Studying Optometry/Ophthalmology (1 Viewer)

[WhoStanLeee]

Hi,

I'm looking to possibly study Medicine and a Degree in Optometry/Ophthalmology at UNSW in 2016.

Does anyone know about the process of getting in Medicine as well as a degree in the specialised fields? I know I have to do the UMAT , etc... but what marks am I looking to aim for?

Regards,
Stanley Hu

 

[Xt]

Hey Stan, offers for medicine at UNSW is decided by a ranking system that incorporates UMAT, ATAR, and Interview score equally. To maximises your chances you should probably be aiming for at least 99 ATAR as well as a 90 percentile UMAT. While those scores are preferable you can still gain entrance with a low ATAR (minimum is 96) if you have a really high UMAT (99 - 100 percentile) and vice versa - you can look at the table of scores required for an interview on the UNSW webpage or somewhere around on this forum, this will give you the exact combination of ATAR + UMAT to get an interview.

Not sure on the entrance scores for Optometry but you should be aware that Ophthalmology and Optometry are different fields. While they are both eye specialist, Ophthalmology requires a Medical Degree, as well as completion of an Internship as a Junior doctor, followed by a further 5 years of training in specialty colleges. All up, it will take at least 13 years to become a registered Ophthalmologist (takes 6 years for optometry).

For more information, you should probably visit medstudentsonline

 

[iSplicer]

Hey Stan, offers for medicine at UNSW is decided by a ranking system that incorporates UMAT, ATAR, and Interview score equally. To maximises your chances you should probably be aiming for at least 99 ATAR as well as a 90 percentile UMAT. While those scores are preferable you can still gain entrance with a low ATAR (minimum is 96) if you have a really high UMAT (99 - 100 percentile) and vice versa - you can look at the table of scores required for an interview on the UNSW webpage or somewhere around on this forum, this will give you the exact combination of ATAR + UMAT to get an interview.

Not sure on the entrance scores for Optometry but you should be aware that Ophthalmology and Optometry are different fields. While they are both eye specialist, Ophthalmology requires a Medical Degree, as well as completion of an Internship as a Junior doctor, followed by a further 5 years of training in specialty colleges. All up, it will take at least 13 years to become a registered Ophthalmologist (takes 6 years for optometry).

For more information, you should probably visit medstudentsonline

Fantastic reply. Also worth noting that opthom. is one of the most competitive medical specialties. Most of your competitors will be holding research degrees.

You should start cramming for a 99.75+ ATAR and 90+ UMAT - that's the best thing you can do for yourself at this stage.

 

[will_]

lol

 

[Brukki]

Hey Stan, offers for medicine at UNSW is decided by a ranking system that incorporates UMAT, ATAR, and Interview score equally. To maximises your chances you should probably be aiming for at least 99 ATAR as well as a 90 percentile UMAT. While those scores are preferable you can still gain entrance with a low ATAR (minimum is 96) if you have a really high UMAT (99 - 100 percentile) and vice versa - you can look at the table of scores required for an interview on the UNSW webpage or somewhere around on this forum, this will give you the exact combination of ATAR + UMAT to get an interview.

Not sure on the entrance scores for Optometry but you should be aware that Ophthalmology and Optometry are different fields. While they are both eye specialist, Ophthalmology requires a Medical Degree, as well as completion of an Internship as a Junior doctor, followed by a further 5 years of training in specialty colleges. All up, it will take at least 13 years to become a registered Ophthalmologist (takes 6 years for optometry).

For more information, you should probably visit medstudentsonline

useful info

 

[WhoStanLeee]

Hey Stan, offers for medicine at UNSW is decided by a ranking system that incorporates UMAT, ATAR, and Interview score equally. To maximises your chances you should probably be aiming for at least 99 ATAR as well as a 90 percentile UMAT. While those scores are preferable you can still gain entrance with a low ATAR (minimum is 96) if you have a really high UMAT (99 - 100 percentile) and vice versa - you can look at the table of scores required for an interview on the UNSW webpage or somewhere around on this forum, this will give you the exact combination of ATAR + UMAT to get an interview.

Not sure on the entrance scores for Optometry but you should be aware that Ophthalmology and Optometry are different fields. While they are both eye specialist, Ophthalmology requires a Medical Degree, as well as completion of an Internship as a Junior doctor, followed by a further 5 years of training in specialty colleges. All up, it will take at least 13 years to become a registered Ophthalmologist (takes 6 years for optometry).

For more information, you should probably visit medstudentsonline

Wow, I wrote this post almost a year ago...I have a much better understanding about the system now, but thanks so much for all your replies! Right now I'm dishing up between a combined degree doing Actuarial Studies with a Bachelor of Science, or sticking with MED? Thoughts?

 

[Xt]

Wow, I wrote this post almost a year ago...I have a much better understanding about the system now, but thanks so much for all your replies! Right now I'm dishing up between a combined degree doing Actuarial Studies with a Bachelor of Science, or sticking with MED? Thoughts?

Guess that depends on you. Why are you considering Actuarial and Medicine, what are the motivations/reasons underlying your choices?

 

[BlugyBlug]

Guess that depends on you. Why are you considering Actuarial and Medicine, what are the motivations/reasons underlying your choices?

Yeah, true. Actuary and Medicine are so completely different fields that there's no way to make a good argument for either. It really boils down to your personal motivations.

Personally I can't stand statistical math/probability and the like so I'd stay on the science side of things. I like calculus/algebraic math, though.