UQ UQ Medicine: Provisional Entry Questions and Discussion

[A1]

When we apply through QTAC for rural is it just provisional or is it bonded?

Rural is basically a parallel admission stream to non-rural. If non-rural is provisional then so is rural, similarly for bonded/unbonded.

 

[dotwingz]

Im not sure what you mean?

It says on the website that you apply for the relevant program (in this case Provisional and Provisional Bonded as UQ seperates them) QTAC will reach out to you, confirm you are rural, then add the bonus points

 

[dande]

Has anybody been "reached out" by QTAC yet to confirm rurality? Im not sure when they do this so I was just wondering? If anybody has an idea of when this might happen please let me know.

 

[SmallBrain]

Can someone clarify how the bonus point system at uq works? Everyone I’ve asked up until now have said the subject bonus are whole ranks (2 ranks pushes 96 to 98) but my school’s uni admissions officer said each rank is only 0.05. So 96 would only go to 96.1 with 2 ranks.

 

[Cal]

Can someone clarify how the bonus point system at uq works? Everyone I’ve asked up until now have said the subject bonus are whole ranks (2 ranks pushes 96 to 98) but my school’s uni admissions officer said each rank is only 0.05. So 96 would only go to 96.1 with 2 ranks.

Your uni admissions officer is incorrect; UQ currently has a rank system in place, which is 1-99 at 1 intervals which are equivalent to the ATAR you have, e.g. if you had 99 or 99.95 you have a 99 Rank and so forth. So you will have a 98 rank with 2 bonus points from 96. This is how it has been for years, and I doubt they will change it this year. Only thing I could see happening is they could ban them for being used for Medicine Entry since the cutoff is 95 for a place offer - much lower than the previous 99

Edit: read dotwingz post below for update: They may be switching their selection rank system this year, although still up in the air

 

[dotwingz]

Its 96->98, Each step is 0.05 but every adjustment is 1

Subject Incentive Scheme

You can receive a maximum of 5 adjustments if you've passed certain subjects or completed university study while at school.

future-students.uq.edu.au

• 2 adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of an approved language other than English subject (or an equivalent subject from another approved senior program)
• 2 adjustments for achieving a grade of C or higher in Units 3 and 4 of Queensland Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent)
• 1 adjustment for successfully completing a university-level enrichment course concurrently with your senior program (e.g. our Enhanced Studies Program).

Each adjustment is equivalent to 1 rank.

ETA:

UQ currently has a rank system in place, which is 1-99 at 1 intervals which are equivalent to the ATAR

Im not sure if thats how theyre doing it this year, From their admssions guide ( https://future-students.uq.edu.au/s...0-03/uq-domestic-undergraduate-guide-2021.pdf ), this part on Page 26 makes me think selection rank will be 0.05 intervals

Once you satisfy a program’s subject prerequisites and any other requirements, admission is based on your ATAR or selection rank. These range from 1–99.95 (with 99.95 being the highest attainable).

However, I also see alot of conflicting information like here where it says max SR is 99 https://future-students.uq.edu.au/s...06/attainable-selection-rank-info-sheet_0.pdf

ETA again: Im blind, I see they have 0.05 steps in that document I linked

 

[ucatboy]

Can someone clarify how the bonus point system at uq works? Everyone I’ve asked up until now have said the subject bonus are whole ranks (2 ranks pushes 96 to 98) but my school’s uni admissions officer said each rank is only 0.05. So 96 would only go to 96.1 with 2 ranks.

Bruh that's some serious lack of knowledge and competence at their own job ("uni admissions officer"), it'd probs be best to fact check everything they say to avoid being misled.

 

[SmallBrain]

I was kinda shocked when she said that ngl. She may have mistaken it for Educational access arrangements. Anyway thanks for clearing that up!

 

[#lurker]

In one particular easy year (4 years ago I think) it was 86%ile for dent, 88%ile for med bonded, 91%ile for med unbonded.
In a typical year - 88%ile dent, 90%ile bonded, 92%ile unbonded.
In one tough year - 91%ile dent, 91%ile bonded, 94%ile unbonded.

However UQ med will be different this year since they have reduced the ATAR threshold (i.e. more eligible applicants) and introduced an interview, so UCAT cutoff %ile will be very different.

I was hoping to get an interview at UQ for 2021 entry but my UCAT was 2890, which now looks like 88th percentile (last year it would have been 93/94th). When you say the UCAT cutoff will be "very different", do you mean substantially higher ? (I get no-one knows for sure). Really disappointed at the huge change in the UCAT percentiles...

 

[Cal]

I was hoping to get an interview at UQ for 2021 entry but my UCAT was 2890, which now looks like 88th percentile (last year it would have been 93/94th). When you say the UCAT cutoff will be "very different", do you mean substantially higher ? (I get no-one knows for sure). Really disappointed at the huge change in the UCAT percentiles...

They mean a drop in the percentile, due to introduction of interviews; so it shouldn't be a problem

 

[YeahTrueHey]

Also there's the factor to consider that resitters can't apply for UQ provisional

 

[Cal]

Also there's the factor to consider that resitters can't apply for UQ provisional

That factor has been the same every year; so realistically that shouldn't have a large impact on it

 

[A1]

When you say the UCAT cutoff will be "very different", do you mean substantially higher ?

Last year UQ's adjusted ATAR/Rank hurdle was 99 and UQ offered 140 places. Iirc the bonded offer cutoff was 2800 = ~88%ile, which meant there were 140 applicants with Rank 99 & 2800+ UCAT.

