[Grad] Graduate Medicine FAQ and Quick Questions

[Vivienne]

Reverse your own logic. Why would you posit that an Arts degree might put you at a greater disadvantage than a Science degree?

A careers adviser had mentioned it in a meeting. The GAMSAT requires first year University Chem and Bio, as well as high school level physics. You can infer where doing a Science Degree might be advantageous.

 

[Deboza]

A careers adviser had mentioned it in a meeting. The GAMSAT requires first year University Chem and Bio, as well as high school level physics. You can infer where doing a Science Degree might be advantageous.

You do realise that the science section of the GAMSAT makes up only a 1/3rd of the exam? I'd argue that a BA would be more helpful than a BSci.
Furthermore, there are lots of non-science background applicants that absolutely smash section 3.

 

[chinaski]

A careers adviser had mentioned it in a meeting. The GAMSAT requires first year University Chem and Bio, as well as high school level physics. You can infer where doing a Science Degree might be advantageous.

And GAMSAT - two thirds of it, in fact - also requires that you be able to write at a high standard, and read and comprehend broad swathes of complex text which are not uncommonly lifted out of humanities subjects. You can infer where doing an Arts degree might be advantageous. So again - my question: why assume you'd be at a comparative disadvantage doing an Arts degree rather than Science?

Additionally: Section 3 of GAMSAT hasn't been a formal examination of factual knowledge now for years. It's significantly shifted away from relying on candidates having a tertiary-level knowledge background, and more towards testing problem solving skills.

 

[Vivienne]

You do realise that the science section of the GAMSAT makes up only a 1/3rd of the exam? I'd argue that a BA would be more helpful than a BSci.
Furthermore, there are lots of non-science background applicants that absolutely smash section 3.

Interesting.. only 1/3?! Do you think that doing a mini course might be helpful if I decide to go on a different direction than a science degree to help with that section??

 

[chinaski]

You shouldn't pick an undergraduate degree based on whether or not you think it will be good prep for GAMSAT.

 

[Vivienne]

You shouldn't pick an undergraduate degree based on whether or not you think it will be good prep for GAMSAT.

I am not picking it purely based on the GAMSAT, but you raise a good point.

I think I can excel in both areas, and I am trying to have a balance in what I enjoy, and can succeed in. My sources are quite conflicting as of now, for example my careers adviser is encouraging a science degree because of the GAMSAT.

I appreciate everyone's advice and sharing of knowledge.

 

[chinaski]

I suspect your careers advisor doesn't know much more about GAMSAT than can be read about in the ACER brochure, going by the advice they've been giving you.

 

[Vivienne]

Hmm, I'll be sure to do some of my own reading on the GAMSAT. Thanks for the help!

 

[mmxpp4432]

hey all,
ive recently finished my second year of physio degree, and would like to transfer to another degree, as i've discovered physio is not for me. when i transfer, i'll probably have to do 2nd year again before completing the 3rd and final year of the new degree.

for the postgraduate medical schools, how will they calculate my gpa? in addition to the 2 years of the new degree, will they also take into account my 2nd year of physio? in the gemsas guidelines it mentions that the gpa of the last 3 years of full-time study is used in the gpa calculation, but i'm not sure if this would be the case for someone who transfers degrees.

i would appreciate some clarification regarding this

 

[Deboza]

hey all,
ive recently finished my second year of physio degree, and would like to transfer to another degree, as i've discovered physio is not for me. when i transfer, i'll probably have to do 2nd year again before completing the 3rd and final year of the new degree.

for the postgraduate medical schools, how will they calculate my gpa? in addition to the 2 years of the new degree, will they also take into account my 2nd year of physio? in the gemsas guidelines it mentions that the gpa of the last 3 years of full-time study is used in the gpa calculation, but i'm not sure if this would be the case for someone who transfers degrees.

i would appreciate some clarification regarding this

They take into consideration the last 3 FTE years of study. So they’ll consider both degrees for your GPA calculation.

 

[kokujin]

Hi all, I'm currently doing biomedical science at bond university and am going into my second year next year. However, I was just wondering how does the GEMSAS calculations work for 2 year degrees (as bond has condensed courses) and the calculations as well. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone knows about this at all. Thanks.

 

[A1]

Hi all, I'm currently doing biomedical science at bond university and am going into my second year next year. However, I was just wondering how does the GEMSAS calculations work for 2 year degrees (as bond has condensed courses) and the calculations as well. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone knows about this at all. Thanks.

See Appendix B page 99 this document
> https://gemsas.edu.au/images/pdf/2024-medicine-gemsas-admissions-guide.pdf

i.e. If your Bond transcript shows individual subject marks, use column A + the grade-point column next to it (80+=7, 75-79=6.5, 70-74=6 etc).
If transcript only shows grades without marks, use column B.

Note that with a 2-year accelerated degree you cannot apply to GEMSAS in your final/2nd year. Can only do *after* graduate.