Where to Study Medicine Abroad as a School Leaver?

Lthriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:12
Last edited 09/04/2019 - 08:46 by 2 other users

Hey guys!

I'm currently a student in Year 12, residing in Perth. I want to get into Medicine but I know my chances of getting in are very slim. My predicted ATAR is around 94 and I will be sitting the UCAT soon, to see if I would be able to get in. Even though it is a highly competitive course to get into, I feel that it would be rewarding at the end.

So I'm thinking of studying abroad as an International student pursuing a medical degree. I'm thinking of coming back after I finish my degree and internship and get registered under the Australian Medical Council (AMC). My parents are willing to spend ~$15,000 per year including basic neccessities (Food, Accomodation etc.) which I will have to pay back after I start working.

I'm thinking about where to go to get a degree that is recognised by the AMC for my price range. I've done some research and the cheapest courses coming up are from China, Russia and the Eastern European countries (Belarus, Romania etc.). I would like to pursue the degree in English.

Have any of you been in this situation? Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated :)

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Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 22:17
    +31

    1. Check if the degree is recognized here.

    2. It may be recognized now but may not be recognized for future applicants. Past performance is not an indicator of future…

    3. Many of those eastern European medical degrees are absolutely tragic. It is mired in corruption where you can practically just buy the degree. You may get a degree there, get registered here and never be confident doing much. It is a very stressful and unfulfilling career/life ahead.

    Complete an undergraduate course and get in as a post graduate. If you don't think you can get into medicine later because you're not going to make the cut, turn back now and save yourself a lifetime of suffering. It is a terrible job for the weaker swimmers.

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:25
      +2

      I'll take that into account. Thanks :)

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 22:33
        +4

        You're welcome.

        Don't place medicine on a pedestal. It's not all it is made out to be and entry doesn't guarantee you a glamourous job. It's just a job and the majority of graduates end up stuck in an office prescribing the same 5 medications.

        It is a career limbo for most as the job is extremely unsatisfying in general practice but the knowledge doctors are exposed to is so esoteric that they have no other skills to fallback on.

        • Amaris on 04/04/2019 - 22:45
          +16

          There are many many GPs who find their job VERY satisfying.

        • AusGP on 04/04/2019 - 23:32
          +15

          I would argue the job in General Practice can be extremely satisfying!

          It is what you make of it though - if you go into it bitter because you gave up on another specialty, or if you become disillusioned with medicine and just choose GP to earn a living and as such just do referrals and write scripts and don't take pride in your profession - it will be unsatisfying

          • donedeed on 06/04/2019 - 15:27
            -7

            @AusGP: Of course it is satisfying when they're paid $250+/hour!

        • AusGP on 04/04/2019 - 23:34
          +3

          Also I would say only those who closed their minds to other life skills whilst pursuing medical careers have no other skills to fall back upon - I know lots of doctors with a multitude of skills. I'm sure if I wanted to I can carve out a consulting or business or public sector career right now if I had to quit being a GP

        • Deridas on 05/04/2019 - 13:27
          +1

          I wonder how many people who are replying are actually GPs?

          I think I'm accurate in saying there are numerous who find it satisfying and also numerous that don't find it satisfying. It is likely to differ based on patient population, location, how long you have been in an area/have your own regular patients, whether you bulk bill (etc).

          • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 13:57

            @Deridas: I know one who has offed himself.

            And I know plenty in denial, private or otherwise.

            Of course, in a successful private setting, denial is easier. Money can be a good mitigator of depression.

            • AusGP on 05/04/2019 - 17:53

              @[Deactivated]: @tshow are you medical? (I thought you were?)

              It's a little disconcerting the way you talk about this matter as depression and suicide is no flippant matter.

              I do agree that medicine should not be put on a pedestal and sometimes if medicine is burning people out they should take time off and/or consider a career change. However your statement about GP being extremely unsatisfying is not true in everyone (I am one and enjoy it). There is no doubt there are some very unsatisfied GPs out there of course.

              • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2019 - 18:03

                @AusGP: As you say, it's no flippant matter but it's no voodoo magic either.

                I speak of it matter of factly. A personal friend and for a brief period, a mentor, committed suicide. We can only speculate it is from repeated rejection to move to surgery even after doing well in the primaries.

                Most GPs I know will say they're very happy with their job but do everything contrary to that claim. I'm not a psychiatrist but it doesn't take any psychobabble to see when someone would rather be anywhere but at work.

                I'm neutral about my job and I can accept that. I want to be the best but I wouldn't give up more than a few weekends a year to get there.

                I'm passionate and very fulfilled by being self sufficient. I spend the majority of my income and time so I can survive the apocalypse.

                I'm not in denial, consciously or subconsciously so the subject isn't touchy to me.

                • AusGP on 06/04/2019 - 00:43
                  +5

                  @[Deactivated]: I'm sorry to hear you've had to live through that experience. It is sad that your friend and colleague felt they had no other choice but to take their own lives. I can only hope that we as doctors become more confident in reaching out for help when we feel mentally or physically unwell.

                  I was only making the point that your comments could be regarded as flippant - my concern being that someone who is feeling depressed may view this as a society who doesn't care if they "off" themselves. Whilst the subject isn't touchy to you, it may be to someone in a worse place than yourself.

                  I'm also not saying GP/medicine is butterflies and roses. I only took issue with the fact you specifically associated GPs (and by extension implying not other specialties) as being "extremely unsatisfying". That paints a very different picture to the GPs I have worked with.

                  Plenty of people have jobs that they don't love, yet not many jobs are "extremely unsatisfying" as you implied General Practice is.

                  I want to see the strength of General Practice in this country grow, and so I want to defend the profession so that future doctors don't see GP as a something you go into because you couldn't get into surgery etc.

                  We need ongoing training of motivated GPs. I cannot overstate the value of a good GP (nor any other doctor for that matter).

                  I hope this finds you well @tshow

                  Best wishes - AusGP

                  • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2019 - 08:09
                    +2

                    @AusGP:

                    We need ongoing training of motivated GPs. I cannot overstate the value of a good GP (nor any other doctor for that matter).

                    Amen to that.

                    There's nothing wrong with being a GP.

                    It's very wrong being a GP without confidence and/or motivation.

                    There's everything wrong being a GP who is confident when he/she has no reason to be.

                    What better way to put oneself through the latter than to look for a school in a third world country that sells degrees.

                    I coin it planned incompetence.

                    • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 15:18

                      @[Deactivated]: CPD is a mandatory requirement for GPs. Every GP needs to undergo ongoing training to meet a sufficient number of points every 3 years to maintain their registration. Most of us want to do well in our jobs and have motivation for ongoing learning. It is a part of being a doctor and I can say that the majority of my colleagues, inclusive of myself, enjoy our ongoing CPD. We recognize that it is in our patients' (and thus our) best interest to maintain up to date medical practice.

                      • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2019 - 15:18
                        -1

                        @blergmonkeys: CPD holidays ;)

                        (Don't act like you don't know what they are.)

                        • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 15:23
                          +6

                          @[Deactivated]: … wtf?

                          Can you be any more antagonizing?

                          Look, I know you have had a bad experience with GPs, and I'm sorry for that. But it doesn't mean that the majority of our profession should be lumped into the one bucket. We are people, and some of the best I've known, that are trying to help others whilst maintaining a living at the same time. If that's not what we all should be doing, then I don't know what to say. I get that there is burnout and that some don't do it for the best of reasons, but so can this be said for all specialties… and jobs, for that matter. Your life experience does not equate to justifiably generalizing the entire profession.

                          Edit: do you know how much CPD courses cost? I'll give you an example; currently, I am training up to do more rural generalist work and so I need to undergo a number of courses to bring my rural emergency, obstetrics, paediatrics and life support skills into line with the work.