This year UQ has lowered the hurdle requirement to 95 but it's counter-acted by a larger number of interview invites. UQ has not said how many, the usual ratio is 3-4 to 1 place = roughly 500 interviewees. So 500 vs 140 last year on its own would lower the UCAT cutoff substantially, but then we have to add in all the extra 95 to 98.x eligible applicants.

I might get told off for this but I think there is a small correlation between high ATAR and higher UCAT. This being true means among those 95-98.x there won't be three times as many high UCATs as among 99+. Hopefully this will result in a lower UCAT %ile cutoff for interview selection.

 

[JL538]

Last year UQ's adjusted ATAR/Rank hurdle was 99 and UQ offered 140 places. Iirc the bonded offer cutoff was 2800 = ~88%ile, which meant there were 140 applicants with Rank 99 & 2800+ UCAT.

This year UQ has lowered the hurdle to 95 but it's counter-acted by a larger number of interview invites. UQ has not said how many, the usual ratio is 3-4 to 1 place = roughly 500 interviewees. So 500 vs 140 last year on its own would lower the UCAT cutoff substantially, but then we have to add in all the extra 95 to 98.x eligible applicants.

I might get told off for this but I think there is a small correlation between high ATAR and higher UCAT. This being true means among those 95-98.x there won't be three times as many high UCATs as among 99+. Hopefully this will result in a lower UCAT %ile cutoff for interview selection.

Wait so since its a "hurdle" does that mean as long as you get about 95 ATAR they don't care anymore? Sort of like the JMP?

 

[Cal]

Wait so since its a "hurdle" does that mean as long as you get about 95 ATAR they don't care anymore? Sort of like the JMP?

nah Hurdle as in, they won't consider you at all, even if the weighting of your interview and ucat would get you a place, but they still consider ATAR in the overall place calculations, I am not sure on the weighting, it is either 33% or 25%

 

[A1]

Wait so since its a "hurdle" does that mean as long as you get about 95 ATAR they don't care anymore?

My mistake, I have edited the word hurdle 95 to requirement. Last year's 99 was a hurdle for offers, this year's 95 is a hurdle for interview selection if it's based off only UCAT, but it will count 25% (with 25% UCAT 50% interview) in the final ranking for offers.

 

[#lurker]

Last year UQ's adjusted ATAR/Rank hurdle was 99 and UQ offered 140 places. Iirc the bonded offer cutoff was 2800 = ~88%ile, which meant there were 140 applicants with Rank 99 & 2800+ UCAT.

This year UQ has lowered the hurdle requirement to 95 but it's counter-acted by a larger number of interview invites. UQ has not said how many, the usual ratio is 3-4 to 1 place = roughly 500 interviewees. So 500 vs 140 last year on its own would lower the UCAT cutoff substantially, but then we have to add in all the extra 95 to 98.x eligible applicants.

I might get told off for this but I think there is a small correlation between high ATAR and higher UCAT. This being true means among those 95-98.x there won't be three times as many high UCATs as among 99+. Hopefully this will result in a lower UCAT %ile cutoff for interview selection.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. My ATAR should be ok (99.5 +) but with COVID & the new ATAR system in Qld, who knows? I really hope UQ follow your reasoning.

 

[Rhythm]

Hi All,
I have applied to UQ for provisional entry medicine and wanted to ask about whether the requirements for progressing into the MD program are difficult to achieve. Their website states that in order to progress from the first degree to an MD you need a minimum of a 5.0 GPA on a 7 point scale but because I'm a high school leaver I don't know whether that is difficult to achieve or not. If anybody with tertiary experience could give me some advice on this matter it would be much appreciated because obviously I would prefer direct entry but if a 5.0 isn't too difficult to achieve it may influence my choice in the future. Thanks.

 

[ucatboy]

Hi All,
I have applied to UQ for provisional entry medicine and wanted to ask about whether the requirements for progressing into the MD program are difficult to achieve. Their website states that in order to progress from the first degree to an MD you need a minimum of a 5.0 GPA on a 7 point scale but because I'm a high school leaver I don't know whether that is difficult to achieve or not. If anybody with tertiary experience could give me some advice on this matter it would be much appreciated because obviously I would prefer direct entry but if a 5.0 isn't too difficult to achieve it may influence my choice in the future. Thanks.

Not a UQ student but from I can tell a 5.0 GPA is a credit average (6.0 = distinction and 7.0 = high distinction), which is perfectly achievable if you keep on top of your studies.

 

[dotwingz]

A 5.0 isnt difficult at all as long as you dont fail too many courses, on UQ's scale it is defined as a 65% in a course. UQ are also very accommodating, and so if after the first semester or two if you feel you cant maintain the grades, they will refer you to academic advisors, which can help you organise summer classes, work on study skills based on where youre going wrong in your assignments, or maybe help you find subjects that are more suited towards your skill set.

The societies at UQ aswell are also a very helpful resource if you need it. The UQ Association of Biomedical Students run peer coordinated study sessions, and the UQ premed society runs many study sessions and creates super detailed study guides to help you find courses you would be best at. Just about every faculty based society runs similar options to help out students.

There are also various Science Learning Centres for the different focuses (e.g. maths, chem, physics, bio, etc) which can help you through specific parts of contents (outside the PASS or Podium times where you asks the specific tutors/lecturers of your course)

In summary: a 5.0 isn't difficult at all, as long as you stay somewhat reasonably on top of your studies, and if you cant keep up there are plenty of avenues to help you, and avoid the situation where you dont get the GPA you need to matriculate into the MD before its too late.