The UMAT

[ahh_zombies]

Hey

I graduated in 2005 and i'm returning to the VCE in an attempt to get into medicine, as such, the UMAT is somewhat of an unknown to me . . is it worth forking out the cash for one the test preps you can buy?

Or do they simply waste your time and money?

Has anyone been to med school in the past 3-5 years and experienced the UMAT?

 

[TOA.]

Alot of my friends wanted to do Med during year 12 and subsequently did the UMAT (as did I but I did it more for experience). I have 5-6 friends that got in, which is quite afew considering they only take 100 at UWA each year.

Most people I know did do the practice stuff but to differing degrees. Some did an intensive course others just got old sample questions. There didnt seem to be a correlation between the people who did well and those who did the prep courses. Some got in that didnt do a course, others did the course but did poorly.

I didnt do one thing for the UMAT, as I said, I didnt want to do Med (mainly because my dad is a Doc and its an average job IMO). I did OK, must have fallen very close to getting an interview. But I remember thinking at the time i would have done alot better if I had just alittle preparation on how to answer some questions because I'm pretty sure there are better techniques than those I used.

Sorry I am not being much help, I dont think the prep courses are that worthwhile but some sort of prep is needed IMO. Just to get used to the questions. So maybe get a cheaper package with afew prac questions or whatever.

Just afew days ago, I was talking to a guy who is going into yr12 next year at my work. He said he wants to do Med, I told him that from my experience you cannot aspire to do Med in the sense of setting it as your only goal because I know of so many quality people who get the marks but miss out because of the UMAT. Its a variable that you cannot control and you have to be prepared for the fact that you might fail. I mean really prepared because alot of people set their sights on med and dont get in leaving them without any considered options. Anyway, that probably doesnt relate to you.

 

[golions]

check out http://www.medstudentsonline.com

 

[campbell]

I thought you had to have a degeee before you could be accepted into medicine.

 

[golions]

nope, a lot of universities offer undergraduate medicine (5/6 year courses).
Some universities only offer graduate medicine, eg UQ, USyd (4 year courses)

 

[TOA.]

I thought you had to have a degeee before you could be accepted into medicine.

Dont quote me, but I think thats in the US.

In Aus, you can do under grad med.