Quick Questions 2019/2020

[A1]

I see above someone has mentioned that 'any 5s you achieved become 5.75s ' in UQ. Would this be the case for me?

Technically a UQ Credit gets 5.75 from Gemsas. Reason for this is Gemsas GPA is mainly marks-based, a UQ Credit can be from 65 (Gemsas 5.5) to 74 (Gemsas 6.0) but the exact marks is not shown so Gemsas gives it the mid-point 5.75.

Note this is per individual units, it does not make a UQ overall GPA of 5.0 become Gemsas 5.75. To illustrate a HD & two Passes at UQ would have a GPA of (7+4+4)/3 = 5.0 by UQ, by Gemsas would be (7+4.5+4.5)/3 = 5.33.

That would be amazing news if we only needed a 5 but I don't think that is the case

From this year for UQ GPA is hurdle for interview selection but counts 25% in the ranking for place offers. From the Gemsas Guide:

"Applicants must have achieved a minimum converted GPA of 5.0/7.0 in their most recently completed key degree. The GPA is not currently used to rank UQ applicants, but is used as a tiebreaker when necessary."

"Interviewed applicants will be ranked in a merit order (and offers made) according to the following methodology:
- 50% Interview score
- 25% Unweighted average GAMSAT Score
- 25% Grade Point Average (GPA) from designated key degree."

 

[Crow]

That would be amazing news if we only needed a 5 but I don't think that is the case I'm doing biomed because I am definetly set on medicine and I felt like it would be advantageous to study it as it helps with GAMSAT and has some of the pre-requisite courses.

Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

I highly recommend you read this article if you're yet to do so. We recommend to all users trying to get into medicine to have a back up career plan, given the majority of medicine applicants (unfortunately) are unsuccessful due to supply outweighing demand. What is your back up? Biomed degrees are not conducive to many employment opportunities (nor do I believe it's actually that useful in preparing one for GAMSAT in the current climate, but that's an aside).

I'm of the view that with only one semester down you wouldn't be losing too much by changing degrees; particularly given you could potentially use the units you've completed for credits if the degree you change into requires similar foundation units to be completed, and/or it would give you an opportunity to lift your GPA by "cancelling out" the semester that's just passed.

As has been pointed out: there is plenty of opportunity to lift your GPA throughout your degree, so this isn't the be all and end all. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on where you can improve, and carry that reflection on to your next semester.

UQ is also a very competitive university to gain entry to, and is very reliant on success in GAMSAT - something that most people struggle to achieve. If your heart's set on medicine, you may need to cast your net wider and consider other universities in Australia.

 

[RÜFÜS DU SOL]

Hey all,

What unis for undergrad med would I be able to apply at as a student who is currently in their 3rd year of a bachelors degree at USyd? Right now, I just think it's the JMP, UWS, JCU & Bond.

Thanks heaps!

 

[Crow]

Hey all,

What unis for undergrad med would I be able to apply at as a student who is currently in their 3rd year of a bachelors degree at USyd? Right now, I just think it's the JMP, UWS, JCU & Bond.

Thanks heaps!

Those, + UNSW (depending on whether your ATAR was above 98 or not and your current GPA) + Curtin IF you’ll have a completed degree at the end of this year. Note the requirement to sit UCAT for UNSW/WSU/JMP/Curtin and to write a written application for JCU.

Also, the graduate entry pathway obviously also opens up to you once you complete your degree provided you sit GAMSAT and achieve a competitive enough score.

 

[RÜFÜS DU SOL]

Those, + UNSW (depending on whether your ATAR was above 98 or not and your current GPA) + Curtin IF you’ll have a completed degree at the end of this year. Note the requirement to sit UCAT for UNSW/WSU/JMP/Curtin and to write a written application for JCU.

Also, the graduate entry pathway obviously also opens up to you once you complete your degree provided you sit GAMSAT and achieve a competitive enough score.

Legend, thank you! Didn't know that I could apply to Curtin as a postgrad. Good to know for next year! Cheers

 

[jfa01]

Hi again,
Sorry if this is an odd question, but if you study at University X will you be more likely to get into medicine at University X then if you were from a different university? This is referring to postgraduate entry.
Thanks

 

[A1]

Sorry if this is an odd question, but if you study at University X will you be more likely to get into medicine at University X then if you were from a different university? This is referring to postgraduate entry.

Monash students are 1000% more likely than non-Monash for Monash grad entry med

You get same-uni advantage for Flinders (separate quota), Deakin & Macquarie (bonus points), vaguely remember UoW but not sure.

 

[jfa01]

Monash students are 1000% more likely than non-Monash for Monash grad entry med

You get same-uni advantage for Flinders (separate quota), Deakin & Macquarie (bonus points), vaguely remember UoW but not sure.

Do you happen to know if this applies to UQ?

 

[A1]

Do you happen to know if this applies to UQ?

Officially, I have not seen any mention of UQ Admissions giving special consideration to UQ students.
Unofficially? we can't tell anyway if they do (via interview marking).

 

[Crow]

Do you happen to know if this applies to UQ?

Definitely not. This year is the first year that UQ are doing interviews, but it would be highly discriminatory to do so and there’s no reason to expect that UQ would do that. As for Monash and Flinders, it is impossible (Monash) or near impossible (Flinders) to get into either uni as an outsider.

