waterstone
Member
To be honest any university that accepts graduates should. I did a degree 4 years ago, and I'm at UWS now.
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[Grad] Graduate Medicine FAQ and Quick Questions
- Thread starter Oodelally
- Start date
No, not so. Graduate entry schools (as opposed to undergrad entry schools who also accept tertiary graduates) tend to have policies regarding the currency of one's prior studies - the GEMSAS guide should cover the specifics of each school. Many will exclude candidates whose studies were over ten years ago (without any relevant further qualifications since). Again, the GEMSAS guide should be consulted by the OP as a first step.
blackandwhite
Regular Member
Hey guys,
I'm totally new to the aus graduate medical system.. sorry if my questions are repeated or stupid! In regards to the 'Commonwealth Supported Places', as long as you are a domestic student does that mean you are guaranteed a place? Or is it based on some sort of ranking system where they decide whether you have to pay full fees or CSP fees?
Why are some unis e.g. Sydney uni not on the gemsas list? If we were to apply there, do we just apply separately? Most importantly I have not been considering Australian unis as a place for me to study medicine because it will be a huge burden on my family... However I'm not sure whether I can get into Auckland or Otago and I want to consider all options. I know that getting a student loan as a nz citizen in Australia is impossible... do people get bank loans often? Or do you really need the money up front?
Any answers will be greatly appreciated! Thanks
I'm totally new to the aus graduate medical system.. sorry if my questions are repeated or stupid! In regards to the 'Commonwealth Supported Places', as long as you are a domestic student does that mean you are guaranteed a place? Or is it based on some sort of ranking system where they decide whether you have to pay full fees or CSP fees?
Why are some unis e.g. Sydney uni not on the gemsas list? If we were to apply there, do we just apply separately? Most importantly I have not been considering Australian unis as a place for me to study medicine because it will be a huge burden on my family... However I'm not sure whether I can get into Auckland or Otago and I want to consider all options. I know that getting a student loan as a nz citizen in Australia is impossible... do people get bank loans often? Or do you really need the money up front?
Any answers will be greatly appreciated! Thanks
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place where part of the cost of your fees is paid by the Australian Government. The student also pays a contribution (HELP), which can be deferred via the tax system until you are earning money & can pay it back. It's a sort of a loan, but at a much lower rate than student loans in NZ - it only goes up at the same rate as inflation. It's not usual to get a bank loan for university fees and you don't need the money up front unless you're an International student (but NZ citizens are not classified as International students).
Only domestic students are eligible for CSPs - i.e. Australian or New Zealand citizens, or if you have a permanent visa to reside in Australia. You won't be considered for a full fee place unless you ask to be (most people don't), and they're only available at a couple of universities anyway. (Unless you're classified as an International student - then you have to pay fees).
You have to apply to Sydney Uni separately because it's not part of GEMSAS. Who knows why- presumably they want the flexibility to choose their students differently. It doesn't affect CSPs and fees.
Only domestic students are eligible for CSPs - i.e. Australian or New Zealand citizens, or if you have a permanent visa to reside in Australia. You won't be considered for a full fee place unless you ask to be (most people don't), and they're only available at a couple of universities anyway. (Unless you're classified as an International student - then you have to pay fees).
You have to apply to Sydney Uni separately because it's not part of GEMSAS. Who knows why- presumably they want the flexibility to choose their students differently. It doesn't affect CSPs and fees.
Here are last years scores - https://thepathtomed.com/previous_scores.htm - a guide on how to boost your GPA and improve for the gamsat can also be found here at https://thepathtomed.com
No, it doesn't - however, it does make conversions of marks really difficult/annoying for the universities in question and for you during your application. Bear in mind that some universities may decide not to accept a mark from an overseas university simply because of this (and they are well within their jurisdiction not to).
zoeisthebest
Lurker
Hi guys,
I completed my HSC in 2017 and didn't recieve the ATAR for undergraduate entry into Med. I'm really passionate about doing Med though. So my plan is to do a Bachelor of Arts at USYD and apply for postgrad Med. I just have a few questions.
