[Undergrad] High School Discussion Thread

[miss_universe]

I'm choosing my subjects for Year 11, and am hoping to get into undergrad medicine, and would pretty much go anywhere in Australia if I got accepted.
I'm planning on doing next year :
-English
-French
-Methods
-Further (3&4)
-Chemistry
And for my sixth subject, I can't decide on whether I should do Literature or Biology. I am fairly good at English and enjoy writing essays, and I've done Year 10 Literature this year which was pretty easy, but I do enjoy science and can do well if I apply myself. But I guess if it came down to it, I could probably get a better mark in Literature
If I did biology would it help with any middle band entry or any prerequisite? I've tried to have a look at individual universities but I've found it a bit difficult to investigate middle band, and as far as I know biol isn't a prereq. Any advice would be appreciated

If it is a pre-req, you will NEED it. You will not be considered without it. You need yeat 11 bio to be able to do year 12 bio, and as I understand a lot of unis require bio as a pre-req (or least its one option). So in that case, it seems like the smarter choice to be able to apply to the most amount of unis as possible; the less risky choice. That's just one angle.

The other angle is which would give you the better ATAR in the end. Well, yiou need to weight up the value of the ATAR in the application process as well. Furthermore, you are going to do 6 subjects, and when I went through school I believe they picked the 5 best for your final ATAR (correct me if it has changed), so even if you didnt do as well in bio, I believe you could use it as a pre req but not count it for your ATAR (again, not 100% sure about that)

 

[Spider]

ATAR uses all 6 subjects.

Primary 4 and then 10% of 5th and 6th subjects.

 

[miss_universe]

ATAR uses all 6 subjects.

Primary 4 and then 10% of 5th and 6th subjects.

Alright cheers. So really, its whether you think you could come up with a decent mark in bio. The rest of my post is still relevant through

 

[pi]

I'm choosing my subjects for Year 11, and am hoping to get into undergrad medicine, and would pretty much go anywhere in Australia if I got accepted.
I'm planning on doing next year :
-English
-French
-Methods
-Further (3&4)
-Chemistry
And for my sixth subject, I can't decide on whether I should do Literature or Biology. I am fairly good at English and enjoy writing essays, and I've done Year 10 Literature this year which was pretty easy, but I do enjoy science and can do well if I apply myself. But I guess if it came down to it, I could probably get a better mark in Literature
If I did biology would it help with any middle band entry or any prerequisite? I've tried to have a look at individual universities but I've found it a bit difficult to investigate middle band, and as far as I know biol isn't a prereq. Any advice would be appreciated

Is this for VCE (looks like it)? If so, Bio would help more with a medical degree when compared to Lit.

However, play to your strengths and likes more than anything though. Bio isn't a prereq for the Monash MBBS (not sure about others).

 

[cheerishgirl96]

NSW HSC=

Chemistry
Biology
ESL
Math
Math extension 1
Math extension 2
IBS (indonesian background speakers)

ESL and IBS is a must in my school though (im an international student currently studying in Indonesia)
I took Physics, but i dropped it cos i want to focus on my math x2 (although i still struggle in this subject, sigh...) my physics is also the worst of my 3 sciences lol
I did regret over dropping the subject as it turned out that my fellas said that the trials for phys is not that hard (damn). HAHA

I suggest u take chem (kind of a must), but others are not necessary. Just take whatever u think u can do the best.

 

[visconder]

QLD QCE:

Maths B
Maths C
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
English

Requirements are chemistry, maths B (standard maths/whatever is the most common one) and English, although I'd really recommend taking biology - the kids who didn't take biology have been struggling a fair bit all year. Although you can catch up, it makes it a lot easier if you've had a solid grounding on it.

 

[itzzmee]

Chances of medicine if repeating year 12

Okk so right before my final HSC exams I kinda made a decision, though it was too late but what can be done now its over!
Well my ATAR estimate was around 85 and above however no where near enough to get me into med.
Anyhu so I decided to repeat and actually work hard and im pre motivated however Im really scared of some rumors
1) Students who repeat never get 99.95? But doesnt that really depend on how you worked throughout your year and how much work you put in? or is it just something where u DONT give 99.95 to repeat students?
2) Im gonna give a best shot to USyd med undergraduate..? But apparently they onli accept students who graduate at a very first oppertunity..but according to their requirement you only need 99.95?
3) Uni's hardly ever consider 'repeat' students? But what if you went excellent and had sooper cool marks in HSC and UMAT?

Pleasee help!
Why do I feel like its another year of my life going to waste!:unsure:
Anyone been through it and finally gotten into med straight after? :S

 

[miss_universe]

I am pretty sure students who repeat can get 99.95. It might depend on which subjects you end up choosing in the end to go towards your ATAR? I am not sure of the process.

I thik for USYD, they have a garunteed program, where you can get accepted into USYD at the end of year 12 but you need to go complete a B. Science first, then start the MBBS. Someone will have to correct me on this.

Of course most unis consider repeaters. They might be limited on non standards though. Not sure about UQ provisional.

 

[itzzmee]

I'm doing:
Advanced English
Chem
Bio
Maths 2 unit
Legal studies
:S?
Yeah I know about Usyd..and the process but Im just wondering whether they take repeaters?

