic application for low ses students).

I predict that I will achieve an ATAR in the ballpark of 93-97. I believe i should get a UCAT over 80th percentile(content removed).

I'm a bit confused with what you guys are saying about the selection rank and EAS.
1) What scores would i have to achieve to get entrance through this scheme (4 people were selected under this scheme in 2020 according to UNSW). Hypothetically, If i meet the minimum academic criteria and only 8 other people applying under this scheme meet the minimum academic criteria, then would i be able to gain entrance even with a 91 ATAR and 50th percentile UCAT score?
2) How will my two EAS applications be applied? On the website it says minimum 87 ATAR and 91 Selection Rank. Thus, since I'm applying under two EAS schemes, could i receive a boost of my ATAR of 94 (hypothetically) to a 99.95 selection rank???

I'd love if one of the 4 people admitted under this scheme shared their results.

Hi, there! I'm new to this forum but I'm also applying under the Gateway Entry Scheme.

1. You just need the minimum marks to be considered for an interview. HOWEVER, that doesn't ensure that you will 100% get one. The final offer will be based on a combination of Selection Rank + ATAR + Interview. So yes, you could get in with those scores, but if you flop the interview, obviously, it won't make up for it.
2. Hope someone could correct me on this, but I think that (low SES + financial hardship) is part of the 'minimum' overlap of all Gateway students. So reverse engineering, 91 (selection rank) - 87 (raw ATAR) = 4. So 4 bonus points given to all applicants under the scheme. I'm not sure what 'financial hardship' you are necessarily implying, but if it's not part of the 'minimum overlap' of all Gateway scheme applicants, you could technically get more than 4 bonus points.

P.S. Also, how did you know 4 people were admitted under the scheme in 2020? Where did you get the information?

What system does SEAS use to determine if your location is low-socioeconomic area? and also on the website it says that they also take into consideration how far your home is from the school? How do they make adjust points based on distance from school? Is this info even released to applicants?

They said that they use the SEIFA Index from ABS. I think you can check a map somewhere. It's the (IRSAD), I believe.

 

[David3sber]

I live in social housing, therefore i get financial hardship bonus points (added on to the typical low ses address that makes you eligible for gateway). Someone from the UNSW medicine administration through email told me 4 people got admitted in 2020 under the gateway scheme. I wonder how many applicants apply under this scheme?

 

[JeydinNewWon]

I live in social housing, therefore i get financial hardship bonus points (added on to the typical low ses address that makes you eligible for gateway). Someone from the UNSW medicine administration through email told me 4 people got admitted in 2020 under the gateway scheme. I wonder how many applicants apply under this scheme?

Yeah, I think you’ll get more than 4 bonus points, then I think. Can’t be certain, and I don’t know for sure how many extra points you are allocated!

Also, props to you for trying for Medicine even when you live in social housing I honestly thought I had it hard, but you obviously are in a worse position than I ever was.

I don’t know how many people applied, either, but I don’t think too many would, personally. It’s really rare for someone in low SES to get an ATAR of 90-99.95 (Statistically, from UAC 2017, which may be inaccurate now, but still can give indication; around 1.3% of ATAR eligible people in the bottom quartile get 90-99.95 ATAR). That’s the exact same probability of finding someone with an 99.25 or higher. Yes, it’s more likely for someone to have a 99+ ATAR than it is for someone in the bottom quartile to have an ATAR > 90.

Now, tbf, UNSW does say 87 ATAR but obviously this isn’t far off from the 90 limit presented in the UAC. We can’t know for certain, but I think UNSW put the limit lower to account for more students to come in. Plus, factor in stuff like UCAT, (which is quite expensive for lower SES people), it’s probably even hard for them to even attempt that or have the time to worry about it in tandem with other responsibilities + schooling.

 

[David3sber]

I've finally found someone on my wavelength. My teachers thought I was crazy when I started whipping at UAC statistics about how many low SES manage to get an ATAR over 90. I calculated that around 500 low SES (bottom quartile) kids should get an ATAR of 90. From this statistic how many actually want to do medicine (I'd say not many)? Maybe 50? You are the first person I've met also applying under this scheme. I wish you luck also. This is a life-changing opportunity for me I desperately don't want to mess it up.

