A few questions

darapi · Rookie Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Sydney

Hello everybody. First of all, I'd like to say I am absolutely in bliss when I found out such forum exists. Thank you very much to those who have created this board!

Secondly, I'd just like to give a brief introduction about myself. I am currently 23 years old, a UTS graduate of a double degree course, and I've spent about half a year doing nothing but thinking about my future. After so much reading and talking to people, I have realised that I'd really want to further my studies in medical school doing medicine/surgery. My questions are:

1. Am I too old to start applying for medical school? (I'd be about 24 when I apply, since I'm too late to apply now, which means I'll be about 25 when I sit the gamsat test)

2. I have calculated my GPA using the GPA Form and Undergraduate Academic Record Form, since the online GPA calculator is closed. The results were: GPA1 = 5.75, GPA2 = 6.10, GPA3 = 6.5, which luckily means I meet the minimum requirement for 2010 entry for all the universities. But then... I'm going to apply for 2011 entry, since I'm too late to apply for the 2010 one now. Does the minimum GPA requirement change every year?

3. My combined course was for 5 years, and I luckily did much better in my last 3 years which gave me a higher GPA. However, I've heard that to be offered an interview by the universities, they look at your undergraduate degree results as well as your gamsat results. Does this mean they'll actually look at my first two years too? Because I did pretty poorly... only barely passed the subjects. I didn't study much during my first two years at university. Only wanted to have fun, haha.

I actually have more questions, but I feel as though I wrote too much already. I hope someone could help answer my first three questions first. Sorry for the long read, but thank you if you have read it all.

Sky · Rookie Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

Darapi, one thing that I've learnt through this whole process of trying to get into medicine is that as long as it is what you want to do and you meet the minimum requirements to get in, it doesn't matter how old you are. I first tried to get in when I was 19 and by the time I was 22 yrs old, I thought that it was too late for me. I am now 28 and am kicking myself for thinking that way and have decided to give it a go now. So in answer to your first question, no. I don't think that you're too old:).

In relation to your second question, when I tried to get in nine years ago, the cut-off was lower - around a GPA of 4.5 but then again, the University system was a little different (more subjects were done in a year etc.) and now the minimum is around 5 - 5.5 on average. I guess it all comes down to demand for places and I'm no expert on this but, I don't think that it'll change all that much for the next year.

I think that in answer to your last question, it looks like different Universities have different ways of calculating the GPA - some prefer the Undergraduate and others value post-grad study. You have to submit your academic transcript with your application anyway so there shouldn't be too much drama with it but if you are concerned, it may be useful to email the relevant universities.

darapi · Rookie Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Sydney

Thank you very much for your response, Sky. Your answers were very helpful. Thank you!

prepgenie · Grizzled Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 113

Totally agree with Sky.

Just wanted to add about your GPA ... you will get all your GPA information from here ... http://gamsat.acer.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=289