Quick Questions 2019/2020

[Crow]

On a seperate note, does this also apply to QLD's selection rank system - if you do a language (for example) you can get 2 bonus selection ranks, does that also equate to a +2 ATAR and boost a 99 to a 99.95? or only to a 99/OP1 since that is technically the highest rank in QLD?

That’s true, but it’s only going to help you reach the 99+ ATAR threshold for UQ medicine/dentistry, or other non-medicine and non-dentistry courses. Griffith and JCU medicine and dentistry don’t allow for ATAR boosting with bonus points (other than for rurality).

Also, the maximum score for Queensland courses is still a 99.95 ATAR, it’s just that students that do high school in QLD don’t receive their ATAR equivalent unless specifically requested.

 

[TheMedRudolph]

Unfortunately this doesn't look good. As I mentioned in another thread a 97.15 + GPA 7 + 98%ile got an interview invite but was advised only 5% chance successful for a place offer (meaning that combo just scraped into the interview round). If UNSW is interviewing similar number of applicants this year I think 95%ile is unlikely to make it.

Wouldnt we also have to consider how they're going to use SJT. If someone had gotten a high ucat 98+ and atar (98.5+) and around 100%ile sjt. Would their chances significantly improve if unsw does allocate a weighting towards sjt.

 

[TKAO]

That’s true, but it’s only going to help you reach the 99+ ATAR threshold for UQ medicine/dentistry, or other non-medicine and non-dentistry courses. Griffith and JCU medicine and dentistry don’t allow for ATAR boosting with bonus points (other than for rurality).

Also, the maximum score for Queensland courses is still a 99.95 ATAR, it’s just that students that do high school in QLD don’t receive their ATAR equivalent unless specifically requested.

Wait so if I had a low 99 atar and then got the bonus 'selection points' from QTAC as an interstate student, does that mean I get boosted to a 99.95?

 

[Smelly Boy]

So when you say +4 boost to ATAR, does that max out at 99.95? Like for example, if I got a 96.7 atar and got +3 atar, would that mean it gets boosted to a 99.7? And with +4 it would boost you to a maximum of 99.95? If you got a 99.5 and got +1 atar would you then get boosted to 99.95?

Yeah you’ve got the idea

 

[A1]

Wait so if I had a low 99 atar and then got the bonus 'selection points' from QTAC as an interstate student, does that mean I get boosted to a 99.95?

This bonus is UQ specific, and ATAR being a hurdle at UQ doesn't matter whether 99.1 or 99.95. You will be given Rank 99 that's it.

 

[Crow]

This bonus is UQ specific

True to an extent, but most QLD unis apply the bonus for the majority of university courses - it’s just the highly competitive ones (med and dent) that the bonus won’t be applied for at Griffith and JCU. Perhaps also the case for UQ and JCU vet medicine, IIRC.

As an example, the cutoff for QUT medical imaging is actually an OP1 (so 99+) but applicants with OP4 have received offers into the course because of bonuses.

 

[Smelly Boy]

I sent an interesting question to UNSW last night regarding credit for previous studies and will update y’all on how they respond.

It went something like this:
- Unsw Med sci students can gain lateral entry to year 4 of the Med degree after finishing their 3 year Med sci course
- in years 1 & 2, they do specific subjects the uni tells them to do & year 3 they do a major of their choice
- I’m in UNSW & I’ve done pretty much all the Med sci courses (I’m not in Med sci myself) & will satisfy the exact year 3 major requirements that Med sci students do

QUESTION: if Med sci students are able to enter 4th year with their previously completed study, Will I get credit for some of my study given that Med sci lateral entry students are getting credit for the exact same subjects? (I also listed every single subject I did & highlighted those subjects which are common with Med sci students)

Tbh I don’t see why they wouldn’t give me credit for at least some of my courses. On their FAQ page, it reads this under the question “can credit be given for previous study?”:
Due to the structure of the curriculum, few if any credits can be granted to students transferring after partly completing or completing another degree. Exemption from all or part of the requirement to undertake 12 Units of Credit of General Education courses will be considered and granted when applicable.

It’s not a straight up NO so there might be a chance to reduce the length of the course maybe? Would be easily my top preference if the degree can be shortened a bit.

This is the response:
“Unfortunately, as lateral entry only applies to the Bachelor of Medical Science, you can only get two subjects counted for when transferring into the Medicine course (your General Education courses). As a result, the UNSW Medicine degree would not be shortened significantly, and if this is your primary factor of consideration, you may want to consider doing a graduate program at another institution.”

I think it doesn’t make sense to not get credit for identical subjects just because I’m not doing a different program of study

 

[Crow]

This is the response:
“Unfortunately, as lateral entry only applies to the Bachelor of Medical Science, you can only get two subjects counted for when transferring into the Medicine course (your General Education courses). As a result, the UNSW Medicine degree would not be shortened significantly, and if this is your primary factor of consideration, you may want to consider doing a graduate program at another institution.”

I think it doesn’t make sense to not get credit for identical subjects just because I’m not doing a different program of study

Wait, so you have to repeat the exact same units if you get into medicine there?

 

[Smelly Boy]

Wait, so you have to repeat the exact same units if you get into medicine there?

