How To Get Into Medicine | Overview of Medical Schools Australia 2023 (FREE Factsheet)

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide for aspiring medical students in Australia, covering the decision between undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. Dinette, a medical student at UNSW, Sydney, explains the benefits and drawbacks of each path, discusses the criteria medical schools use for selection, including ATAR, UCAT, GAMSAT scores, and interviews. She also shares valuable insights on exploiting loopholes in the application process to increase chances of admission, emphasizing the importance of understanding the system and adapting one's strategy accordingly.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trying to get into medical school can be very stressful, with many questions about university options and selection criteria.
• 🏫 Medical schools in Australia are divided into undergraduate and postgraduate courses, each with its own benefits and considerations.
• 🎓 Undergraduate medical courses allow students to start studying medicine immediately after high school, saving time and potentially reducing financial burden.
• 📚 Postgraduate medical courses are more mature and allow for a more informed decision about pursuing medicine, with the opportunity to explore other interests before committing.
• 📈 For undergraduate medical schools, selection typically involves an ATAR score, a UCAT score, and an interview process.
• 📊 The ATAR is a score based on Year 12 performance, while the UCAT assesses mental capacities important in healthcare.
• 🔍 Postgraduate medical schools usually consider undergraduate performance (GPA or WAM), a GAMSAT test, and an interview.
• 🤔 The GAMSAT tests the ability to study at the level required for medicine, which is different from the ATAR or UCAT.
• 🛑 If one aspect of the application is weak, there are alternative options, such as universities that do not consider the UCAT or have less emphasis on the ATAR.
• 🔄 It's important to understand the system and adapt the application strategy to compensate for weaknesses in certain areas.
• 📝 The University of Queensland, previously a popular non-interview option, has started implementing interviews for its MD program from 2021.
• 💡 The video offers an overview of medical school applications in Australia and invites viewers to request more detailed information on specific criteria.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to provide guidance and answer questions related to getting into medical school in Australia, discussing the selection process, criteria, and potential loopholes that can be exploited to increase one's chances of admission.

What are the two main types of medical school courses in Australia mentioned in the script?

The two main types of medical school courses in Australia mentioned are undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Why might someone choose an undergraduate medical course?

An undergraduate medical course might be chosen because it allows students to start studying medicine immediately after high school, saving time and potentially reducing university debt and increasing early career income.

What are the benefits of postgraduate medical courses as mentioned in the script?

Postgraduate medical courses allow for greater maturity when starting to practice medicine, the opportunity to consider options more carefully, and the chance to pursue other interests or travel before committing to medical studies.

What are the three main criteria that undergraduate medical schools look for?

Undergraduate medical schools look for the applicant's ATAR score, their UCAT score, and their performance in an interview process.

What does ATAR stand for and what is its significance?

ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, which is a score calculated based on a student's Year 12 performance and used for university admissions.

What is the UCAT and why is it important for medical school applications?

The UCAT, or University Clinical Aptitude Test, is an exam that assesses mental capacities important in healthcare fields. It is important for medical school applications as it helps assess a candidate's aptitude for studying medicine.

What are the three main criteria for postgraduate medical schools mentioned in the script?

Postgraduate medical schools typically consider an applicant's undergraduate GPA or WAM, their GAMSAT score, and their performance in an interview.

What is the GAMSAT and how does it differ from the UCAT?

The GAMSAT, or Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test, is an exam that tests a candidate's ability to study at the level required in medicine. It differs from the UCAT in that it is taken by postgraduate applicants rather than undergraduate ones.

What are some strategies mentioned in the script for compensating if a candidate does not perform well in one part of the application process?

The script suggests that if a candidate does not perform well in one part of the application, such as the UCAT or ATAR, they can compensate by doing well in other areas and targeting medical schools that place less emphasis on the weaker area or do not require it.

What is the significance of the mention of the University of Queensland implementing an interview program for their MD program?

The mention of the University of Queensland implementing an interview program is significant because it indicates a change in their admissions criteria, which was previously known as a popular non-interview option. This change affects applicants who may have been considering it for that reason.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Understanding Medical School Options in Australia

This paragraph introduces the topic of entering medical school in Australia and the stress associated with it. The speaker, Dinette, a medical student at UNSW Sydney, offers to share insights and answer common questions about the process. The paragraph discusses the two main types of medical school courses in Australia: undergraduate and postgraduate. Undergraduate courses allow students to start studying medicine immediately after high school, saving time and money, while postgraduate courses are traditionally designed for more mature students and offer the opportunity to explore other interests before committing to a medical career.

05:00

📝 Criteria for Medical School Admissions

The second paragraph delves into the criteria used by medical schools for admissions. For undergraduate programs, the focus is on the applicant's ATAR score, UCAT score, and an interview process. The ATAR is a score based on Year 12 performance, while the UCAT assesses mental capacities relevant to healthcare. Postgraduate programs typically consider the applicant's undergraduate GPA or WAM, GAMSAT scores, and an interview. The GAMSAT is an exam designed to test the ability to study at a medical level. The paragraph also invites viewers to request more detailed information on these criteria through comments.

