Underprivileged Schools

[nacho]

Hey,
According to a friend and a yr 12 teacher, the school that I go to is underprivileged (ranked 430ish) and that universities take this into account when you apply for a course, and sort of give you bonus points?
Is this true, and can it make any significant difference?
For example, if one were to get an atar 0f 80, whilst the required has a cut off of 85, would they have be accepted into the course?
If so, does it also apply for the UMAT? Eg. Someone gets 93%ile, whilst the cut-off is 94%ile or even 95%ile, would they get interview offers ?

[iNerd]

Doesn't apply to UMAT.

[Predator]

As said by ATAR, the UMAT is more about your ability rather then the school you attend.
As for your ATAR question that is not really known as the fringe ATAR might be a bit lower meaning they may get in pending on how many people apply for that course along the scores that those people applying for the course got.

[pi]

Doesn't apply to UMAT.

+1, in addition, med (and other such areas needing UMAT) do not have a 'cut-off' as such anyway. There are people who finished their first year at Monash med with 99.95 and also 93.xx (not sure of last two digits).

[iNerd]

Furthermore you have to realise that your ATAR comes last in the selection stage.
For Monash MBBS the three stages are equally weighted.
Apparently not but that's what I've heard - no one knows for sure.

UMAT (3hrs, more important then your VCE); followed by
Interview (also very important, tests your 'suitability' to med) finally followed by
Your ATAR (important but not as much as it's assumed you'll get over 95, hopefully achieving ~98+)

Note: You don't get an interview offer without making the UMAT cut-off so essentially it boils down to 3 hours.

[werdna]

The list of disadvantaged schools is really long, so I'm not exactly sure how course selection would work around this.. but I'd be interested to know if anyone else knows!

Can someone also link us to the disadvantaged schools list? (I Googled it a while ago and found it, but now I can't find it anywhere..)

[pi]

Furthermore you have to realise that your ATAR comes last in the selection stage.
For Monash MBBS the three stages are equally weighted.

UMAT (3hrs, more important then your VCE); followed by
Interview (also very important, tests your 'suitability' to med) finally followed by
Your ATAR (important but not as much as it's assumed you'll get over 95, hopefully achieving ~98+)

Note: You don't get an interview offer without making the UMAT cut-off so essentially it boils down to 3 hours.

Actually, this entirely depends on the university (and not for Monash anyway):

[david10d]

The first question still needs to be answered :p

[Cappuccinos]

Melb Uni and their "Access Melbourne" scheme kinda does that.

If you fall under any of Melbourne Uni Access Melbourne Catogories e.g Category 7 Under Represented Schools. you can apply to be a Access Melbourne Applicant.  "Access Melbourne can help you gain a place in a course, even if your ATAR is below the clearly-in rank (in some cases you may be guaranteed a place)"

"The University has set minimum ATARs for admission to most courses. Only Access Melbourne applicants can be admitted below this standard.  All Access Melbourne applicants are considered for, and may be offered a Commonwealth supported place in a course where their ATAR is lower than the specified minimum ATAR."

If you fall under
◦Category 5 (disadvantaged socio-economic background); and/or
◦Category 6 (applicants from rural or isolated areas)

A score of
•78 or above - guarantees a place in Arts, Environments or Science
•88 or above - guarantees a place in Biomedicine or Commerce

Which is like 10 points lower than the clearly in.

More info: http://cms.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/ugrad/accessmelb


I'm pretty sure you can apply under SEAS (Special Entry and Access Scheme)for other Unis..
Monash: http://www.adm.monash.edu/admissions/special-admissions-scheme.html
Deakin: http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/applications-enrolments/applications/access-equity.php
Just google "Uni + SEAS" to find out more

[Russ]

SEAS applies to every victorian uni, it's just a statement that you give to them about how you've been affected by your circumstances. There is no "bonus points" system, they just look at your score and your circumstances and decide if you should be offered a place. Someone with SEAS and a 85 ATAR may be offered a place in a course with a 90 cutoff, whilst someone else with SEAS and an 87 ATAR may not be.

[onur369]

How are you eligible for SEAS? Schools ranked 80th.

[Cappuccinos]

The list of disadvantaged schools is really long, so I'm not exactly sure how course selection would work around this.. but I'd be interested to know if anyone else knows!

Can someone also link us to the disadvantaged schools list? (I Googled it a while ago and found it, but now I can't find it anywhere..)

Erm.. Is that the same thing as Under Represented?  (There's no SEAS catorgory called "Disadvantaged schools"?)
*It's different for different unis and years*

University Of Melbourne.
Monash.
Deakin.  

Um for more info about SEAS and UnderRepresented schools just read this:  http://www.vtac.edu.au/pdf/publications/seas.pdf  And check out page 27

[Predator]

I think disadvantaged schools would more fall into the schools that are in the country and outer regions.
Under represented is more that your school does not have many people who go to that univeristy.

Although, I think thats what you were saying it is best for the OP to see if her school is under represented if so that is her best bet so she increases her chances.

[nacho]

I think disadvantaged schools would more fall into the schools that are in the country and outer regions.
Under represented is more that your school does not have many people who go to that univeristy.

Although, I think thats what you were saying it is best for the OP to see if her school is under represented if so that is her best bet so she increases her chances.

Rowville Secondary College is in the club!

[Dr.Lecter]

wow grad med looks promising now