Australian Christian College student scores top ATAR

Australian Christian College - Moreton student Kate Sanderson is one of just 33 students across Queensland to achieve a top ATAR score of 99.95.

She learnt of her score yesterday in a special meeting with Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre CEO Dr John Griffiths – but had to keep her delight under wraps until results were officially released today.

Kate’s hoping to study medicine at Griffith University, a course for which she needed a minimum ATAR of 99.85.

“I’m hoping to study a Bachelor of Medical Science with provisional entry to the Doctorate of Medicine,” Kate says.

“I have always wanted to study medicine, ever since I was a little girl.

“I was very much inspired by my grandpa, who was a rural general practitioner.”

Finding a balance

Kate says a prolonged hospital stay of several months as a child was also an inspiration for her choice of career.

“When I was 11, I was admitted to hospital for multiple months and ever since then I have had a passion to give back to the medical community and hopefully one day be a doctor that can save other people’s lives just as my life was saved by them.”

She says while she dedicated the past year to her studies, she also strove to achieve balance, spending time with family and friends.

“I have multiple things that I like to do – I volunteer with a disability program and I am a leader at a youth group.

“I also work at WiSE (Walk in Specialist Emergency) Clinic and I have been really grateful to get that job because it’s been wonderful exposure.”

Just the beginning

Dr Griffiths says all Year 12 students have many options available to them, ranging from university study and TAFE to vocational training and apprenticeships.

“I would encourage people to pursue what they want to pursue,” he says.

“Your ATAR does not define you for the rest of your life.

“It’s a point in time, it’s a pathway to something else.”