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JCU JCU Medicine: Interview Discussion

Do non-standard students ever get first round interview offers? Or do they only receive interview offers in the second round when full year GPAs can be determined? Thanks guys.
 

Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Do non-standard students ever get first round interview offers? Or do they only receive interview offers in the second round when full year GPAs can be determined? Thanks guys.
Usually not if they've only completed one semester of uni when they apply, if they have a full year or more they'll usually be offered a first round interview.
 
Hey,

I was wondering whether you need to write in block letters for your JCU application. Secondly, do we need supporting documents for what we say that we have done e.g. work experience?
 

Benjamin

ICU Reg (JCU)
Emeritus Staff
Hey,

I was wondering whether you need to write in block letters for your JCU application. Secondly, do we need supporting documents for what we say that we have done e.g. work experience?

Doesn't matter re: block letters vs printing vs cursive, as long as it is easily legible & clear. I'm not sure why JCU continues to stick with hand-written responses, I feel it adds very little value.

Typically applicants include the person they did the most work experience with as one of their referees & this tends to do away with the need for supporting evidence. Even if you don't do this there isn't a requirement for it so I wouldn't stress about it!
 
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MrsNema

Member
I had my JCU interview last year, and I got in! Any questions, i'd be more than happy to answer.
Does JCU give preference to QLD candidates ?

Doesn't matter re: block letters vs printing vs cursive, as long as it is easily legible & clear. I'm not sure why JCU continues to stick with hand-written responses, I feel it adds very little value.

Typically applicants include the person they did the most work experience with as one of their referees & this tends to do away with the need for supporting evidence. Even if you don't do this there isn't a requirement for it so I wouldn't stress about it!

Could you please advise , what the referee letters should mention?
Should they not be the work experience people ?
I heard that it can be a even a family friend who knows you personally , is that right ?
 
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Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Does JCU give preference to QLD candidates ?
Could you please advise , what the referee letters should mention?
Should they not be the work experience people ?
I heard that it can be a even a family friend who knows you personally , is that right ?
They don't give preference to QLD candidates, only rural and Indigenous candidates. I am unsure of what you mean by your question I've bolded - are you asking if someone you did work experience with should be one of your referees? If so, yes, if they can attest to your personal qualities and potentially your suitability to a career in rural med/dentistry, then they would be a good person to write you a referee letter.
Read Benjamin's post here on his thoughts on the referee letters: JCU - JCU Written Application Discussion - 2017

I also posted this example template to another member regarding what info you may or may wish to include in your referee letters:
To whom it may concern,

I have known entirety for [x amount of time] through her [list experience and how the writer knows the applicant]. During this time she has demonstrated that she [list of different positive attributes about you / other observations that paint you in a good light]. [List how your positive attributes have let you help with whatever experience you had with the writer], e.g. Not only has her positive attitude and easy going nature made her an asset to my business, but entirety also has a positive influence on her coworkers and creates a great working environment for everyone.

[List how applicant's traits and experience would make them a good candidate for JCU's program + the medical/dental profession], e.g. Entirety's dedication to any task at hand, approachable and empathetic nature and commitment to social justice would make her an asset to both the James Cook University community, as well as the medical profession. I highly recommend her to anyone considering offering her a position in this program; she is certainly a worthwhile applicant who would bring great benefit to the program.

Regards

Obviously the writer should make it personalised and add in whatever they see fit (as well as make it more realistic and genuine than mine!) but this might be a guide to follow if someone really needs it.

If you have been unable to find three people to write you a letter, a family friend would be fine I'm sure. As Benjamin says, the letters likely don't carry much weighting, but you should definitely include three if you can. Good luck.
 

MrsNema

Member
They don't give preference to QLD candidates, only rural and Indigenous candidates. I am unsure of what you mean by your question I've bolded - are you asking if someone you did work experience with should be one of your referees? If so, yes, if they can attest to your personal qualities and potentially your suitability to a career in rural med/dentistry, then they would be a good person to write you a referee letter.
Read Benjamin's post here on his thoughts on the referee letters: JCU - JCU Written Application Discussion - 2017

I also posted this example template to another member regarding what info you may or may wish to include in your referee letters:


If you have been unable to find three people to write you a letter, a family friend would be fine I'm sure. As Benjamin says, the letters likely don't carry much weighting, but you should definitely include three if you can. Good luck.

Thank you so much, that was helpful indeed
 

Nkap

Member
Hey Guys!
Is there a word/ page limit for the letter of support, as in can the referee write 2 pages? Also is it okay to have 2 letters from the same place/company?
Thanks in advance
 

Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Hey Guys!
Is there a word/ page limit for the letter of support, as in can the referee write 2 pages? Also is it okay to have 2 letters from the same place/company?
Thanks in advance
They haven't stated a limit, so I'd say that would be fine, though I'd caution against submitting something too wordy unless it's kept concise and everything is relevant. I think diversity among the letters would be better rather than doubling up from the same place, but if that's your only option that would be fine - if possible you should try to have the 2 letters discuss different parts of your character etc so that your assessors aren't just reading the exact same thing about you twice over. Having said this, I wouldn't be overly stressed about the letters - the application itself is more important. Best of luck!
 