                          For example

                          Rural emergency course:
                          - Cost: $3480
                          - Flights: ~$500 return
                          - Hotel: ~$300 (cheap place but ok)
                          - Days (unpaid): 1-3 depending on weekend work (which some of us do as a 1:3-1:4 schedule per weeks), ~$3500 missed in billings
                          Total: ~$4500 just for the course without counting the days off without pay

                          Add in time we have to be away from our family. Now, tell me, a worthwhile holiday?

                          I'll be spending about $25k this year on CPD alone. You think I wouldn't rather spend that on going somewhere nice with my wife? Add in registrations ($1500 GP, $750 AHPRA), insurances ($5000 MDO, ~$4000 income protection), no paid holiday/sick leave and you can see how that statement is a bit ridiculous to make. Hardly a holiday I would say.

                          • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2019 - 15:57
                            +1

                            @blergmonkeys: Apologies if that came off antagonizing. I intended it to be tongue in cheek.

                            I'm referring to those CPD courses held in Scotland (most recent brochure I got) where the itinerary is 8am talks (breakfast served during the talks which are held in the dining hall) and golfing for the rest of the day.

                            Anyway, I'll take the back foot on this. I didn't intend to poke at GPs. The context was GPs from bad schools.

                            (I get my CPD courses and accommodation/travel for free. Practice owner incentives :) )

                            • AusGP on 07/04/2019 - 10:15
                              +1

                              @[Deactivated]: At the end of the day those CPD courses/holidays you refer to are not taken up by the majority as far as I know. I refuse to take those obvious engineered CPD courses because 1. I think it's unethical and 2. If the ATO audits you I would argue they can still rule against them being true CPD. (I mean how can some of these courses justify GPs having conferences on Antarctic cruises!!!)

                              Just out of interest what do you mean by practice owner incentives? As far as I know your accom and travel still comes out of your own pocket just tax deductible? (I.e. foregone profit)

                              • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2019 - 12:52
                                -1

                                @AusGP:

                                Just out of interest what do you mean by practice owner incentives?

                                When you buy sufficient equipment and consumables from the reps, they send you to conferences so you can go give a small talk and endorse their product at their trade show booths.

                                The offers I take up are international conferences where I am expected to do about two days of work. In exchange, I get exhibitors pass and full access to the conference, travel and two weeks of accommodation. And CPD points of course.

                                • AusGP on 07/04/2019 - 13:17

                                  @[Deactivated]: How much equipment do you have to buy and what sort of equipment and consumables are we talking about?

                                  • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2019 - 13:31

                                    @AusGP: I don't keep my own books but my rough estimate is $100k+ per year in grafts and associated consumables (not the corruption kind of graft).

                                    Also, surgical fit out. That was close to $1m but it was a once off. They sent me to attend a conference to demo the equipment at their trade booth.

                                    Used to do some within Australia for smaller ticket items but they're no fun. You sit at a booth talking about overpriced fishing line with fancy needle at the end.

                                    • AusGP on 07/04/2019 - 17:47

                                      @[Deactivated]: Ah no wonder…Vascular?
                                      Stick anything with medical grade after it and it becomes super expensive!
                                      (Just so the non medical readers are aware - it's a bit more than fishing line….)

                                      • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2019 - 17:53

                                        @AusGP:

                                        Just so the non medical readers are aware - it's a bit more than fishing line….

                                        And if you're in a pickle, use nylon fishing line. Don't use braid… or fluorocarbon.

                                        Stick anything with medical grade after it and it becomes super expensive!

                                        Ugh. I spend $20k+ per year on technicians and servicing. No, these guys got me by the short and curlies so they don't even have to buy me dinner. Autoclave gasket blown? No problem, $3k… Call out, hourly, gasket, recalibration, spore tests…

                                        Ah no wonder…Vascular?

                                        Nope, mostly dermal, some fascia, some bone/cartilage.

        • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 12:02
          +4

          GP here. My job is very satisfying and I wouldn’t do anything else. I take great pride in my work and have no idea what you’re going on about. Being a gp is highly varied and requires a lot of different skills to be good. Op, don’t listen to this guy.

