About Emma's Journey to Medicine

NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP

Hi there! My name is Emma and I am currently a third year medical student at Deakin University.

I am making this website for those with a passion for medicine. For those, like me, who struggled on the way to medical school. I hope that with the experiences I have had, I might be able to help somebody else out there to avoid struggling quite as much as I did!

My story: I applied for medical school for 7 consecutive years 2011-2017 before finally being accepted. I have sat the dreaded GAMSAT over 10 times between 2009-2017 (March and September), interviewed at two medical schools (Wollongong and Notre Dame) and have a big pile of medical school application rejection letters (emails of death). 

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Through my journey of trial and error during university, med applications and experiences through medical school so far I have picked up a few things that really helped me along the way. I would LOVE to share any of these helpful resources and tips that have gotten me to where I am today with you to make your journey a little easier in any way I can - and to always remind you, that if I can do it, YOU can do it!

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Background: prior to Medical School, I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Deakin University in 2011. I then went on to complete a Honours year at the University of Melbourne: researching the involvement of polarity genes in placental pathologies such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and gestational diabetes - for which I was awarded a scholarship for my novel findings and high work ethic in 2012. I then completed a Post Graduate Human Nutrition Degree at Deakin University in 2014 before finally being accepted into Deakin's Medical School program 2017. I put this here to show that even with all of this study, experience and hard work behind me I still struggled to get into medical school, it's hard. If you are struggling as well, you are not alone, and you are good enough - keep going!

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Extra info: Since beginning medical school I have also become the Vice Chair, Social Media Manager and Geelong Representative of the Australian Medical Associations Women in Medicine Subcommittee, The Founder and President of a new mentoring program between undergraduate students and medical students assisting those seeking help with medical school applications and interviews: Med Mentors, a nominee for the 2019 Australian Medical Associations Presidents Award for advocacy work in medicine, and a committee member on Deakin University Medical School's Student Society MeDUSA's new Obstetric and Gynaecology Society. I have also helped run Deakin's Nutrition in Medicine University Club, been part of AMSA's Code Green initiative, been invited by Deakin University Faculty to speak to undergraduate students at leadership and career advice events and am due to be published in an upcoming obstetric textbook. I tell you this only to show that even if you struggle on your journey to get into medical school that does not mean you can't achieve all of your dreams and more in your future - as long as you never give up!