How long before applying for graduate medicine may I complete the GAMSAT?

Jeebus

Howdy,

I am a first year Computer Science undergraduate. I love my course and wish to see it through to the end, but I think medicine is my vocation.

With this in mind, I am trying to decide a plan for the future, and I think what would be best for me would be to continue in my degree programme until the end, with a view to getting a 2.1 degree, and passing the GAMSAT allowing me to do a 4 year graduate degree in medicine in either UCC or UL.

I was wondering, does anyone know if it would be possible to sit the GAMSAT this year, and every year, until I get my degree, and use my highest result in my application ? This would make things a lot less stressful, and reduce the possibility of having to wait, and wait, and wait on getting a high enough GAMSAT to qualify for the programme.

The relevant page on the UCC website [link] appears to have not been updated in a while and says

CAO Application Applications from EU citizens should be made through the Central Applications Office before 5:15 pm on Friday 1st February 2009. Full details of the application process are available on the CAO website (http://www.cao.ie/).

GAMSAT Application Application to sit the GAMSAT Test in Ireland should be made to the Australian Council for Educational Research (http://www.gamsat-ie.org/). The online registration and test payment must be completed 3rd February 2009.

The next GAMSAT test will take place on 21st March 2009 at centres in Cork and Dublin. Candidates may sit the GAMSAT test at other test centres worldwide, or may submit the results of a GAMSAT test already taken, provided the test was not taken before 1st September 2007.

but this has not been updated, and I know your HPAT result is only valid for two years after its completion.

Can anyone help me with this, please ? Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

Thanks a lot !

Jeebus

Anyone know where I could ask this, if nobody here knows ?!

Would be extremely helpful as I'm conscious the GAMSAT registration closes in a week !

Eerie

Hi Jeebus!

GAMSAT results are valid for two years only. Also keep in mind that at e300 a go - it aint cheap!

You'll need to have a good grasp of 1st year college level chemistry (especially organic chem) and biology and leaving cert standard physics too. I don't think i would have done too well in it in first year Science, it's a difficult test. My advice would be to wait until 3rd year to do it. You can also sit GAMSAT in London every September too which would give you another shot at it if you wanted the option of taking it a few times...

HTH

Jeebus

Eerie wrote: »

Hi Jeebus!

GAMSAT results are valid for two years only. Also keep in mind that at e300 a go - it aint cheap!

You'll need to have a good grasp of 1st year college level chemistry (especially organic chem) and biology and leaving cert standard physics too. I don't think i would have done too well in it in first year Science, it's a difficult test. My advice would be to wait until 3rd year to do it. You can also sit GAMSAT in London every September too which would give you another shot at it if you wanted the option of taking it a few times...

HTH

Thanks a lot for the reply ! 300 euro a go definitely isn't cheap, but it's only a drop in the ocean compared to the price of medical school !

I am doing Computer Science, which is completely unrelated to any of the test subject, so it will definitely be a challenge. Do you think it's realistic ? I did all of the sciences for Leaving Cert so that probably gives me a slight advantage, but competing against people doing Biochem and other such courses...it seems like it will be so competitive.

Also, you said you can sit it in London, would that be a completely separate test from the one in Ireland, and would I be able to apply in Ireland with my test result from the GAMSAT in London ? If I was studying I don't think I would be able to move abroad, so I was just wondering if I have two chances to get a high score (3rd and 4th year) or four (one in Dublin in 3rd year, one in London in 3rd year, same in fourth).

If I had 4 chances it would definitely be nice. Gah. I want to just do it already !

Eerie

Hey again!

Doing well in GAMSAT is definitely possible without a related degree - but it's much more difficult! There are people in my class with backgrounds in economics, philosophy, media... so it's possible! Get yourself some of the practice exam papers and a decent basic organic chemistry book and you'll be halfway there! Have a look over at the "Health Sciences Education" forum on boards, and at the www.newmediamedicine.com forums for some book recommendations and study guides.

Regarding the London option, it's the same exam everywhere. You can do the GAMSAT anywhere you like, as many times as you like. You just need to submit the score you want to use to the CAO. So potentially, you could have 4 chances at the exam (or more if you can find it in another city!:P)

Hope this is of some help to ya!
E

vinnylombardi99

i wonder if you will be as enthused on the 2nd or third attempt!

remember, you gotta get a 2.1 or higher in your first degree so make sure you get that!

also be careful about what you read about the gamsat exam. there are some very benificial articles about it on the net but there is an awful lot of stuff that would scare the bejasus out of you too. never mind that crap.

there are a few other things that you might want to consider. you are still quite young and people change a great deal in their twenties. if you still want to do it at the end of your degree, cool. but dont blinker yourself. make sure you've given the computers a chance. give everything a chance! do as much as you can to make sure that this is right for you...

i do like see people with goals. so good luck to you. go get it.

http://drcoxmedschool.blogspot.com/

Diabhal_Glas

Unless you are made of money I think you are crazy to compete your course In Computers.

1- If medicine is your vocation and you go back and get qualified sooner you will have more years at "your vocation"

2- Did you see the fees for grad medicine, nearly 13 grand a year

If I was you Id apply for undergrad medicine and youll only have to pay fees for whatever undergrad years you didnt complete before.

It may be too late now with the CAO closed for under grad medicine applications and maybe you dont have the point s to get to the interview stage.

Maybe repeat the leaving?

but then again if you love college life and have the cash then 7 more years or so as a student wouldnt be a bad thing..

just my 0.02 cents