Lateral Entry Program at UNSW – A Possible Alternative to Undergraduate Medicine

With the HSC® Exam exams just beginning, it is normal for you to start thinking about what UAC preferences you want to put down and it is most definitely normal to be worried about them. There is no denying that getting into undergraduate medicine is competitive, and realistically, there are not enough places available for the number of students who want to study it. I can relate to those of you who are wanting to study medicine, but just don’t think it is always possible to make it into undergraduate medicine straight out of high school.

 

What is the Lateral Entry Program?

This pathway is specifically designed for and only for Medical Science student at UNSW. It gives up to 10 students the opportunity to finish their Medical Science degree with Honours while ALSO completing a Doctor of Medicine at UNSW.

 

How does this allow you to do this?

Students apply for the program at the end of their second year. They must have completed the core 8 courses that year, and all other courses required during their time as a Medical Science student. Selection is made depending on their weighted average mark (WAM) for the first two years of Medical Science, UMAT® Exam score, and if eligible, interview score. If successful in obtaining a position in the program, students will then complete their Medical Science degree with Honours, then proceed to enter year 4 of the medicine program. All up, that’s 7 years.

 

Why should you be interested in this program?

As I mentioned above, if you’re serious about wanting to study medicine but just don’t have the competitive marks this time around, this could be an option for you. Most students out of high school choose a science degree in the hopes of preparing themselves for the GAMSAT® Exam. By choosing to study medical science, you are already introducing yourself to the sciences behind GAMSAT® Exam while also giving yourself another opportunity to enter medicine via this program. Moreover, you are graduating with two degrees while essentially still doing undergraduate medicine.

 

What can you do to give yourself the best chance?

There is no denying how competitive this pathway is. They’re basing their selection on 3 components – your WAM, UMAT® Exam score, and interview. Needless to say, you need to study hard in all three areas. Your UMAT® Exam score will probably give you the biggest boost if your WAM is not as competitive as  that of other candidates. UMAT® Exam preparation courses are great, especially if you struggled in your HSC® Exam year. It’s important to find UMAT® Exam preparation courses that offer you clear and comprehensive solutions to questions, as this is the best way to improve how you approach questions to answer them correctly. Also, find a course that allows you to focus on your weaknesses. There’s no point doing whole exams every day if you are continuously getting the same types of questions incorrect. From personal experience, UMAT® Exam preparation courses that attempt to teach concepts with more than 30 students are fruitless. Personalised UCAT practice is what makes a difference as we are all unique and have different areas of weakness we need to target. When it comes to studying your courses at university, whether it is medical science or another, the best advice I can give is to always try your best in all your assessments – no matter how big or small they are. That 2% quiz you didn’t bother studying for is the difference between getting a High Distinction and a Distinction.