🔑 Exploiting Loopholes in Medical School Selection

In this paragraph, the speaker shares potential loopholes and strategies for applicants to consider when applying to medical schools. It emphasizes the importance of having a plan and being able to adapt if one part of the application is not successful. For instance, some universities like James Cook and Bond do not consider the UCAT in their selection process, while Western Sydney University places more emphasis on the UCAT and interview rather than the ATAR. The paragraph also mentions that certain medical schools, such as Flinders and the University of Tasmania, do not require interviews. However, it notes that the University of Queensland has started implementing interviews for its MD program from 2021, which was previously a popular non-interview option. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to understand the system and apply strategically.

Keywords

💡Medical School

A medical school is an educational institution that provides education and training for individuals who wish to become medical doctors. In the video, the theme revolves around the process of getting into medical school, discussing the various options and criteria for admission in Australia.

💡Stressful Experience

This term refers to a situation that causes significant mental or emotional strain. In the context of the video, it highlights the challenges and pressures faced by students trying to get into medical school, emphasizing the importance of understanding the selection process.

💡Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses are academic programs that students typically begin after completing high school. The script discusses undergraduate medical courses as an option for students to start studying medicine immediately, without first completing a different degree.

💡Postgraduate Courses

Postgraduate courses are academic programs pursued after obtaining a bachelor's degree. The video mentions postgraduate medical courses as an alternative to undergraduate ones, allowing for more mature and informed decisions about entering the medical field.

💡ATAR

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a score that indicates a student's position relative to all other students in their final year of school. The script explains that ATAR is one of the main criteria for undergraduate medical school admission, reflecting a student's academic performance.

💡UCAT

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a standardized test used in the selection process for medical and dental schools. The video describes the UCAT as a test assessing mental capacities important for healthcare fields, and a significant part of the undergraduate medical school application.

💡GAMSAT

The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is an exam for prospective postgraduate medical students. The script mentions GAMSAT as a criterion for postgraduate medical school admission, testing the ability to study at the required level in medicine.

💡Interview Process

An interview process is a series of meetings where candidates are assessed for a position or place, such as in a school. The video discusses the interview as part of the selection criteria for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical schools, highlighting its importance in the admissions process.

💡Loopholes

In the context of the video, loopholes refer to strategies or opportunities that can be exploited to increase one's chances of getting into medical school. The script provides insights into how students can leverage different selection criteria to their advantage.

💡State Universities

State universities are public universities funded by state governments. The video suggests that being open to attending state universities can provide more options for medical school admission, as some of these institutions may have different selection criteria or processes.

💡Non-Interview Options

This term refers to medical schools that do not require an interview as part of their admissions process. The script mentions that certain universities, like Flinders and the University of Tasmania, do not have an interview process, allowing students to focus on their ATAR and UCAT scores.

Highlights

The experience of trying to get into medical school can be very stressful, with many questions about university options and selection criteria.

Dinette, a medical student at UNSW Sydney, shares her insights on the medical school selection process.

Australian medical schools are categorized into undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Undergraduate medical courses offer the advantage of immediate study in medicine without a separate unrelated degree.

Postgraduate medical courses are traditionally for mature students and allow time for life experiences before committing to medicine.

Undergraduate medical programs save time and financial resources compared to postgraduate options.

Selection criteria for undergraduate medical schools include ATAR scores, UCAT scores, and interviews.

Postgraduate medical schools consider GPA/WAM, GAMSAT scores, and interviews.

The GAMSAT is an exam that tests the ability to study at the required level in medicine.

There are loopholes in the selection process that can be exploited to increase chances of admission.

Some universities, like James Cook and Bond, do not consider UCAT scores in their selection process.

Western Sydney University emphasizes UCAT and interview performance over ATAR scores.

Flinders University and the University of Tasmania do not have an interview process for medical school admission.

The University of Queensland has started implementing interviews for their MD program since 2021.

Compensating for a weak area in the application by excelling in others can still secure a medical school place.

Understanding the system and strategic planning can help tailor applications to increase chances of acceptance.

A fact sheet with more information on medical school applications is linked in the video description.

