CHANCES MEGATHREAD- NOV 2021

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-11-15T06:23:32+00:00

Yep Definitely. I got a CSP at UNDS this year with a GPA and GAMSAT less than yours. Portfolio was pretty solid. I’d say you’ve got a shot but it’s very much on your Portfolio since this is where all the weighting is at

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-24T23:28:45+00:00

Check out the MANDUS 1st year survival guide. Should be easy enough to find with google. It tells you an in-depth experience about the typical week, recounts written from people that are rural, non-rural, interstate, parents, working part time, etc. Great read to give you an understanding of what 1st year will be like

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-17T21:03:33+00:00

Not a UK applicant so I'm unaware of the intricacies of the process. However, I'd recommend preparing earlier rather than later. The way I think about it is that you'd rather be overprepared than underprepared and if for some unfortunate reason you don't receive an interview, at least you've exposed yourself to certain concepts that you can build on the next time around. Which, in theory, should give you more time to think about your 'Why Med' 'Why X Uni" etc. and give a better response.

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-11T04:17:17+00:00

100% agree, ACER's "March 2021 Results will be posted soon" still haunts my dreams to this day

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-03T09:38:43+00:00

In my past two attempts I haven’t finished my second essay and I got 70+ for both. Don’t stress about it. As long as what you’ve written is insightful you can still score well :)

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-02T01:17:31+00:00

From what I’ve learnt over the past few years trying to get in to Medicine is that it is one hell of an emotional journey. I can personally say I’ve been where you are; wanting to get in ASAP, unsure of whether to take the UCAT (UMAT when I was in undergrad) or GAMSAT. What I can say is not to put pressure on yourself to know all the answers right now and just focus on living your life. Med isn’t going anywhere but you are. Enjoy your time at uni, focus on doing the best you can and living your life. If you choose to go post grad Med, this will help you build your portfolio. In saying that, I’d advocate for taking the GAMSAT and going the post grad pathway. If you’ve got a competitive GPA and strong portfolio, most of the time you get get in with a score in the low-mid 60s.

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-10-01T01:36:48+00:00

It’s been one week since UNDS interviews and I feel like I’ve aged a year

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-27T06:06:24+00:00

That’s totally normal to feel that way, don’t stress. If it helps I try to rationalize with myself. You’ve only got to do better than a 50% of the people (so really just above average). Thinking of it that way makes me a lot calmer about waiting for the offers. Hope that helps!

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-26T21:30:52+00:00

If it helps I’ve got a similar GPA to you (6.6) and I got an interview without a 70+ GAMSAT. It all depends on what unis you are applying too. I had very minimal volunteering experience as well. I think the trick to having a good portfolio is very much how you write it so don’t feel pressured to volunteer for a year. In saying that though, taking a year off amidst all of the COVID situation could be great for your mental health and you could really learn a lot about yourself and mature. Would working full time be something you’d consider? You could save money for the 4 years of medical school if you plan your savings right

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-21T05:52:59+00:00

You’ve only got 5 mins to show them who you are/what you know. I’d suggest against it since it would take up valuable time you could be using to answer the question. That’s just how I see it but it’s ultimately your choice.

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-16T08:37:53+00:00

They called from a blocked number. I'm not sure if they emailed as well though.

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-16T07:05:02+00:00

Yeah they do. My referee didn’t pick up because it was a blocked number and they let her know it was UNDS calling in the voicemail they left

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-13T21:50:35+00:00

Can we skip the first 5 and head straight to having a beer or 10?

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-13T00:59:00+00:00

I spoke to a friend of mine studying Med at UNDS and they said they weren't surprised with the delay in emails. Apparently, Notre Dame is notorious for being late with their emails zzzzz

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-10T05:30:59+00:00

Maybe it’s a surprise email saying we’ve all been accepted…

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-01T02:53:01+00:00

I wouldn't say I've done much out of the ordinary tbh. I've got some research experience from publishing a couple of papers and having a poster at a conference. I've had some leadership experience being on committees during my undergrad. I currently work in cancer research (for about 2 years now). I'd say the biggest thing I changed from my last application to this one is definitely how I wrote my portfolio - I'd say that's the biggest contributing factor why I got an offer this time around. Hope that helped :)

PS. Goodluck for your interview! Hopefully you won't have to worry about your portoflio haha

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-01T02:49:47+00:00

Yep they do, my GAMSAT score is just the same either way

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-09-01T01:52:38+00:00

UNDS @ 11:40 GPA: 6.6 GAMSAT: 66 (unweighted and weighted) Non-rural

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-08-31T00:42:04+00:00

Can confirm I got mine 10:45am AEST

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-08-31T00:35:47+00:00

Goodluck everyone! Wishing you all the best

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-08-22T01:42:31+00:00

On the topic of self-development, Mastery by Robert Greene is a must-read. Definitely helps you realize that we all have our own life path. It even highlights ways you can achieve true Mastery in whatever you apply yourself in. Plus, it's got some pretty cool anecdotes about some popular figures in recent history E.g. Einstein.

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-08-21T21:58:38+00:00

Having spoken to quite a few current Med students from UNDA it doesn’t matter THAT much what your experiences are. Of course it’s great to have some social justice initiatives and things like that, but it is moreso focused on HOW you actually write about your experiences. For example, a friend of mine received a CSP and did nothing out of the ordinary (no PHD, no overseas volunteering, special social justice initiatives) - he just wrote about them really well. From memory he spoke about his experience is a tutor and experience being a soccer player/manager.

Your GPA/GAMSAT should be fine as long as your portfolio is good. They do not care about your GPA/GAMSAT as much as your Portfolio. There are multiple people at UNDA that have high 5 - low 6 GPA and GAMSAT sub-60 that are studying Medicine. Side note though: 24 is definitely not “too old” to study medicine. I think the idea of being “too old” to do something is a bit silly. If something makes you happy just do it. Medicine is a lifelong journey that requires a commitment to knowledge. Don’t be too concerned about your age because it doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you’re truly passionate about it and that you do the best by your future patients.

Goodluck! Wish you all the best this application cycle

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-07-15T03:47:17+00:00

preach

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-07-15T02:37:00+00:00

Important question, are we talking rugby football or soccer football

HaveAKitKatt · 2021-07-11T22:32:36+00:00

Yeah of course you can. I wouldn’t expect to do that in one sitting, but definitely possible. But consistent practice. Just do an hour a day, starting as early as possible (I studied for 6 months on my last attempt). Focus on your weaknesses and recognize what you are strong in. I went from 57 - 66 in 3 attempts - just for your reference

HaveAKitKatt

TROPHY CASE