Seems like it. Going to follow up when I get home haha. Will keep you guys posted

 

[A1]

True to an extent, but most QLD unis apply the bonus for the majority of university courses - it’s just the highly competitive ones (med and dent) that the bonus won’t be applied for at Griffith and JCU. Perhaps also the case for UQ and JCU vet medicine, IIRC.

As an example, the cutoff for QUT medical imaging is actually an OP1 (so 99+) but applicants with OP4 have received offers into the course because of bonuses.

It has been a while since I last checked the QTAC bonus schemes. At that time iirc it showed the Maths C and LOTE bonuses as UQ specific. So either the bonuses you mentioned above are from other QTAC schemes or the schemes have changed since.

 

[Logic]

Seems like it. Going to follow up when I get home haha. Will keep you guys posted

In my personal opinion what they've told you is correct.

The structure of the UNSW medicine program is far different from the rest of the university in that we don't do e.g. a few courses a semester (or trimester), rather it is quite integrated so it's not like they can give you credit for any of it.

The med sci students aren't getting credit for completed courses because frankly the medicine program doesn't follow any of the courses the rest of the university does. Rather they are getting told to complete certain units in third year to serve as basic knowledge for medicine. They then undergo a bridging course during holidays to fix gaps in their knowledge and start 3rd year with medicine students.

If you wanted credit like the medical students are getting, they'd have to get you to also complete the bridging program (which has limited places) and then move straight in to third year (which they won't do).

I do encourage you to follow up and clarify with them however!

 

[Smelly Boy]

In my personal opinion what they've told you is correct.

The structure of the UNSW medicine program is far different from the rest of the university in that we don't do e.g. a few courses a semester (or trimester), rather it is quite integrated so it's not like they can give you credit for any of it.

The med sci students aren't getting credit for completed courses because frankly the medicine program doesn't follow any of the courses the rest of the university does. Rather they are getting told to complete certain units in third year to serve as basic knowledge for medicine. They then undergo a bridging course to fix gaps in their knowledge that other units can't provide and start 3rd year with the rest of the medicine students.

Hate to say it but you’ve been very logical here logic

Still would hope they’d let me skip some stuff though... thought of doing neuroanatomy again gives me the heevy jeevies

 

[A1]

Wouldnt we also have to consider how they're going to use SJT. If someone had gotten a high ucat 98+ and atar (98.5+) and around 100%ile sjt. Would their chances significantly improve if unsw does allocate a weighting towards sjt.

That's true. We can only wait and see how much weighting UNSW gives to SJT.

 

[Logic]

Hate to say it but you’ve been very logical here logic

Still would hope they’d let me skip some stuff though... thought of doing neuroanatomy again gives me the heevy jeevies

Yeah that's understandable! But thinking about it: neuroanatomy is in one big course known as Ageing and Endings B which integrates neuro physiology, anatomy, pathology etc. so it's not like anatomy is taught as a separate course that they can just get you to not come to. All of it is together so unfortunately it doesn't seem likely they'd be able to let you e.g. just miss neuroanatomy etc.

 

[Lawrencealot]

Yeah that's understandable! But thinking about it: neuroanatomy is in one big course known as Ageing and Endings B which integrates neuro physiology, anatomy, pathology etc. so it's not like anatomy is taught as a separate course that they can just get you to not come to. All of it is together so unfortunately it doesn't seem likely they'd be able to let you e.g. just miss neuroanatomy etc.

Is it possible then, to transfer into the med science degree then into medicine and retain the credit?

 

[Logic]

Is it possible then, to transfer into the med science degree then into medicine and retain the credit?

I'm honestly not 100% sure. I think contacting UNSW would be better for information (or perhaps someone else can chime in). Please do note that myself and many others on the forums highly recommend against doing a medical science degree for reasons that Mana has kindly put in this thread: Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants . Do have a read! I wouldn't transfer in to medical science for the purpose of potentially gaining entry in to a very small number lateral entry places for medical science students.

 

[TKAO]

Is a 94th percentile UCAT competitive enough to UQ or UNSW med? If so, would that be more like a first round or second round offer? My SJ percentile is around a 36th which is kinda bad...

 

[A1]

Is a 94th percentile UCAT competitive enough to UQ or UNSW med? If so, would that be more like a first round or second round offer? My SJ percentile is around a 36th which is kinda bad...

Assuming you meet the OP1/Rank 99 hurdle I am confident 94th will get you at least a UQ bonded offer regardless of your SJT tiebreaker.

Too many unknowns for UNSW like SJT, raw ATAR, any EAS etc.

 

[Shar88]

Do we know if UQ is just total Ucat score 1-4 or if there is any weighting to it? Is there a bonus point for 4U maths for UQ and is it automatically added the bonus?

 

[A1]

Do we know if UQ is just total Ucat score 1-4 or if there is any weighting to it? Is there a bonus point for 4U maths for UQ and is it automatically added the bonus?

Going by UQ's use of UMAT previously there won't be any section weightings. For 4U maths you get 2 Rank points added to your Selection rank, which is roughly the integer part of your ATAR.

Btw note how UQ says to be eligible you need OP1/Rank 99, not ATAR 99.0+