UCAT Results Discussion 2019

[DrDrLMG!]

From a hundred scale (which I think is what ATAR also uses) my scaled GPA to a hundred is about 99.5, if that helps.

ANU (the same TAC as USyd) have basically the same conversion for a SAT of 1370 = 95.0, which gives me more confidence in that initial comparison. On top of this, ANU indicate that a high school diploma GPA of 3.5 = 90.00 ATAR.

It’s important to recognise that getting the maximum score possible in your marking scheme (ie. GPA 4.00, or GPA 7.00 or OP1) doesn’t automatically convert to an ATAR of 99.95. So it’s possible using that to base equations off is a false equivalence.

The only way to know for sure is to ask UAC to convert it for you (I don’t know if there is a fee involved).

 

[Crow]

Alpish if you do receive further information from any universities regarding your situation, please update us for our information here on MSO!

 

[Alpish]

If the universities consider your high school GPA rather than the SAT score, and convert it to 99.5 (and I have no idea on how the universities will approach your situation at all, sorry) then a 99.5/90th (hypothetically) puts you in a strong position to receive interviews at most unis that do interview (perhaps not Monash or WSU) and potentially a place offer for Griffith USC provisional entry. I suggest you email the universities and try and get a response in writing on how they will consider your situation, though. Best of luck

Thank you. I know it's a pretty difficult situation and I'll make sure to email the other unis I've applied to along with UNSW.

 

[Alpish]

ANU (the same TAC as USyd) have basically the same conversion for a SAT of 1370 = 95.0, which gives me more confidence in that initial comparison. On top of this, ANU indicate that a high school diploma GPA of 3.5 = 90.00 ATAR.

It’s important to recognise that getting the maximum score possible in your marking scheme (ie. GPA 4.00, or GPA 7.00 or OP1) doesn’t automatically convert to an ATAR of 99.95. So it’s possible using that to base equations off is a false equivalence.

The only way to know for sure is to ask UAC to convert it for you (I don’t know if there is a fee involved).

Yup! Already paid the UAC to convert it and I got the same result, which was an equivalent of 99.5. I'm just not sure which score the unis will prioritize -- my old SAT that I took at year 10 or my year 12 high school results.

I don't know if it matters but I also have a lot of prerequisites, specifically for UTAS -- advanced chemistry and bio and physics and such too.

 

[A1]

I see. That's interesting because of what I was told by UNSW and some unis instead of asking for my SAT (Curtin and Tasmania) asked for my high school GPA instead which they seemed to accept. What about a 3.9 GPA? Is that competitive?

I can't say this applies to all unis here but as indicative from the UWA link
> If you have completed the US College Board SAT and ACT, you are eligble to apply for entry to UWA.

they equate 1350 to only 94.0 whereas GPA 3.8 to 99.0 (I don't know if 3.9 would extrapolate to higher than 99.0). You are better off using the GPA if allowed to.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

I can't say this applies to all unis here but as indicative from the UWA link
> If you have completed the US College Board SAT and ACT, you are eligble to apply for entry to UWA.

they equate 1350 to only 94.0 whereas GPA 3.8 to 99.0 (I don't know if 3.9 would extrapolate to higher than 99.0). You are better off using the GPA if allowed to.

Yep, I agree. Everything I’ve just looked at definitely points towards the GPA being a much more favourable option.

Alpish, of those subjects you mentioned, only chemistry is on a pre-reqs list. Other subjects may include maths and English. For example, the UTAS pre-reqs are chem and Eng, you don’t need bio or physics.

 

[Alpish]

Yep, I agree. Everything I’ve just looked at definitely points towards the GPA being a much more favourable option.

Alpish, of those subjects you mentioned, only chemistry is on a pre-reqs list. Other subjects may include maths and English. For example, the UTAS pre-reqs are chem and Eng, you don’t need bio or physics.

I sent in both my GPA and my SAT just in case in my applications since they asked for both, so hopefully they notice the SAT is from year 10 and my year 12 results are the GPA results and favor that.

Cheers for all the help!

 

[Hamza]

Yup! Already paid the UAC to convert it and I got the same result, which was an equivalent of 99.5. I'm just not sure which score the unis will prioritize -- my old SAT that I took at year 10 or my year 12 high school results.

I don't know if it matters but I also have a lot of prerequisites, specifically for UTAS -- advanced chemistry and bio and physics and such too.

Do you mind sharing how much UAC charged for the conversion? Thanks

 

[Alpish]

Do you mind sharing how much UAC charged for the conversion? Thanks

130 bucks

 

[Cal]

130 bucks

huh? wow that is one hell of a price for a single excel calculation (or at least what I assume to be)

 

[ABT123]

Just a thought, but maybe UAC giving a rank of 99.5 lines up with the table on his forum about GPA to ATAR, where 6.5+/7 = 99.5 (after 1 or more years). In that case, maybe they converted 3.9/4 to ~6.83/7, which is then given a rank of 99.5?

