UWA is starting the Open Day events for 2021 on 28 March.
The open days are brilliant. They are a lot of fun and essential for students who are in their final years of high school and considering going to uni.
As UWA is having its Open Day so early that it will be easy to consider what you find out and compare it to other unis when they have their open day later in the year.
You have fewer than 20 contact teaching weeks to go before the ATAR. The April holidays are going to be your last chance to sit back and get organised.
Tip 1 Relax
April is the last relax time you are going to have until your final exams are over.
Plan your time through until the ATAR exams, including relaxation time.
Take that time off…. Guilt free. Total relaxation.
Tip 2 Humanities or Science? Uni or TAFE?
Humanities or science? Which way do you want to go? If you can’t decide go to these sites for help. (If you contact me I will email you a link to this Coggle map so that you can get the links without looking them up.)
If TAFE, get an appointment at your local Jobs and Skills Centre and get the experts to show you opportunities.
Tip 3 Check out the Year 12 Handbook
In Year 12 it is time to check important dates, exam information, double check WACE requirement to make sure you comply. They are all in the Year 12 Information Handbook.
Tip 4 Enrol in ATAR Revision Courses for Mid Year Holidays
Most successful students get at least some revision support from one of the companies that provides mid year ATAR revision programs.
Check with each teacher to see what you need to do to achieve your goal
Ask them for help to achieve that goal.
If you have any great tips for Year 12 survival please send them through.
The monthly In focus Careers Newsletter helps you to see what is possible. Contact me for a complimentary copy.
Testimonial:
Thank you for such wonderful work throughout the year. (XXXX) SHS has found your newsletters to be so very, very helpful. We are so appreciative of your efforts and look forward to the 2019 issues.
(Top Ranking Metropolitan Government School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian students I undertake to:
Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
Connect you with insanely great careers teachers across the In Focus Careers network.
Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
Candidates with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries may be entitled to extra time or accommodations when sitting the test, however applications for these arrangements must be accompanied by suitable official documentation and be approved in advance by the UCAT ANZ office.
Applications for Access considerations close on 10 May
In the past regional and remote students were disadvantaged as the old test was always held after the mid year holidays. The timing is now more suited to the needs of applicants.
UCAT recommends that you do NOT go to private companies to learn how to do well on this test as this is the first time it has been run in Australia and they have little idea of what to expect.
UCAT have put up a lot of information and they have done everything they can to ensure candidates have the best opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.
Good Luck with your application.
If you have applied for a Concession or for Access consideration can you let us know if the process worked for you?
In Focus Careers Newsletter
If you would like to check out my insanely great newsletter let me know:
Testimonial
Thank you for all your hard work with the newsletters this year, they have been a Godsend.
(Eastern Suburbs Catholic Education School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian students I undertake to:
Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
Consult across the In Focus Careers network gathering information and advice to share.
Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
If you want to get into medicine in 2020 registrations for the UCAT are now open.
Two West Australian universities have switched from the University Medical Admissions Test (UMAT) to the University Clinical Admissions Test (UCAT) for the 2020 intake:
Curtin University is the only one to offer school leavers direct access to medicine as an undergraduate degree. The UCAT is now the external exam that is part of the application process.
UWA – Direct Entry to Medicine and Dentistry. A limited number of students with an ATAR of 99 will be offered direct entry to medicine or dentistry. Those who are confident of an outstanding ATAR score must do the UCAT as part of their application process. Direct Entry students undertake an undergraduate degree before starting medicine.
The University of Notre Dame is the other West Australian university to offer medicine. Applicants must have successfully completed a degree as part of the application process and they undertake an external test for graduates (GAMSAT)
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT seems better than the old UMAT.
It is a 2 hour, multiple choice, competency based test that seeks to determine your innate suitability to become a doctor. It can be done at any time in July but must be done by the end of the month.
The test is done in your final year of school and you can only do the test once per year. The 2019 test is only for entry to medicine in 2020.
Students from regional and remote schools don’t have to take time off school during term time to do the test.
There has been a lot of consideration given to applicants who have a medical condition or disability and modified tests are available for those applicants.
There has been a lot more work done to prepare students for the tests. There are practice tests, videos, tutorials, question banks…. everything they can think of to help you to perform well, has been provided.
UCAT’s attention to providing information and coaching on techniques and timing is the best way to prepare for the test. You must do the preparation that is provided on the UCAT site if you hope to be competitive in the test.
Further Information
As this is the first time the UCAT has been run in Australia there will be little knowledge to share among applicants but Whirlpool and Medstudentsonline are two social media sites where you can chat to other applicants around Australia.
In Focus Careers Newsletter
To stay informed about West Australian developments in employment, education and training subscribe to the insanely great In Focus Careers Newsletter.
……(your career is like) hacking through virgin rain forest – a completely blind journey where you never know where you’re going to end up. It’s only by looking back at the forest that it seemed to be some sort of logical progression. (Eddie Perfect)
Image by Julian Kingma.
