r/GAMSAT • u/Forward_Medium3625 • 3d ago
Advice Guidance please!!
Heya, I need some advice on what to do with my life. I am finishing my bachelors of Biomedical science with (hopefully) a weighted 6.44 GPA this year. There is two scenarios:
My gamsat this Sept. is crap, and I get below a competitive score. What do I do next year? Is it worth doing a 2 year masters? WHAT DO I DO MY MASTERS IN
The angels are on my side and i get a 70++++ gamsat, competitive enough for my GPA. Do I continue with a post grad, even though it is around $15k on my HECs debt, for potentially one year, granted interview goes well. That being said, can someone advise what gamsat I WOULD need for a combines competitive score?
I am learning towards doing a postgrad, but I am so unsure in what. I was going to do it at Deakin, because of flexibility (online). I do not qualify for any bonuses anywhere. I keep thinking that I may have wasted three years of my life doing a bachelor of biomed, because I really do not want to do research. Any insight would be appreciated!
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u/SubstantialPlace1113 2d ago
Try your absolute best with the March GAMSAT
Take an honours year and aim for a first class (counts as a 7 GPA, wipes out first year GPA)
Complete a graduate diploma (UNE does online courses for 1 year, but it's diplomas are like a degree in that you have 4 subjects per term) - https://www.une.edu.au/search?query=graduate+diploma&collection=une%7Esp-global-search&facetScope=f.Level%2520of%2520study%257CStudyLevels%3DPostgraduate%26f.Level%2520of%2520study%257CStudyLevels%3DPostgraduate%2520Research%26f.Attendance%2520mode%257CAttendanceMode%3DOnline%26f.Tabs%257Cune%7Eds-courses-push%3DCourses&form=wrapper&profile=tab_courses#course-search-results
- I wouldn't do a masters TBH. A lot of them are around 2 years and very expensive whereas an honours is around 7-8k on HECS, 1 year, and also highly desired career wise for people who did the biomed pipeline.
- There isn't much point banking on just getting a very high GAMSAT score, or basing all decisions on that just because of the nature of the exam (how hard and competitive it is). So I think it is easier to focus on things that are more readily within your control
- If you're in Melbourne and are remotely interested in womens and childrens health, the Ritchie Centre students typically do very well. You do have to work hard for it, but honours is all about having a great and supportive supervisor and that you also work hard.
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u/dagestanihandcuff 3d ago
You will need a 75+ GAMSAT I think. And even then, that will put you on the lower end of the distribution going into interviews - meaning you'll need to really excel at the interview
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u/username123451234512 3d ago
This is incorrect. you can sit the casper test and apply to casper schools with a gpa of 6.44 and a gamsat much lower than 75. you can also do a grad dip/grad cert at deakin or uow or flinders to be eligible for bonus points at these unis. look at the gemsas guide and different uni entry requirements and be strategic should you decide to do further study. can always do well in s1 and s2 and apply to usyd.
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u/dagestanihandcuff 2d ago
I was responding specifically to the 'angels and 70+++' comment. Where they currently stand, they would need 75+ based on past spreadsheet combined scores.
As far as future plans are concerned, no one is disputing there are options but you need to be realistic also. There are only two schools which take CASPer and thats presuming OP gets a 4th quartile score. Also they suggested they are hesitant to add to their HECS debt with no guarantee of getting the grades to improve their GPA.
I can see you have similar combined score, I hope it all works out for you too
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u/username123451234512 2d ago
i think saying 'you will need a 75+' is misleading. I got both a dubbo and wollongong interview with a gpa of 6.366 and a gamsat of 71. currently doing a grad dip to boost gpa for next application cycle. yes you would need a q4 casper but realistically it is not insanely difficult to do - many people get it on their first go.
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u/Least-Reporter3615 3d ago
Do a master's degree that will get you a real job - e.g., allied health
Are you able to relocate to rural areas? More bonuses and less competition
Get a job while you are sitting GAMSATs and waiting for results - start earning an income and gaining real-life work experience that's going to help you with interviews