HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!
I've realised school is starting again very soon and today I wanted to address the importance of choosing the right subjects. I know that a lot of people will aim to do the most challenging subjects they can find. But I'll just tell you my story and hopefully it will help you make good subject choices.
Initially I had chosen the hardest subjects. In year 11 I did specialist maths, maths studies, maths methods (A LOT OF MATHS), physics, chem, bio and english studies. It wasn't easy, but I really enjoyed the challenge. Anywho, I had no real idea of what career I wanted to do in Yr 12, so I chose my subjects at the end of year 11 based on which subjects would give me the most career options. So, I chose Maths Studies, Chem, Physics and English Studies. (NOTE: I'm from South Australia where we only need 4 subjects and we need to pass the research project - which is the easiest subject ever created) But during the summer holidays before Year 12, I was lucky enough to go to the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra (you apply in yr 11 and do your best to get selected! It's really worth going!!! http://www.nysf.edu.au/). Whilst there, I was placed in Florey, the biomed group and I was surrounded by students who were super ambitious and all wanted to be doctors. I guess their passion to combine their love for science and their love for helping others kind of rubbed off on me. As soon as I got back, I was determined to give "getting into medicine" a really good go. I talked to a few people about what was the best way to do this and it turns out the the biggest choice I had to make was to change my school subjects to something which would maximise my atar AND give me enough time to practice UMAT during year 12. SO I did change out of a couple of subjects and made room for Biology.
(If you're in year 11, you'll have even more time to practice UMAT, but you shouldn't feel too comfortable about that! Some people spend years studying for the UMAT, even after yr 12)
This turned out to be pretty hard, emotionally for me. I really enjoyed the subjects I originally chose because the teachers were amazing and the students in these classes were my closest friends. But I knew that it was the right decision to make, so I kept persevering in this decision. Of course, it would have been easier if I decided to choose these subjects BEFORE the timetable had been made. But in the end it turned out well anyway. So from what would have been a super hard study filled year, it became an cruisier year of school with enough time to practice UMAT at night.
Some top tips for students picking yr 12 or 11 SACE subjects (but it might apply for other states too)
1) Pick what you are good at - You'll need as high an ATAR as you can get
2) Don't try to challenge yourself too much, unless you are sure you are an A straight genius student, UMAT will be a big enough challenge for you to pass
3) Only trim down your other options (eg. dropping physics) if you are SUPER SURE you want to be a HAPPY spending the rest of your life as a doctor or a dentist
4) Research the prerequisite subjects of the course you want
for Example, at James Cook Uni in Townsville, although you won't need UMAT to apply for med there, you will need to have done Maths Studies.
ADDITIONALLY, if you want to keep your options open interstate, you will need to have completed ESL, English Coms or English Studies.
5) Stay strong. Once you've made a final decision, don't let people sway you out of it.
For me, the hardest part was this one. My friends and teachers wanted me back in the classes I dropped but I just had to stick with what I had chosen. After a while I got used to being in different classes, but I did miss my friends a lot! I got to see them at lunch, but that's not the same... Ultimately, it comes down to fun vs future... future is more important.
OK guys,
If you're in year twelve, its not too late to change your subjects. I changed mine on the first day of year 12!
Good Luck!
I'm not trying to scare you, but I want you to know what you are getting yourself into.
It won't be easy, but if Med/Dent is what you really really want, it will be worth it.
Annie
Here's a copy and paste section of the Adelaide Uni Website:
This is what the uni expects from you guys,
but the reality is, to get into med,
1) you'll need a good UMAT (aim for higher than mid 80 percentile in Adelaide)
2) you'll need an amazing interview
3) you'll need a high atar. Even though minimum score is 90, all candidates are ranked and only the top group of people will get offers. Be in that top group!
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/degree-finder/bmbbs_bmbbs.html
Year 12 applicants
An Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 90 or above must be achieved. You must sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and top UMAT performers must also attend a structured oral assessment. Applications will be ranked on the basis of all 3 components: the UMAT, oral assessment and ATAR.
RURAL BACKGROUND ENTRY (USE SATAC CODE 314552): Applicants who have at least 5 years in an area with an Australian Standard Geographic Classification - Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) of AGS - RA 2-5 since beginning primary school are eligible to apply under the Rural Background Entry Pathway. Please refer to the Department of Health and Aging's website to search the classification of your location. To be considered in the Rural Background Entry subquota, applicants must apply via SATAC in the normal way. Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC which confirms that they have spent at least five years in a rural area (Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) of AGS - RA 2-5) since beginning primary school. A Statutory Declaration form can be downloaded at www.health.adelaide.edu.au/tracking.
Prerequisites 
SACE Stage 2: Biology or Chemistry or Mathematical Studies. IB: Biology (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Chemistry (SL grade 4/HL grade 3) or Mathematics (SL grade 4/HL grade 3).
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