General Medicine Entry Discussion and Advice Requests

[TMG]

Well the real question is why not? What harm is it to apply? Should they reject your application, you can say at least you tried. Should the accept your application, then you've just opened up another door for yourself. The only cost involved really is your time and perhaps the TISC fee of ~$50.

yeah fair point. Does every single uni have their own system of these special considerations? gonna be kinda annoying if i have to submit a different application for every uni.

 

[TMG]

Also, im on this link for curtin:

Apply for StepUp to Curtin | Curtin University

Complete our online application form to apply for StepUp to Curtin, and we will notify you within five business days to confirm if your application is successful.

study.curtin.edu.au

The forum is asking me to fill in my ATAR score but I am in yr 12 this year and dont know it. Am I on the right page?

 

[Crow]

yeah fair point. Does every single uni have their own system of these special considerations? gonna be kinda annoying if i have to submit a different application for every uni.

None of the QLD universities offer these types of bonuses for medicine or dentistry applications. In NSW, UNSW does (application is through UAC I believe), but JMP and WSU do not. Apply where you can, but beware that most undergraduate entry universities do not have the bonuses apply for medicine.

 

[TKAO]

Also, im on this link for curtin:

Apply for StepUp to Curtin | Curtin University

Complete our online application form to apply for StepUp to Curtin, and we will notify you within five business days to confirm if your application is successful.

study.curtin.edu.au

The forum is asking me to fill in my ATAR score but I am in yr 12 this year and dont know it. Am I on the right page?

That is the wrong page, this is the correct page: https://study.curtin.edu.au/wp-cont...plication-for-Rural-and-Equity-Entry-2020.pdf apparently EAS is only available to WA applicants, which makes you ineligible.

 

[Deleted member 35034]

For Curtin you need to submit an SEAS application directly to them when applying (If I'm not wrong).

I think Curtin only considers WA for EAS

Edit: You found it!

 

[ucatboy]

None of the QLD universities offer these types of bonuses for medicine or dentistry applications. In NSW, UNSW does (application is through UAC I believe), but JMP and WSU do not. UAdel does not either. Apply where you can, but beware that most undergraduate entry universities do not have the bonuses apply for medicine.

Huh what? UAdel doesn't take into account UES? That's news to me

 

[Crow]

Huh what? UAdel doesn't take into account UES? That's news to me

My understanding is that SATAC UES only applies to select South Australian and Northern Territory schools, so wouldn't help the OP, who is from Victoria. Is this correct A1 or am I losing it and thinking of something else?

ETA: Ignore me, SATAC only publishes the list of eligible schools from SA and NT but interstate schools are eligible. Sorry for confusion, I am editing my post.

 

[TKAO]

My understanding is that SATAC UES only applies to select South Australian and Northern Territory schools, so wouldn't help the OP, who is from Victoria. Is this correct A1 or am I losing it and thinking of something else?

I thought you could directly apply to SATAC if you are an interstate resident to find out whether they would give you UES even though your school may not be listed there?

 

[Crow]

I thought you could directly apply to SATAC if you are an interstate resident to find out whether they would give you UES even though your school may not be listed there?

I just added an ETA to my post above, apologies for my confusion! I don't know about the process for interstate students - you likely know better than me.

 

[Deleted member 35034]

Adjustment Factors | Study at Adelaide

www.adelaide.edu.au

Individuals can apply separately to the school based system - but specific criteria apply.

 

[A1]

My understanding is that SATAC UES only applies to select South Australian and Northern Territory schools, so wouldn't help the OP, who is from Victoria. Is this correct A1 or am I losing it and thinking of something else?

SATAC UES (both school-based and individuals categories) applies equally to SA & interstate students. For the former category SATAC has a list of eligible SA/NT schools but it's unreasonable to expect them to provide a countrywide list. The UES webpage says interstate schools are considered on their SES basis.

For the individuals category I believe students need to submit an application, both SA & interstate.

Crow replies: Yep that's why I added my ETA below this quoted part. Thank you

 

[SunflowerVol.6]

Hi!
So I am currently in year 12 in Victoria and doing VCE this year. I completed early access Biology and Psychology last year with pretty average scores. I definitely know that I should have tried harder but I think I got 'burnt out' so-to-speak, towards the end. I am currently doing chemistry, math methods, health and human development and english. I am first in my family to do VCE and kinda struggling with the amount of pressure that not only my parents but also my extended family have put on me. I definitely know I want to do Medicine but it's just the matter of how to get into it. I have a gut feeling that I'm probably not going to do well in the UCAT or get a high enough ATAR (I know that sounds bad but I just have a feeling that no matter how hard I try for it, I'm not going to end up getting what I want), so going into medicine straight after secondary sounds far-fetched for me personally even if I am trying as hard as I can.

