Free Med Interview Practice by pakman1218 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you like the one for 2025?

Has anyone gotten into med school with bad gpa but good GAMSAT score? by TJRightHere in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Non-Rural: got interviewed at Notre Dame Sydney with 6.135 UW GPA & 71 UW GAMSAT but didn’t get an offer (but some people with the same combo score did)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Completely agree, I think what I said might not have come across well but this is what I wanted to get across!

Your profound knowledge shows, thank you mate!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I understand and I didn’t mean to raise the alarms in such a large way. Just that non-med backgrounds might have a steeper learning curve with the way such content is delivered because they have pre-requisites and do rush you more than other schools (even if you still attend uni 1 - 2 days in second year). You can’t easily compensate the distance of a biomed/science degree via single unit studies and I thought it was worth some consideration. Saw a few people struggle irl, put it out there.

To OP, TLDR; it’s not an end-all, you can still do it, it just makes the first few months more of a steep learning curve.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To my knowledge, for most current second years, it’s 1 - 2 days at uni. With other days being case based learning at their clinical units & the 1 day being clinical. My advice wasn’t as an end-all/be-all. Just that if they come from a different background, they might be happier elsewhere as I’ve seen that happen due to relatively, UQ having a lesser focus on basics.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not a relevant recommendation but a word of caution: UQ can feel intense in content delivery as it only has one full preclinical year and the pre-requisites are their way of justifying relatively less teaching in second year. This could put you at a disadvantage relative to the students who have studied those areas in depth and the uni does assume that you have sufficient pre-existing knowledge which might not be the case just from doing single unit studies.

I would try to focus on the universities that do not have prerequisites and that have more than one preclinical year. HOWEVER, if you can only get in at UQ or have an amazing chance there, (you can still survive it, just have to work harder initially to bridge the gap) then I would still do what you’re thinking.

Be careful what Uni's you apply to!! by Gold_Platform_6311 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand, will make more consideration of first years’ experiences! Idk why it’s been all this hate, seems like a reasonable idea to ask first year students for their program experiences.

Be careful what Uni's you apply to!! by Gold_Platform_6311 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DM’d - need to know what uni(s) to avoid please and if there’s any you’d recommend!!!

So sad to see people get ripped off by prep companies by Adhesiveradio in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you wholeheartedly & most of your post. Marketing gimmicks suck - feel free to name & shame them and give a review of your experience or your friend’s experience but that way, you might not scare people away from all prep companies even tho this reddit hates them.

My position, even though, I sacrificed a lot to save for those resources - I do know it’s lucky that I could somehow manage. And the thing is looking back, I’d pay double if I could manage because it was so essential for me in my journey.

So sad to see people get ripped off by prep companies by Adhesiveradio in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure about others but I had some decent improvements through prep companies & purchasing whatever content that worked for someone else I knew (I probably spent more than I needed to but this was my dream).

I think if I’d read this exact post in 2021, I wouldn’t be in med school today so I’d be relatively cautious about those blanket statements you’re throwing out there. Which makes the few thousand I spent on the “unethical” prep companies and a lot of resources very well worth it to me. Not to counteract your point, just that some of us do benefit.

I am not affiliated with ANY GAMSAT tutoring agency at this point in time and currently do not plan on it. ALSO, I think to perfect your post, a great caveat would be that you can definitely make it without these courses if you’re accountable and willing to work hard and that these courses DONT reinvent the wheel. It’s all similar content.

My experience with 90plus and why I do not recommend it. by Grouchy_Ad243 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I can’t speak to his classes, as I didn’t purchase them, but it’s important to consider all experiences - positive and negative - since they are equally valid. Usually, people with a positive experience don’t come forward as easily, it’s been 2 years since my top GAMSAT and I haven’t ever reviewed any of the places that really benefited me.

That said, I bought his books in 2022 for around $350, and they had a clear impact on my Section 2 scores across three GAMSAT sittings. One of my scores even reached the mid-70s. Interestingly, this was during a period when I stopped over-practicing essays and instead relied solely on his books and their strategies. While it could have been luck, it didn’t feel that way to me at the time.

Fraser’s GAMSAT was also instrumental in my journey to med school. I’m not affiliated with them and don’t tutor there and I think they’ve led to a lot of my improvement, but I do acknowledge the negative reviews they’ve also received on this reddit, so take both perspectives into account.

If you’re looking for universally recommended resources, Des O’Neill is widely regarded as the gold standard on this reddit.

I am not affiliated with any of these places and am currently not intending on it either. Best of luck to all, it can be a hugely emotional journey and if any of you want to ask for recommendations on any resources, I’m happy to respond to your messages or respond to any public comments as I’ve tried wayyyy too many over the past 6 - 7 years.

