Am I intelligent enough to be a medical student? (1 Viewer)

[go_cadel]

I can't answer the question in OP's case, but in general, no, you do not have to be that intelligent.
The high criteria to get in is a testament to the desirability and competition for the course, not the intelligence level required to be a medical student.
I know ATAR is not a reflection of intelligence, but people who get in with 90 ATAR (as is the case with some rural students) still manage to pass the course. So if you are confident of getting well above 90 you are probably intelligent enough to be a medical student. It doesn't mean you're going to be a good doctor though, you will certainly need to put in a lot of hard work and possess or develop other attributes (not intelligence related) for that.

 

[Kiraken]

I'd like to know if I have a chance at undergraduate or postgraduate, so I'm asking here. I am a mostly A student, but a B student in English. I'm in the top classes for English, Maths and Science, and in those classes, I'm around average. My school is ranked in the 70s for HSC.

Do I have a chance at applying for medicine, or would a medical student expected to have straight As. If you want more information about my academic ability, feel free to ask.

Just as general school advice, keep in mind that how u go academically can rly change between year 10 and the next two years. It might get more competitive too.

As long as you maintain a solid work ethic, you do not need to be especially talented to get the marks to enter medicine. But be prepared to put in some hard yards, there are plenty of people just as hungry as you to get in and you need to put a good deal of effort. Best of luck!

 

[TuQuoi]

I'm more enquiring as to whether my marks would be high enough to get into medicine, rather than my suitability as a medical student. I know that there are some very intelligent, almost genius-level people who apply to medicine each year, so I'm wondering if averagely smart/hard-working people such as myself would have a shot at medicine.

 

[enoilgam]

I'm more enquiring as to whether my marks would be high enough to get into medicine, rather than my suitability as a medical student. I know that there are some very intelligent, almost genius-level people who apply to medicine each year, so I'm wondering if averagely smart/hard-working people such as myself would have a shot at medicine.

It's hard to say with the information provided. Also, I wouldn't classify "intelligence" as being indicative of whether a person has a shot at medicine. However, aptitude and talent for academic work is a factor - to what extent is pretty debatable. I've worked as a private tutor for about 5 years, primarily specialising in average and below average students (by state performance standards). I also went to a fairly average HS and a uni with a lot of low calibre students. From those experiences, I personally don't believe that there aren't many students capable of getting 99+ and 90+ on the UMAT. I think the majority of people fail to reach their full potential, but overall I don't think it's fair to say that many have the potential to get into medicine.

All that being said, this shouldn't influence your decision, you just need to be realistic. As I said before, have a realistic expectation but dont let that stop you from giving it 100%.

 

[MilkyCat_]

year 10 marks don't count for shit

 

[JEDL]

Hardwork is one thing. There's also the UMAT/interviews component. You can't really tell how you'll do in them until you actually do them (your school's academic results doesn't really reflect these at all).

Also, no - you don't have to be a "straight As" student to get into medicine. If you check out some of the entrance criteria for certain universities you'll find they don't all require USYD's 99.95 lol. It's much better than what you probably think! Although, you still need to have a solid ATAR (like at least 95, preferably 99+).

*heart sinks*

 

[Schmeag]

I'm more enquiring as to whether my marks would be high enough to get into medicine, rather than my suitability as a medical student. I know that there are some very intelligent, almost genius-level people who apply to medicine each year, so I'm wondering if averagely smart/hard-working people such as myself would have a shot at medicine.

If you want something specific, at your level, I was scoring from As in English to Cs in Maths. This did not reflect the marks I received in later years (best subject in Maths, worst in English). I ultimately scored in the lower bracket of the ATARs being mentioned here, but scored relatively well in the UMAT. I was probably performing in the upper third in university.

Many of my 99+ friends tried to and did not make it into undergraduate medicine. Many scored poorly in the UMAT. Some are now consulting or working for the government. Those who were set on medicine but didn't manage to get in initially did biomedicine and went on to do postgraduate medicine.

You won't find an answer that relieves your uncertainty, so I would question the need to look for one. Either way, you should try and try again--don't rest on your laurels. Certainly, I would say that with recent developments, medicine is a very accessible degree if you are willing to go anywhere (don't be a university snob).

 

[sinophile]

Work ethic matters far more than 'intelligence' in university. I've seen so many smart kids who did well in high school only to crash and burn in tertiary education. I'm one of those kids so I know exactly what it feels like. I find intelligence to be a poor indicator of success. If you have the drive and put in the hard work you will make it in. I like to use a weightlifting analogy. Genetics (intelligence) can help you gain strength but if you don't train (have a good work ethic) you will amount to nothing while the guy with poor genetics but trains hard will far surpass you.

 

[Rhinoz8142]

so does yr 11

 

[Flop21]

Just check the requirements to get into the course you need to become a medical student.

You can do this by using Google.

It'll be a specific ATAR (probably 95+ depending on the uni) you need to get.

Then you need to pass the UMAT and get whatever mark required. Do all that and you are in (I think, you may have to do an interview?).

But then you've got to think if you are passionate enough to spend so many years studying. To be doing exams until you're 30 something. And willing to be competitive and handle the competitiveness of the whole industry (to get a job etc.). I've heard that you need to network especially in medicine.

Note, I am not a medical student and don't plan to be. I'm just going off basic knowledge and what my doctors have told me.

EDIT: Also your before HSC marks don't really matter. I suppose they are an indication of your potential though. And it's obvious you're an above-average student (from mainly As), so yeah I think you will certainly have a chance of getting a high ATAR if you work hard.

 

[Medman]

The answer is no considering how many bad referrals I see from GPs. It may be difficult to specialise though. Also intelligence is relative, someone may be super intelligent in medicine but crap in finances and vice versa.