 

[pgawk]

Have you considered non standard entry? I'm guessing, since you're sitting HSC, that you're in NSW. Non standard entry @ UNCLE/UNE and UWS will be independent of your ATAR, using GPA-which is a threshold at both. The former requires a 'close to credit' and the GPA needed for non standard entry into the latter depends on your GWS status/ how far you are into your degree. Definitely achievable-or at least, easier than achieving a 99.95 ATAR for USYD prov. entry, I'd imagine. The information is on their website and easy enough to find. I don't think there should be any problems with repeating year 12 and I don't think you'll be disadvantaged in any way but do keep in mind that a less than desired ATAR certainly isn't the end of the road. Whatever your final decision is, best of luck.

 

[itzzmee]

I dont go uni and im deffo repeating
And thank u so much i can finally relax

 

[Jordan]

I dont go uni and im deffo repeating
And thank u so much i can finally relax

Two things;
1) 'I'm' has a capital and an apostrophe. The I and the m can't get too close or they start to make little letter babies and nobody wants that. Keep them separated.
2) 'deffo' is not a word. Please don't use it. I will set my herd of unicorns after you if you continue to use the word 'deffo'.

Apart from that, please make an effort to use proper spelling and grammar - it isn't hard and makes a world of difference to people who haven't got very good English skills.

Now on to your questions, sounds like you've been strung along by some very ill-informed people. People who repeat their HSC are able to get 99.95 and if they get these grades are eligible for entry to the USyd provisional entry scheme (assuming they have a satisfactory interview). Plenty of universities will consider your application if you have repeated your HSC, I actually can't think of any which won't.

Food for thought though, before you jump into the HSC again, have a long hard think about why you didn't do so well this year. Was it a lack of consistent effort? Poor study technique? Poor subject choices? Not enough external support? When you've worked that out, you need to come up with strategies to overcome that or you'll be in this situation next year and doing the HSC 3 times will definitely suck for you.

 

[itzzmee]

Two things;
1) 'I'm' has a capital and an apostrophe. The I and the m can't get too close or they start to make little letter babies and nobody wants that. Keep them separated.
2) 'deffo' is not a word. Please don't use it. I will set my herd of unicorns after you if you continue to use the word 'deffo'.

Apart from that, please make an effort to use proper spelling and grammar - it isn't hard and makes a world of difference to people who haven't got very good English skills.

Now on to your questions, sounds like you've been strung along by some very ill-informed people. People who repeat their HSC are able to get 99.95 and if they get these grades are eligible for entry to the USyd provisional entry scheme (assuming they have a satisfactory interview). Plenty of universities will consider your application if you have repeated your HSC, I actually can't think of any which won't.

Food for thought though, before you jump into the HSC again, have a long hard think about why you didn't do so well this year. Was it a lack of consistent effort? Poor study technique? Poor subject choices? Not enough external support? When you've worked that out, you need to come up with strategies to overcome that or you'll be in this situation next year and doing the HSC 3 times will definitely suck for you.

LOL I'm sorry for my awesome grammar
And are you sure about the entry scheme for Usyd? Because I also sent an email and they replied "you have to be graduated on the very first opportunity in order to be considered"? I probably misunderstood but I'm pretty sure they mean that they don't take repeaters?

3 Times? That just game me NIGHTMARES!
No, I've sort that all out. But the environment at school is pretty depressing tho

 

[Jordan]

Well if that's what you've heard from USyd I suppose you won't be eligible for entry. It's not the worst thing in the world though, plenty of schools will still accept you and if you still don't get in there are plenty of options.

School is depressing as a general rule (well, I'm a little biased because I hated school more than most) but do try and get out of the school environment from time to time. Hang out with people and don't talk about school and that sort of thing.

 

[Hutcherson]

I personally would study something for a year at uni that is manageable to get a high GPA with hard work and study. I can't imagine myself going back to highschool. But it really depends on the individual.

 

[Khorne]

Doing the HSC is basically putting your life on pause and not really advancing...

Doesn't seem fulfilling, but that's just me. Good luck OP.

 

[Cide]

Just in response to Muse's uncertainty about UQ provisional, I think they do take repeaters, but I can't be sure. It's always best to ring the uni you are interested in if you have questions of that magnitude.

 

[n33b]

Apart from the USyd thing (which I don't know about), the "rumours" you listed sound like exactly that. Rumours.

Did you sit the UMAT this year? If so, did you do well? It's something you should probably consider as well, because any score short of a high 99 will probably still not be enough if your UMAT is no good (although there are some exceptions e.g. unis that don't consider UMAT scores for admissions).

 

[itzzmee]

Apart from the USyd thing (which I don't know about), the "rumours" you listed sound like exactly that. Rumours.

Did you sit the UMAT this year? If do, did you do well? It's something you should probably consider as well, because any score short of a high 99 will probably still not be enough if your UMAT is no good (although there are some exceptions e.g. unis that don't consider UMAT scores for admissions).

Yeah i sat UMAT this year, with no practice at all whatsoever.
And the results were alright so I believe if I resit the UMAT again next year with some preparation, I'd probably make it. Hopefully.

 

[itzzmee]

Doing the HSC is basically putting your life on pause and not really advancing...

Doesn't seem fulfilling, but that's just me. Good luck OP.

Oh trust me that's EXACTLY how I feel, but I just keep reminding myself that it's for a good purpose.
Hopefully I don't slack off this year!