UNSW UNSW Medicine: General Entry Questions and Discussion

[garmonbozia]

Does anyone know how many people get the Scientia scholarship, and how difficult it is to maintain the academic expectations? I read some MSO threads from 10+ years ago, and it appears that at the time UNSW only gave this to 2 students, and required an 80 WAM (Which apparently means that I would need to be top 20ish every year). Has anything changed?

From what I've heard from students and staff members, it's awarded to the top two students of each intake, based on their total admission score (ATAR + UCAT + interview).

 

[Retired Member]

From what I've heard from students and staff members, it's awarded to the top two students of each intake, based on their total admission score (ATAR + UCAT + interview).

Yeah so probably no change then. Do you know if they rank us by ATAR or Raw aggregate, and whether they rank by UCAT Percentile or Raw mark? I'm pretty sure that'd make a difference in the rankings.

 

[ucatboy]

Yeah so probably no change then. Do you know if they rank us by ATAR or Raw aggregate, and whether they rank by UCAT Percentile or Raw mark? I'm pretty sure that'd make a difference in the rankings.

Probably 33% selection rank 33% UCAT 33% interview

Basically, they rank everyone's UCAT, interview and ATAR from 1 to 800 (or however many interviewees) then either select the two people with the lowest average rank overall or the highest z-score overall.

 

[Crow]

and required an 80 WAM (Which apparently means that I would need to be top 20ish every year)

80 WAM just means that you need to have an average of at least 80% overall in all relevant subjects in the degree - it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be in the top 20 students (unless UNSW medicine marks students on a bell curve which only lets 20 or so achieve a WAM above 80, which I am quite certain they don’t, and would be pretty difficult to do seeing as the WAM comes from your results in a variety of subjects that will be graded by different academic staff).

 

[kpsmms]

So I called UNSW Med, and they weren't able to help me with removing PMQ from my preferences as there was no one from the medial faculty there (they'll be available on the 6th of January - which isn't great as preferences close on the 5th). The person who answered said that I was free to email MESO but said it was unlikely for them to be able to change it, and basically said that I should have good luck and hope to not get PMQ.

I was also hoping to get some statistics of how many non-rural kids actually go to PMQ, but was unable to receive an answer on it. I think I'll have to do what A1 suggested, although I'm sorta sceptical that they'll tell me what offers (if any) I have...

Thanks everyone for all the help!

 

[Smelly Boy]

I think I'll have to do what A1 suggested, although I'm sorta sceptical that they'll tell me what offers (if any) I have...

Worth a try innit bruv?

 

[Cal]

Worth a try innit bruv?

The valued member once again coming up with the goods. Thanks for the blessing Smelly Boy

 

[A1]

So I called UNSW Med, and they weren't able to help me with removing PMQ from my preferences as there was no one from the medial faculty there (they'll be available on the 6th of January - which isn't great as preferences close on the 5th). The person who answered said that I was free to email MESO but said it was unlikely for them to be able to change it, and basically said that I should have good luck and hope to not get PMQ.

I understand PMQ is a pref in the direct application to UNSW, whereas UAC prefs close on 5th Jan. Technically UNSW can remove it if they really want to help.

I think I'll have to do what A1 suggested, although I'm sorta sceptical that they'll tell me what offers (if any) I have...

UAC can be dismissive at the outset. It's your task to point out it's UAC's prefs system that's causing this dilemma, not only about PMQ but also bonded vs unbonded, not just you but hundreds of other applicants too. Their system has a flaw they need to do something to help.

EtA: Just want to add that you should mention you pay UAC for this application service. Being paid for it UAC should provide a proper service not a flawed one.

 

[Med10]

So I called UNSW Med, and they weren't able to help me with removing PMQ from my preferences as there was no one from the medial faculty there (they'll be available on the 6th of January - which isn't great as preferences close on the 5th). The person who answered said that I was free to email MESO but said it was unlikely for them to be able to change it, and basically said that I should have good luck and hope to not get PMQ.

I was also hoping to get some statistics of how many non-rural kids actually go to PMQ, but was unable to receive an answer on it. I think I'll have to do what A1 suggested, although I'm sorta sceptical that they'll tell me what offers (if any) I have...

Thanks everyone for all the help!

Hey kpsmms, did you end up emailing them or having any luck with anything else?

I am also in the same boat, however I have preference both Kensington and PMQ with Kensington preferred, but I would much rather PMQ now. I have JMP first on my UAC as I would rather Newcastle over anything but would now rather PMQ over Kensington and Armidale.

A1, is it UAC that decides how many codes they put for different types of offers for each uni course (e.g. bonded/unbonded and location)? Or is it up to the individual uni - in this case UNSW? I am debating emailing/phoning either of these, but I realise in the application it says "we will not change your location under any circumstance after the closing date".