          • negger on 06/04/2019 - 16:47
            -5

            @blergmonkeys: I don't see prescribing Panadol and the like day in day out very satisfying. I often find GPs as glorified clerks or incompetent/waste of time. Disclaimer: I only go to bulk billed practices and any exception to the general rule is very rare.

            • AusGP on 06/04/2019 - 17:07
              +1

              @negger: The sad fact is all the good BB GPs have their books very full already and many times it's hard to see them. There are also bad churn and burn GP clinics that see lots of patients but offer really poor care.

            • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 17:10

              @negger: We do a lot more than prescribe panadol. Congrats on being healthy enough to not need much more.

              • Sozin on 06/04/2019 - 17:49

                @blergmonkeys: I think there is a wide range of quality when it comes to GP's and even specialties.

                The fact is there is a need for good GPs (even in city areas!). As a good GP I think you have a option of good work/lifestyle balance, satisfying job and ability to earn solid income. You can cut corners and become a below average GP (the glorified clerk some refer to) or study hard at uni/ post-grad training and become a good GP.

                Two of my friends are GP's. Both very hard working and definitely could have got training positions in competitive specialties if they chose to. But they chose GP because of the better lifestyle and now are enjoying work and can have a life outside of work!

                • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 20:04

                  @Sozin: Realistically, my point is, the above can be said for pretty much any profession. People just like to bag out what's easy, though. Unfortunately, GPs are an easy target as they are often the first point of contact for patients. Same goes for ED docs, who often take the brunt of patients' complaints. Of course there are always those that cut corners, but again, every profession including non-medical, has a subsect of these people.

              • negger on 08/04/2019 - 17:52

                @blergmonkeys: I am not sure if that is the best use of some of the best brains in the country though.

        • lonewolf on 08/04/2019 - 13:58
          -1

          Except they make easy money and get a lot of status and prestige depending on the society they hang out in and the cultural background.

          • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2019 - 14:19
            +1

            @lonewolf:

            Except they make easy money…

            Doctoring is the worst source of income for the liability, investment and effort. The income of a practice owner should not be confused with the income of the practitioners. Anyone can be a business owner if their willing to risk their capital, time, stress…

            a lot of status and prestige depending on the society they hang out in and the cultural background.

            If you care about that sort of thing, sure. I'm surrounded by doctors and that notion is very lost on me.

            Ps. Richest people in my circle are NOT doctors. Not even close in the slightest.

  • WreckTangle on 04/04/2019 - 22:22
    -1

    Most uni courses are free in Germany, many are in English.

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:23

      Would you be able to recommend any Universities that offer the Med degrees for free in English? I checked aroud but had no luck finding ones that offered Med for free

      • WreckTangle on 04/04/2019 - 22:27
        +12

        No idea mate, i’m VicKiwi not GermanKiwi. Good luck though!

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 22:28
        +10

        Apologies for being a pragmatist.

        You're having difficulty with competition with other applicants in a country with a small population and places reserved for the local population.

        You should drop the fantasy of being picked for the very very limited places open for free to international applicants of a much wider age.

    • greatlamp on 06/04/2019 - 15:22
      -1

      Free for EU citizens only

      • Harold Halfprice on 08/04/2019 - 14:45

        You are wrong. German public unis do not charge tuition fees, even for international/foreign students.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 22:36

    Sounds wacky, but Cuba offer medicine scholarships to internationals.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2019 - 22:38
      +1

      They need international students for the economic activity they bring in.

      Good cigars though.

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:41

      Will have a look into that. Thanks :)

  • 87percent on 04/04/2019 - 22:47
    +2

    Friend of mine is doing their degree in Romania, he's loving it over there. Recently bought a unit in the middle of the CBD for $100k Aus

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:51

      Romania seems like a great country to live in, recommended by a friend from Romania as well. Would you know the Univeristy that he goes to? Thanks for your help :)

  • Shadowsfury on 04/04/2019 - 22:48

    I know of two people that studied in Russia, one of which eventually got registered here. I wouldn't totally rule it out - they felt they learned a lot more there because they were exposed to treating people much more frequently and earlier.