What you also need to remember, is that only schools on the gateway identify list are eligible for the gateway program. This means just because you live in the bottom 25 identified address, you still may not be eligible if you go to a selective school. I am starting to feel glad I did not move in year 10.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

I've finally found someone on my wavelength. My teachers thought I was crazy when I started whipping at UAC statistics about how many low SES manage to get an ATAR over 90. I calculated that around 500 low SES (bottom quartile) kids should get an ATAR of 90. From this statistic how many actually want to do medicine (I'd say not many)? Maybe 50? You are the first person I've met also applying under this scheme. I wish you luck also. This is a life-changing opportunity for me I desperately don't want to mess it up.

HAHAHA. I thought I was crazy for going through stats. Maybe it’s just my inner INTP that really wants to dissect things to a numerical level. I’m so excited to find someone like you, too.

In all honesty, I have no idea how many of these people would want to do medicine. It could be 50, it could be 10 or even 4. A lot of people in low SES probably wouldn’t even dream of entering Medicine because of their circumstances. Plus like $300 for UCAT exam is an absolutely insane gatekeep for low SES. Factoring in the difficulty of the exam, it might push many people away already.

Besides, whilst it does correlate that people in low SES have a higher likelihood to attend a gateway school, it isn’t guaranteed, and I think a lot of the upper lower SES’s would’ve gone to selective schools, too. There’s simply too many factors to account for. I think we shouldn’t worry too much about this, but just focus on yourself and do your best

Yes, it’s a life changing opportunity but you have two shots at it. (You can take a gap year and still be eligible). I only got one, since I’m in my gap year, and I didn’t even apply to medicine last year as I bombed the UCAT (I had no motivation to study med the year before, I did it “just because why not”, so I literally didn’t practice at all). This changed however, because of the events of Year 12 friend drama and severe family issues plus my gap year that allowed me to re evaluate what I wanted to do in life, and it led me back here.

I know I’m also applying under this scheme but I do feel slightly guilty. My ATAR was 98.70 and with EAS I’m a guaranteed 99.95. (And this is because I’m slightly more privileged). I truly want others to succeed to, and I hope I’m not gatekeeping lower SES’s from their opportunities.

 

[David3sber]

damn. you will for sure get in. I'm confident also with bonus points my selection rank should be 99.95. (unless i flop and get a 90). I'm just nervous about the UCAT. It really is an on the day thing. By the way what was ur UCAT last if you don't mind me asking? Your selection rank was spectacular. Do you regret taking a gap year? I'm not sure what path i will pursue If i don't get accepted into medicine.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

damn. you will for sure get in. I'm confident also with bonus points my selection rank should be 99.95. (unless i flop and get a 90). I'm just nervous about the UCAT. It really is an on the day thing. By the way what was ur UCAT last if you don't mind me asking? Your selection rank was spectacular. Do you regret taking a gap year? I'm not sure what path i will pursue If i don't get accepted into medicine.

I do NOT regret taking a gap year. It’s probably one of the best decisions of my life. Along this journey, I was able to reflect on my past year and my high school journey as a whole and really ask, “what do I want to do in life.” I remembered the kindness of my best friend in Year 11-12, who supported me deeply and reminded me I was special and I was more than a mark churner, and that I was kind and compassionate. I was not just a machine; I was much more than that. I'm sure not all of you wanna hear my life story of wanting to go for medicine, but my best friend's act of kindness really was an inspiration for that--and it, along with many other factors, led me back to medicine.

Primarily, my gap year was taken to heal from the intense trauma from Year 12, (there were many times I was crying on my bed unable to study, thinking I was better off dead). I had people in my grade who were jealous of my """natural intellect""" that I had people talking sh*t behind my back, even making jokes about how I was """cutting""" myself. Not only this, but I also had to deal with internal problems (mostly how I was too possessive and clingy of my best friend as I needed emotional intimacy). Even at home, it was a terrible environment, as I was living with my brother who has a severe mental illness. I honestly have no idea how I went through all that and got the ATAR I did, but I'm seriously glad I'm out that tunnel.

About the UCAT, honestly, just give it your best shot. (Content removed) I think the official resources are pretty good. (Minus QR, it's insane on the official stuff). I got 45th percentile last year (HAHA, so bad, ikr?). I literally guessed basically all of VR, more than half of DM and pretty much all of AR and left 8 questions BLANK on AR. I only really tried hard for QR as Maths is a strength of mine, and ended up getting 760 on it (which is near the 90th percentile for that section, specifically). For each subsection I scored:
VR: 540
DM: 640
QR: 760
AR: 540
Yikes.

