How I (finally) got into medical school in Australia

[@adam_is]

If you’re thinking about applying for med school or you’ve been through the process, keen to hear your thoughts!

[@MaraShen-qg4ge]

thanks for this ive been considering medschool a lot and this helps so much

[@adam_is]

🙏🏻

[@googby1]

Thanks mate. What a great story. I wonder if you have anything you would do differently on this journey… although I can also see your path to medicine was pretty life changing and rich

[@adam_is]

Thanks, appreciate it! I’ve always wondered whether studying something different to biomed might’ve given me the opportunity to broaden my scope, study different things and pursue subjects that I enjoyed more. Having said that, I studied health policy, bioethics and sociology subjects, which were cool. That would be the only thing but its hard to say I have regrets about any of it, it has all been part of the learning process!

[@bagyalakshmimurugan6704]

Hi Adam! I'm a current yr 12 student, trying to look for the best UG options for PG med course to undertake next year. Will nursing be a good option than biomed as u can get a job plus clinical experiences with this PG? I can work for a while and save as a nurse (I don't think I can get any good loan cuz I'm an international student) for expensive med courses if that makes sense?

[@adam_is]

@@bagyalakshmimurugan6704 Hey there! Few things to consider. In my day of applying, postgrad uni: required certain prerequisite science subjects to have been completed by students, meaning a science based degree was often a choice by students. Nowadays, most unis do not require prerequisits, but this may be worthwhile checking. The reason is, it would open you up to be able to study almost anything you wanted, including other clinical degrees such as nursing. I think there’s a good amount of utility in studying something like physio, pharmacy etc as there’s definitely crossover clinically with medicine. Bonuses offered by different universities based on prior clinical study is another consideration. And considering how much you will enjoy that degree is probably one of the biggest factors as well (and will give you the best chance of scoring well and coming out of it with a good gpa). I think that job security is one thing but there are host of other factors that are arguably more important. If picking something like nursing over a different option, make sure its something you could actually see yourself doing (rather than just a means to an end) if short-term job security is something youre concerned about. Hope this helps!

[@navein9079]

Hey Adam, thank you so much for clearing up the admissions process! I was just a bit confused about the GPA bit - so do they not count the last sem of your last year? Is my understanding correct on that? Thank you so much, loving the content!

[@adam_is]

Thanks! Given that applications close at the end of May, interviews are released in early September and offers are released at the end of October, students who are still studying at this time would have only completed the first semester of course work. Therefore, this one semester will serve as the students grade for the entirety of their final year at the time of submitting their application. However, if they were to be accepted by a medical school, the final semesters marks must be sufficient enough that their gpa does not drop significantly from what their gpa was when they applied earlier in the year. Hope that clears things up!

[@dn-anonymous]

Maybe you could add a pinned comment for all the acronyms. Clicking away to check gamsat (or flicking back thru the vid), quite a hassle.

[@sashazaitseva871]

It’s so helpful to hear the process! Where do you find practice papers? I’m thinking of trying the GAMSAT as a psychology undergrad but I literally did no science and not even standard maths in HSC lol am I delulu

[@adam_is]

Glad to hear! In terms of practice papers, there are the official ACER practice papers online. I also used the Des O’Neill books, which have tonnes of questions. As I’ve mentioned in the past, these books are old but I reckon they still have some utility. I reckon having a curriculum/study material to go off would be beneficial for section 3, particuarly if you haven’t done HSC science (but I definitely wouldn’t rule yourself out!). Good luck!

[@sashazaitseva871]

@@adam_is Thanks so much!

[@NoahAndrews-xy7pv]

Hey Adam, I’ve recently been looking into the accelerated biomed degree at Sunshine Coast uni which is a two year degree. You mentioned weighting of past three years for GPAs, would this degree still be a solid path to medicine?

[@adam_is]

That’s a really good question, I’m actually not too sure how GEMSAS would work out the weighting. Probably best to look through the gemsas guide or contact them directly!

[@umerkhalid8576]

I’m doing a mech eng degree it last 4 years so do they not consider my first year when weighing my GPA (I did pretty bad first year)?

