University: The University of Western Australia

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Anatomy and Human Biology

School Subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Mathematics Methods, English

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Introduction

Hi guys, I’m James McEvoy and this is my journey through the first 2 years of uni at UWA. In Year 12, I had my heart set on getting into medical school at either UWA or Curtin; however, that wasn’t to be. Year 12 is an undoubtedly stressful time, and it can feel like a bit of an ‘all or nothing’ period, but I’m writing this today to reassure you guys that your dreams can still come to fruition even if your Plan A doesn’t work out.

Anatomy and Human Biology

Still determined to get into medical school postgrad, I chose to major in Anatomy and Human Biology, which I’m incredibly grateful for to this day. In just 2 years, I now have an extensive understanding of all the components of the human body and can accurately identify anatomical features through a microscope. Being able to make sense of what we are as humans and how all our organs work to sustain us has been an incredibly rewarding experience that I would highly recommend to anyone fascinated by the human body. Like most undergrads, although prior knowledge from Human Biology ATAR would be useful, it is definitely not necessary.

Each unit (subject) in the degree usually has between 2-3 lectures a week and 1 lab session. In each lecture, the lecturer will usually cover 1 key topic (e.g. the pancreas and how it functions) with the aid of a PowerPoint. These lectures are always recorded, meaning you can review them whenever it is most convenient for you. However, the labs are in-person and can be anything from a dissection to looking at cadavers to using a microscope. In total, depending on the unit, there will be ~2 hours of in-person work and 2-3 hours of lectures per week. Although this major is a large time commitment, it is incredibly worthwhile. All the effort you put in will be rewarded with high grades and the satisfaction of understanding a whole lot more about the human body.

Finally, under the umbrella of ‘Human Biology’ exist many highly specialised units. For example, ones that focus solely on the reproductive system or microscopic anatomy. For me personally, I am not the biggest fan of embryology, so having the choice to choose and study only what interests me is definitely one of the highlights of this degree for me.

Getting into Medical School

As the majority of the people who do my major are aspiring to get into medical school, I feel it is worth sharing my experience about what it takes to be a successful candidate for postgrad med. The first ‘hurdle’ is the GPA, which is essentially just the grades you get in each of your units at uni. A ‘High Distinction’ (a.k.a. HD) is 7 points, a ‘Distinction’ is 6 points, and so on. To give yourself a good shot at getting into med school, I would recommend aiming for a GPA of at least 6.7, which is definitely doable with hard work, dedication, and a few late nights.

The second step is the GAMSAT, which you can sit twice in both the second and third years of your undergrad degree. This is quite a hefty time commitment, but what I found is that as long as you leave yourself at least three months to prepare for it, you should do well. I would highly recommend using your summer breaks to study for GAMSAT in March to maximise your chance of doing well. Again, it is tough to say, but I would recommend aiming for a score of 70 and higher to put yourself in a really good position. The final step is the interview, which I am yet to do myself. I hope in the future, once I have completed it, I’ll be able to pass on some tips on how to best prepare for it.

Navigating Uni Life

Uni really is the time of your life. Some of my fondest memories and best friends have been made in the 2 years I’ve spent at uni. That being said, the independence that comes with uni can feel ‘jarring’ at first. Going from a school environment where you have the support of your teachers to having the onus fully on you is a major change, one which surprised me and many others. When venturing into the ‘unknown environment’ that is uni, be patient and go easy on yourself. It’s a learning experience and one I am still figuring out for myself.

As a final note, look forward to this coming chapter of your life. Get involved in the clubs. Be vulnerable and do things that are out of your comfort zone. It may be daunting, it may make you anxious, but it will be incredibly rewarding.