….how does one even define ‘success’?
This answer will (and should be) different for every person. So it’s good to take a minute and think about how you personally define success, and what kind of person you’d like to be if and when it happens.
Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect seem like the same sort of guy. Tim gave a “9 Rules to Live By” address at UWA which has become famous.
I never remember advice that people give me but these two say things in an entertaining way.
If you need help to find the best path towards your career journey, contact me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au or ring me on 0434056412. I will do my best to be wise and entertaining!!
You don’t want to make an idiot of yourself when you first go to uni. Maintain your dignity, make good decisions and look cool. (OK. You may need some more help with that last one!)
These tips will guide you through a smooth transition.
If you are disadvantaged IN ANY WAY, universities have special support services designed to help you. Tap into these services even if you are NOT disadvantaged.
There are more expert mentors available than students who choose to use them. People love helping people, particularly if their help is valued.
Go to the website of the university of your choice. If you can’t find the special service you are looking for, contact student services at the university.
Contact the services early. This will give them plenty of time to link you in with support and services before the rush at the start of the academic year.
Choosing the Right Uni
If you want to change your mind about which university you want to go to you can do that for a fee. To be considered for a first round offer you will need to get your preferences in to TISC by mid-December.
I Want to Apply to a University in Another State or Territory
If you want to find out more about applying in other states or territories check HERE.
Ask a Social Network of Students
I stumbled upon Whilpool.net.au when I was researching views on schools of medicine at different universities.
Students use the discussion forum to ask questions and get information from other students who are already in courses.
I found a lot of candid information about medicine courses at universities around Australia form current and past students.
If you want to know something about a university or course before you fill out your TISC application, you could try asking a question on Whirlpool to see if you can get some good feedback. .
Alternative Pathways to Uni
The number of alternative pathways is increasing. Information about alternative pathways to each of the West Australian universities is available HERE.
Complete your Studies with a Salary
Join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and have your fees paid for via Defence University Sponsorship. You can study a relevant degree at an accredited university of your choice, have your fees paid for and earn a salary, then walk straight into an ADF role following graduation.
Get your Career Advisor, Year Coordinator, Home Room Teacher or a family friend to help you to find hundreds or even thousands of dollars in scholarships that could help you to pay for your university or TAFE courses.
Make going for scholarships part of your new life. Many students win more than one scholarship.
You can subscribe to a newsletter about WA university scholarships on scholarshippd.net.
Some scholarships require a personal statement and references which may take some time to compile.
Specific information regarding the scholarships available and the selection criteria used to award the scholarships can be obtained from university websites:
Now you can start your degree while still at school. Three universities in Western Australia offer free, or low cost, university units to school students.
Starting uni early will not only save you money, it will give you a taste of university life and teach you adult learning styles, you will meet lecturers and learn about their expectations and be treated as an equal in an adult world.
Getting a taste of uni while still at school could help you to decide which career direction to take.
The Horizons Summer School enables year 11s transitioning to Year 12 to experience university, get academic skills for year 12 and get credit for one unit towards a Murdoch degree.
Students participate in lectures, workshops, labs and group activities to generate innovative solutions as they explore various global topics and subject areas, like the Global Compact which incorporates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
When? Friday 4 January to Friday 25 January 2019.
Cost? $450 but with fee waivers for equity students and in particular for students attending Murdoch ATAR RISE Schools.
Students may count four Endorsed Programs towards their WACE. If the unit is part of the degree that you enrol in, a credit transfer would count towards your degree. (For example, Introduction to Nursing would probably include a number of principles that would be taught in a first year nursing degree program.)
By carefully choosing units that may get you credits you could reduce the number of units you need to take when you go to university.
The first SUN unit that you enrol in is free and after that they will cost $375 per unit. Most university units cost between $800 – $1200.
Students interested in Humanities and the Arts can enrol in ECU creative units while still at school and get credit for those units when they start their degree. These courses are run in the mid semester break.
Students should register for ECU newsletters about these courses so they get early notice of opportunities like this.
Summary
The line between university and school is blurring. Universities are becoming less rigid about entry requirements and more thoughtful about what elements are required to succeed at university.
If you would like expert advice in finding opportunities for early access to university, contact me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
Keep up to date with career developments. Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Newsletter at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
If your mid year exam results have left your ATAR rank looking grim….
Adjustment Points might boost your ATAR for university.
What Are Adjustment (Bonus) Points?
These are points that most universities offer so that all students get an equal chance of being offered a place at university.
If you have not quite achieved the ATAR Minimum Selection Rank due to some form of disadvantage, Adjustment Points might boost your score so that you are offered a place.
How do I get them?
Each university may have slightly different criteria that make you eligible so you will need to decide which university you want to go to then check with them.