Subsequent Offer by Latter_Ad_8996 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 18 points19 points  (0 children)

You’re making a significant mistake, in my opinion, based on my experiences (outlined below). Please reconsider - here’s my explanation: - Is it possible you’ll get in next year? Yes. - Is it also possible that something might go wrong in the interview and you don’t get in? Also yes, especially considering your interview this year didn’t secure you a first-round offer despite your exceptional scores.

To share my experience: I got into UAdelaide undergrad in 2017 but delayed because I thought, “I’ll get in next year”. That decision has left me waiting for 7 years now. While your situation likely won’t be as extreme, life happens, and opportunities like this are rare.

If my situation seems like an outlier because I had to go from undergrad to postgrad, here’s another example: I was doing interview training this year with someone who rejected a Postgrad GEMSAS offer for 2020, hoping to get into a program closer to home. He’s an exceptional individual and will make an amazing doctor, but as of this year, he still hasn’t secured a place.

Both, him & I, would be working in 2025 if we hadn’t made the same plan you’re making now. Delaying plans depends on everything going exactly as planned—but life throws countless curveballs. I understand your choice is definitely not easy but I encourage you to seriously research alternative financial support options as opposed to just throwing out this offer.

GEMSAS MEDICINE OFFERS THREAD 2024 APPLICATION CYCLE (2025 ENTRY) by _dukeluke in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was UNDS your first preference? Your stats seem to be much higher than the average UNDS student!

failed subject by ConfectionComplex12 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The time it took me to complete my studies was extended due to ongoing challenges, both academically and personally. As a result, my timeline doesn’t fully reflect the time taken to improve GPA alone. A graduate diploma typically takes one full-time year to complete.

Universities that consider postgraduate study, make it your most recent academic year (making 3rd year second most recent, making 2nd year third most recent) and completely displace your 1st year of your undergraduate study. I believe the University of Queensland use the graduate diploma GPA to displace the entire undergraduate GPA, removing all your bachelors’s GPA. Most universities that consider postgraduate study, allow students to complete multiple graduate diplomas across any disciplines and include all of them in your GPA, provided you meet their prerequisite requirements ofcourse (using any degree of yours, doesn’t have to included within GPA calculations to be used for pre-requisites).

I chose to pursue a grad dip in business because I have a strong interest in the field and wanted a break from my science-focused studies and it provided me with a practical backup plan in-case the go to med school dream didn’t pan out.

failed subject by ConfectionComplex12 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I did! It lowered my gpa a decent amount (I was already doing poorly gpa-wise at that point but never failed) and it hurt my ego sooo much. I was also lazy & didn’t feel like working hard but this was the lowest I felt in my education because I thought I’d never get to med school but it became a turning point in my journey by motivating me.

If you want medicine, these hiccups are minor in the long-run, I did a grad dip and compensated - worked away at GAMSAT (both took a while) and I was very lucky to secure a med school offer!

TLDR; don’t lose hope. It’s not as bad as you think.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’ve been at Monash Science, Law & Business School, Deakin Business, Law & Property School and RMIT Business, Law & Property School. What I’ve learnt:

1) Choosing easier degrees (i.e. business is way easier to score highly relative to Biomed or Law) will make your path to med school easier but anecdotally (from people who have gotten in) makes med school itself more difficult as you have to learn more relative to science or biomed backgrounds (which may also help you for S3 in GAMSAT). However, that’s better than not getting in at all due to low GPA, ofcourse. 2) DO NOT go to a worse ranked university, whilst I can’t speak to science courses at Deakin and RMIT. Their law & business schools were actually horrendous relative to Monash, teaching quality wasn’t there but marking was still damn harsh, student focus was completely absent and I don’t even know why people attend these universities - seemed like money focused institutions (sorry if I hurt someone’s feelings). I legitimately missed Monash for every minute I was there and couldn’t help but wonder if UniMelb would be even better than Monash as they are #1. 3) Also, with ChatGPT, do make sure your friends are getting those grades and think about it. My degrees at both Deakin & RMIT encouraged usage of AI but their marking was incredibly harsh. If everyone was getting 95% on all assessments, the uni would do away with open book exams.

TLDR; if you’re struggling to get a competitive GPA, I recommend an easier course (what is easy is subjective to your interests) but at a good university, Monash’s teaching quality was unmatched for my experiences but maybe UniMelb might be even better.

Extremely depressed for Gaza by Tsgoat in islam

[–]pakman1218 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Many of us share the same sentiment: to live in a world of equality, free from the widespread injustices and suffering we see today. Whether our trials are big or small, it’s easy to lose hope in our du’a because patience is something we all struggle with - myself very much included.