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:49

      Thank u for that. Definitely won't rule it out!

  • atris17 on 04/04/2019 - 22:49

    Consider University of Otago in NZ ?

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:52

      Will have a look at that. Thanks :)

  • SydStrand on 04/04/2019 - 22:50
    +12

    $15K could barely cover rent and living expenses, let alone tuition. Banks don't typically give loans to pay foreign, non-accredited schools, and FEE-HELP won't help you either.

    I've done some research and the cheapest courses coming up are from China, Russia and the Eastern European countries (Belarus, Romania etc.). I would like to pursue the degree in English.

    Chinese university medical school teaching entirely in English? Is this actually a thing, or are you seriously considering learning Mandarin?

    I'm currently a student in Year 12 […] My predicted ATAR is around 94

    Why don't you knuckle down yesterday and gun for the best ATAR you can get? It's only April. Put your nose on the grindstone. Take that $15k and get a live-in tutor if you have to. Unless you've already bombed a bunch of internal assessments, there's a lot to improve this year. Even if you don't get in right away, a good ATAR set you up to enter a reasonably competitive undergraduate course (advanced science, biomed, allied health), which you can use to enter as a postgraduate.

    Australia's public university system is one of the best deals in the world. Focus on getting in here first.

    • thriller196 on 04/04/2019 - 22:58
      +2

      I know 2 or 3 people attending Tianjin Medical University in China that do their course entirely in English, and their yearly expenditure for everything is around $13,000AUD. They all got in with an ATAR below 95. Just want to see what's out there as a backup. I will definitely try to do my best and see if I can get into a University here before considering anywhere else but I like to be prepared and have a back up. Definitely can't afford the expensive private American schools :( Thank u for ur help, really appreciate it :)

      • SydStrand on 05/04/2019 - 00:27

        They all got in with an ATAR below 95

        From the looks of it, they could've gotten in with a lot less too! Just from skimming the place on Google, it looks like the bulk of their international students are from India. I'd double and triple check that it's a recognised degree, because it seems to promote Chinese 'medicine.'

        • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 00:28

          Will have a good look at it. Thanks :)

    • cille745 on 06/04/2019 - 11:45
      +4

      OP you cannot predict your ATAR to a specific digit, its simply not possible. If you're good enough and put in the work to get a 94, the only difference between that and a 97 is simply a good/bad day

  • johndowy on 04/04/2019 - 23:43

    I really think your parents are going to have to fork out much more than $15k a year.

    But sure, best of luck with that.

  • altomic on 04/04/2019 - 23:55
    +9

    I've heard Hollywood Upstairs Medical College is pretty good.

    • H E B on 05/04/2019 - 13:59

      Apparently it's a good way to meet women. Just make sure they've updated their content recently so you don't accidentally get your arms and legs mixed up…

  • Iangh on 05/04/2019 - 06:47

    https://www.bachelorsportal.com/search/#q=di-92|lv-bachelor|rg-1&order=tuition

    Go to Europe.

    • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 11:17

      Thanks for the link :)

  • Bid Sniper on 05/04/2019 - 09:21
    +1

    Degrees are not equivalent. I can print you a Chinese med degree, will be worth the same.

    Id email the Australian unis (Umel, Usyd, ANU, WA etc..) and ask about a degree that you can do under a med degrees so that if you get HDs in those can change degree into a Med degree. Basic medical science degree would be fine

    Also look for scholarships, will save a huge amount of money.

    • bohn on 05/04/2019 - 09:41

      https://www.amc.org.au/assessment/pathways/self-check/list-o…

      At least Tianjin Medical University (the one OP mentioned) is listed.

    • ahly92 on 06/04/2019 - 21:30
      +1

      sorry can you explain this further, what I got is you can do a basic medical science degree (physiology?) and transfer into med?

      • Bid Sniper on 07/04/2019 - 08:07
        -2

        Yep. Can chop and change units that have more of the same core subjects as med. Speak to enrollment officer about possiblity at a particular uni if you get HDs in those units.

