UNSW Medicine Questions

UNSW Medicine Questions- 2015

Q) Where did you attend primary school(s)? Where did you attend secondary school(s)? (50 words)

Having commenced my primary education in Muscat, Oman, I completed one year of secondary schooling in Calgary, Canada. Following my family’s relocation to South Australia, I completed the remainder of my secondary education in Marryatville High School, Adelaide.

Q) Which are (or were) your two favourite and your two least favoured subjects in your final year at school or in your most recent university studies? (50 words)

Throughout Year 12, my favourite subjects were Chemistry and Maths Studies, with personal passion for the topics covered playing a major role in influencing my choice. Despite enjoying all my

subjects, my least favoured choices were Specialist Mathematics and English, due to a lack of practical side to these disciplines.

Q) Tell us about your involvement in community activities/voluntary work.

(200 words)

Prior to moving to Australia, I was engaged in a wide variety of community activities both in Oman as well as in Canada. As a primary school student, I was involved for more than five years raising awareness of the situation disabled children in poorer parts of Oman were forced to face, as well as raising funds within and around my local community for charities associated with making their lives better. I was also associated with the yearly collection of food and clothing within my district, which were donated to needy members of our locale.

Following my family’s emigration to Australia, I resumed my participation within the community. During my gap year, I was given a chance to volunteer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, an exciting opportunity that gave me an insight into the daily life of a public medical centre. Having being involved in numerous tasks, ranging from transporting patients around the hospital to serving food in the oncology and radiation wards, the experience was undoubtedly crucial in allowing me get a first-hand idea of what health professionals face regularly.

Q) Please list any experience of work you have had so far. (150

words)

As part of my school work experience program in Year 10, I worked in a pizzeria, which posed a wide variety of challenges in itself, including customer service, communication, cash handling and multitasking. These abilities translated into my job during my gap year, where I worked as a cashier in a fast food restaurant. Due to the high number of customer interactions on a daily basis, I was given the opportunity to develop my interpersonal skills, as well as face the seemingly daunting task of dealing with a variety of consumers in different moods. However, I believe that these skills will be vital in the life of a health professional, as regular interactions with patients is one of the most important aspects of medicine.

Q) Tell us about your interests, hobbies or sports. Any special achievements in these areas? (200 words)

I have always been interested engaging in sports as a co-curricular activity, and have been pursuing tennis voraciously for the past seven years. Despite entering and having won a few tournaments as well, I more enjoy playing the sport socially, as I’ve done so for the past year. Team sports such as cricket and soccer are also personal favourites, and I’ve been lucky enough to represent my school for the latter. I love following the sport of soccer around the world, and have tried my hand at writing match reports for some of the most important games of each season.

I’ve also been playing the guitar for the past eight years, and have completed a range of musical appearance exams as well. At present though, I am playing it more as a personal instrument as I feel that I can fully and thoroughly express myself through it.

One of my most favoured hobbies is reading classic books, and I’m a keen reader of novellas written in the 18th and 19th centuries. I also enjoy learning new languages, as well as becoming more proficient in the ones already studied (French, Hindi and Tamil).

Q) What are your main reasons for wanting to study medicine? (450 words)

As a young boy, a routine visit to the doctor was something that I looked forward to.

Whilst not many people are keen about getting sick or injured and paying a visit to their physician, the experience of looking at how my doctor handled his patients, as well as the ease with which he successfully deduced what I needed in order to get better, was something that both fascinated and intrigued me. As I progressed both in school and maturity, my fascination with the profession slowly turned into interest in the subject of medicine, as well as with the emotional investment a doctor makes with each one of his patients. While there were many exercises I undertook to comprehend more about the career during this time, including reading about different pathways to becoming a health professional, talking to specialists in the field, and shadowing my family GP, there was no bigger eye-opener than in my gap year, during my time volunteering with the Royal Adelaide Hospital. During my first few weeks as a guide, the stark contrast between the sombre faces of patients when they first came into the clinic, against their happiness when they were leaving, rushing to get home, left an indelible mark on myself, and as I spent more weeks there, I came to the realisation that this was all due to the tireless work of a team of dedicated health professionals. Moreover, during a conversation with a fellow volunteer and a good friend of mine who had recently undergone chemotherapy, she let me know

that one of the biggest aspects of her successful treatment was her relationship with her doctor. This further exemplified the direct impact a health professional has on their patient’s life, both physically and psychologically, and it showed to me that a career in medicine would certainly satisfy my sense of duty.

As a doctor, one can walk into a room and within a few minutes of meeting a patient, be deeply involved in some of the most intimate moments of their lives. The trust and compassion between both is something that speaks volumes to me, and while the road to becoming a senior doctor is a long one filled with challenges, I would definitely enjoy both the intellectual and emotional rewards that such a career provides. My aspiration for not only giving back to my community, but also serving mankind, will no doubt make a difference to future generations, and I strongly believe that the study of medicine will allow me to realise this dream.

Q) What personal characteristics do you think doctors should have and why? (350 words)

Personally, I feel one of the most important traits every health professional should possess is patience. During particularly busy days, a doctor might have to diagnose a number of patients, and if rushed, could lead to them getting incorrect care for their symptoms. Hence I strongly believe a good doctor should dig deeper and ask a few more questions than they need to, in order to have a better understanding of the physiology of their patients, and therefore make better judgements.

Furthermore, one of the characteristics every medical professional should possess is empathy. I strongly feel a good doctor is not only a good physician, but also a good counsellor. The relationship between patients and health professionals is arguably one of the most important aspects of medicine, and with doctors having the ability to understand and share the apprehensions of people that come to them, the patient might find it more comfortable confiding in them, thus giving the doctor a clearer idea of their scenario.

Additionally, I feel that no medical professional should ever be judgemental. As a doctor, one should be not only wise in judgement, but also be respectful of autonomy, and should make every decision with the patient’s best interest at heart, regardless of ethnicity, lifestyle choices or conduct. This plays a vital role in ensuring successful treatment for them.

Lastly, but certainly not the least, a doctor must be willing to be open-minded and agreeable to being a constant learner throughout his life. With the rapid emergence of new technology in medicine, as well as advancements in fields such as genetics, it is imperative that a good doctor is able to adapt to change in order to keep up with the future. After all, the field of medicine is one of the broadest disciplines of science, and by keeping up-to-date, doctors will be able to provide best care they can to patients.

Q) Optional closing statement [Is there anything else you might want to add] (200 words)

From a young age, I’ve always been attracted to the field of medicine, and the amazing and rewarding opportunities it allows graduates to pursue. Now, as a student out from high school, I have a chance to realise my dream of giving back to mankind. Whilst I am aware the road to becoming a successful doctor might pose some rigorous challenges, I feel confident that I have the personal desire and ability to become successful.

I would love to be given an opportunity to study at the University of New South Wales, one of the top universities in the world. With a unique medicine course, and an internationally recognized research program, I feel it would be the perfect stepping-stone towards commencing my goal of becoming a successful health professional.

I appreciate your taking the time to read this application. Thank you for your consideration.