 

[David3sber]

sorry to hear about your brother. I've been raised by my single mother with my two sisters, and unfortunately I'm also familiar with how bad mental illness can get, with both my mother and older sister spending time in the Mental Health section of Westmead Hospital. It is one of the reasons that inspired me to become a doctor, so that I can provide for them in the future. You obviously have great ability and determination to pull off the ATAR you did, along with that UCAT with no prep. Inspiration bro. I go to a pretty bad school (ranked like 450), so I'm first in all my subjects with ease (really not hard at my school haha) and am familiar with the jealousy from your peers you allude to. Honestly well done for getting out of that dark place. Finding the dream of studying medicine has saved me from intense stress that results from my obsessive thinking. But hey, being a deep thinker like yourself also has its advantages.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

sorry to hear about your brother. I've been raised by my single mother with my two sisters, and unfortunately I'm also familiar with how bad mental illness can get, with both my mother and older sister spending time in the Mental Health section of Westmead Hospital. It is one of the reasons that inspired me to become a doctor, so that I can provide for them in the future. You obviously have great ability and determination to pull off the ATAR you did, along with that UCAT with no prep. Inspiration bro. I go to a pretty bad school (ranked like 450), so I'm first in all my subjects with ease (really not hard at my school haha) and am familiar with the jealousy from your peers you allude to. Honestly well done for getting out of that dark place. Finding the dream of studying medicine has saved me from intense stress that results from my obsessive thinking. But hey, being a deep thinker like yourself also has its advantages.

I'm glad to listen to your story, too. I send my best wishes to your mother and older sister. That sounds so tough, and honestly, you becoming a doctor for those reasons is immensely commemorable. I'm certain that you'll be a brilliant doctor with that motivation . You definitely deserve it. Single parenting is very hard, and I hope you get the opportunities you desire. My heart goes out to you.

My school isn't ranked as bad as yours, (I think we got like rank 200ish) or something but it's still pretty bad, HAHA. The rank is offset by the few people who do actually want to study in my school. Yeah, getting top 3 in all my subjects was kinda difficult, but I still did it! The few people who did study were pretty good which did make it harder to get 1st in, especially with all my problems. I had a massive 2nd place streak, in my other subjects. My only 1st ranks in HSC was in (Software, which I completed in 2019) and Maths Extension 2.

God, looking back, I am laughing at how badly I prepared for the UCAT. I didn't even know Probability was a question type in the DM section! I was upset after the exam, but honestly, I feel like a clown for feeling upset as my preparation was ABYSMAL. I'm sure you'll do fine, just don't stress too much about it!

As for my deep thinking nature, I feel it's always been a part of me. I'm the type to look over experiences, reflect and really see what I can change for the better. I love to analyse my life, how it came to be, and how much I've changed as a person. Looking back at Year 12, I was no saint, and I made some clear mistakes, too. But I'm really glad that I can learn from them to better myself as a person

 

[David3sber]

Do you have any tips to achieving such a good ATAR. Especially for maths and english. Also how much did you prepare for the UCAT the first round, and how much do you think we need to prepare this time round so we both get granted admission

P.S. It's great that you participate in a lot of self reflection.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

Do you have any tips to achieving such a good ATAR. Especially for maths and english. Also how much did you prepare for the UCAT the first round, and how much do you think we need to prepare this time round so we both get granted admission

P.S. It's great that you participate in a lot of self reflection.

Ok well um, I actually didn't study like crazy crazy. Due to my situation, it was hard to study. So I'd say I studied essentially 40-50% of what I could have. What was the important distinction was how I approached subjects. HSC is leaning more towards understanding as opposed to regurgitation nowadays. This mindset allowed me to get Band 6 in all my subjects

For Maths, (and since I did extension), I approached it with the mindset that I had to understand all my content first. Especially for 4 unit, I wouldn't let myself continue to another topic unless I can do all the questions I'm faced with without hesitation. I think that's a good mentality to approach, managing to get all your questions done 100% accurately before moving to timed exams. For timed exams, I did as many Trial and past HSC papers as I could when I had the motivation to study. Learning to 'triage' questions is a big skill you need to learn for Extension since you won't be able to understand how to do some questions at a first glance.

