Australian Universities- Entrance Exams?

[TrillyTina]

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Hello readers!

I'm sure many have already looked at tons of internationally-addressed threads, and I was wondering if anyone had a clue concerning any specific tests U.S. prospective students should look into? I know deadlines for schools would be coming about soon...

I did receive some pamphlets from AustraLearn, however both the prospectuses and the websites were rather confusing when it came in terms of the exams. Do we have to take any standardized type of testing?

Relative background information would be that I'm currently enrolled in a polytechnic uni and possibly a future graduate of Spring 2009.

Any help would be great! Thanks very much~

 

[quakk]

when i applied to murdoch in 2005, there was no testing requirement. they didn't even require recommendations. or an interview.

while the program has changed quite a bit in the last couple of years, doesn't look like the entrance requirements have.

http://www.vetbiomed.murdoch.edu.au/vet/vet_admission.html

the international student office was really great in terms of answering questions:
internat (at) murdoch (dot) edu (dot) au

cheers!

 

[Nexx]

There is no entrance exams for any of the Australia schools to my knowledge (class entering for Murdoch 2009 definitely has none). What you may see on many of their websites is a mentioning of a "STAT" test, it's not applicable to international students. They also don't look for a GRE or MCAT.

 

[lazyjayn]

By Australia I'm assuming you mean the country. If you mean the continent, NZ has different req's. They take the GRE for direct entry students (4.5 year program) and competitive entry students (full 5 years) all take the STAT F in May or June of the first semester with the local kids. STAT F is basically the verbal part of the SAT on training wheels, so if you're good with reading comp and common sense it's not bad.

 

[patintenn]

My son applied to Sydney, Murdoch and Melbourne through Australearn. They were very helpful in giving him all the information he needed to apply. Just call them.

 

[jkq202]

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[TrillyTina]

Thank you so much for your personal experiences!

Yea.. I double checked Sydney's website and it seemed to imply that international students didn't need to take the STAT, but I just wasn't 100% sure.

I did send in an email in regards to this to AustraLearn, just usually takes them a few days to respond.

 

[Nexx]

I mentioned it elsewhere about AustraLearn, but just to reiterate - take some of their advice with a grain of salt. They don't seem to be particularly aware about some details of the vet programs. Basically they are a good resource, but shouldn't be your only resource. If they say something that seems a bit odd, or you read elsewhere online something that contradicts them feel free to call the school yourself and double check (or look for more info online!).

I used them and had a good experience with them, and received "help" tips with my Visa application and they do send a lot of info with regards to preparing to live and travel overseas. But they induced a bit of panic in two of my friends regarding things like financial aid.

 

[TrillyTina]

Right, I did also look through the university websites. I had some notes from the former students of my current university, concerning their experiences of applying to Oceanic universities.

Just no one mentioned in detail about all these different exams that might be applicable, such that if the tertiary studies were completed within the U.S., would applicants be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS? *sent inquiry to universities earlier today too*

 

[Nexx]

If you are from an english speaking country, you don't have to take the TOEFL or similar. They kind of assume you can speak english (although perhaps they shouldn't.. you know for some of those people in South FL 😛 )

 

[TrillyTina]

Haha, really Nexx?

Well I hope so...
The long-awaited replies from the universities were disappointing. That is to say...template- "book" answers.
Murdoch gave more information, but not right on the bat... Melbourne gave a link >_>

I guess I'll have to email again to see if any of them take students in for Semester 2...

I think Sydney said only March intake for their program, but I don't graduate till June >_<

 

[Nexx]

I am 99% sure (still some doubt.. but not much) that Murdoch only takes people for February entry now. They implemented a new curriculum that started this past February. Their Vet program is now 5 years in length and the first semester consists of Visceral/Neuro Anatomy, Physiology I, Biochemistry, and Veterinary Professional Life. Second semester consists of Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Physiology II, and Animal Systems I.

If you've had any of the above classes you might get exempted from some of the courses, but not likely a semester 2 entry. They used to do that with the old program which I fell into, but the new first years are doing the same coursework as us (2nd years) at the moment. They end up getting an extra semester to 'track' and do more possible specialising/clinical experience at the end of the program.

 

[jkq202]

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[TrillyTina]

Yep, I got response back from both Sydney and Melbourne. Both said no for Semester 2 intake, so the next one will be for Semester 1 in 2010. Melbourne seems to be in the process of changing their curriculum? It seems to be as though BSVc is being altered into a tentative DVM starting 2011.

