Non-standard Medicine Entry

[Kicnstar]

Just to clarify, your GPA of 5.0 is from you initial bachelor degree, and since then, you’ve also completed a masters by research?

Yeah, thats correct

 

[A1]

I'm 33 and currently working as a Research Assistant full-time. I completed my Bachelors of Medical Science back in 2007 and a Masters by Research. I attempted the UCAT this year but didn't achieve a compedititve score. I'm not sure if I should just bite the bullet and do another bachelors degree (probably online as I need to keep working) to gain a new GPA as my previous degree I had a GPA of 5. I want to continue trying for med, just not sure how if its worth going for the new bachelors or just trying once a year with the UCAT.

Doing a new Bach degree would only help for applying to the GAMSAT schools. Myself I would not want to spend several years on this while the prospect of getting into med afterwards is still unknown. More practical approaches are:

1. Try to get a decent GAMSAT score then apply to USyd & UQ where GPA is a hurdle, not affecting your chances for a place offer. Crow adds: As of 2020 entry GPA counts for 25% of place offers at UQ (interview invites only are based solely on GAMSAT score), so your chances there will be next to none with a GPA of 5 I would think.

2. Try UCAT again and apply to WSU & JMP where your Masters by Research has qualified on eligibility (i.e. a new Bach makes no difference). You can also apply to Curtin depending on how they evaluate your Masters, and UNSW if you had a reasonably high ATAR.

Have a look in the non-standards section of this table
> [Undergrad] - (2019 Updated) Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards

 

[Kicnstar]

I just checked my GPA calculations again and its 4.8. What do you think of a masters by coursework or a graduate certificate ? These are accepted at Bond, Notre dame, ANU, macquarie and Griffith. I was just thinking how can i maximise my chances of applying to medical schools in Australia. I will keep trying the UCAT every year. I would of loved to apply for Wollongong (family reasons) but sadly my GPA is too low, thats why I was thinking of doing an online degree like international public health.

 

[futuremed2019]

Hey all,

With regards to UAC, since I am currently studying at UNSW and my full year results will be released after first round for UAC, is it better to put WSU and Newcastle above UNSW for now as for those unis I will be interviewing with school leavers? And then if I am successful in them, accept the offers and then move UNSW to the first preference? Thanks !!

 

[A1]

With regards to UAC, since I am currently studying at UNSW and my full year results will be released after first round for UAC, is it better to put WSU and Newcastle above UNSW for now as for those unis I will be interviewing with school leavers? And then if I am successful in them, accept the offers and then move UNSW to the first preference? Thanks !!

You can put them in your actual order of pref for now, in case you do get a 1st round UNSW invite. If you don't get that then move UNSW to below the other two for the January offer round. Then move it back to 1st as you described,

 

[Cal]

You can put them in your actual order of pref for now, in case you do get a 1st round UNSW invite. If you don't get that then move UNSW to below the other two for the January offer round. Then move it back to 1st as you described,

Wait, if I am a non standard and my results get released before atar release and I am interstate, will I be eligible for the first offer round for interviews? Or just the second.

 

[A1]

Wait, if I am a non standard and my results get released before atar release and I am interstate, will I be eligible for the first offer round for interviews? Or just the second.

I don't know if UNSW will consider you interstate the same as for interstate school leavers. However you can request UNSW to give you a 1st round interview if eligible since your full-year results will be known and you are not waiting for a home state offer (the main reason UNSW do interstates later).

One student from Vic couldn't apply to Monash due to Chem prereq, used the no home state offer to request UNSW for 1st round and they gave it.

 

[harrys]

Hey Guys

I live in Western Australia and I have been doing a lot of reading on medical forums and websites and have been researching the different ways to study medicine. I completed high school at the end of 2016 and graduated with an ATAR of 95, generally not high enough to get into med. At that stage i did not intend on studying medicine and really had no idea what i wanted to study and so i did not partake in the UMAT. I chose not to go to university and now i am 20 years old and want to go back and study at university. I know i need an undergraduate/bachelors degree which generally take 3-4 years. In the last year of the degree, or after you complete the degree you can do the gamsat and then an interview at the university. I have been told that you need a high GPA and you also need to score really well in the gamsat, all of which makes sense. According to all the threads that i have read and videos i have watched, you do not have to specifically do a biological science or health degree, it could be any degree. Instead focus on maximising your GPA by doing a degree you enjoy, however a degree related to the health/biological sciences does help with medical school prerequisites. In high school i scored very well in chem and bio and enjoyed those subjects so my bachelors degree will most likely relate to these subjects. However i am not sure if i should study health sciences or should i study a degree like Physiotherapy or pharmacy. Health Sciences/Biomedical sciences is a 3 year degree and so HYPOTHETICALLY if everything went to plan (yes chances are slim) you could start medical school after these 3 years. Physio and Pharmacy are 4 year degrees and getting a high GPA is considered more difficult, however job prospects seem higher after graduation, if medical school doesn't work out. Would it be wiser to study a biomedical science degree and majoring in something like neuroscience or biochemistry or does studying a course like pharmacy seem like the better option? If I do not get into medicine because yes chances are slim, then working in a lab or as a pharmacist will be okay.