Plus you must meet ONE of the following eligibility measures:
Measure
You’re eligible if
Financial hardship
You are receiving Youth Allowance, or have a parent or guardian receiving a Commonwealth Income Support or Commonwealth means-tested Assistance payment.
Indigenous Australian
You have an Indigenous Australian background.
Educational disadvantage
This means you must have completed Year 12 at a school with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value of 1000 or less, or a school located in a designated regional or remote area (including students completing Year 12 through the School of Isolated and Distance Education) or a school with low tertiary entrance participation rates. See the approved School list below.
For further information regarding the criteria for a school to be included on the approved list please contact the Admissions Office on 1300 222 888 or via email stepup@curtin.edu.au
TISC applicants, with an ATAR between 60.00 – 69.95 will be given adjustments points and assessed at 70.
ECU Access
Eligible students with an ATAR of 60 to 69.95 will receive a selection rank adjustment to 70.
Eligible students with an ATAR of 70 and above will receive a selection rank adjustment of 5 to a maximum ATAR of 90.
Murdoch RISE
Murdoch’s RISE will adjust the ATAR of eligible students by up to 10.00 to a maximum of 90.00.
UWA Broadway
Eligible students with an ATAR of 75.00 to 79.95 will receive a rank of 80.00. Eligible students with an ATAR of 80.00 or above will also receive a positively adjusted selection rank.
NOTRE DAME – Special Consideration
Notre Dame doesn’t have a formula. Students can submit a supporting form outlining a need for special consideration with their application.
To keep up to date with career developments, subscribe to the In Focus Careers Newsletter at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
The path to medicine is the starting point in your career.
You can choose to do any course for the undergraduate degree which is a prerequisite for medicine at UWA, Notre Dame and many other Australian universities.
To increase the range of undergraduate degrees that you can take make sure you take English (or English Lit), Chemistry and Physics (or Human Biol) as ATAR subjects.
If you are interested in medicine it follows that you might be interested in a health science course for you first degree.
Some speakers had chosen to specialise by doing a PhD, some were doing research in hospitals, while others had gone into management or were working on international committees.
One had used his science PhD as a pathway to found Exodus Space Systems which is developing systems for settling the solar system!!
There were presentations on biomedical science and biomedical engineering with some exciting and crazy talk about mechatronics and 3D printing of organs. The future for engineers in the health industries is changing at a dizzying pace.
Speakers in the various presentations across the Open Day made a few key points:
Go Broad
In order to get a broad understanding of the health industry speakers recommended that you choose a broad range of subjects in your first year which maximise your choices for specialisation. They suggested that you maximise your flexibility through a strong focus on maths and sciences that give depth as well as breadth.
Communication Skills
One of the key underpinning skills mentioned by one speaker was the development of strong communication skills. She said that her capacity to formulate a reasoned argument quickly was a direct outcome of her science degree.
The need for communications skills was reinforced by others who mentioned the need to negotiate for clinical or resource priorities as well as the need to explain your decisions to patients, politicians and the public.
The message was that good communication skills would be your gateway to a range of opportunities across many industries. They said that is was easy to turn a health scientist with good communication skills into a business person in many interesting fields.
Network
It is possible to do your degree online, from the comfort of your own home.
Don’t do this.
Uni life can be so much more than study. Use the campus. Join social clubs. Go on camps. Do sport. Through these opportunities you can make lifelong friendships.
A self proclaimed introvert on one of the panels said it took her significant effort to force herself out of her home and onto the bus to the campus so that she could meet and mix with people.
In addition to networking with other students it was advised that students take opportunities to volunteer and get experience through contacts at the university. All of the speakers had stories about how they had been encouraged to apply for scholarships, or present papers at conferences or had found part time jobs which led to other jobs.
Finally
This was a day of UWA selling its health science courses… and they did it well. It seemed that a strong, broad health science degree was your gateway to a million opportunities.
People on the panel didn’t know where their careers would take them and all praised UWA for providing the first step on the heath industry career.
If you are serious about a career in medicine you should also check out the range of undergraduate courses at West Australian universities:
If you don’t know what to do at uni DON’T GO THERE. The uni bus isn’t the only ride out of school…. And the uni bus fare is a high price to pay when you don’t know where you want to go.
Two reports out today show that students are DROPPING OUT OF UNI in record numbers and that graduates are TAKING LONGER TO FIND JOBS in their chosen fields.
Vocational graduates earn about as much over a lifetime. And get good starting salaries.
If you don’t know what to do in 2018 go to the Careers Centre in Perth or in regional centres and find out about your options. If you decide to do a VET course ask about government priority courses (courses on the State Priority Occupation List – SPOL). They could save you a fortune.
Concessions
The number of alternative pathways is increasing. Information about alternative pathways to each of the West Australian universities is available 
If you would like expert advice in finding opportunities for early access to university, contact me at 
What Are Adjustment (Bonus) Points?
If you would like a presentation on Getting Into Medicine at your school contact me at 
And get good starting salaries. 