Well I'm not sure then... in whether I should send my application during Semester 1 or 2 of this year to receive a reply for Semester 1 of 2010?
I mean my situation is very similar to you, jkq... but I'm not sure then if I want to submit something by this October or by next year either April or Fall 2009.

Oddly enough, I've finished nearly all of my upper division courses, but I still lack part of the physics series needed for the pre-reqs as of now. I mean yes they're being completed, but maybe it'll be better if I finished two of them (under a quarter system) before listing the 3rd as a course in progress. Don't know...

 

[twelvetigers]

Not to change the subject, but... there is a 3.0 requirement for international students, correct? I recall hearing that for some of the other overseas schools. Also, as a side question for Nexx... would you say there's much demand for network engineers in Australia? 😀 Not sure if you'd have any idea, but I was just wondering, you know.

 

[Nexx]

Speaking about Murdoch (as I usually do) I don't know of a specific GPA requirement since they do look at everyone on a case-by-case basis. A number of years experience, good LORs, and a good essay might get them to look beyond a slightly sub-par GPA.

With regards to the demand of network engineers, all I can point you to is the immigration website lists for skilled-migrant jobs and 'in demand' skilled jobs.
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf and http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gene...skilled-occupations/occupations-in-demand.htm

There are a lot of computer jobs listed, just need to find one that you may fit into 🙂 Visa timeline takes about 20 months from start to finish...roughly, if that's what you were looking into (which would be a good idea!)

 

[mochavet]

Regarding jobs for a network engineer, yes there are jobs but don't expect to be able to get a sponsored job. If you can, start working on obtaining a skilled worker visa. Like Nexx said, this can take quite a while to get. My husband started his skilled worker visa application (he's a computer engineer) before I even started school here (2nd year student at Murdoch) and we just got the visa in June. Start getting the visa stuff done as soon as you can because if you get the visa, it will pay off. We are now considered permanent residents and my tuition has gone from $35,000 per year as an international student to about $8,000 per year. If we had started his skilled worker visa application earlier, we could have saved ourselves about $20,000 in tuition for the first year. As it is now though, I will graduate from vet school without having to take out any loans. I could not have done this at any other school. Good luck and if you have any addition questions, just pm me.

 

[jkq202]

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[jkq202]

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[twelvetigers]

From their site:

"The Faculty of Veterinary Science will be joining the Melbourne Model as from 2011, with our very first graduate professional entry program commencing in 2012. Entry to the graduate professional entry program will require prior completion of an undergraduate degree - the Bachelor of Science offered at the University will provide one of the pathways to the new graduate professional entry Veterinary Science degree. The last intake for the current pre-veterinary stream will be in 2009, with the very last intake for the current four-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree being in 2010. Please note that we are still in the process of finalising the structure of the new graduate professional degree, and more detailed information will be available shortly."


I'm definitely not sure I'd really consider this route. I'm going to take another stab at the American schools first, anyway. I just asked because if I did try for it, my husband would have to be able to come along and earn a reasonable income.

 

[jkq202]

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[TrillyTina]

Yes, I heard about the 2011 change that will occur at Melbourne... the representative warned me about that one. I think she said something about an accelerated program?

Umm... sorry to be of bother but the application is confusing me a little 😛 I don't exactly understand what should go under the Secondary Schools Studies since it asks for a name of examination....

Thanks for the help!

 

[jkq202]

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[jkq202]

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[TrillyTina]

I know 🙁 I had my Aus-cousins telling me how their school systems worked with "high school" equating to our "college" standards. I was so livid that we spend so many years here with undergraduate level studies, not to mention the expenses. I wished I had read earlier about the applications, which were technically open to international students after their pre-requisites were met (typically 2 years...). Then again wasn't it reported that the U.S. education system was behind due to the "middle" school years?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jkq202]

ehh I have no idea about the comparison between the two systems other than for vet school...but at least you'll be prepared for more university study, whereas their entering students have usually not yet studied at that level and tend to goof off more. I wish I read about the app requirements earlier too...cept I think I wold have decided to finish my bio degree anyway. good luck.

 

[Nexx]

Don't let your Australian cousins fool you, their high school is certainly not college level. It's pretty much on par with US high schools (at least on par with my education from Maryland/New York). They still take the same bio 1/chem 1/etc in their beginning college years that we take. The reason they only have 3 years bachelor degrees is because they don't make the poor students take 2 years of general-education requirements (thank god!) before actually starting their major.