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Nkap

Member
They haven't stated a limit, so I'd say that would be fine, though I'd caution against submitting something too wordy unless it's kept concise and everything is relevant. I think diversity among the letters would be better rather than doubling up from the same place, but if that's your only option that would be fine - if possible you should try to have the 2 letters discuss different parts of your character etc so that your assessors aren't just reading the exact same thing about you twice over. Having said this, I wouldn't be overly stressed about the letters - the application itself is more important. Best of luck!
Thanks Crow! Also can we write outside the lines slightly in the application or not? I've got a fair bit to write so I was wondering how strict are they and what can they allow?
 

Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Thanks Crow! Also can we write outside the lines slightly in the application or not? I've got a fair bit to write so I was wondering how strict are they and what can they allow?
I would caution against doing that - while I doubt that they'd actually invalidate the application if you did write outside the lines, the guide does clearly state to write within the line space provided and it's better to be safe than sorry. My recommendation - write as small as you like, so long as it is neat and legible (have other people read it to check its readability to be safe - what appears legible to you may not be to other people). :)
 
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Benjamin

ICU Reg (JCU)
Emeritus Staff
Thanks Crow! Also can we write outside the lines slightly in the application or not? I've got a fair bit to write so I was wondering how strict are they and what can they allow?

Remember that successful applicants have done so by adhering to the rules set out in the application & that more words does not necessarily equate to a better application. I would suggest typing out of your responses in full length, printing it & then turning them into dot-points with as few key words as possible. Once you have done that, try and reconstruct the original themes by using the dot-point list without looking at the actual original. You will likely eliminate a lot of unnecessary words by doing this & the overall message should be clearer as well.
 

Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Are letters of support from teachers acceptable?
Definitely acceptable - though if you have the option of having letters from 3 different avenues of your life, rather than 3 school teachers, you may wish to take that (as it shows that you are a diverse person with multiple interests) but I wouldn’t worry overly if that’s not possible for you. Good luck :)
 

Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
Thanks heaps! And if i get an interview, what is some good preparation i can do?
I’d start on the first post of this thread, then check out our interview sub-forums. There are an endless amount of interview resources out there if you search for them and they’re not too hard to find! If the time comes when you have been offered an interview and you have further specific questions, someone on MSO will certainly be able to help you out :)
 

AnnGG

Member
I live interstate. Do I still have a chance getting an interview if I apply. My GPA is 6.7? what kind o things would support my written application?
 

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Crow

Staff | Junior Doctor
Moderator
I live interstate. Do I still have a chance getting an interview if I apply. My GPA is 6.7? what kind o things would support my written application?
Definitely not too low - though the written application plays a very important part in determining whether you receive an interview or not. For an excellent guide on the written application: JCU - JCU Written Application Discussion - 2017 If you have further specific questions about the application after reading that thread, ask away.
 

A1

Rookie Doc
Moderator
This link gives an insight into the JCU Med Dean's mind
> How can Australia have too many doctors, but still not meet patient needs?
Back in the early 2000s, the biggest issue relating to the training of Australia’s medical workforce was a shortage of doctors in regional and remote areas. So, in addition to boosting medical student numbers overall, we set up rural clinical schools and regional medical schools, and increased admission of students who were already residents of rural areas.

While results of these policies have been positive in terms of graduate rural career intentions and rural destinations, the job was really only half done. .... , too many of our medical graduates are now piling up in capital city teaching hospitals, locked in a fierce competition for ever-more sub-specialised training jobs.

Meanwhile regional Australia remains hooked on a temporary fix of importing doctors from overseas. Hence the recently announced funding for 26 new regional training hubs. The aim is to “flip” the medical training model, so the main training is offered regionally with a city rotation as required.

The Dean's concerns will be reflected in how JCU Med is driven. If you can convince JCU you would be part of the solution rather than adding to the problem, it will enhance your chance of getting in.
 
Hi! Just to clarify are "non-standard" places for those already doing a Uni degree?
Also with 1st and 2nd round interviews... I have a low predicted ATAR of around 93-94 (due to a mixture of being very sick with sepsis and screwing up a big assessment block and also being not all that great at English) but I think I will be able to get 96+ for my actual result (fingers crossed)
Would there be any chance of a 1st round interview with what I believe to be a very strong application (I have done volunteering for indigenous charities + nursing homes + work experience in hospitals which has helped in the application) and support letters from teachers and emergency doctor who I did work experience with ect? Basically would it be possible with this predicted ATAR?
Last thing: is there a set pathway for students to work rurally after the finish at JCU? I am from inner Sydney however really really want to work up in the NT and was wondering if there is a transitional process facilitated by JCU. I hope that my genuine passion for indigenous + rural health helps me out here!
 

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