My next option is to do post-graduate after completing a bachelor of biomedical science. I would definitely prefer this as then I would be able to ease into the medicine course with background knowledge. This does sound like the best option for me but I would like to get some insight into another opportunity such as studying Medicine abroad (if anyone is currently studying abroad or if they know anyone), I would really appreciate any advice about going into medicine post-graduate or studying abroad.

Thank you!

 

[chinaski]

If you want to work as a doctor in Australia, DO NOT study abroad.

Graduate entry and school leaver entry medicine in Australia are both fine. Go with what is best for you. There is no "better" option that applies to all; just want is "best" for you.

 

[Crow]

Hi!
So I am currently in year 12 in Victoria and doing VCE this year. I completed early access Biology and Psychology last year with pretty average scores. I definitely know that I should have tried harder but I think I got 'burnt out' so-to-speak, towards the end. I am currently doing chemistry, math methods, health and human development and english. I am first in my family to do VCE and kinda struggling with the amount of pressure that not only my parents but also my extended family have put on me. I definitely know I want to do Medicine but it's just the matter of how to get into it. I have a gut feeling that I'm probably not going to do well in the UCAT or get a high enough ATAR (I know that sounds bad but I just have a feeling that no matter how hard I try for it, I'm not going to end up getting what I want), so going into medicine straight after secondary sounds far-fetched for me personally even if I am trying as hard as I can.

My next option is to do post-graduate after completing a bachelor of biomedical science. I would definitely prefer this as then I would be able to ease into the medicine course with background knowledge. This does sound like the best option for me but I would like to get some insight into another opportunity such as studying Medicine abroad (if anyone is currently studying abroad or if they know anyone), I would really appreciate any advice about going into medicine post-graduate or studying abroad.

Thank you!

Welcome to MSO

While your realism about your chances of gaining undergraduate entry into medicine is good to have, you have nothing to lose by giving it your best shot and aiming for a high ATAR and UCAT score - don't approach it with the mindset that you won't be able to get in, as this will likely have a negative impact on your approach to assessment and the like. Non-standard and graduate entry aren't exactly easy to get into either - the competitiveness of the different pathways, while not directly comparable, are similar.

With regards to choosing biomedical science as your undergraduate degree: please read pitfall #2 here Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

As a graduate entry student who did biomedical science myself, I am of the firm belief that graduates from some other backgrounds - particularly physiotherapy and pharmacy - are "better" prepared for graduate entry medicine than biomedical science graduates. It certainly isn't some amazing degree that perfectly prepares you for medicine like the universities make it out to be - so if that's your primary reason for choosing it, I'd reconsider.

With regards to studying medicine internationally: it's incredibly costly and your chances of practicing in Australia after you graduate are next to nothing. Don't do this unless you intend to practice internationally after you graduate.

 

[TimesCrawler]

Hi all,

I just finished Year 12 with an ATAR of 99.60, but didn't do too well in the UCAT and thus didn't get any offers into medicine (admittedly however I didn't really devote much time to study for it). I've received an offer into Medical Imaging at UniSA, and Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Advanced) at Adelaide Uni.

I've spoken to a couple med students and the majority of them have recommended Year 13 as a way to be able to use my ATAR again to apply for undergrad med, and have more time to prep for the UCAT. From my understanding direct entry into undergrad med has a higher UCAT threshold compared to the UCAT threshold via internal transfer to Med at Adl Uni if the Adv Health and Med Sci degree is undertaken. However, I believe only 20 spots to Med at Adl Uni are reserved for internal transfers. I've heard that doing Year 13 can have an impact on motivation levels, but then again this option provides me with the opportunity to apply not only for med in SA, but also interstate. With the internal transfer pathway, I'm limited to transferring to only Med at Adelaide Uni and additionally have the pressure of maintaining a relatively high GPA. I suppose the Year 13 pathway alleviates the stress of having to get HDs in my courses to get a high GPA, allowing more time for UCAT prep, however I'm not sure whether it is realistic that I can achieve a UCAT score in the >95 percentile, even with intense studying each day.

