ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => General University Discussion and Queries => Topic started by: vexx on June 19, 2011, 09:40:30 pm

Title: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: vexx on June 19, 2011, 09:40:30 pm
Hi,

So I missed my exam accidentally (dont ask), and have already gave in my forms for special consideration to resit exam, except if i am either rejected of this (my reason is valid though) or the resitting exam date is when i'm away (i get back after the first two days of the special consideration period.. odds of 2/5 i'll miss it), is there anyway around having this on my record when applying to grad medicine?
note, i did 5 subjects this semester - overloading, which may help in some way AND this was under as an elective subject.. im really hoping there is a sneaky way around this so i dont have to put a F on my GPA application to med school - maybe do an extra subject via full-fee payment and use this instead? i really wouldn't mind paying for this to avoid. or ANYTHING else, i'm so upset about it..

Please help!

Thanks

Vexx
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Glockmeister on June 19, 2011, 09:59:37 pm
You have to refer to the ACER Admissions guide, who are the clearing house for graduate medicine at all universities except University of Sydney.

http://www.gamsat.acer.edu.au/images/documents/gmac_guide2012.pdf
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: vexx on June 19, 2011, 11:22:24 pm
You have to refer to the ACER Admissions guide, who are the clearing house for graduate medicine at all universities except University of Sydney.

http://www.gamsat.acer.edu.au/images/documents/gmac_guide2012.pdf

yeah yeah thanks for reminding me of this, as i didn't realise the latest one was already out. still doesn't really help me in if there's away around it as it says to include your fail subjects, but im wishing there at least has to be something i can do to not include it or make it meaningless???
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Fyrefly on June 20, 2011, 12:21:26 am

A failed unit is a failed unit... you can't erase it from your transcript.

I strongly suggest that if you're granted special consideration, that you make sure you're back in time to sit a deferred exam.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Gloamglozer on June 20, 2011, 12:29:31 am

A failed unit is a failed unit... you can't erase it from your transcript.

I strongly suggest that if you're granted special consideration, that you make sure you're back in time to sit a deferred exam.

This.

I don't know if I can emphasise that more.  Make sure you're back if you're granted.  But in the end, what's more important is dependent on the person?  So overall, what do you value more?  Go with your heart on this one.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Hure on June 20, 2011, 03:18:57 pm
This might end up happening to me as well-except i actually dropped the subject on purpose and was not told about it being considered a fail on my end of year results. If you get the entry score/clearly in for your course, and it's not one of the more prestigous courses, will the Fail affect the university's decision to accept me?
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: vexx on June 20, 2011, 05:44:08 pm
I strongly suggest that if you're granted special consideration, that you make sure you're back in time to sit a deferred exam.
I don't know if I can emphasise that more.  Make sure you're back if you're granted.  But in the end, what's more important is dependent on the person?  So overall, what do you value more?  Go with your heart on this one.

:'(
I've already booked flights and everything, this sucks. I'll just pray it's on the 18th-20th then.

thanks for replying guys, i guess i can't really do much..
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Russ on June 20, 2011, 06:09:10 pm
There is no way to get the fail off your transcript because that's, well, the point of a transcript. If you fail the subject I'm not 100% sure on what the deal with a GPA is, but at the end of the day it won't tank your entire GPA

Having applied to Sydney, these are the three questions they ask you:

Quote
Have you ever been excluded or suspended from a course at a tertiary education institution?
Have you ever been asked to show cause why your enrolment in any course should not be suspended/terminated?
Have you ever been asked to explain unsatisfactory progress in any course?
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: mystikal on June 20, 2011, 07:39:05 pm
you can always transfer... to a different uni? like monash? i think you start off with a clean slate if u do this. Not sure.... other than that you can not really avoid a failed unit however, isnt it that 1st year units do not count much in post grad med coz they understand that 1st year is the year when students are adjusting to university. Just make sure you do great in 2nd year and 3rd those are the years that really count.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: vexx on June 20, 2011, 07:43:23 pm
There is no way to get the fail off your transcript because that's, well, the point of a transcript. If you fail the subject I'm not 100% sure on what the deal with a GPA is, but at the end of the day it won't tank your entire GPA

Having applied to Sydney, these are the three questions they ask you:

Quote
Have you ever been excluded or suspended from a course at a tertiary education institution?
Have you ever been asked to show cause why your enrolment in any course should not be suspended/terminated?
Have you ever been asked to explain unsatisfactory progress in any course?

