Hey all,
This is my first time posting in the Australian Med forum, I've been interested in attending medical school in Australia for quite a while now, just decided to try my chances for the upcoming entrance cycle.

I just wanted to know what you thought my chances would be with a 6.0/7.0 gpa and a 9Verbal/10Physics/10 Biology on the MCAT.

Thanks for any help,
Happy holidays,
CrazyThunder

.....................

Pretty solid, but not stellar, so be sure to apply to three schools to maximize your chances (Flinders and USyd, both with their own apps, and a third off the ACER...from UQ, Melbourne, ANU, etc.) You'll get interviews at all with your stats, after which the schools will place varying weights on your gpa, mcat and interview.

-pitman

If you are applying international it is more about money than grades or test scores. Your numbers are fine.

Also, insist on interviewing in Australia so you can get the feel of the place.

Some schools are increasing seats for international students, its more about money than your actual qualifcations. Its a good idea to visit Australia and see the actual schools before you decide to attend if you're accepted.

Agree that it's wise to interview in Australia if you can -- you may, like me, end up changing your prefs, plus it's *always* impressive to show up at their door.

Disagree however with the claim that it's "more about money" than stats in getting in.

The *reason* or impetus for having int'l students is certainly about money -- the Australian schools have us b.c. they need the $. This push began in the mid '90s with the start of the grad programs when some of the schools were on the verge of going broke (and the govt wasn't increasing domestic places or $ b.c. it was stupid slow reacting to projected shortages).

And it is true the number of int'l slots has been increasing, particularly since the # of schools is increasing. However, this does not preclude the need for stats as strong as those of the recent past -- applicants with high stats have been rejected (a buffer exists); more and more int'l students apply each year; and some schools (e.g., UQ) are introducing full-fee domestic slots rather than beefing up int'l slots.

If you want to go to USyd, Flinders, Melbourne, or UQ, they will want an MCAT ~30, as evidenced by recent years' students. There is no reason to believe that at any of these schools the stats will go down significantly even w/ any slight increase in int'l quota. The claim is reminiscent of the discussion on Cornell's school in Qatar where most assumed they wouldn't be able to uphold their stated requirement for 'Cornell quality' stats (had to throw that in since I've been vindicated ).

However, if you want to try one of the newer, less tested grad schools, such as Griffith (Gold Coast), or ANU (first class was last year), then *maybe* the stats are significantly lower, but I do not have reliable info on them and am only inferring the possibility. ANU has otherwise traditionally been one of the top Aussie schools, so even there I'm skeptical.

So to better qualify my earlier comments...29 is 'good', not stellar, b.c. of the three schools you can apply to as an int'l student, two of them (USyd and Flinders) will want a strong MCAT. Usyd will additionally use MCAT as a tie-breaker following interviews, and Flinders will weigh gpa, mcat and interview equally. UQ, if that's specified on the AMCAS app as school #3, will weigh mcat and interview equally once an interview is given.

-pitman

I have to say, I am at a loss with what schools you're talking about here to make the above generalization. At UQ and Flinders, where I understand the interview process better, it's *nothing* to do with appearances (as long as you aren't slovenly) and everything about substance...

1) of your beliefs/values, arguments/reasoning
2) of your communications skills
3) of your ability to 'relate'/empathize with foreign ideas and beliefs.

I interviewed at USyd, where the interview is similarly *structured*, but admittedly I do not have the same knowledge of their scoring criteria.

-pitman

With an MCAT over 30 it would be better to go to a US school, assuming you are a US citizen, there would be fewer hurdles towards getting a residency and licensure(without which your medical degree would be useless).

Sydney looks for an aggregate score of 24 on the MCAT.

Hope this clarifies things a little! (I don't know where people are getting 30! Maybe inflating the requirements makes current students feel good.) I know people who got significantly below 24 (as in 5s and 6s) and got in so it's not really a cut off. (Generally, Australian schools are not terribly competitive.)

From USydMP prospective student website (go to www.gmp.usyd.edu.au):

Admissions Test

International applicants must take one or other of two admissions tests:

Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT) or GAMSAT UK
North American Medical Colleges Admissions Test (MCAT)
Please note applicants must have achieved a minimum score of 50 in each section of the GAMSAT to be considered. Applicants will be selected for interview based on their GAMSAT Overall Score. Applicants with MCAT scores should achieve a numerical aggregate of 24 with a grade of M or better in the writing sample and normally 8 in sections that are given numerical scores.

Thanks to all who posted their input on the topic, I sincerely appreciate it. I'm going to go ahead and apply to the Australian schools for the upcoming cycle. I don't see myself wanting to practice medicine in the United States after I complete my degree, most likely I'd love to settle down in New Zealand or Australia itself.

I know this requires getting permanent residency status, but I guess that is something I will have to pursue after completion of med school so that the Aussie schools don't boot me in regards to the full-fee paying status of International students. Win some, lose some.

Take it easy,
CrazyThunder