Transferring from science/arts to science? :/

[Pineapple66]

Soo I screwed up this year. By epic proportions. And I suspect a total lack of direction is to blame. This is the situation:

I'm in first year. I finished year 12 last year and got into science/arts which was my first preference because I didn't know what I wanted to do. *unfortunately* that lack of purpose turned into a lack of motivation and I dun screwed up. Was having some issues of the mental health variety and found myself failing 3/4 of my arts units, and am on the brink of failing the fourth depending on how I go in the exam :/ So basically I failed all my arts units in my first year, which is the reason why I want to internally transfer to science. My science units are going OK but i highly doubt they'll let me transfer considering all these fails.. as for the ATAR requirement, I got a 94 (req. 85) and it was again my science subjects that saved me during VCE, two of which were mid/high 40s.

I feel dumb mentioning the next bit because it seems so so far fetched, but I was thinking of transferring to science, because I want to apply for med. Not having a goal was a big part of my problem, and I know I can work hard now that I have one. If I can't transfer to science this year, I'll try and transfer mid sem next year. But I guess my questions are:

First of all is there even any hope to transfer into science at this point? How does dropping the arts degree work? Does it mean I have to make up for those 4 arts units (potentially 6 depending on if I transfer mid sem) by replacing them with science ones? Can the two arts units I do if I transfer midsem next year count as elective units? Is there any way at all for me to still complete the science degree in 3 years despite those arts units (such as doing winter/summer/online units)? Or is there anyway to do more than 4 units in a semester?  Also if I work super hard next few years is there even a slight chance of redeeming my WAM/GPA after such a brutal year? Who can I speak to if I have more questions about this? Or how to structure my course cause I have no idea what I'm doing.. I tried going to science student services but I'm not sure how to explain all this (especially the failing of four units and still having the gall to speak of med ) in anything but writing.

Anywho if you managed to read all that, thank you And if you manage to reply, you have next to all my love <3

[extremeftw]

 It might be easier for you to repair your WAM than you think. Remember that 1st year units only contribute half as much as units done at higher year levels.

Do you even need to transfer? I'm pretty sure you can just do the requirements for your science degree and exit your course once that is completed. If you do transfer, you could just not apply for credit on your Arts units and they wouldn't contribute to your overall WAM/GPA (but would still appear on your transcript).

[Pineapple66]

Do you even need to transfer? I'm pretty sure you can just do the requirements for your science degree and exit your courses once that is completed.

hmm what do you mean by this? Like just enroll in science units in place of the arts ones or how..? I need to do at least five units in second year which are med prereqs

[extremeftw]

hmm what do you mean by this? Like just enroll in science units in place of the arts ones or how..? I need to do at least five units in second year which are med prereqs

 Have a look here: https://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/courses/S2006.html

 Especially, the part where it discusses 'alternative exits':

"Students may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts after three years, depending on the units studied.

Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the requirements in Part A and B for the Bachelor of Science degree."

[VanillaRice]

One problem that you might run into is being able to enrol in certain second year units (such as the Monash graduate medicine Science pathway prerequisites you mentioned). I'm not sure what science units you've done, but if you've done Bio 1 and 2 this year, you shouldn't run into too many problems in terms of prerequisite units.

In a standard BSc, you have 8 free electives, so you should have no problem crediting any current arts units as electives of your science (single) degree. One thing to note is that (not 100% sure on this, so hopefully someone can confirm/deny) failed units will not count towards credit in your degree i.e. you will have to complete another unit if you fail one. There are some summer/winter units available (so you can make up for failed units here somewhat), but they are more along the lines of Arts units. Generally, science-related summer/winter units are limited to 3rd year research projects. If you do go via the route of using your current Arts units as electives, you should be aware that these units will still contribute towards your WAM.

You can do more than 4 units in a semester ('overloading'), but take into consideration the extra workload this can place on you. I believe you also require a grade average of 60% for them to consider an overload application.

If you have any other questions please let us know

[Pineapple66]

"Students may be eligible to exit the double degree program and graduate with either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts after three years, depending on the units studied.

Students who wish to graduate with a Bachelor of Science prior to the completion of the double degree must have completed at least 144 points of studies, including all of the requirements in Part A and B for the Bachelor of Science degree."

does that mean I just continue doing arts/science? Because I'm not sure I'll be able to satisfy the med prereqs if half my units are arts :/ although this is a little bit reassuring

Remember that 1st year units only contribute half as much

I'm not sure what science units you've done, but if you've done Bio 1 and 2 this year, you shouldn't run into too many problems in terms of prerequisite units.

In a standard BSc, you have 8 free electives, so you should have no problem crediting any current arts units as electives of your science (single) degree. One thing to note is that (not 100% sure on this, so hopefully someone can confirm/deny) failed units will not count towards credit in your degree i.e. you will have to complete another unit if you fail one.

I did do bio1011 and bio1022 so that should be alright do you know if I can do second year units in third year?

Thanks heaps for your responses!! I think I really need to speak to someone face to face though because my wayward course progression is confusing as hell and I'm not even sure if it's legitimate. Does anyone know who I can speak to and how to contact them? I'm quite worried about this.

[VanillaRice]

Because I'm not sure I'll be able to satisfy the med prereqs if half my units are arts :/ although this is a little bit reassuring
I did do bio1011 and bio1022 so that should be alright do you know if I can do second year units in third year?

You should be able to fit the 5 med prereqs into next year (since you have 8 units). I believe your course has enough flexibility for you to choose 8 science units (and no arts) for next year.

Yep I'm pretty sure most of the med prereqs have bio has a prereq. What 3rd year units were you planning to do? Most of them require 2nd year prereqs.

Thanks heaps for your responses!! I think I really need to speak to someone face to face though because my wayward course progression is confusing as hell and I'm not even sure if it's legitimate. Does anyone know who I can speak to and how to contact them? I'm quite worried about this.

I know you said you've already been to them, but science student services is really your best bet when it comes to course structure. They run both your current degree, as well as the science single degree.

Good luck