GPA question

sandyfool · Regular Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 21

Hey,

This is the third time I have tried to get my head around the GPA calculation (stupid ambiguous admissions guide).

-2010 I will be completing 10 subjects (two in summer school to boost my GPA, probably second year subjects).
-2009 I did 9 subjects (one in summer, which was a first year subject).
-2008 I did the standard 8 first-year subjects.

From looking on the book and on this forum, I have to take the equivalent last three years of study, so 24 units. So using that logic, I take the 19 from 2009/2010 and only 5 from my first year?

If that is the case, how do I pick what goes in GPA1 and GPA2, etc? And I do pick any of the three subjects in first year to eliminate?

I have read the admissions guide many, many times, and emailed ACER who are absolutely useless, so you guys are my last hope and trying to understand it, haha.

Thanks.

129west81st · Regular Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 27

I'm in the same boat as you - very confused as my degree structure was very illogical!!

I wanted to just add another question to this thread - I remember reading somewhere that your most recent year counts x3, your penultimate year counts x2, and your first year counts x1. But now i can't find where I read it... is this the case? Or did I imagine it?

sandyfool · Regular Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 21

medwannabe · Regular Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 17

I have had the same problem- because I started a degree and didn't finish it many years ago but received some credit for it, I have done 18 subjects over three years (so 3/4 the load), which included doing some second and third year subjects at the same time for a few semesters.

I think that ACER are assuming that every single person has done a standard 3 year ugrad degree, or at the least, done every subject in order (i.e. finished second year before starting third year) and doesn't really give much sway for variation.

What I have decided to do, and they can kiss my butt if they don't like it, is use all my second year subjects (I have 9, not Cool

for GPA1, all my third year subjects (again I have 9) for GPA2 and my honours year for GPA3. This means that GPA1 and GPA2 will actually be over a few calendar years, but at least it will put the 'highest level' studies to count for the most. What else can I do if they're not going to make it simple or give us proper answers?!

medwannabe · Regular Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 17

Haha that's really funny- in my last post I wrote a number 8 with a bracket after it and the computer turned it into a Cool

for me...

drsmorkas · Rookie Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Brisbane

Hi

I have completed my Bachelors in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from India
It is a 5 and half years course including one year internship
I got my GPA assessed from QTAC and according to them my GPA is ranging from 4.5 to 4.99
Should I sit for GAMSAT knowing by GPA is below 5?

However, I have been amongst the top 10 in the university and its a system in India that they do not grant high grades.
For eg, If 50marks is passing the first ranker would get 58 out of 100.

How can I convince universtities in Australia to consider by GPA as above average.

medwannabe · Regular Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 17

There are a few things you need to know before you decide whether or not it's worth it in your circumstance. Firstly, international applications are not necessarily the same as local applications. This is from the admissions guide (available on the GAMSAT website):

"Sufficient details of the grading or assessment system used must be provided so that admissions committees can adequately assess the level of performance in the Bachelor degree"

So basically they may realise that you are essentially graded on a different 'scale' than other unis. Don't hold me to that, but it's possible.

Also, each uni uses GPA differently to select for interview. Some have distinct cutoffs but as long as you pass the threshold, they don't care what you got (e.g. Griffith, Monash). Conversely, some don't have a 'minimum' per se, but use it as a component for ranking for selection (e.g. Flinders). Also, some use the weighted system (e.g. 3x for most recent year, 2x for the second most recent and 1x for the third most recent) whereas some use equal weighting for each year. Some unis also give credit for clinical experience, which I presume you have if you did an intern year.

So, I would check whether your equivalent GPA is higher using the different weightings, and look in a lot of detail as to each university's selection procedure and see if there is any chance you may have a shot. For example, if your marks were better in your last year than the previous years, you may be able to squeeze a weighted GPA over 5. If you could, then got a super awesome result for GAMSAT/MCAT, you may have a chance.

Otherwise some unis give a bonus for higher degrees (masters, PhD) so if you are really determined, this may be an option to bump up your GPA past the threshold.

Good luck!