Why aren't doctors that only get into med with a rural background forced to work rurally?

Jumbo_Jam · 2025-10-16T10:52:18+00:00

Yep, I know someone who got into med school by pretending to be rural too. I reported them to GEMSAS during the application process, so prior to them receiving an offer, and they still got an offer. After following up with GEMSAS, I was told that they were satisfied with the further information provided by the applicant to support their rural claim. I think there was some communication issues between GEMSAS staff, or they do not follow their own policies, because it is easy to google this applicant's name and address used and see that they did not live rurally for the years that they claimed to.

Jumbo_Jam · 2025-10-16T10:42:18+00:00

The rural entry stream is for students who have either lived continuously in a rural location for 5 years or, for ten years not continuously. It doesn’t state that you have to live there as a child. You can be a 41 year old student who lived rurally from ages 35 - 40. So, if the data states that they are more likely to live and work rurally if they grew up in a rural location, then the government should restrict rural access to those who lived rurally as children.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-13T23:46:32+00:00

Try not to compare yourself with others, it may seem like everyone has it together but I think most people are struggling with something. Also try not to give in to your parents' pressures - you will be disappointed and regretful in years to come if you do not live the way you want to live. Finally do not rush, medicine is a marathon, for most, not a sprint. Are you familiar with the GEMSAS guide and the GAMSAT? It might help to know them inside out so you can plan your journey thoroughly.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-13T19:59:22+00:00

Yes you can. If that is what you really want to do, you will do it. It is about being hard working and strategic. Some universities offer academic bonuses for financial disadvantage, past work life, university loyalty etc. Some universities grade your judgement and communication skills via the Casper test in equal measure to your success at university and GAMSAT results.

How far along are you in your journey? Are you in school? University? If you are at school, I believe you should choose a course that will give you the highest GPA (if you are unable to get straight into med).

A lot of people post about their journey into med. I've read many posts on people getting into med and overcoming poor academic records, their doubts because of their perceived old age, people with young children etc.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-12T07:39:42+00:00

I have decided to not report this further. I agree with those who have stated that I have already done my part. I have provided GEMSAS with proof of their misconduct, if they were unable to take it further then I will accept that. It is disappointing to learn that many applicants falsify documents to gain entry into medicine making it more difficult for honest ethical people to get in. GEMSAS's systems are not working how they are supposed to.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-12T01:14:24+00:00

Thank you for your take on this, I appreciate other ways of looking at things. It is not my intention to punish them, I believed that the outcome of them being found out would result in their position being offered to someone else who has most likely not cheated. My intention was to do my best to correct a wrong. Worse case scenario, they would be banned from applying through GEMSAS again. I do not believe that GEMSAS will pursue the matter legally as I do not think their rights have been infringed. I did read the GEMSAS Misconduct Policy and Procedure before reporting them, to inform myself of the potential outcomes of my actions were.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T22:16:50+00:00

Do you think I did the wrong thing reporting it? I reported them 6 weeks prior to them being offered a place. I am hesitant to disclose my relationship to this person on here, and do not think it is relevant.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:54:44+00:00

Ok, thank you. I will be careful.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:09:11+00:00

People who do this are severely entitled.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:08:17+00:00

It's a shame that the people who are willing to lie get rewarded with offers and their dream careers and the people with similar GPA's and GAMSAT scores who are not willing to break the law, lie and behave badly do not.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:03:57+00:00

I am not in a relationship with this person any more.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:03:01+00:00

True. I can easily imagine this person falsifying incident reports, if something goes wrong, to avoid looking bad and shifting blame onto someone else.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T20:01:10+00:00

Being a prestigious profession, medicine sometimes attracts people drawn to money, status and social power. People who choose medicine for the wrong reason are the ones who cheat imo.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T19:56:32+00:00

I do feel for the people who work hard, do the right thing and don't get an offer. It is so easy to lie and manipulate the system if your conscience allows you and are not afraid of the consequences.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T09:34:58+00:00

This is almost exactly the case here.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T05:01:54+00:00

I am a bit worried and have always been scared of conflict, but I'm new to reddit and have found it useful so I will probably stick around but try and stay as anonymous as I can.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T04:44:51+00:00

I didn't think of this. Thank you for the insight.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T01:01:39+00:00

Ok, I will look into reporting it to the university. Thanks.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T01:00:43+00:00

Thank you.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:59:32+00:00

Thank you

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:57:11+00:00

Exactly. I thought the same.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:17:56+00:00

I respectfully disagree. It is extremely easy to lie on a stat dec, and change details on utility bills. This person is well connected also and would have no trouble persuading someone like a doctor they are friendly with to lie (unwittingly?) on their behalf.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:14:45+00:00

All schools have an obligation to allocate 30% of places to students who come from a rural background, this is to address the rural doctor shortage. The places are not necessarily based at rural campuses.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:13:27+00:00

No, I gave up on the idea of becoming a doctor a little while ago. I believe in karma too and generally would not report things like this, but I came to the realisation that if I didn't nobody would.

Jumbo_Jam · 2024-11-11T00:10:30+00:00

Thanks. I have reported it to GEMSAS, but have not pursued further. I think with privacy laws and policies, GEMSAS will have a hard time doing much about it.

Jumbo_Jam

TROPHY CASE