 

[chinaski]

This year is the first year that UQ are doing interviews

Not quite. It's the first year that they have reinstated the interview process, which they previously abandoned for a period of time.

There's nothing for universities to gain by adopting an "unofficial" policy of nepotism when they can easily simply build in bonus points or sub quotas for their own graduates - without the associated risk of being stung if a less-than-transparent "unofficial" process is exposed.

 

[Crow]

Not quite. It's the first year that they have reinstated the interview process, which they previously abandoned for a period of time.

Whoops, my bad with the phrasing! I am aware of this

 

[Goldilocks]

Hi all. Would Psychology as an undergrad for post-grad medicine be feasible? I've always been interested in it as a career (which is good if GAMSAT route doesn't work out) but I'm concerned I'd be extremely lacking in the bio knowledge I'd need if I got into medicine. Thanks!

 

[chinaski]

Hi all. Would Psychology as an undergrad for post-grad medicine be feasible? I've always been interested in it as a career (which is good if GAMSAT route doesn't work out) but I'm concerned I'd be extremely lacking in the bio knowledge I'd need if I got into medicine. Thanks!

People have been successfully completing graduate medical degrees with absolutely no science background for decades now - it's utterly common and not considered extraordinary. Only thing of potential relevance is ensuring the completion of prerequisite units of study set by particular graduate schools, if you wish to apply to them.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hi all. Would Psychology as an undergrad for post-grad medicine be feasible? I've always been interested in it as a career (which is good if GAMSAT route doesn't work out) but I'm concerned I'd be extremely lacking in the bio knowledge I'd need if I got into medicine. Thanks!

Here's a little (lol, it's not little) something I prepared earlier if you want more specifics from someone who's been there (almost - I'm only in second year Med after practicing as a psych, after all) done that, but the short answer above hits the nail on the head.

Psychology

There appear to be three broad reasons why someone visiting MedStudentsOnline might want some information about an alternative undergraduate enrolment option to Medicine. The following is an attempt to address these with specific reference to Psychology. 1. Is Psychology a good option for...

medstudentsonline.com.au

 

[geek]

Hi,
1.I was just wondering what happens if someone takes a gap year after year 12 and reapplies into medicine after improving their atar/ucat/not getting into the uni they wanted to
do they fall into the same criteria as the one graduating from year 12 that year or do they now compete with post grad students or is there another stream for these people
2.Also if you do a double degree is your GPA/WAM calculated all together or do you get two seperate scores
3.Which unis use Ucat as a criteria for postgrad entry as I see a lot of posts about postgrad students sitting ucat,I thought it was GAMSAT for postgrad
4.Which year do you sit the ucat or GAMSAT in during uni to be eligible for a medicine offer
sorry I am a bit unclear about this
cheers

 

[Crow]

do they fall into the same criteria as the one graduating from year 12 that year

Yes, they do. However, the exception is that you’ll be ineligible to apply at UQ after a gap year.

 

[A1]

1.I was just wondering what happens if someone takes a gap year after year 12 and reapplies into medicine after improving their atar/ucat/not getting into the uni they wanted to

See this post > [Undergrad] - Worth gapyear/repeating to get in?

3.Which unis use Ucat as a criteria for postgrad entry as I see a lot of posts about postgrad students sitting ucat,I thought it was GAMSAT for postgrad

Undergrad med schools use UCAT and some grad schools use UCAT for provisional offers
> [Undergrad] - (2019 Updated) Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards

All grad schools use GAMSAT for entry into their MD year 1 (except for the students already with a provisional offer).

4.Which year do you sit the ucat or GAMSAT in during uni to be eligible for a medicine offer

You can sit UCAT every year for the undergrad schools that accept non-standard applicants, even after you have graduated.
If you do a 3-year degree you can sit GAMSAT from 2nd year on, for the grad schools.

 

[geek]

Undergrad med schools use UCAT and some grad schools use UCAT for provisional offers
> [Undergrad] - (2019 Updated) Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards

All the grad schools use GAMSAT for entry into their MD year 1 (except for the students already with a provisional offer).

so if I am already enrolled into an undergrad degree and I sit the ucat again and manage to get a provisional offer I will need to start my undergrad degree again at that specific uni from where I got the offer?

so if I am already enrolled into an undergrad degree and I sit the ucat again and manage to get a provisional offer I will need to start my undergrad degree again at that specific uni from where I got the offer?

Hypothetically yes, but IRL that doesn't happen since no school with provisional offers accepts non-standard applicants.

Hypothetically yes, but IRL that doesn't happen since no school with provisional offers accepts non-standard applicants.

so why will you sit the ucat again in uni ?

so why will you sit the ucat again in uni ?

For the *undergrad* schools that accept non-standard applicants, namely JMP WSU UNSW (and Curtin if you have or are about to graduate).

 

[geek]

Hi
I was just wondering if a degree in dentistry covered the pre requisites for applying to medicine as a non standard or a graduate entry applicant later on as some unis require specific subjects
I am juggling between omfs and cardio so just making sure that I am clear about the options out there in case I don't end up liking dentistry
Cheers