University of Queensland Anyone?

[Proprietary]

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Hi I am a U.S. college graduate, and I am now interested in applying to medical schools in Australia. The University of Queenslands's website says that all they require is a bachelor's degree, which I have. They also require a performance in the GAMSAT. I am concerned because I have minimal science background in college. (I only took Biology I and General Chemistry I.) The GAMSAT says it does test some biological and physical sciences. Will I need to take all of my pre-req classes before applying and taking the GAMSAT? I was told that med schools in Australia are akin to graduate schools, so I was unclear as to whether I need to take all of the pre-med sciences courses. Thank you advance for your help!!!

 

[DocVeev]

Hello,

I am a Canadian university graduate (BA03/BSc03)who will be interviewing for UQ next month!

UQ requires that you have an undergraduate degree (which you stated you have) and have taken either the GAMSAT or MCAT. As an international student, you are not required to write the GAMSAT and can submit your MCAT scores instead. If you have not already done so, then I would look at the requirements that UQ has within the 2005 Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Guide:

http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/university/gamsat/documents/GMACAdmGuide2005.pdf

Once again, if you have not already done so, then I would also look at the University of Queensland Web site, which contains all the information that you will need with regards to potential international students at UQ school of medicine

http://som.uq.edu.au/som/INT_admission.shtml

As for your question regarding taking pre-med classes, I reckon that that is not necessary. Most Graduate Entry Programmes require you to have an undergrad degree (regardless if it is BA in fine arts of a BSc in biochemistry).

Another thing, have you written the MCAT? If so, then you don't have to worry about writing the GAMSAT or anything. If you haven't and you know that Australia is the ONLY place that you would ever want to go and do medicine, then perhaps writing the GAMSAT would be a better option. There are prep courses available for students studying for the GAMSAT (likewise for the MCAT).

I hope that this helps. 👍

DocVeev

 

[Proprietary]

DocVeev . . . Thank you for your reply. I haven't taken the MCAT, and if I did, then I would do horribly because I have only taken 2 undergrad pre-med science classes. Do you think I should take the GAMSAT, even though I have a very limited science background?

 

[BrissieMD]

Hi proprietary,

I am just about to graduate from UQ med school...

If you want to do medicine in Australia, then I see no reason why you shouldn't sit the GAMSAT. Not having a science background doesn't mean much - there are many people in my class who did accounting, law, arts, etc who obviously didn't have a problem with GAMSAT. It is worth, however, practicing some similar questions. And it does cost AUS$200+.

The GAMSAT has 3 sections: the science section is all multiple choice, then there is an essay section, and an 'english comprehension' section. The next GAMSAT isn't until about April/May next year.

Oh, and with GAMSAT, you can also apply to other medical schools (Syndney, Melbourne, Adelaide) - but UQ takes the most number of students & of course, is the best 😉 (i may be biased here)

 

[DrIng]

Hi,
You don't have to have studied any formal science to sit the GAMSAT. I hadn't done any formal science since grade 10 in highschool and I got by on the science portion of the GAMSAT with home study of biology and chemistry. Of course I did really well on the English comprehension and essay portion of the exam and they only really look at your overall score not the breakdown by English vs Science. And now I'm a doctor. So you can certainly do the GAMSAT and study medicine if you want to.
there are other schools in Australia that will accept the GAMSAT ie Uni fo Sydney, Canberra and Flinders... All are 4 year graduate programs.

 

[pitman]

1/3 of the first-year class of ~310 at UQ this year have a non-science background. Most felt a bit lost at the beginning of the year but no more than the science students by the mid-year exam. In fact, uncle ken has several times warned science students that they are in the biggest risk group for failing b.c. they more often take the science training for granted, and are probably less good at the clinical/communications requirements (of which there are many with PBL).

-pitman

 

[joelsamaco]

Hi! I'm almost done in my Internal Medicine Residency Training here at Makati Medical Center Makati Philippines. I'm interested in continuing in Oncology as my sub specialty. I've been trying to look at the internet where can I apply in Sydney Australia. Anybody can give a suggestion?

Thanks