        Students shift degrees all the time. I focused on med but didnt like it and moved into another science.

        • ahly92 on 07/04/2019 - 12:38
          +1

          Surly one cant transfer into Graduate Medicine (Doctor of Medicine)? …that's what the GAMSAT is there for… offcourse you can change between undergrad course (Biology—> Anatomy) but NOT (Anatomy —> Medicine), if that was the case, no one would be worrying about the GAMSAT and just transfer over lol

          • Bid Sniper on 07/04/2019 - 15:06
            -2

            @ahly92: Pre req is a undergraduate BSc. Med to get into a higher medical degree. You will need a BSc with high honours to get into a Doctorate of Medicine.

            You're going to be doing two degrees before let loose in teaching hospital, not in four years.

  • bohn on 05/04/2019 - 09:24

    I know someone who couldn't do medicine here so he did it in Ireland.
    Cost of living is fairly expensive in Ireland though.

    • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 11:02

      Haven't looked at Universities in Ireland. Will definitely look into it. Thanks :)

  • sheepsplash on 05/04/2019 - 09:40

    Hey try looking into private medical colleges and universities in Malaysia. Monash University for example has a campus in Malaysia and students often are able to do clinical years in Australia - many students end up working back in Australia and you may not need to do AMC that way - year 12 results are recognised. Good luck.

    • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 11:07

      I had a look at Monash in Malaysia earlier but the tuition fee alone is around $25k. I'll try to look for some other private ones there. Thanks for your help :)

  • GG57 on 05/04/2019 - 09:43
    +1

    Here you go:
    https://search.wdoms.org/

    You need to decide if you really want to practice in Australia at the end of that. Plenty of taxi drivers are trained medical professionals (overseas), but have not been successful in obtaining their registration here. You may be in the same category, depending where you obtain your qualification.

    If you are not bothered about returning to Australia, choose a country where you will enjoy living and working. Plenty of developing countries would appreciate more trained doctors.

    • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 11:13

      I would like to come back here and work after finishing my degree. Employment shouldn't be a big problem as I do have relatives with multiple medical centres here in Perth who have obtained their degrees overseas. They are all saying that the registration part was not too difficult but I would have to check into that a bit more. Thank you for your help :)

      • BestofOZB on 06/04/2019 - 11:58
        +3

        That may have been many years ago, hell it is difficult now. You have to secure a job for at least 12 months in a teaching hospital and that is the problem.

  • Amaris on 05/04/2019 - 10:00

    Look at Bond and the new new Macquarie medical college (in Sydney). They’re private so should be a little easier to get into. Griffith is not too bad to get I to I hear. As they’re Australian you shouldn’t have any trouble getting an intern position afterwards as would be the case with overseas unis.
    I know they’re expensive but part should be covered by HECS and maybe you could use your parents contribution to cover the other part.

    • thriller196 on 05/04/2019 - 11:16

      I'll have a good look at those. Thanks :)

  • AusGP on 06/04/2019 - 00:47
    +2

    Why not pursue an undergraduate science/biomedicine degree and enter medicine via a graduate pathway? Also, even with a lower ATAR you may be able to get into medicine at certain universities depending on other factors.

    Have you looked at admission in other states? (E.g. NT)

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:47

      I did have a look at Unis in other states, I'll definitely be applying for those as well. A lot of friends from Uni have said that getting through a graduate pathway is very difficult, but looking at the comments it feels like a much better option to stay here and try passing the GAMSAT.

      • SydStrand on 07/04/2019 - 15:13

        A lot of friends from Uni have said that getting through a graduate pathway is very difficult

        It's always going to be difficult. If anything, undergraduate entry is even harder because fewer schools offer it.

    • ahly92 on 06/04/2019 - 21:33
      +2

      A spec of advice, you don't need to persue a medical science related Undergrad to get into Med, Unless you want to get into research, it could become useless. I know of a friend who wanted to do Med, but did engineering (took some bredth in Physiology for Melbourne Uni) and got in…another did BioMed, failed the gamsat and now doing Commerce as plan B.

