How to get into Medical School in Australia as International Student (Undergraduate + Postgraduate)

Summary

In this video, a first-year medical student shares a comprehensive guide on applying to medical schools in Australia as an international student. The video covers both undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, detailing the application processes, academic criteria, required admission tests (UCAT, ISAT, GAMSAT, MCAT), and English proficiency requirements. The speaker also offers practical advice on planning, preparation, and research to ensure a successful application. This informative guide is aimed at helping prospective students navigate the complex application process and achieve their goal of studying medicine in Australia.

Takeaways

• 📚 The application process for medical school in Australia as an international student can be daunting and requires extensive research on requirements and processes.
• 🎓 There are two pathways to medical school: undergraduate for recent high school graduates and postgraduate for those with a completed bachelor's degree.
• 🏫 Each university has its own criteria, including academic transcripts, prerequisite courses, English proficiency, and possibly UCAT, ISAT, GAMSAT, or MCAT scores.
• 📝 For undergraduate applicants, an ATAR score of at least 92 is recommended, with competitive scores around 98-99, while GPA should be 5.0 or above for postgraduate applicants.
• 📖 English proficiency can be demonstrated through high school English subjects or by achieving a minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 in each section of the IELTS exam.
• ✅ Both UCAT and ISAT are recommended for undergraduate applicants to increase chances of admission, while GAMSAT or MCAT is required for postgraduate applicants.
• 📝 UCAT consists of five sections and is scored out of 900 per section, with a target of around the 90th percentile for competitive applicants.
• 📝 ISAT is more critical for international students, with a three-hour test of 100 multiple-choice questions, scored out of 200 per section.
• 📝 GAMSAT and MCAT are challenging tests, with GAMSAT requiring essays and MCAT covering a broad range of science topics.
• 🗣️ Interviews are a crucial part of the application process, with different styles such as MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews) used by various universities.
• 📅 Planning and meeting deadlines are essential, including application submission, admission tests, and interviews, with advice to prepare well in advance.

Q & A

What is the general process for international students applying to medical schools in Australia?

The process involves understanding the undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, meeting academic criteria, taking required admission tests like UCAT, ISAT, GAMSAT, or MCAT, fulfilling English language requirements, and going through interviews.

What are the two main pathways for applying to medical schools in Australia as an international student?

The two main pathways are the undergraduate pathway, usually for those who have just finished high school, and the postgraduate pathway, which requires the completion of a bachelor's degree.

What is the significance of the ATAR score for international students applying through the undergraduate pathway?

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) score is used as an academic criterion for admission to undergraduate medicine programs in Australia. A minimum ATAR of 92 is recommended, but to be competitive, a score of around 98-99 is more desirable.

Can the ATAR score be used for postgraduate applications?

No, the ATAR score is only applicable for undergraduate pathway applications and cannot be used for postgraduate pathway applications.

What is the GPA requirement for students applying through the postgraduate pathway?

A minimum GPA of 5.0 or above is required for postgraduate applicants. This GPA can be calculated on a yearly basis or for the course as a whole.

Which admission tests are required for undergraduate and postgraduate pathways respectively?

For the undergraduate pathway, UCAT and ISAT are typically required, while GAMSAT or MCAT are necessary for the postgraduate pathway.

What is the importance of the ISAT for international students applying to medical schools?

The ISAT (International Student Admission Test) is crucial for international students as it is given more importance by universities when considering applications for medical school admission.

How does the scoring work for the UCAT and ISAT?

UCAT is split into five sections with a maximum score of 900 points each, and universities have different percentile requirements. ISAT has 100 multiple-choice questions with scores ranging from 100 to 200, and universities typically require a score of 150 or above.

What is the structure of the GAMSAT and when can it be taken?

The GAMSAT consists of three sections: reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences, written communication with two essays, and research in biology, chemistry, and physics. It is a 5.5-hour test that can be taken in March and September.

What are the English language requirements for international students whose first language is not English?

International students must provide evidence of meeting English language requirements, which can be done by achieving a certain score in IELTS, with a minimum of 6.5 to 7.0 in each section, depending on the university.

How can international students ensure they meet the application deadlines and criteria?

Students should plan and keep track of all deadlines, prepare for interviews and admission tests, and conduct thorough research on each university's specific requirements and deadlines. Contacting the university for inquiries is also recommended for clarification.