Enrolling at USYD (HELP) (1 Viewer)

[rh_06]

(Posted this on the USYD subreddit too)
Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of enrolling for the 'Bachelor of Science & Advanced Studies (Medical Science),' using it as a pathway into medicine as I want to eventually become a surgeon.* I am quite confused about which major I should choose and I was wondering if anyone has some personal experiences to share that could possibly influence my decision.

Because I have elected to do the Advanced Studies (Medical Science) component, I've automatically got the 'major in medical science' program, so Im looking for a second major. I am heavily considering anatomy and histology, but I am also open to applied medical science, neuroscience, physiology*, or psychological science*. Generally, I think I'll enjoy anatomy because of my experience with live dissections, how the body functions, and the practical aspect of it (This stems from my high score and love for HSC Biology). I should also mention that maths, chemistry, and physics are not my strong suite and I would preferably choose a major that can maximise my GPA whilst being helpful for when I get into med.

I am looking for a major that can get me some clinical/patients exposure if possible. If anyone can provide any input or suggestions, much appreciated.

As for my minors, I am planning on doing *psychological science and/or physiology if I can do two. Leading on this point, how would the study load be if I have 2 majors and 2 minors? How many exams would I have in a term, or how many days in a week would I have to attend lectures?

If anyone can also share some information about any of the following units, that would be great:

For a major/program in the Advanced Studies (Medical Science) component https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science/subject-areas/subject-areas-fm/medical-science/unit-of-study-table.html:

1000 level stream core - (I can take 6 credit points) CHEM1011

2000 level stream core - (I can take 6 credit points) MEDS2013

1000 level program core - (I can take 6 credit points) MEDS1002

2000 level program core - (I can take 6 credit points) MEDS2003

Major - 48 Credit points

1000 level core - (I can take 12 credit points) MEDS1001, BIOL1007 (I can do advanced or ssp since I got b6)

2000 level core - (I can take 12 credit points) MEDS2011, MEDS2012

3000 level core - (I can take 18 credit points) MEDS3001, 2, 3

Interdisciplinary project

For a second major in anatomy and histology https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/science/subject-areas/subject-areas-ae/anatomy-histology.html:

1000 Level - (I can take 12 credit points)

BIOL1008/1908 (Human Bio - or the advanced which I am also eligible for), MEDS1001 (Human Bio - Whats the difference between this and the previous one?), CHEM1011 (Chem 1A - Should I take this? I didn't do HSC chem but I don't think I should avoid chem)

2000 Level - (I can take 12 credit points)

ANAT2008, ANAT2011 - Pre req is 24 Credit points from 1000 level units, but am I limited to 12?

3000 Level - (I can take 6 credit points for major core, and 12 for major selective)

ANAT3009 (core), ANAT3007 (selective), ANAT3004 (selective) - What's the difference in doing advanced?

Any interdisciplinary project

For a second major in either Physiology, Applied Medical Science, Neuroscience:

Anything tbh. Any personal input

*I have considered all other pathways and degrees such as nursing etc, but this is the one I want to do.


Sorry for the large post, but I've tried to format it as nice as possible with links. If anyone can provide some info on anything, that would be very helpful. I have read through the handbook and sources available on the USYD site as well as some outdated reddit posts, but if i can hear some personal experiences, that would help me in deciding what to do.


Thank you.

 

[its_ace21]

Anatomy good luck

 

[rh_06]

Anatomy good luck

Whats wrong with it? if its 'content heavy' I'm fine with that.

 

[its_ace21]

Whats wrong with it? if its 'content heavy' I'm fine with that.

Anatomy and neuroscience were the worst stuff I’ve seen so far, so much content and it’s not even that interesting. I know for us we didn’t get to dissect stuff

 

[rh_06]

Anatomy and neuroscience were the worst stuff I’ve seen so far, so much content and it’s not even that interesting. I know for us we didn’t get to dissect stuff

would u recommend physiology? or maybe even immunology.

 

[MoeyNeeds90+]

if u dont mind me asking can i ask what was ur ATAR? just because ur basically doing everything im gonna do and im aiming for 99+ so if u got lower its just good to know so im not always stressing lol.
ur even doing usyd

 

[its_ace21]

would u recommend physiology? or maybe even immunology.