Alternatively there is the option of non-standard entry into medicine if I decide to pursue my Medical Imaging course, as well as undertaking the GAMSAT for postgrad med. Year 13 does sound like the best option to optimize my success in entry into Medicine but I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts on these pathways into Med.

Much appreciated!

 

[Sherlock]

Hi all,

I just finished Year 12 with an ATAR of 99.60, but didn't do too well in the UCAT and thus didn't get any offers into medicine (admittedly however I didn't really devote much time to study for it). I've received an offer into Medical Imaging at UniSA, and Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Advanced) at Adelaide Uni.

I've spoken to a couple med students and the majority of them have recommended Year 13 as a way to be able to use my ATAR again to apply for undergrad med, and have more time to prep for the UCAT. From my understanding direct entry into undergrad med has a higher UCAT threshold compared to the UCAT threshold via internal transfer to Med at Adl Uni if the Adv Health and Med Sci degree is undertaken. However, I believe only 20 spots to Med at Adl Uni are reserved for internal transfers. I've heard that doing Year 13 can have an impact on motivation levels, but then again this option provides me with the opportunity to apply not only for med in SA, but also interstate. With the internal transfer pathway, I'm limited to transferring to only Med at Adelaide Uni and additionally have the pressure of maintaining a relatively high GPA. I suppose the Year 13 pathway alleviates the stress of having to get HDs in my courses to get a high GPA, allowing more time for UCAT prep, however I'm not sure whether it is realistic that I can achieve a UCAT score in the >95 percentile, even with intense studying each day.

Alternatively there is the option of non-standard entry into medicine if I decide to pursue my Medical Imaging course, as well as undertaking the GAMSAT for postgrad med. Year 13 does sound like the best option to optimize my success in entry into Medicine but I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts on these pathways into Med.

Much appreciated!

Hi there, I'd encourage you to read pitfall number 3 here: Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

 

[Pisces]

Hi all,

I just finished Year 12 with an ATAR of 99.60, but didn't do too well in the UCAT and thus didn't get any offers into medicine (admittedly however I didn't really devote much time to study for it). I've received an offer into Medical Imaging at UniSA, and Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Advanced) at Adelaide Uni.

I've spoken to a couple med students and the majority of them have recommended Year 13 as a way to be able to use my ATAR again to apply for undergrad med, and have more time to prep for the UCAT. From my understanding direct entry into undergrad med has a higher UCAT threshold compared to the UCAT threshold via internal transfer to Med at Adl Uni if the Adv Health and Med Sci degree is undertaken. However, I believe only 20 spots to Med at Adl Uni are reserved for internal transfers. I've heard that doing Year 13 can have an impact on motivation levels, but then again this option provides me with the opportunity to apply not only for med in SA, but also interstate. With the internal transfer pathway, I'm limited to transferring to only Med at Adelaide Uni and additionally have the pressure of maintaining a relatively high GPA. I suppose the Year 13 pathway alleviates the stress of having to get HDs in my courses to get a high GPA, allowing more time for UCAT prep, however I'm not sure whether it is realistic that I can achieve a UCAT score in the >95 percentile, even with intense studying each day.

Alternatively there is the option of non-standard entry into medicine if I decide to pursue my Medical Imaging course, as well as undertaking the GAMSAT for postgrad med. Year 13 does sound like the best option to optimize my success in entry into Medicine but I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts on these pathways into Med.

Much appreciated!

You didn't get an offer at Griffith with that ATAR ???

 

[DrDrLMG!]

You didn't get an offer at Griffith with that ATAR ???

Definitely should have if an application was submitted. We’ve had multiple people with 99.50 report offers.

 

[TimesCrawler]

Definitely should have if an application was submitted. We’ve had multiple people with 99.50 report offers.

Yeah... I was a bit stupid and didn’t apply for Griffith for some reason... I didn’t do English in Year 12 so didn’t meet the pre-requisite anyways.

 

[A1]

Yeah... I was a bit stupid and didn’t apply for Griffith for some reason... I didn’t do English in Year 12 so didn’t meet the pre-requisite anyways.

Your highest chance for getting into med is to withdraw from uni first. Don't redo the whole of Y12, only do English (to meet prereqs) plus redo one ATAR subject with the lowest mark. You can improve your ATAR to 99.70+ which will most likely get you Griffith or at worst USC.

Doing this you then have more time/energy to prep for UCAT, hopefully that will make you more competitive for the other schools too.

EtA: Btw for your info an MSO guy last year redid one HSC subject improved his ATAR from 99.10 to 99.55, and with an excellent UCAT score got four med offers this year.