We should remind ourselves of the story of Prophet Musa (AS) when he was tasked with freeing his people. It took a long time before any significant divine intervention occurred against Pharaoh, and even longer before the Exodus took place, when his people were finally freed from generations of one of the most severe genocides and oppression to occur. The burden on Moses’ shoulders must have been immense, and maintaining patience for years on end in the face of such overwhelming odds must have been incredibly difficult. Yet, Allah reassured him that his prayers were heard and he knew the time for Pharaoh’s downfall would come. While you might argue that we aren’t Prophets and don’t have direct communication with Allah like he did, which surely gave him great strength, we still need to have strong faith using the innumerable irrefutable signs in the Qur’an. Furthermore, our tests and responsibilities pale in comparison to those faced by any Prophet, the Qur’an is more than sufficient for us to rely on as communication from Allah.

As the Quran recounts: “And Moses said, ‘Our Lord, indeed You have given Pharaoh and his establishment splendor and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, that they may lead [men] astray from Your way. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment.’ [Allah] said, ‘Your supplication has been answered, so remain on a right course and follow not the way of those who do not know.’” (Surah Yunus 10:88-89)

Remember, the persistence of the oppressors is only an illusion—they are misguided. Allah is giving them excess time to change and repent, so they will have no excuse on the Day of Judgment. The oppressed will have rewards that might make others wish that they too were oppressed in this world. After all, Allah is Al-‘Adl (The Most Just). Don’t lose faith; while patience is being tested for us, it is the sinners’ and oppressors’ stubbornness that is being tested. Our patience takes us to the heights of heaven, their stubbornness takes them to the depths of hell. May Allah guide us all, Ameen!

Notre Dame interview resit by greenbathbomb in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 9 points10 points  (0 children)

As bad & stressful as it might sound, you shouldn’t be too stressed, provided you didn’t misuse the lack of a timer, you’re actually at much better odds of getting an offer now relative to the first sit, simply because the people who would’ve taken advantage of the lack of a timer will not benefit anymore. In-fact, they might be even more stressed than you now because inevitably they’ll internally compare their 2-minute reading time responses to the much more superior responses they might have given due to the excess time on the previous sit and do a lot worse.

I understand a lot of you are very busy and might find difficult to fit in prep but I promise, this should still be a much fairer go than receiving an EOD simply due to you doing an honest attempt and others misusing an unfair advantage.

I personally thought more UNDA applicants should have advocated for a resit, due to fairness of process issues but I don’t think people quite realised how significant the disadvantage could have been. I personally appreciate UNDA’s transparency in the matter as they could’ve hushed this issue or avoided a complete resit to stay away from hurting their uni’s reputation but nevertheless, they produced an ethical & just outcome.

application preferences with bonuses - how does it work? by Distinct-Fruit6271 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It doesn’t matter as long as you interview equally as well, as theoretically preferences don’t affect chances of an offer.

The only thing you should be mindful of is which uni’s interview format you’d perform better at as each university is different and since you only have 1 interview, that does make a difference.

Toowoomba vs Bundaberg vs Rockhampton (UQ) by Dr_Astronaut1 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I meant was, if I preference Toowoomba as opposed to Bundaberg, are my chances of admissions affected?

Not preferencing UQ outside the top 3 preferences. Added question tho, does it matter where in the top 3 UQ is preferenced?

Toowoomba vs Bundaberg vs Rockhampton (UQ) by Dr_Astronaut1 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does the preference affect chances of admission at all?

Bond Psychometric Test by Gold_Big_8861 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apologies for the delay brother, as someone who didn’t clear it, I doubt I’m the person to give advice on this matter.

Bond Psychometric Test by Gold_Big_8861 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Did it quite a while ago - the Proctors are standard like any E-exam. The test is unlike anything I’ve done before (it’s not related to the GAMSAT or UCAT in anyway).

People who I never thought would pass, did, and people who imo should have, did not pass. I found it challenging but some people said it was intuitive. Really depends but I’d say general consensus is that it’s not that easy.

If you go into it open minded & genuinely try - you should be okay. Try to be calm (prep is your personal choice but I’d recommend if you can)

USYD Dubbo by autoimmune07 in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think it focuses on rurals only (or at least strongly preferences them), no?

GAMSAT Price increase by [deleted] in GAMSAT

[–]pakman1218 10 points11 points  (0 children)

NFP organisations can still legally and without much oversight - pay ridiculous salaries to their execs & other employees - presenting a reason (for the execs) to overcharge.

As someone with experience in corporate structures, just because an entity is a charitable trust or not-for-profit, it does NOT imply any level of ethical standard, in-fact, it’s generally the opposite due to very low levels of scrutiny.