 

[A1]

A1, is it UAC that decides how many codes they put for different types of offers for each uni course (e.g. bonded/unbonded and location)? Or is it up to the individual uni - in this case UNSW?

I think it's a combination of both but more due to UAC. In previous years UNSW used to have separate course codes for unbonded & bonded (PMQ didn't exist then but could have had its own code like Monash ERC), however UAC allowed 9 pref entries to accommodate. 2-3 years ago UAC cut down to 5 entries, not enough to put in med unbonded, med bonded, dent, plus back-up courses etc so the schools were more/less forced to merge their med codes into one.

 

[kpsmms]

Hey kpsmms, did you end up emailing them or having any luck with anything else?

I am also in the same boat, however I have preference both Kensington and PMQ with Kensington preferred, but I would much rather PMQ now. I have JMP first on my UAC as I would rather Newcastle over anything but would now rather PMQ over Kensington and Armidale.

A1, is it UAC that decides how many codes they put for different types of offers for each uni course (e.g. bonded/unbonded and location)? Or is it up to the individual uni - in this case UNSW? I am debating emailing/phoning either of these, but I realise in the application it says "we will not change your location under any circumstance after the closing date".

Hey! Yeah I emailed them but they haven’t emailed back. Honestly I’m not surprised and doubt they’ll email back until the 6th. I’m going to call them again on the 6th (basically to beg haha) and also UAC a few days before the 10th as A1 suggested.
If you end up calling/emailing, good luck and please let us know how it goes!!

 

[Med10]

I think it's a combination of both but more due to UAC. In previous years UNSW used to have separate course codes for unbonded & bonded (PMQ didn't exist then but could have had its own code like Monash ERC), however UAC allowed 9 pref entries to accommodate. 2-3 years ago UAC cut down to 5 entries, not enough to put in med unbonded, med bonded, dent, plus back-up courses etc so the schools were more/less forced to merge their med codes into one.

Oh okay, thanks for the insight A1 !

Hey! Yeah I emailed them but they haven’t emailed back. Honestly I’m not surprised and doubt they’ll email back until the 6th. I’m going to call them again on the 6th (basically to beg haha) and also UAC a few days before the 10th as A1 suggested.
If you end up calling/emailing, good luck and please let us know how it goes!!

Good idea! I may email them but I doubt they would change it, worth a try though. Good luck to you too, hopefully you don't get PMQ (I feel like it's only a small chance you will get PMQ as it is your second preference and there are only 25 spots there if I'm quoting correct numbers, and way more spots at your first preference - Kensington)!

 

[jayson]

I put UNSW WSU JMP but did not put unbonded or bonded .so if I don’t get unbounded,would they put me into pool of bonded?thanks

 

[kumquat999]

Hey guys, do grades/ GPA matter in medicine? A friend of mine told me that the placements are random anyway (not based on grades), so as long as you maintain a pass mark there is not much point in keeping a high grade. Is this true : P

 

[ponyswordz]

Hey guys, do grades/ GPA matter in medicine? A friend of mine told me that the placements are random anyway (not based on grades), so as long as you maintain a pass mark there is not much point in keeping a high grade. Is this true : P

High marks are normally for those who want to pursue some scholarship thing or for those who want to do honours in 4th year (>65 WAM). Can't say much about placements but there would probably be a preferencing system in place similar to that of UAC.

 

[kumquat999]

High marks are normally for those who want to pursue some scholarship thing or for those who want to do honours in 4th year (>65 WAM). Can't say much about placements but there would probably be a preferencing system in place.

I thought that UNSW course was 6 years long for all students, which includes a 4th year honour program? If you get <65 WAM what would you do instead? Sorry if it's a dumb question lol

 

[A1]

I thought that UNSW course was 6 years long for all students, which includes a 4th year honour program? If you get <65 WAM what would you do instead? Sorry if it's a dumb question lol

By default the course is 6 years and includes the 4th year ILP. Those in the Hons program does a slightly different 4th year but essentially it's the ILP year + 3 months of extra study load in the summer break.

 

[anzcwb]

Hi, I was wondering whether the following course of study is possible at UNSW through the Rural Student Entry Scheme...

Phase 1 - Port Macquarie (I put Both Kensington and Port as locations of study, but Port preferred)
Phase 2 - Sydney Campus (metropolitan hospital experience)
Phase 3 - Coffs Harbour (rural placement close to home)

 

[DrDrLMG!]

is it too late to apply through uac for medicine or dentistry at wsu, unsw and Sydney??? I only applied on VTAC but want to consider some of these unis???know its a dumb question but these unis are still able to be chosen on uac website

Way, way, way too late.

 

[CatzDreaming]

even for Sydney??

Yes, in NSW, each of the unis include their own medicine application that must be submitted before the end of September. If you wish to apply for NSW, it would be for 2021 entry.