      • SydStrand on 07/04/2019 - 15:24
        +2

        Yep. Biomed degree is a stepping stone into medicine or entry into research. Besides that, it's worthless. I'd recommend OP do an allied health degree (physio, radiography, etc.) which actually sets you up for a job afterward in case you bomb the GAMSAT.

  • Raheen on 06/04/2019 - 10:51

    As the song says go west but in your case go east…

    Tasmania, South Australia and Northern Territory might be the go…cheaper to live in also

    https://insightmedicalconsulting.com.au/index.php/resources/…

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:47

      I'll have a better look into Unis there. Thanks for your help :)

  • Black Brown Blue on 06/04/2019 - 11:20
    +1

    I was in the same situation. I could not afford to go overseas. If you can that’s good. Other option is to do allied health and do Gamsat. At least you will have a job at the end of it.

  • grr1701 on 06/04/2019 - 11:37

    Try JCU in Townsville. Less emphasis on very high school results ( but still expect good results) and focus more on your responses to a written application and then an interview. Good luck surviving on $15000/year, though. And I doubt you’d get any youth allowance either, even though you’re living away from home, because your parents’ combined income will probably wipe you out. However, when you turn 22, you should be able to get youth allowance.

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:50

      JCU will be one of my higher choices in the ladder. Have family in Townsville so would be great if I could get in there. Will check it out more. Thanks :)

  • vr4indian on 06/04/2019 - 11:42
    +1

    Try in India

    You will get a lot of hands on as well as valuable experience and will be much more confident when you start your career in any other country.

    • cille745 on 08/04/2019 - 10:25
      +1

      username checks out

    • negger on 09/04/2019 - 21:44

      Most private institutions do not have sufficient pt flow in developing countries targeted for overseas students. On the other hand, busy/reputed med schools will set you for life mostly because of the fact that you would have come across it all at the end of it. Standard of care and associated aspects will likely be very different and may need some further work when you move back.

  • blergmonkeys on 06/04/2019 - 11:51
    +5

    Doctor here. I came here as an international student from Canada in 2010.

    First, you are a school leaver. Give yourself time. You do not need to rush into medicine. Do another degree first. Explore the world and come back at it in your 20s.

    Second, grad entry med in Australia is not incredibly difficult to get into like it is in Canada or the USA. The quality here is good but more than that, the cost for a local is insanely cheap compared to international.

    Third, if you do a degree here; a) it give you time to explore yourself and your personal likes and dislikes, b) it gives you life experience which is super important in med, c) it makes entry much easier (and broadens your options in terms of schools)

    Fourth, doing med here with an overseas degree can be a headache as you have to spend more time doing equivalencies such as the amc pathway. In that case, you may as well have stuck around Australia and done another degree to save yourself tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars.

    Don’t put yourself into huge amounts of debt in a rush to get over the finish line. You have time. Give it to yourself.

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:51

      I'll take that into consideration. Thanks for that :)

  • BestofOZB on 06/04/2019 - 11:53
    +5

    OK, many things to consider.
    If you are an international student coming back to Australia, after doing the AMC1 and AMC2 exams, you have to do 12 months of supervised practice in a hospital, which is essentially an intern job. You will be competing with all the Australian graduates who will have priority over you. Many international students with both AMC certificates now are still looking for jobs.

    If you decide to go, look at the Philippines or Malaysia, not only is the study in English, but people speak English so you won't have to learn another lunguage to survive, especially if you will do your internship where you study. Cost of living is minimal.

    In the Philippines, look at University of Santo Thomas, Far East University, Xavier University among others.

    Source: Personal experience and currently a recruiter who looks at tens of CVs a week.

    Suggestion: Do your best to get into Uni in Australia. PM me if you need any more info. Good luck.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2019 - 12:43
      +1

      Internship in the Philippines would be an initiation by fire.