I’m gonna be real since u want to become a surgeon I’ll say anatomy

 

[rh_06]

if u dont mind me asking can i ask what was ur ATAR? just because ur basically doing everything im gonna do and im aiming for 99+ so if u got lower its just good to know so im not always stressing lol.
ur even doing usyd

It was only a 92.5 which is quite low but my selection rank is around 97+ because of HSC Plus. I also have Duke of Ed Gold which gave me like 2 or 3 points. So to give u a rough idea, anywhere in 90+ is great since uni's only take your selection rank. That is unless u want med or law (I got law at maq + others anyway). I wouldve liked my atar to be higher just for my ego lol

edit* defo choose ur subjects wisely. I didn't rly care abt scaling which is why 3 of my subjects dragged me despite scoring highly. Also USYD isnt hard to get into if unless u want law or direct med. Ive got 2 offers from usyd so far, psych honours, and B/Science & Adv Studies (Medical Science)-> The one im currently enrolling in

 

[MoeyNeeds90+]

It was only a 92.5 which is quite low but my selection rank is around 97+ because of HSC Plus. I also have Duke of Ed Gold which gave me like 2 or 3 points. So to give u a rough idea, anywhere in 90+ is great since uni's only take your selection rank. That is unless u want med or law (I got law at maq + others anyway). I wouldve liked my atar to be higher just for my ego lol

edit* defo choose ur subjects wisely. I didn't rly care abt scaling which is why 3 of my subjects dragged me despite scoring highly. Also USYD isnt hard to get into if unless u want law or direct med. Ive got 2 offers from usyd so far, psych honours, and B/Science & Adv Studies (Medical Science)-> The one im currently enrolling in

Anything over 90 for an atar is amazing imo

So with HSC plus thats eligible for any English course right? so if i got an E4 for all my English (ie- Ext-2, 1 and advanced), that will boost my atar (or selction + atar etc) from whatever i got say 94 to like 96 with the adjusted points? is there anything else i could do to boost my points up?

2 offers is crazy good :')

 

[rh_06]

Anything over 90 for an atar is amazing imo

So with HSC plus thats eligible for any English course right? so if i got an E4 for all my English (ie- Ext-2, 1 and advanced), that will boost my atar from whatever i got say 94 to like 96? is there anything else i could do to boost my points up?

2 offers is crazy good :')

Haha thanks. At USYD, they use something similar but not same to HSC Plus. Instead, they only take English Advanced, Ext1,2 or Maths Advanced, ext 1, 2. The amount of points allocated per band (I think its Band 5 -6, and E3 - 4) varies depending on the subject. So an atar of 94 can make your selection rank go up to like 100+ (basically maxing out the selection rank so it appears as a 99.95). *Correction - I think theres a max of 5 points. Either way thats a 99 SR.

Most other unis like unsw just use HSC Plus which gifts points depending on what subject u did for what course. U can read the UNSW guide here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/entry-requirements/adjustment-factors
Ik my selection rank at UNSW is like 100

I recommend u check out the student profiles at unis u want to apply to later on. As long as ur above the Lowest Selection Rank, you have a solid chance of getting in.

 

[v.tex]

Haha thanks. At USYD, they use something similar but not same to HSC Plus. Instead, they only take English Advanced, Ext1,2 or Maths Advanced, ext 1, 2. The amount of points allocated per band (I think its Band 5 -6, and E3 - 4) varies depending on the subject. So an atar of 94 can make your selection rank go up to like 100+ (basically maxing out the selection rank so it appears as a 99.95). *Correction - I think theres a max of 5 points. Either way thats a 99 SR.

Most other unis like unsw just use HSC Plus which gifts points depending on what subject u did for what course. U can read the UNSW guide here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/entry-requirements/adjustment-factors
Ik my selection rank at UNSW is like 100

I recommend u check out the student profiles at unis u want to apply to later on. As long as ur above the Lowest Selection Rank, you have a solid chance of getting in.

what were ur subjects if u don’t mind me asking and what was the biggest loser in terms of scaling??

 

[rh_06]

what were ur subjects if u don’t mind me asking and what was the biggest loser in terms of scaling??

4U english (adv +++), Maths standard 2 (I dropped from Maths Adv between task 1 and 2 of yr12 tho), Studies of Religion 1 (I dropped from 2 unit), Bio, Investigating science.

*I dropped a few subjects/changed my subjects around a lot. like in yr 11 prelims I did Modern history and music. Also I didn't drop because I was bad at them since ngl thats what it looks like. It was js because maths adv and religion 2 was heavy and boring for me- religion is compulsory at my school.

tbh I regret dropping maths adv cos I was getting 70s-80s (I think my average before i dropped was 82) and it wouldve scaled up or smth. It was rly heavy tho and i wanted to focus on 4U english. My biggest loser for scaling would be Investigating science, maths standard 2, and religion 1 despite getting band 6's and really high band 5s (im talking 89/100 B5). Dont do what I did lol.