 

[Sherlock]

Hi Harrys,

There are plenty of threads and discussions on MSO regarding this. You should first start by reading this thread: Common pitfalls to avoid for year 12 school leavers and other medicine applicants

Getting into medicine is ultra competitive and majority of the applicants never get in. You should study something that you'd be comfortable doing, if you never get into medicine. As such, a degree in health/medical/biomedical sciences is not recommended due to lack of immediate job prospects after completing the degree.

In terms of your concerns re. GPA with degrees like physiotherapy or pharmacy being more difficult, this is not always true. Getting good grades at university in any subject/degree will require fair amount of effort. Don't stop yourself from studying something that you will land a job with i.e. physiotherapy or pharmacy because you think your GPA will not be high enough to apply for medicine later. If anything, majority of the people wanting to get into medicine end up studying health/medical/biomedical sciences and you will be in a cohort of competitive bunch of people.

 

[harrys]

Hi Sherlock

Thanks for the prompt reply, yes i do agree with you because the majority of people i knew that did biomedical science degrees with the intent of studying medicine but did not get in did find it difficult getting a job immediately after graduation, even some several years after. Where as another friend of mine, studied pharmacy, did the gamsat, was not successful however did find a job as a part time pharmacist. Also thank you for linking the "Common pitfall thread".

 

[Crow]

Hi harrys, welcome to MSO!

In addition to Sherlock’s reply, you should also note there are a number of undergraduate medical schools that you are eligible for as a non-standard applicant, in addition to the graduate entry pathway. These are WSU, JMP, JCU, Bond and Curtin (once you have a completed degree). WSU, JMP and Curtin do require you to sit the UCAT, which you are able to do at any point during your undergraduate degree. I suggest you sit it next year and each year throughout your degree to potentially open up some extra doors for you to get into medicine. Also worth noting that you can sit GAMSAT in the penultimate year of your degree, as scores are valid for 2 admissions cycles after you’ve sat the exam.

 

[harrys]

Hi harrys, welcome to MSO!

In addition to Sherlock’s reply, you should also note there are a number of undergraduate medical schools that you are eligible for as a non-standard applicant, in addition to the graduate entry pathway. These are WSU, JMP, JCU, Bond and Curtin (once you have a completed degree). WSU, JMP and Curtin do require you to sit the UCAT, which you are able to do at any point during your undergraduate degree. I suggest you sit it next year and each year throughout your degree to potentially open up some extra doors for you to get into medicine. Also worth noting that you can sit GAMSAT in the penultimate year of your degree, as scores are valid for 2 admissions cycles after you’ve sat the exam.

Hey Crow

You raised some interesting points. I was aware of the entry into Medicine though the completion of a Undergraduates degree and GAMSAT, given that you score very well. Could you please elaborate about the UCAT test post high school, i was told you do the UCAT test in your final year of high school and if you score high enough you get immediate entry into medical school directly from high school. If i began my Bachelors degree next year and also did the UCAT next year and scored high enough how would that help me get into medical school, could i transfer into Curtins Medical school the year after or do i still have to complete the bachelors degree and then from there enter medical school.

 

[Crow]

Hey Crow

You raised some interesting points. I was aware of the entry into Medicine though the completion of a Undergraduates degree and GAMSAT, given that you score very well. Could you please elaborate about the UCAT test post high school, i was told you do the UCAT test in your final year of high school and if you score high enough you get immediate entry into medical school directly from high school. If i began my Bachelors degree next year and also did the UCAT next year and scored high enough how would that help me get into medical school, could i transfer into Curtins Medical school the year after or do i still have to complete the bachelors degree and then from there enter medical school.

You can sit UCAT as a non-school leaver, you’re just ineligible for several of the undergrad schools after you start uni.

If you do your undergraduate degree at Curtin then you would be a “course-switcher” and you could move into the MBBS (from scratch) if successful. If not, then you need to have a completed degree before you can apply to Curtin as a non-standard applicant. For the other undergraduate unis I mentioned above, you don’t need to have a completed degree, but it wouldn’t be a “transfer” so much as you starting a new degree from scratch, if you were successful.

Please use the table here for more details on the selection criteria used by each university: [Undergrad] - (2019 Updated) Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards

 

[A1]

You raised some interesting points. I was aware of the entry into Medicine though the completion of a Undergraduates degree and GAMSAT, given that you score very well. Could you please elaborate about the UCAT test post high school, i was told you do the UCAT test in your final year of high school and if you score high enough you get immediate entry into medical school directly from high school. If i began my Bachelors degree next year and also did the UCAT next year and scored high enough how would that help me get into medical school, could i transfer into Curtins Medical school the year after or do i still have to complete the bachelors degree and then from there enter medical school.