:'(
at least i have a reason thats valid so they aren't allowed to think badly of me! ... unless in the next 5 semesters something similar happens - scary.

you can always transfer... to a different uni? like monash? i think you start off with a clean slate if u do this. Not sure.... other than that you can not really avoid a failed unit however, isnt it that 1st year units do not count much in post grad med coz they understand that 1st year is the year when students are adjusting to university. Just make sure you do great in 2nd year and 3rd those are the years that really count.

nah i'd rather not go to a different uni, a little dramatic! but hehe you're right... still just feels like a pretty heavy blow to my GPA even if its only first year (instead of the 5-7 range for a subject, ill be getting a 0) , played around with a GPA calculator and yeah it is a pretty big change even for first year. WAH
if only they still did diplomas in arts, then i could do that and extend my degree by a year, whereas now its only like languages and maths (yuck).
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Gloamglozer on June 20, 2011, 08:17:32 pm
There is no way to get the fail off your transcript because that's, well, the point of a transcript. If you fail the subject I'm not 100% sure on what the deal with a GPA is, but at the end of the day it won't tank your entire GPA

Having applied to Sydney, these are the three questions they ask you:

Quote
Have you ever been excluded or suspended from a course at a tertiary education institution?
Have you ever been asked to show cause why your enrolment in any course should not be suspended/terminated?
Have you ever been asked to explain unsatisfactory progress in any course?

Those questions are fair but only for the extreme.  Failing one subject will not warrant a meeting for the Academic Progress Committee.  The only times those three questions will be asked of you is if you are asked to attend a meeting with the APC or with a student advisor, the latter which I would doubt since they have no power to suspend or terminate your enrolment.

In the end, vexx, don't worry about having one fail on your transcript.  It's only if you fail more than 50% of your courseload in one semester which you should be concerned about.  But one fail, don't stress mate.  :)
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: anti on June 20, 2011, 09:23:53 pm
Worst comes to worst you can do an honours year, then they will only look at years 2, 3 and 4 in working out your GPA.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: slothpomba on June 21, 2011, 01:50:46 am
In the end, vexx, don't worry about having one fail on your transcript.  It's only if you fail more than 50% of your courseload in one semester which you should be concerned about.  But one fail, don't stress mate.  :)
At monash its in two semesters. I think they send you a warning letter if you fail more than 50% in Semester 1 but that doesn't necessarily invalidate any of the above questions (as in its not one of the things they asked really). After two semesters though thats when the APC, ect starts up.

Gloam might be correct. Both of them being in GO8 i thought they'd try to have similar policies though..

you can always transfer... to a different uni? like monash? i think you start off with a clean slate if u do this. Not sure.... other than that you can not really avoid a failed unit however, isnt it that 1st year units do not count much in post grad med coz they understand that 1st year is the year when students are adjusting to university. Just make sure you do great in 2nd year and 3rd those are the years that really count.

Really? This works. I guess it might theres something in the back of my mind saying it does, but only if you don't claim any credit for units you dont want to show up.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Gloamglozer on June 21, 2011, 04:43:43 am
In the end, vexx, don't worry about having one fail on your transcript.  It's only if you fail more than 50% of your courseload in one semester which you should be concerned about.  But one fail, don't stress mate.  :)
At monash its in two semesters. I think they send you a warning letter if you fail more than 50% in Semester 1 but that doesn't necessarily invalidate any of the above questions (as in its not one of the things they asked really). After two semesters though thats when the APC, ect starts up.

Gloam might be correct. Both of them being in GO8 i thought they'd try to have similar policies though..

That policy at Monash might happen if you're in first year, but I think any further in your degree, then the APC will step in as soon as you fail more than 50% of your course load, which makes sense because if you fail that many subjects then that will definitely affect your course plan (just one of the many problems).  Or depending on your circumstances, if the APC doesn't step in then at least a meeting with a course advisor would definitely happen.

And if you're postgrad and you fail more than 50%, then it's even worse I would imagine.

EDIT:  I should edit this post for accuracy.  Instead of using APC, I believe UoM students should be using "Course Unsatisfactory Progress Committee (CUPC)".  And they are also called "hearings" and not "meetings".
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: slothpomba on June 21, 2011, 07:25:27 pm
Ah, yeah that makes a lot of sense.

