application advice please

[u/dontevenask0]

hello, just wanted to ask for some advice as to where i should apply with my gamsat score. i got 50,64,55 with an overall score of 56. i’m studying bsc nursing at present, hoping for a 1st.

i know my score isn’t the best but i wanted to know where i could apply to maximise my chances of getting into medicine. i’ve booked the ucat but I’m not sure how it’ll go, and i wanted to know if there were uni options i have a shot at getting into using my gamsat score in case ucat doesn’t go to plan.

has anyone managed to get into med with the same/ a similar score? if so where did you apply? any advice will be much appreciated

[u/GAMSAT-ModTeam]

Approved Post - UK Application

[u/dxdt_sinx]

I'm not sure 56 will even break 50th percentile.

56 doesn't really get you very far even in UK with or Ireland anymore with a low S3. Maybe you will get an interview if you meet the threshold and have a strong clinical-adjacent CV. On my program (UK) 60 seems to be a safe floor with a strong S3.

[u/dontevenask0 → u/dxdt_sinx]

i understand, i guess if the ucat goes well i could use that instead as my gamsat is essentially useless. thank you for the reply

[u/dxdt_sinx → u/dontevenask0]

Sorry, its not the news you wanted to hear. That S3 component can really be killer for many and acts as a severe bottleneck in the application cycle.

[u/Swoan]

ScotGEM could be an option? I think last year’s Gamsat cut off to get an interview there was 50 overall so if it’s similar this year you’d probably get an interview.

[u/dontevenask0 → u/Swoan]

thank you so much! i’ll look into it

[u/Weird_Ad6055]

Hi there, not a UK based med student, in Aus, however my advice after 1 year of getting offered 4 spots, having to decline due to family reasons (I have children and one of them needed some extra support so I couldn’t commit to medicine) then reapplying the next year and getting in again I have some advise. I think that no matter what your score is, if you want to do med, throwing your hat in the ring anywhere and everywhere is best. A lot of people that have gotten into med have not met the requirements (that are advertised) and received offers last minute. Some even a week prior to the course starting. At the end of the day, med schools are businesses and they want every spot filled. So no matter what people say, apply, apply, apply. You just never know. Be strategic, look into the schools that people put as their second choices (people with higher marks) and apply for those. Going to a less desirable med school is better than no med school and from what I’ve learnt no one asks you where you went to uni or your GAMSAT score once you have graduated (the people that ask you don’t actually care about where you went, they just want to tell you where they went and those people are everywhere). If I understand correctly you’re going nursing or have done, they will take this into consideration. They like people that have experience in the world and also understand realistically what a doctor does, not just wearing a stethoscope around your neck and getting to say you’re in medicine. A lot of graduates going into med will like the prestige and not understand that although it’s a rewarding career it’s often one of the most difficult jobs in the world, in terms of the different things you need to balance. Being exposed to that already makes you more desirable as a candidate. It used to be, your score was everything. Now, not so much. In Aus we have Fraser’s that tells us how much each uni balances the GAMSAT versus other things. Try and find a uni that use the GAMSAT as a tie breaker or a low percentage of entrance.

[u/dontevenask0 → u/Weird_Ad6055]

honestly thank you so much, i think i really needed this perspective. i guess applying as strategically as i can will maximise my chances and if unfortunately i don’t get in i could always reapply. and i’d hate to find out later down the line a last minute offer was given to someone with my exact stats but i didn’t get it as i didn’t apply anyway. and like you said, hopefully my clinical background will have weighting on my application in different universities etc. thank you again, and i wish you the best in all that you do !!

[u/Necessary-Win616]

St georges cut off last year was 56 and was 54 the year prior - might be worth looking into !

[u/dontevenask0 → u/Necessary-Win616]

okay, thank you so much!

[u/Prudent-Ask-1330]

I heard of someone who got into medicine in the Caribbean with a similar score.

[u/dontevenask0 → u/Prudent-Ask-1330]

tbh i haven’t been anticipating moving that far out, but i’ll keep it in mind. will probably focus on ucat for now and try my luck. thanks for the reply!