Transcripts

trying to get into medical school is a

very stressful experience and i'm sure

you have a ton of questions ranging from

you know which universities even have a

medical school

and what type of criteria are they

really looking for

luckily for you i've been through it all

and lived to tell the tale my name is

dinette i'm a medical student at unsw

sydney and i'm going to answer all these

questions as well as talk about some

loopholes in the selection process that

you may be able to exploit to increase

your chances of getting into medicine

[Music]

okay so firstly when considering where

exactly

to go to medical school in australia

there are plenty of options in fact too

many to talk about

individually instead i'm going to split

this up based on courses which are

undergraduate and courses which are

postgraduate

and talk about these two options

collectively to clarify

undergraduate courses are one that you

do with starting university

usually straight after high school and

post graduate courses are ones

that you do after first completing an

undergraduate course one of the benefits

of doing an undergraduate medical course

is that you can start studying medicine

straight away without first doing a

different

course which may not be directly related

to medicine at all undergraduate courses

also

save a few years of your life which is

important in the gram scheme of things

as you think about how your life's going

to pan out

you know and at what age you're gonna

start a family and all those types of

things

finally from a financial perspective

you're also definitely gonna save a

couple years of uni debt

as well as gaining at least three years

of and career income which is not going

to be insignificant

undergraduate medicine is just one half

the picture though and there are also

plenty of postgraduate options available

if you want to study medicine in

australia in fact

medicine was traditionally a

postgraduate type of course

and still is in countries like america

so you'll find that a lot of the

older australian medical courses will be

postgraduate in design there are several

reasons for this the most striking of

which

is that studying medicine in a

postgraduate course allows students to

be more mature

when they start practicing medicine this

is important

because as a doctor you're often going

to be talking to and caring

for people on the worst days of their

life and there is a certain maturity

required to be able to do this

effectively

secondly studying medicine as a

postgraduate degree allows you to

take some time to consider your options

more carefully

and make a more informed decision of

whether you really want to do medicine

or not so it tends to make

people more prepared and potentially

more motivated as well

not having to start medicine straight

after school straight away also gives

you the opportunity to pursue other

interests you know travel around the

world

and experience things in life which you

might not otherwise be able to do

if you head straight into the rigors of

medical school right after high school

okay so that's a bit about where you

might want to think about

studying medicine now we're going to

talk a bit about what type of criteria

these medical schools are going to be

looking for so undergraduate medical

schools

look for three main things your atar

your ucat score and finally they'll have

an interview process

the atar is a score calculator based off

how well you do

in your year 12 hsc whilst the ucat is

a test based on five different areas of

mental capacity which have

been found to be important in fields of

healthcare on the other hand

postgraduate medical schools also look

for three main things usually

how will you do in your undergraduate

course in universities so your gpa or

your wam

then there's a gamsat test and finally

an interview usually as well so if you

haven't heard of the gamsat before it's

basically this other exam that you need

to do

which tests if you're able to study

at the level that is required in

medicine now shane and i have spent a

lot of time talking about the hsc and

atars and all that but we haven't really

talked about

any of these other criterions that i've

just mentioned so if you want us to

go into a bit more about these in more

detail please let us know in the

comments below

and we'll be able to make separate

videos for them finally i'll take you

through some loopholes that you may be

able to exploit

when applying for medical school i'm

going to be mainly talking about my

perspective

as a student back in year 12 trying to

get into undergraduate schools okay

and so the options that i had to think

about so as a year 12

trying to get into medicine i was

thinking about three main things my atar

my ucat and how i could do in the

interview okay and it's really important

to think about

how you're going to approach things if

you mess up any one of these three

points and change your plan accordingly

because there are definitely options

for example if you mess up the ucat then

as long as you still do well in the atar

and the interview you still have options

to get into medical school okay

james cook university and bonnie

university both don't take into

consideration the ucat

in their selection process so keep these

in mind okay

meanwhile if you don't do as well in the

atar but you can still do well in the

uca and the interview

then other options appear for example

western sydney university places a super

super high emphasis on the ucat and the

interview

and not a lot of emphasis on the atar so

there's an option there

finally if you're worried that you're

going to mess up the interview but

you're still

pretty happy that you can do well in the

atari and the ucat then there are

options still

some medical schools in fact do not have

an interview process

for example flinders university and the

university of tasmania

um don't have an interview in the

selection process and as long as you can

get

high enough scores in the ata and uk you

can enter those medical schools okay

so the basic message here is that even

if you mess up somewhere

um in your application there are still

definitely options for you to explore

and it definitely does help if you're

willing to go into state do be aware

that the university of queensland which

was a really popular non-interview

option back in my year

is now starting to implement an

interview program for their md program

effective as of 2021 okay so that's no

longer

a non-interview type of backup that

people like to use overall the message

here is that

even if you mess up in one part of your

application you can still compensate for

it in other parts of the application and

there are definitely medical schools out

there which you can

tailor this to and target in a smart way

so it's definitely possible as long as

you understand the system and play your

cards right thank you so much for

watching this video guys just basically

an overview of

how to get into and what types of things

to think about when applying for medical

schools in australia

if you'd like more information about you

know either of these

points there's there's gonna be a fact

sheet linked in the description below

and if you like a bit more info or maybe

a bit more tips on how to target each of

these

different criteria please let us know in

the comments below and we can make

separate videos for each of them

see you guys