For English, this one's a bit harder since I felt I kinda just used my 'natural' ability for it. I definitely had experience prior hand with English as I spent a majority of my time in Year 8-Year 11 on forums criticising webtoons, novels, games, etc. I was also getting 90+ in my exams during that period, so I can say that online stuff definitely developed my aptitude. One thing's for certain is you definitely have to have a more 'macro' understanding of texts. Stop seeing 'micro' techniques (like, simile, metaphor, alliteration, etc.) as your foundation. Your foundation should be the ideas, values and themes conveyed from macro techniques (structure, form, characterisation, setting, genre, etc...). Having a 'bigger picture' awareness forms ideas, and your 'micro' techniques are simply examples by which the composer conveys said ideas to the audience in a more effective manner. Also, having your own personal and deep connection and appreciation + understanding of texts REALLY helps, and markers can definitely see your response is more genuine rather than something memorised.

For English exams, what I did was the following strategy: full essay untimed (open book) > full essay untimed (closed book) > full essay timed (close book) > full essay timed (close book, 10% less time). This is what allowed me to really hone my responses and get in the time limit. Also for the exam, triaging is really important in English. I'd say it's the most time-intensive exam of the lot, and you can't waste time at all. Learn to do questions you know you can do first, then move to harder ones.

For the UCAT first time, I basically did bits here and there but nothing too major. Definitely not as much as I am preparing currently. I'd recommend reading this forum's advice on the UCAT for advice on it, since it isn't necessarily within my greatest ballpark.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Just a reminder that this thread is for asking questions about and discussing SCATS, EAS etc. Studying tips for high school subjects should go in the high school thread, and UCAT chat in UCAT thread. Thank you.

 

[JeydinNewWon]

Just a reminder that this thread is for asking questions about and discussing SCATS, EAS etc. Studying tips for high school subjects should go in the high school thread, and UCAT chat in UCAT thread. Thank you.

Yep! Sorry LMG!

I knew it was getting off-topic, probably should’ve taken it to DMs, haha. Will keep it in mind for next time

 

[ThunderDragon]

Hey everyone
Just wondering if anyone knows if UNSW SCATS or EAS (presume they work the same except SCATS is for tertiary kids) increases your Atar/Gpa or if it increases your Atar or GPA/UCAT combo? Probs no definitive answer cause UNSW a bit secretive but any speculations?

 

[A1]

Just wondering if anyone knows if UNSW SCATS or EAS (presume they work the same except SCATS is for tertiary kids) increases your Atar/Gpa or if it increases your Atar or GPA/UCAT combo?

I'm fairly sure EAS/SCATS only increases your ATAR/GPA. But it does have an indirect effect on UCAT since they work in combination for interview selection. Example : raw ATAR 98.0 + 90%ile with EAS = selection rank 99.6 + 90%ile is more competitive than a 99.0 + 92%ile (i.e. it doesn't need to increase your UCAT to make you more competitive than a 92%ile).

 

[Smelly Boy]

Hey everyone
Just wondering if anyone knows if UNSW SCATS or EAS (presume they work the same except SCATS is for tertiary kids) increases your Atar/Gpa or if it increases your Atar or GPA/UCAT combo? Probs no definitive answer cause UNSW a bit secretive but any speculations?

Yep as A1 said

I had SCATS when I was applying (and was successful) and it only works to boost your ATAR equivalent

 

[ThunderDragon]

I'm fairly sure EAS/SCATS only increases your ATAR/GPA. But it does have an indirect effect on UCAT since they work in combination for interview selection. Example : raw ATAR 98.0 + 90%ile with EAS = selection rank 99.6 + 90%ile is more competitive than a 99.0 + 92%ile (i.e. it doesn't need to increase your UCAT to make you more competitive than a 92%ile).

Yep as A1 said

I had SCATS when I was applying (and was successful) and it only works to boost your ATAR equivalent

Ah okay yeah that makes sense! Thanks! In terms of the Personal Statement part, is that basically just writing why you qualify for the disadvantages you applied for or does it need to be endorsed or signed by someone like your doctor as an example?

 

[DootDoolaDoot]

Does anyone know when the UNSW SCATS application closing date is? On the website it says
"

• Term 1 or Semester 1 (UNSW Canberra): 30 November
• Term 2: 30 April
• Term 3: 31 Jul."
  When it says term 3, it means admission into the course start of term 3 right? So since I am applying for UNSW medicine, it would be the 30th of November so the date next to term 1?
  
  Thank you