If I failed most of my subjects, it would have barely any repercussions (except shit GPA) for me.

The only ones i actually need are BIO1011 and BIO1022 to do my chosen majors next year and even then, I saw some form that allows you to request a supplementary exam or something like that. That is if failing the subject would seriously impact upon your course progress.

So, yeah i can see where you're comming from especially in later years. (I think the monash policy covered all years though *shrug*)
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Glockmeister on June 22, 2011, 03:16:20 pm
Ah, yeah that makes a lot of sense.

If I failed most of my subjects, it would have barely any repercussions (except shit GPA) for me.

The only ones i actually need are BIO1011 and BIO1022 to do my chosen majors next year and even then, I saw some form that allows you to request a supplementary exam or something like that. That is if failing the subject would seriously impact upon your course progress.

So, yeah i can see where you're comming from especially in later years. (I think the monash policy covered all years though *shrug*)

Actually, Monash abolished supplementary exam and near fails I think last year, so if you fail (unless you get special consideration), that's it, you've failed.
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Fyrefly on June 23, 2011, 12:00:02 am
Ah, yeah that makes a lot of sense.

If I failed most of my subjects, it would have barely any repercussions (except shit GPA) for me.

The only ones i actually need are BIO1011 and BIO1022 to do my chosen majors next year and even then, I saw some form that allows you to request a supplementary exam or something like that. That is if failing the subject would seriously impact upon your course progress.

So, yeah i can see where you're comming from especially in later years. (I think the monash policy covered all years though *shrug*)

Actually, Monash abolished supplementary exam and near fails I think last year, so if you fail (unless you get special consideration), that's it, you've failed.

They abolished the near pass (NP) policy.

Policy on supplementary exams depends on the faculty; compare BusEco and Science for example.

Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Gloamglozer on June 23, 2011, 12:23:39 am
Ah, yeah that makes a lot of sense.

If I failed most of my subjects, it would have barely any repercussions (except shit GPA) for me.

The only ones i actually need are BIO1011 and BIO1022 to do my chosen majors next year and even then, I saw some form that allows you to request a supplementary exam or something like that. That is if failing the subject would seriously impact upon your course progress.

So, yeah i can see where you're comming from especially in later years. (I think the monash policy covered all years though *shrug*)

Actually, Monash abolished supplementary exam and near fails I think last year, so if you fail (unless you get special consideration), that's it, you've failed.

They abolished the near pass (NP) policy.

Policy on supplementary exams depends on the faculty; compare BusEco and Science for example.



At Monash, which faculty seems to be more "lenient" on awarding supplementary exams?
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: Fyrefly on June 23, 2011, 12:54:57 am
Ah, yeah that makes a lot of sense.

If I failed most of my subjects, it would have barely any repercussions (except shit GPA) for me.

The only ones i actually need are BIO1011 and BIO1022 to do my chosen majors next year and even then, I saw some form that allows you to request a supplementary exam or something like that. That is if failing the subject would seriously impact upon your course progress.

So, yeah i can see where you're comming from especially in later years. (I think the monash policy covered all years though *shrug*)

Actually, Monash abolished supplementary exam and near fails I think last year, so if you fail (unless you get special consideration), that's it, you've failed.

They abolished the near pass (NP) policy.

Policy on supplementary exams depends on the faculty; compare BusEco and Science for example.



At Monash, which faculty seems to be more "lenient" on awarding supplementary exams?

Judging on their respective policies, probably BusEco, Science and IT. But I've never actually applied for a supplementary exam, so I don't know how easy it is to be granted one.

On the opposite end of the "leniency spectrum"...
Engineering won't even consider allowing a supplementary exam unless you're in your pentultimate (final) year.
Contrary to expectation, Arts faculty does not allow supplementary exams in any capacity.

Law seems to sit somewhere in the middle.

http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/deferred-supplementary.html
Title: Re: Avoiding a failed subject..?
Post by: vexx on June 23, 2011, 09:20:46 pm
Yayyyy, been speaking to so many people there about it and just got an email earlier that was saying how I'll be able to the exam after I get back from Europe :3 So happy!

..though i would have forgotten everything by then and even less keen to study, but at least I won't be failing :)