As your situation is currently, with ATAR 95 you can sit UCAT to apply to JMP. With a UCAT score around 90+%ile you can get an interview and have 1 in 4 chance being selected solely on the interview performance.

If ATAR was 95.5+ same above with WSU, albeit UCAT requirement is quite higher.

If you start uni and will have completed 1 full-time equiv year by end of next year, eligibility will be based on your GPA instead. JMP 4.7+ and WSU 6.2+, the rest is the same w.r.t. UCAT and interview. (This is in addition to Curtin's course switcher option).

If you go on to completing a Bach degree then applying to the dozen grad-entry schools, generally it can be any degree except keep in mind UoM and UQ will require certain prereq subjects in the Bach degree. Best of luck.

 

[wombatstew33]

HI folks ,

I am hoping to recieve some advice as a non standard mature applicant to medical programmes available in Australia & New Zealand.

A little bit about me, i have completed a BHSc degree (2015-2017) and am now into my second year in a second degree i initiated after my first degree, namely commerce majoring in accounting and finance (2018-2020). I am currently engaged in the CFA programme to supplement my current employment and potentially widen my future prospects.

Not sure if this is relevant but i am an Australian citizen and permament resident in New Zealand.

I currently work full time in the investment space in Auckland and have done so for the past 2 1/2 years.

However, I would like to know which medical programmes are available for me to apply to given my circumstances of being into my second bachelors (undergraduate) degree programme.

I have taken 8 papers in my first year, 8 in my second (this year) and intend to take 9 next year as well (added interest paper). I have had one paper cross credited from my previous degree (stats 101).

Having done some research online i understand i am no longer eligible for either the first year or graduate categories at Otago. However i am unsure if Australian graduate programmes will accept / grade my current commerce degree or only accept my first awarded degree (BHSc).

Thank you for your time and i look forward to your replies

 

[DrDrLMG!]

HI folks ,

I am hoping to recieve some advice as a non standard mature applicant to medical programmes available in Australia & New Zealand.

A little bit about me, i have completed a BHSc degree (2015-2017) and am now into my second year in a second degree i initiated after my first degree, namely commerce majoring in accounting and finance (2018-2020). I am currently engaged in the CFA programme to supplement my current employment and potentially widen my future prospects.

Not sure if this is relevant but i am an Australian citizen and permament resident in New Zealand.

I currently work full time in the investment space in Auckland and have done so for the past 2 1/2 years.

However, I would like to know which medical programmes are available for me to apply to given my circumstances of being into my second bachelors (undergraduate) degree programme.

I have taken 8 papers in my first year, 8 in my second (this year) and intend to take 9 next year as well (added interest paper). I have had one paper cross credited from my previous degree (stats 101).

Having done some research online i understand i am no longer eligible for either the first year or graduate categories at Otago. However i am unsure if Australian graduate programmes will accept / grade my current commerce degree or only accept my first awarded degree (BHSc).

Thank you for your time and i look forward to your replies

I can only answer for Aus unis: the graduate entry programs (via GAMSAT) will use your completed BHSc GPA, as will Curtin University (non-standard undergraduate), while the other non-standard undergraduate entry unis will use the GPA from your current degree. UNSW will further combine this with your high school result (50/50).

 

[wombatstew33]

I can only answer for Aus unis: the graduate entry programs (via GAMSAT) will use your completed BHSc GPA, as will Curtin University (non-standard undergraduate), while the other non-standard undergraduate entry unis will use the GPA from your current degree. UNSW will further combine this with your high school result (50/50).

Thanks for the reply. Just to clear up my confusion,

So upon completion of my current second bachelors, graduate schools via GAMSAT would use my BHSc instead of my more current BCom GPA?

Thank you!

 

[Crow]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clear up my confusion,

So upon completion of my current second bachelors, graduate schools via GAMSAT would use my BHSc instead of my more current BCom GPA?

Thank you!

They’d use your most recent 3 FTE years of study, which in your case would be your BCom degree once it’s complete.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clear up my confusion,

So upon completion of my current second bachelors, graduate schools via GAMSAT would use my BHSc instead of my more current BCom GPA?

Thank you!

Yes, as Crow said. My answer was assuming you're applying before finishing your BCom (which you can do if you want to).

 

[geek]

Hi
For non standard entry can you apply during both first and second year of university?
Also the pre requisite subjects such as chem,english and maths b for undergrad entry e.g for JCU do they still apply for non standard entry as in you should have done them when you were in high school or achieved the minimum study score required?
Thank you