[@adam_is]

Correct! They’ll only consider your last 3 years of full-time study 🙂

[@IbrahimMaroky]

Hey Adam I would like to get your opinion on my situation as it is right now. I'm currently enrolled in BMedical Science, I have completed 1.5 years with a rough 5.25 GPA. I have never sit the GAMSAT although I am thinking of doing so in March 2025 (3rd year). The only thing that troubles me at the moment is my GPA, I'm sure if I sit the GAMSAT I would secure a score above 70-75. Do you think my GPA will hold me down in terms of applications? I understand the competitiveness of Medicine, but I would appreciate if you give me a rough estimate of my chances on succeeding or a clear image on for the road ahead. I appreciate your time and your videos, keep it up!

[@adam_is]

Appreciate the kind feedback! It’s always difficult to answer these questions/predicting outcomes based on scores. I would have a look at reddit/paging dr - they have a master spreadsheet of GPA/GAMSAT combinations of people who have received interviews/offers in the past. As you’ll see as well, scores vary between different medical schools. The good thing is, your final 1.5 years will count for more with the weighted GPA, so I would try to give everything to your final years. Ultimately, a higher GPA will make your application more competitive - there is only so high one can score in the GAMSAT and it’s a lot of pressure to place on one exam! Hope this is helpful, sorry for the delay in response!

[@fizzwizz82]

Hey Adam! My final gpa is 4.6/7 and have no chance of getting into med. Would you suggest i study a Masters by research, masters by coursework or another bachelor's?

[@adam_is]

Further study can definitely be the way to improve your gpa. As youre aware, the GPA accounts for the past 3 years of study, so you’d have to calculate what your predicted score would be if you were to do ‘x’ further years of study with ‘x’ average grade. When picking what to study, some unis offer bonuses for masters/clinical study, so could consider this. I would also recommend doing something that you enjoy and also provides tangible career opportunities beyond medicine 👍

[@haidmahmood8471]

Hey Adam, If you don't mind me asking what was you ATAR and UCAT results that didn't allow you to get into undergrad medicine? I'm just looking to see if I have any chance whatsoever. Thanks!

[@adam_is]

Hey mate! I definitey wouldn’t let one person’s score from several years ago serve as a fair representation of what your chances are but for interests sake, the year I got an interview, my atar was high 90s and umat was low 80th %ile. All the best!

[@priya-xs3jl]

hello, im in my first year if uni and my First semester grades weren't that good do you think I still make up for it by the rest of the sem and next 2 years

[@adam_is]

Absolutely! I was in a somewhat similar position. Your first year at uni can be a challenging transition so try not to be too hard on yourself if you’re not where you want to be. Try to learn as much as you can from it and try to make some slow progress over the next few years. Many med schools also use the weighter GPA, which weighs your first year of study the least! Keep going, you got this!

[@althea1315]

Transition into uni can be hard to adjust from high school, so a lot of people often have lower GPAs because of this. But typically first year courses are the easiest (as you go up to 2nd and 3rd year it gets harder) so i recommend you do your best for the first 2 years to make your GPA competitive while its easier courses. The alternative is that you avoid doing the harder courses (GPA tankers) but this method may not set you up well for med

[@asthetic_chin_playlists3792]

Hey thnks for info I know this sound crazy but i m already in mid 20s and already have Bachelorof science & postgraduate certificate ( not related to med) from UK. Now permanently moving to Aus , i want to start my med journey in Australia. I don’t know where to even start Any suggestions would be great please

[@adam_is]

Welcome! I have some other videos on how the process works for applying to postgraduate medicine. You’ll need to get your GPA and plug it through Gemsas to see what your 7-point equivalent GPA would be. You’ll also need to sit the GAMSAT. I would first start with getting your head around these two things and see where you weigh up before getting stuck into gamsat study. Also take a look at what universities offer postgraduate medicine in your state and think about whether you’d be prepared to move states, now that you’ve settled in Aus. Happy to answer any other questions - all the best with your journey, super exciting!

[@alliebellex]

hello, if you dont mind me asking, how many years total did it take for you to get into med? if you graduated school at 18 how old were you when you got into medicine, and then how many years is that post-grad degree

[@adam_is]

I took a year off after high school and then three years of undergraduate studies before getting into medicine - so 4 years between finishing high school and starting medicine. I was 22 when I started medical school.