1. I want to major in English because it's one of my strong points but I know you have to maintain a high GPA. English is very hard (and I've heard quite biast) so do you reccomend majoring in something else, like a Language?
2. Because I'm taking a non-science degree, is it reccomended to take science subjects during first year as electives i.e. anatomy and physiology to help assist in GAMSAT prep?
3. What's the best way to prepare for GAMSAT?
Thanks!
I completed my HSC in 2017 and didn't recieve the ATAR for undergraduate entry into Med. I'm really passionate about doing Med though. So my plan is to do a Bachelor of Arts at USYD and apply for postgrad Med. I just have a few questions.
1. I want to major in English because it's one of my strong points but I know you have to maintain a high GPA. English is very hard (and I've heard quite biast) so do you reccomend majoring in something else, like a Language?
2. Because I'm taking a non-science degree, is it reccomended to take science subjects during first year as electives i.e. anatomy and physiology to help assist in GAMSAT prep?
3. What's the best way to prepare for GAMSAT?
Thanks!
You might find more advice at www.pagingdr.net in regards to this as their audience seems very much more graduate-entry oriented than MSO. There's some data that they collated which is available at History | ellipsoid.org
For the MD program in 2016 according to their data - the lowest GPA to get an offer was 6.02 (on a 7 point scale) and the lowest GAMSAT to get an offer was 63. That said, a combination of the lowest GPA and the lowest GAMSAT to get an offer will likely not even land you an interview, and generally UniMelb is one of if not the most competitive in terms of combined GPA and GAMSAT required. You'll also find that these cutoffs are for people who are getting *Full-Fee* domestic places as well which are very expensive- the required cutoff for a CSP place would be a lot higher than this (basically you're looking at high 6.7-6.8 GPA and very high GAMSATs, maybe around the 70 mark or so from memory?)
For the MD program in 2016 according to their data - the lowest GPA to get an offer was 6.02 (on a 7 point scale) and the lowest GAMSAT to get an offer was 63. That said, a combination of the lowest GPA and the lowest GAMSAT to get an offer will likely not even land you an interview, and generally UniMelb is one of if not the most competitive in terms of combined GPA and GAMSAT required. You'll also find that these cutoffs are for people who are getting *Full-Fee* domestic places as well which are very expensive- the required cutoff for a CSP place would be a lot higher than this (basically you're looking at high 6.7-6.8 GPA and very high GAMSATs, maybe around the 70 mark or so from memory?)
Yes, as Mana mentioned above you need a relatively high GPA and GAMSAT combination score to get into unimelb. It's difficult to estimate GAMSAT, but I'd say a 6.8+ GPA would put you in a good position. Remember that unimelb weights all sections of the GAMSAT equally too.
Another factor that a lot of students neglect is the interview. Unimelb weights it 33%, so it's as important as your GPA and GAMSAT. However, given how closely bunched the students who get interview offers are, I'd say it is a very critical component.
Goodluck, feel free to ask any more questions.
Another factor that a lot of students neglect is the interview. Unimelb weights it 33%, so it's as important as your GPA and GAMSAT. However, given how closely bunched the students who get interview offers are, I'd say it is a very critical component.
Goodluck, feel free to ask any more questions.
SouthPaw94
Member
Hi guys,
I understand that the final 3 years of one's bachelor degree is used to calculate the GPA used for medicine application, but how does this apply to a double degree? I have a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy Practice (4 year course; first year is essentially a condensed B.HSc which all my colleagues had to undertake before the physio coursework).
I calculated my final 3 years using the GEMSAS calc and the weighted GPA is 6.01. I am wondering whether the bachelor year would be taken into account (which would be ideal given my results are much better and thus would boost my GPA).
Also, do GEMSAS give any consideration to the relative difficulty of different degrees? Would physiotherapy-qualified applicants not be disadvantaged given their cohort is generally higher performing?