 

[Mariah_05]

Applying for: Medicine
Application type: Non standard, UNSW student
Current WAM (first year + term 1 + term 2): 91.462
UCAT Percentile Rank: 94
VR: 680
DM: 730
QR: 780
AR: 870
Total: 2920
SJ: 675

Current State: NSW
Applying to: UNSW, JMP, WSU
Rural Applicant: No
GWS Applicant: Yes
Indigenous Applicant: No
Other:
Specific Question: Considering my VR score, what are my chances at WSU and JMP which are universities known for having individual section cut-offs?

 

[A1]

huh? wow that is one hell of a price for a single excel calculation (or at least what I assume to be)

Problem is in it being one price fits all and not all cases are just an excel calculation. They do GPA calculations which may include split courses, credits transfer, overseas degrees etc. They do ATAR conversions and equivalent rank when combined with ATAR. Also need to keep themselves up to date with all overseas marking schemes and their changes etc.

Have a look in this link, click on "How we assess your tertiary qualifications"
> Qualifications Assessment Service - UAC

 

[bonana]

It seems that from 'Aus Med and Dent Place Offers 2019 - Collated Forum' most of those who received offers also had massive ATAR. Is this coincidence or am I mistaken about the atar threshold for wsu. cheers

 

[A1]

It seems that from 'Aus Med and Dent Place Offers 2019 - Collated Forum' most of those who received offers also had massive ATAR. Is this coincidence or am I mistaken about the atar threshold for wsu. cheers

WSU states not only in print but also in their submission for accreditation (a very serious process) that ATAR is a threshold, so few would doubt that. It may be coincidence for the 2019 intake, the 2017 & 2018 intakes included quite a few sub-97 ATAR

2017:
96.00, 99% (71+74), non-rural, unbonded
99.15, 96%, non-rural, unbonded
99.85, 100% (71+68), non-rural, unbonded
98.50, 100%, non-rural, unbonded
96.00, 99% (71+74), non-rural, unbonded
95.60, 93% (73+57), EAS, non-rural, unbonded
96.50, 96% (65+63), rural, bonded
97.80, 98%, non-rural, bonded

2018:
99th %ile, 97.30, standard, CSP
95th %ile, 99.15/5.75, non-standard, GWS, BMP
94th %ile, 95.40, standard, GWS, CSP
91st %ile, 98.95, standard, GWS, CSP

 

[Yamster]

Wasn't the cut- off 91% last year? (Sorry if it looks like I'm being pedantic, it's just that every percentile really matters in my situation )

Hey Dreamer1999, my apologies, a 181 is indeed a 91%ile on last years bell curve!

 

[worldno8]

As an interstate (NSW) student, around what ATAR is required to receive an interview offer from Monash? I got 3260 (99th%) in UCAT but kinda flopped in English in the trials...so no idea where my ATAR is now.

 

[Crow]

As an interstate (NSW) student, around what ATAR is required to receive an interview offer from Monash? I got 3260 (99th%) in UCAT but kinda flopped in English in the trials...so no idea where my ATAR is now.

We have limited data (because limited applicants from interstate get Monash interviews) so it’s difficult to say. I’d say you’ll want at least a 99.4, but there’s very little data to support that.

 

[bonana]

Applying for: Medicine & Dent
Application type: School-leaver
Atar: 98? (+2 for UQ Maths C)
UCAT Percentile Rank: 95
VR: 610
DM: 750
QR: 740
AR: 860
Total: 2960
SJ: 700

Current State: NSW
Applying to: UNSW, JMP, WSU, UQ, JCU,
Rural Applicant: No
GWS Applicant: Yes
Indigenous Applicant: No
Question: I feel like I don't have a very little chance at other Unis that aren't listed in the UAC application. i.e. VTAC, SATAC . . . Since, Crow mentioned I have a decent chance at UQ, I feel that I shouldn't even apply for other Uni's outside of NSW and QLD. Any opinions

 

[Crow]

Question: I feel like I don't have a very little chance at other Unis that aren't listed in the UAC application. i.e. VTAC, SATAC . . . Since, Crow mentioned I have a decent chance at UQ, I feel that I shouldn't even apply for other Uni's outside of NSW and QLD. Any opinions

I'd imagine you would get interviews at Adelaide and possibly Curtin too, but your ATAR may be your downfall. With a good interview at Adelaide I think a 98 ATAR would be sufficient together with your strong UCAT score. Flinders weights ATAR very heavily, UWA requires a 99+ ATAR and Monash is ridiculously competitive for interstate students, so I would say those are looking pretty unlikely.

But, Curtin and Adelaide would both be worth applications, I would think, and they are both outside of QLD and NSW!

(That's not to mention the interviews you'll have at WSU and JMP - virtually guaranteed with your UCAT score - and the competitive edge being a GWS applicant provides you)