Abstract

‘How to Get into Medical School in Australia’ is the definitive guide on how to succeed in your application to medical school – and how to excel once there. The book provides comprehensive detail on the admissions processes – both undergraduate and graduate – in an easy-to-digest, chronological format, to help you manage your application step by step. Featuring study tips and techniques for high school, undergraduate and medical school entry exams (UMAT and GAMSAT), information on sought-after characteristics and how to optimise them for your application, profiles of all of the medical schools in Australia, and everything you ever wanted to know about the medical school interview, ‘How to Get into Medical School’ is the perfect companion for any prospective medical student. The guide also contains tips on how to enjoy and excel at medical school (and beyond), including study techniques and tips to use on the wards.

‘This is an excellent resource – compiling the necessary information on how you get into medical school in a concise and practical format.’ —Professor Gordian Fulde, Director, Emergency Department, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney; Professor, Notre Dame University Sydney; and Associate Professor, New South Wales University

 ‘This is a thoroughly researched and well-written book that will be an invaluable resource for all people intending to apply for medical school, and also for people who are considering the possibility of a medical career. It is the most comprehensive overview to date, and provides excellent advice on how to approach decisions on which medical school to choose and on the options for support.’ —Associate Professor Ray Garrick, Consultant Neurologist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney

‘How to Get into Medical School in Australia’ is the definitive guide on how to succeed in your application to medical school – and how to excel once there. The book provides comprehensive details of the admissions processes – both undergraduate and graduate – in an easy-to-digest, chronological format, to help you manage your application step by step.

This detailed handbook includes an overview of the admissions process and the career of a doctor, characteristics sought in potential medical students and how to optimise them, study techniques for high school and undergraduate students, information on how to prepare for the medical school entry exams (UMAT and GAMSAT), the pros and cons of undergraduate and postgraduate medical school, and timelines on when to begin preparing for each step of the application process.

The guide also features advice on special applications (for mature age, indigenous, rural and international students), non-traditional routes of entry, how to optimise your medical school application form (including sample resumés), and the all-important medical school interview – including how to prepare, how to dress and how to answer questions successfully on the day, as well as several pages of practice interview questions.

Once you have succeeded in gaining admission, the book also offers information on what medical school is like, and advice on how to excel and enjoy it (including a list of necessary textbooks). Additionally, the guide includes advice from people who have excelled in various parts of the process: those who aced their high school leaver’s exams, medical students, and junior and senior doctors. They describe their experiences and, most importantly, provide tips and guidance on how to succeed in getting into and studying at medical school. Also included are the profiles of every medical school in Australia, detailing entry requirements, contact details, fees, numbers of places for students and the focus and academic ranking of each individual school. 

‘This is a “must-read” for anyone contemplating becoming a doctor in Australia. This profession demands a special set of skills, values and behaviours. This text is a great insight – Dr Shiraev has assembled an extraordinary set of information, advice and wisdom. A tool kit and mentor’s notes combined!’ —Professor James A. Angus AO, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne

Dr Timothy Shiraev completed his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2007 and his Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) in 2012. He has published various research articles in international peer-reviewed journals.