Question

[ealam2]

Hi guys!
Just wanted to ask if it is worth it to do UMAT next year when I'm in year 12 even if I don't really want to be a doctor, dentist or whatever practicing medicine field.

However I am hoping to pursue a career as a medical research scientist or just a scientific researcher in genetics, microbiology or maybe immunology. (haha if I can  )

I know that you have to pay $210 for this and I'm not intending to practice a whole lot for UMAT, just maybe do a few practice samples if I am going to do it. I don't have a job and parents are a bit tight on money to pay bills, buy food etc.

Thanks in advance for all the advice!

[pi]

In all honesty, if you think there's no chance of you wanting to do med, dent, etc. then there's really no point in doing the UMAT.

[alondouek]

^This.

I never had any intention of doing Med/Dent etc etc, but was pretty focused on Biomed at Melbourne or Monash, leaning towards Monash for the double-degree option.

So, there was no practical reason for me to sit the UMAT - so I didn't. I was pretty happy about that, seeing the level to which some of my friends freaked out about it.

It's not really worth the money, the time and the effort if you're not doing it for a direct purpose.

[ealam2]

Okay thanks guys! It's just that most of my friends are doing it next year and telling me to do it when I'm not really sure about medicine.

[datfatcat]

Okay thanks guys! It's just that most of my friends are doing it next year and telling me to do it when I'm not really sure about medicine.

Are you not sure about medicine or you are certain that medicine isn't for you?  If there is a 0.00.....1% chance that you may consider medicine, you should do the UMAT.  But if you are certain that medicine isn't for you. Then don't do umat.

P.S I can see you are from Glenny as well

[Charmz]

Personally I feel as though I shouldn't have sat the UMAT. I did it for my parents and to keep my options open. I was certain I didn't want to do med at the time but I kept thinking about whether id change my mind. If you know med/dent/etc aren't for you, then there's no point doing UMAT. Plus its not cheap and if you do happen to change your mind, there are always post grad options and also universities which don't require UMAT.

[ealam2]

Are you not sure about medicine or you are certain that medicine isn't for you?  If there is a 0.00.....1% chance that you may consider medicine, you should do the UMAT.  But if you are certain that medicine isn't for you. Then don't do umat.

P.S I can see you are from Glenny as well

I am certain that medicine isn't for me. (at least being a doctor) (I'm not really a hands-on person and if something awful happens, I don't know what I'd do then.) Yeah haha!

And Charmz thanks for your advice.

[datfatcat]

You do not have to do UMAT in order to become a scientific researcher in genetics, microbiology or immunology.  I think studying biomedicine or science (major in biology) can lead you to that pathway. 

P.S.
Studying medicine can lead you to different pathways tbh.  There are researchers who have a MBBS degree, and some become writers, politicians etc. once they graduate from Med school

[gibsonaxxxs]

Okay thanks guys! It's just that most of my friends are doing it next year and telling me to do it when I'm not really sure about medicine.

Don't do the UMAT if:
- You hate the idea of medicine. It literally disgusts you. You're sure that you would never be a doctor
- You hate the idea of dentistry
- You don't classify as a rural student and know you won't get 95+ ATAR
- You aren't prepared to practice in rural areas and know you won't get 97+ ATAR

Otherwise, I'd recommend finding out a bit more about medicine if you're able to. What it entails, what working as a doctor is like, what studying is like. Make an informed decision that you would really hate to be a doctor before you cut out the UMAT.

Feel free to contact me if you want more info

[ealam2]

Don't do the UMAT if:
- You hate the idea of medicine. It literally disgusts you. You're sure that you would never be a doctor
- You hate the idea of dentistry
- You don't classify as a rural student and know you won't get 95+ ATAR
- You aren't prepared to practice in rural areas and know you won't get 97+ ATAR

Otherwise, I'd recommend finding out a bit more about medicine if you're able to. What it entails, what working as a doctor is like, what studying is like. Make an informed decision that you would really hate to be a doctor before you cut out the UMAT.

Feel free to contact me if you want more info

Thank you!