I need some direction..

[Starlight]

It won't be long until I have to choose subjects for second year and i'm pretty certain I want to do optometry in the future.. I just have a couple of questions.

If i'm away all December, Is it still possible to do well in the gamsat?


If I failed the Gamsat in both years 2 and 3 of undergrad, what would be the best backup majors for employment?
This is what I am most worried about (I haven't done the prereqs for eng, all majors that are possible for me are practically under the 'life sciences' category)

These are the subjects i'll probably have to do next year if I were to consider optom.

Breadth: Genetics, health and society (sem 1)

Biochemistry and molecular biology (sem1/sem2)

Principles of human structure (sem 1/sem 2)

Optics: From Rainbows to digital imaging (sem 2)<-- I haven't done physics.

So that leaves either 3 subjects open for sem 1 or 3 subjects open for sem 2.

[simpak]

1. Yes.  Look at me! I didn't take the GAMSAT last year and get back from the US late January, still taking it in March.  Barely studied before I left too.

2.  You could do honours and take the GAMSAT again, or take a year off and take it again...I'm not sure 'failing' the GAMSAT is the right way to put it.  Also, you can take it in September so if you're super concerned about how you go in March you could try taking it then. Or, if you're uncomfortable with going away in December (not that you have any need to be) you could take it September 2013 and then March 2014 to make up your two tests.

But presuming you do go into other employment...
What kind of major would interest you? Something else in the biological sciences?  If you stick to the med prereqs plus a practical subject (eg Techniques) you leave a lot open. I liked the second year Micro stuff but it's not for everyone.  In terms of employment without a higher qualification I'd be looking at Pathology and Micro stuff so you could go into lab work.  If you are considering postgrad aside from Optom then maybe think about what you'd like to research for a PhD or Masters.  Cell biology (like developmental biology) and Neuroscience are both interesting but less 'practical' fields.

By the way, you don't have to take Physiology for Optom? I feel like, because you said three subjects and only mentioned four, it's meant to be on the list maybe? :3

[thushan]

Have you considered applying for Optometry at Deakin? They take in graduate students as well as undergraduate students. GAMSAT is not required.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/health/medicine/optometry/faq.php

[Starlight]

Have you considered applying for Optometry at Deakin? They take in graduate students as well as undergraduate students. GAMSAT is not required.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/health/medicine/optometry/faq.php

Wow I didn't even know this, thanks for that! Geelong though :S I suppose that might be something to consider if Melbourne doesn't work out for me, would you expect the current entry criteria to change in a couple of years time, say becoming solely based on your atar?

Edit: Have you heard of a "STAT Multiple Choice test"?

1. Yes.  Look at me! I didn't take the GAMSAT last year and get back from the US late January, still taking it in March.  Barely studied before I left too.

2.  You could do honours and take the GAMSAT again, or take a year off and take it again...I'm not sure 'failing' the GAMSAT is the right way to put it.  Also, you can take it in September so if you're super concerned about how you go in March you could try taking it then. Or, if you're uncomfortable with going away in December (not that you have any need to be) you could take it September 2013 and then March 2014 to make up your two tests.

But presuming you do go into other employment...
What kind of major would interest you? Something else in the biological sciences?  If you stick to the med prereqs plus a practical subject (eg Techniques) you leave a lot open. I liked the second year Micro stuff but it's not for everyone.  In terms of employment without a higher qualification I'd be looking at Pathology and Micro stuff so you could go into lab work.  If you are considering postgrad aside from Optom then maybe think about what you'd like to research for a PhD or Masters.  Cell biology (like developmental biology) and Neuroscience are both interesting but less 'practical' fields.

By the way, you don't have to take Physiology for Optom? I feel like, because you said three subjects and only mentioned four, it's meant to be on the list maybe? :3

Oh i didn't know you were planning on doing the gamsat

Yeah you're right, this is what it says:

"Grade point average in an undergraduate degree which includes a tertiary subject (at any level) in Physics or Optics, plus three 2nd or 3rd year subjects: one in Anatomy or Cell Biology; and two in any of the Molecular, Cellular or Physiological sciences"

Would it be okay to leave the other prereqs for 3rd year? :S

[thushan]

Have you considered applying for Optometry at Deakin? They take in graduate students as well as undergraduate students. GAMSAT is not required.

http://www.deakin.edu.au/health/medicine/optometry/faq.php

Wow I didn't even know this, thanks for that! Geelong though :S I suppose that might be something to consider if Melbourne doesn't work out for me, would you expect the current entry criteria to change in a couple of years time, say becoming solely based on your atar?

Unlikely - unless they disallow graduate students from applying - grad students would not be assessed on their ATAR.

[Russ]

You won't be required to do the STAT, unless you plan to take 5 years off

[Starlight]

Thanks guys you have definitely given me some food for thought

[RalphWiggum]

Wow I didn't even know this, thanks for that! Geelong though :S I suppose that might be something to consider if Melbourne doesn't work out for me, would you expect the current entry criteria to change in a couple of years time, say becoming solely based on your atar?


Unlikely - unless they disallow graduate students from applying - grad students would not be assessed on their ATAR.

so, If i do science/biomed and apply for optometry, are you saying they won't look at my ATAR when i apply? (sorry I'm a noob with this)