u/Otherwise-Dare584

Hey, I’m a Year 12 student from WA applying through QTAC for 2027 Medicine/Dentistry and wanted some realistic advice about my chances and preference list.

I’m currently aiming for around a 94–95+ ATAR and scored 2180 UCAT ANZ. I’m a metro WA/interstate applicant and don’t qualify for rural entry schemes.

My current QTAC preferences are:

1. JCU Medicine – Townsville
2. JCU Medicine – Cairns
3. UQ Medicine – Provisional Entry for School Leavers
4. Griffith Bachelor of Medical Science → MD pathway
5. JCU Dentistry
6. Griffith Dental Health Science

I know JCU has a strong rural/regional focus and that my UCAT may make UQ difficult, so I’m trying to work out where I realistically have the best chance.

Questions:

• With an ATAR around 94–95+ and UCAT 2180, do I have a realistic chance at any of these as a metro interstate applicant?
• Should I add/remove any Medicine or Dentistry courses available through QTAC?
• Would you rearrange these preferences to maximise my chances of receiving any Med/Dent offer?
• Does preference order actually affect whether JCU/UQ/Griffith considers me, or should I simply rank them by which course I would prefer?
• Is Townsville or Cairns JCU Medicine more favourable for interstate applicants, or are they essentially the same for admissions?
• Would JCU Dentistry or Griffith Dentistry be more realistic for my profile?
• Are there any other Queensland Med/Dent pathways I’m overlooking?
• And would changing my JCU application around would give me a better chance?

I’m aware Bond Medicine opens later, so I’m also planning to consider changing my QTAC preferences when Bond applications open.

Would especially appreciate advice from recent QTAC/JCU/UQ/Griffith applicants or interstate students. Thanks!

Has anyone sat the UCAT at TrainSmart on Adelaide Terrace this year? Just wondering what the centre was like overall—check-in, staff, room setup, computers and noise levels.Also, were the security checks fairly standard, and did anyone have issues with small jewellery or piercings? And do we need to bring passports or anything?
How did everyone’s UCAT experience go there?

Hi, has anyone recently sat the UCAT at a Perth test centre?
I’ve heard that some centres may require candidates to pat themselves down, remove jewellery or fresh piercings, use a handheld metal detector, or undergo some type of infrared/security scan.
Could anyone who has tested recently confirm what security checks were used and at which venue?
The Perth centres I’m looking at are:
Pearson Professional Centre on William Street
ATI-Mirage on Hay Street
TrainSmart Australia on Adelaide Terrace
Lateral Plains Events in North Perth
I’m especially interested in recent firsthand experiences from 2026 candidates. Did you have to remove small jewellery or piercings, and was there an airport-style scanner, handheld detector, or only the standard pocket and clothing checks?