Finally, is an unweighted GPA of 6.01 adequate to get over the hurdle for some of Australia's post-grad med schools?
I would greatly appreciate your insight!
Cheers.
I understand that the final 3 years of one's bachelor degree is used to calculate the GPA used for medicine application, but how does this apply to a double degree? I have a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy Practice (4 year course; first year is essentially a condensed B.HSc which all my colleagues had to undertake before the physio coursework).
I calculated my final 3 years using the GEMSAS calc and the weighted GPA is 6.01. I am wondering whether the bachelor year would be taken into account (which would be ideal given my results are much better and thus would boost my GPA).
Also, do GEMSAS give any consideration to the relative difficulty of different degrees? Would physiotherapy-qualified applicants not be disadvantaged given their cohort is generally higher performing?
Finally, is an unweighted GPA of 6.01 adequate to get over the hurdle for some of Australia's post-grad med schools?
I would greatly appreciate your insight!
Cheers.
The title of your degree means zip, there is no scoring advantage or disadvantage applied.
Do you have a rural background? If so, 6.01 would be great for most (all?). If not, then you’ll be relying on your GAMSAT more heavily than someone with a higher GPA (obviously), but definitely not out of the race. What portfolio pluses (if any) do you have for UoW and UND? That can also compensate somewhat for GPAs at the lower end at those universities.
I can’t answer your calculation question, sorry. You’d probably be better off in general looking at the information on Paging Dr (grad med forum). The answers are likely there already for you to simply read.
Hi there, im new here so please excuse question.
I have tried to read though multiple forums but havent seen a 100% full answer.
I have completed a 5 year degree in NZ, and have just finished umat this year (still dont know results yet)
From what i can tell, i can only apply to Uni of Newcastle /Auckland/Otago/Western Sydney and UNSW... are there any other universities i can apply to as a Grad and have UMAT.
I will be doing GAMSAT next year if my results are unusable.
Many thanks for your help
I have tried to read though multiple forums but havent seen a 100% full answer.
I have completed a 5 year degree in NZ, and have just finished umat this year (still dont know results yet)
From what i can tell, i can only apply to Uni of Newcastle /Auckland/Otago/Western Sydney and UNSW... are there any other universities i can apply to as a Grad and have UMAT.
I will be doing GAMSAT next year if my results are unusable.
Many thanks for your help
Hi there, im new here so please excuse question.
I have tried to read though multiple forums but havent seen a 100% full answer.
I have completed a 5 year degree in NZ, and have just finished umat this year (still dont know results yet)
From what i can tell, i can only apply to Uni of Newcastle /Auckland/Otago/Western Sydney and UNSW... are there any other universities i can apply to as a Grad and have UMAT.
I will be doing GAMSAT next year if my results are unusable.
Many thanks for your help
There's also the non-UMAT undergraduate universities - JCU and Bond, which you will be able to apply to as a non-standard applicant using your GPA only.
Hi there, im new here so please excuse question.
I have tried to read though multiple forums but havent seen a 100% full answer.
I have completed a 5 year degree in NZ, and have just finished umat this year (still dont know results yet)
From what i can tell, i can only apply to Uni of Newcastle /Auckland/Otago/Western Sydney and UNSW... are there any other universities i can apply to as a Grad and have UMAT.
I will be doing GAMSAT next year if my results are unusable.
Many thanks for your help
You can also apply to JCU (which doesn't require UMAT) and Curtin being a grad (those still doing undergrad can't).
Hi Hamael, you can do literally any undergraduate degree to gain entry into postgraduate medicine. If you are aiming for Melbourne, you do need to complete a few prerequisite subjects, however (these can be completed as elective subjects and as such this should not have a major influence on what undergraduate degree you choose). As previously advised, do the degree that will let you follow your back-up career plan, should medicine not work out. Feel free to ask for advice on back-up careers on here also - MSO has a wealth of knowledge between all of its users!