      • Raheen on 06/04/2019 - 15:28
        +1

        Yeah heaps of Indians in Philippines doing Medicine, see them everywhere in certain cities wearing their white uniforms, given how poor the country is I can't see how the education they receive there will be on par with whats on offer in Australia. I asked why there are so many Indians and the response I got was they teach in English and much cheaper than studying in India.

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:51

      Thank you for that, really appreciate it :)

  • sjtem3 on 06/04/2019 - 11:53
    +4

    Hey mate,
    Lots of good (including the positive and negative) comments in this thread. I've gotta pay respect to your determination - it's a rare thing for a young person to be so decided in their approach to life.
    I don't know much about international courses, so I'll leave that to others more expert than I, but I have had a few other relevant experiences.

    Firstly, a predicted ATAR of 94 does not rule you out. I can't stress this enough. Firstly, predicted is so far from reality that you may do dramatically better than expected. Don't give up on local courses quite yet.

    Secondly, I'm unsure what the test is now called - when I was applying for medicine it was called the UMAT, and it was worth a lot in terms of application success. I know that anecdotes wont help you, but so you're aware I managed to get a commonwealth supported place at a major university in the first round with an ENTER of 94.4, largely because my UMAT was very high and I interviewed well. Spending some time to improve your likelihood of success in these areas may yield fruit for you - even if its a full-fee or rural bonded place. Apply EVERYWHERE, and bring your A-game to interviews. My school counsellor advised not to even put medicine on my preference list because it would waste a spot - I'm eternally grateful that I ignored her.

    Thirdly, and on a more negative note, I've had the pleasure of working with several international graduates. Their ability varied greatly, but most significantly the majority of them had significant difficulty getting into their chosen field. I've met multiple trained consultants from overseas who are simply unable to work in their field of choice for various reasons in Australia. If you choose to study overseas you may have no problems, but I would only ever consider doing it if I were 100% ok with the possibility that I may never practice in Australia. With that said, there is a real chance you could practice in Aus and get the registrar job of your dreams, but I would be cautious about any presumptions before making an expensive decision!

    Best of luck to you, and commiserations for having to endure year 12.

    • frostface on 06/04/2019 - 12:58
      +1

      This is great advice. I had a friend that was really determined to become a doctor, but didn’t get the ATAR or UMAT scores. They persevered throughout their undergraduate degree and eventually got in as a postgraduate at Notre Dame in Perth.

      The biggest lie school sells you is that you have to set your career course at 18. You’ve got time to make a few decisions, your ATAR will soon become worthless, and those who are determined the most will go far. Who knows, at 21 or 25 you might realise medicine isn’t for you. And I can’t help but think as an Australian citizen, an Australian university is always your best option.

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:54

      Thank you for the great advice, I really appreciate it. I'll try my best to get into a University here, as a high school leaver or through a gradate pathway as it seems like the best option :)

  • FreddyMerc on 06/04/2019 - 12:22
    +1

    ATAR of 95 UMAT 98.9 - offers from 2 universities back in the day. You're not guaranteed an intern place when you study overseas. Better to study local.

  • searacer7 on 06/04/2019 - 12:44

    Just attend Monash College or Deakin College etc. they guarantee you entry into your desired University. and is also on the campus of the university of your choice… although it is a little pricier than Traditional university for your time there..

    check it out here:
    https://www.monashcollege.edu.au/study-areas/medicine-nursin…

    and they support the Common wealth sponsored places too, so you dont need to worry about high fees for the time being.

    personally I went though one of these colleges for my study in a different field and really enjoyed it.

    (please note: I am a domestic student)

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:56

      I'll have a look into that. Thanks:)

  • Toothfairy0412 on 06/04/2019 - 14:03

    check out medstudents online i think theyll be of greater help

    • thriller196 on 06/04/2019 - 18:56
      +1

      Thanks for that will check it out :)

  • Aneurism on 06/04/2019 - 14:05

    There are plenty of broads at beaches, cafes and nightclubs. You are bound to be able to study a broad at one of those locations.

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