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Australia is one of the most popular destinations for those who want to study medicine. Qualifying as a doctor takes around 10 years, so planning your medical school application well is essential. Being well-prepared and informed is vital for postgraduate medicine studies in Australia.
Whether you’ve already completed your undergraduate studies and wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in medicine, or if you’re an international student, here are some essential tips you need to remember.
1. Know about Postgraduate Medical School Eligibility
The graduate or postgraduate courses in the health sciences school span over four years and require a valid bachelor’s degree in any discipline as a prerequisite. For postgraduate medicine Australia, the eligibility criteria might vary across schools, but some basic rules remain the same:
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline within 10 years of the year of commencement, or a graduate diploma certificate, PhD, master’s certificate, or any equivalent degree completed 10 years before the commencement of the postgraduate program.
- Completion of the ACER Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This requirement will vary from one University to another.
- A minimum GPA of 2.7 or above, depending on the University where you wish to pursue higher education in Australia.
- An in-person or online interview, once you qualify for the GAMSAT exams.
- Proof of proficiency in the English language, especially for international students, such as the IELTS or the TOEFL test scores.
- Additional documents (e.g., a letter of recommendation, an immunisation or vaccination card, or a criminal history check).
2. Prepare for the GAMSAT and Multiple Mini-Interview
After choosing a Medical university for the postgraduate program, you should prepare for the GAMSAT exam. This is the part that typically takes the longest for most students. The GAMSAT is a challenging exam that tests your reasoning skills through 3 sections. The sections cover subjects ranging from humanities to essay marking to science. Typically, students need 3-6 months to prepare for this exam.
Once you’ve got a satisfactory ACER GAMSAT score, it’s time to prepare for the interview (MMI). This is an assessment of your personal and professional qualifications, where you’ll be tested on your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The interview panel checks your core values and ethics. If the University conducts an MMI, you’ll receive a prompt and have about one minute to read the prompt and collect your thoughts. After that, you’ll have to answer for around 5 minutes, depending on the instructions given by the interviewer.
During the interview, the interviewer will mostly check your passion and knowledge in medicine, thinking style, and ability to solve emergencies within seconds.
Some questions can be loosely translated into situations regarding ethical dilemma, teamwork, professionalism, and situations where your opinions might differ from those of others. Be prepared with the following:
- Your hard and soft skills are knowledge relevant to the question being asked and how you formulate your answer.
- Your ability to draw conclusions or implications from theoretical or practical knowledge.
- Insight into your own attitude and those of others in the situation involved.
3. Read Up on the University
Familiarise yourself with the course curriculum and how the course will be conducted there. Ask yourself why you wish to apply to this University and what impressed you.
See how the University can be a good fit for your postgraduate studies based on your undergraduate medical experience. Most interview questions will revolve around these topics and whether you know the University’s special achievements, values, vision, and mission.
Study the history of the medical profession, its notable pioneers, and how it has evolved in Australia. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in pursuing your medicine degree.
4. Track All Submission Portals
You can apply for the postgraduate program through the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS), which is a valid system for most universities in Australia. GEMSAS coordinates your applications to various schools and universities so you can apply to multiple schools simultaneously. However, some universities, like Monash, Flinders, and Sydney, request direct applications on their college portal.
It’s important to keep track of all the university deadlines and their required documents so that you don’t miss out on any crucial dates or paperwork at the last minute. Keep the proof of prerequisite courses and other necessary transcripts beforehand. According to Reddit, one international applicant from the U.S. shared that they applied through a combination of GEMSAS and direct university portals to maximize their chances. Despite a GPA of 2.8/4.0, they secured offers from multiple universities such as Deakin, Flinders, and Griffith by submitting timely, well-prepared applications to several institutions. This highlights the importance of understanding each university’s application process and applying broadly to increase your chances of success.
5. Dive into the Australian Culture
If you’re an international student, this tip is for you. Knowing the culture of a country and its cities is important to being a good fit for the University.
Read or watch the Australian news and try to understand current affairs, especially those related to medicine and healthcare.
Even if you’re a local student, note all the latest news articles in the industry and the colleges you’ve applied to. This helps you feel more confident on the interview day, and helps with the essay writing section in the GAMSAT as well.
Conclusion
Pursuing postgraduate medicine studies in Australia is a rewarding but competitive journey that requires careful planning and dedication. By understanding the eligibility requirements, preparing thoroughly for exams like the GAMSAT and interviews, researching your chosen universities, and keeping track of application deadlines, you can strengthen your chances of success. Remember, every applicant’s path is unique, as demonstrated by those who have overcome academic challenges through strategic preparation and persistence. Whether you’re a local or international student, immersing yourself in Australian culture and current healthcare developments will further enrich your experience. Start early, stay organised, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from mentors or coaching centres to help secure your place in a higher education medicine program in Australia.
