Johannesburg, South Africa
First attempt
- Start by nurturing a passion to become a doctor for as long as you can remember
- Add a natural aptitude for science and technology
- Participate (and perform well) in sport (first team rugby), cultural activities (play the piano from age 7) and academics at school (and be a prefect)
- Get a basic first aid certificate
- Donate spare time to volunteer work in hospitals and clinics
- Complete an IEB matric at a Jo'burg private school with results that are good enough to be offered a place in electrical engineering (where the academic entry requirements are higher than for medicine)
- Apply for entry into first year medicine at Wits Medical School (2001)
- Complete a Bachelor of Science degree in human anatomy and physiology at the University of the Witwatersrand
- Make special arrangements to complete a basic life support (BLS) training course from the American Heart Association (this course is run for qualified healthcare professionals) - Get higher test results than qualified healthcare professionals who are on the course with you
- Continue volunteer work at a christian primary healthcare clinic
- Make rural hospital visits with an old (practicing) professor of surgery
- Apply for entry into the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) at Wits Medical School with a respected surgeon as your referee (2004)
- Accept an offer to join the experimental physiology honours class at Wits Medical School
- Contribute to the medical research community by collecting cardiovascular data that is published in the American Journal of Physiology
- Help second year medical students in physiology lab tutorials (one of whom didn't know what diarrhoea is and another who was repeating second year medicine for the 3rd time - painful, but true stories)
- Apply for entry into GEMP at Wits Medical School again, this time with an A rated physiology Professor as your referee (2005)
- Get excited when you are short listed for an interview
- Mention that you want to "help people" during the interview
- Have the dean of student affairs warp your answers and talk over you for the remainder of the 'interview'
- Reinvent yourself
- Get on with life in a completely different field, continue to "help people" in other ways and don't feel too bad that the only thing you've really sucked at so far (in spite of a rather wasted medical background), is getting in to study medicine at Wits Medical School...
481 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 481 of 481Still waiting as well
I have been following this blog religiously for a while now. My girlfriend wrote the WAPT this year and passed. She just got her offer email (I guess this is the early acceptance that was referred to in the mail that the people received). She logged into the student centre and she has been made a firm offer on the website. Upon clicking the accept button the site crashed and the button disappeared but the comment still shows that and offer has been made. Just some stats that we heard on the WAPT this year. About +-740 students wrote with about 130 passing. Unfortunately I don't know how many spots are available. For those that have not yet received feedback, good luck there is still hope.
Hey Guys and Gals
I also received my early offer yesterday early morning at around 9AM. I have attached the letter at the end of this post so that future generations of aspiring GEMP students would have a few less questions in the future. I've been informed that the early offers were all made yesterday and that all the other offers will be made approximately on the 15th December 2015.
Below is the letter they sent with the early offers which were made. Students got their WAPT results on the 3rd November 2015 and Early offers were made on the 27th November 2015 (Approximately 3 and a half weeks later- Not bad at all WITS).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr (REMOVED)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Year of Study 3) in 2016
We refer you to our previous correspondence wherein we acknowledged and welcomed your application. This
letter is part of our on-going communication with you.
We are pleased to offer you a place in the above programme/s.
Note that before enrolment can take place, the University requires you to make an upfront payment of R9340. This
is not in addition to the tuition fees. It will be off-set against your fees after registration. This must be paid at any
Standard Bank branch, account number 002891697, branch code 004805, IBS number 131B. Your Wits person
number is your reference number. Please note that all cheques need to be bank guaranteed.
To secure this offer for the Health Sciences program:
• A non-refundable deposit of R3000 will be required. Pay this within 14 days of date of this letter at any
Standard Bank Branch, account number 002891697, branch code 004805, IBT number 131B. Your Wits
person number is your reference number.
• If you wish to discuss arrangements for payment of the deposit, contact the Faculty of Health Sciences as
soon as possible. The deposit is NOT refundable unless the Faculty withdraws the offer of a place.
If you do not comply with the above, your offer will be withdrawn.
For comprehensive information relating to your application or to confirm your acceptance of this offer, please
access the Student Self Service portal (https://self-service.wits.ac.za) as soon as possible. You may accept the
offer for only one programme. If you do not wish to accept this offer, advise us in writing.
In terms of the University's admission requirements, you will not be permitted to enrol/register if the specified
supporting documentation has not been correctly certified by a Notary or equivalent and presented to the
University. This firm offer is subject to you presenting the University with the documentation at or before
enrolment.
The specific faculty date assigned for your registration will be communicated on our website before registration:
www.wits.ac.za/undergraduate. The reservation of your place in the programme is subject to you registering on the
assigned day. This reservation falls away if you do not register on that day. However, if there is a good reason for
you not being able to register on the assigned day you should inform the University in writing about this as soon as
possible. The University may reinstate the reservation of your place at its discretion.
Your unique Person Number must be used in all correspondence with the University.
Yours sincerely
Ms Jeannette Phiri
Head: Student Enrolment Centre
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi everyone
To all those that were successful had you submitted your final results or were you graduates already. Please if you don't mind please could you also tell me your average percentages for the degree.
Well I think only graduates and postgrads would get early offers since they need your final marks to make you an offer. I am a postgrad and i was made an offer. but I am a Masters student and I'm still busy finishing my masters degree. So I think that my early offer was made based on my undergrad (for which I only got an average of 74%) and my Honours degree (80%).
But maybe the fact that I am doing a MSc does NOT count at all since I dont really have one yet, and its probably the same for undergrads (that dont really have any degree yet and therefore there is nothing to base an early offer for GEMP on).
I also got an offer and I agree with anonymous above. I'm sure there are still more places to offer mid December
Hi everyone.
Congratulations to those who have been accepted already. If you are interested, you can join the Facebook group : GEMP I 2016. We can get to know each other so we don't feel so lost next year.
Congrats to all who passed the WAPT! It is good to hear that many students are passing the test. Did you all only study the learning objectives as preparation for the test?
Just studied the objectives and passed. A few things to note though. It will depend on your background of study. If you did anatomy before you would have a broader understanding and knowledge than someone that did not have anatomy and only studied the objectives. I heard a lot of comments on the day of people that studied all objectives and there where still items that where in the test (this will always be the case for every test) that they did not see in the material, which is my second point.
Some of the text books cover the objectives quite good but some concepts where foreign and required additional reading on the internet and even some good youtube videos of lectures. Nothing beats an early start to your preparation and consistent hard work.
I plan on applying next year. I'm just curious : All the guys that were accepted, you all prepared to cough up R90 000 per year cash or do you have scholarships ? just wondering since the NSFAS told me that they would not fund a graduate that plans on studying another undergraduate degree. What other scholarships/bursaries are out there for someone planning to do the GEMP?
Its more like R70 000 per year.
WITS Fees For 2016
____________________________________________________
MBChB R 58 140.00
Residence: Single Room (Self Catering) R 33 060
____________________________________________________
Total R91 200
____________________________________________________
Could anyone figure out when the date for registration is? Is it the 4th or 11th of Jan?
This is one of the downloads available on the Faculty website.
Registration for GEMP I is on the 4th but preferably online before the 4th.
http://www.wits.ac.za/files/8hdf0_732388001447658532.pdf
Thanks!! I assume classes will start on the 4th then?
Hey guys, I haven't received a firm offer from WITS as I'm still waiting on my final results, but I did receive that enrollment and registration email. Is that a good sign or does it mean absolutely nothing?
I you click on the register online within the student centre portal it give the following notice "Online Registration for your Career and Area of Study only opens on 2016-01-08. (Error Code 5)". So I do not know how one is suppose to register online before the 4th of January.
We will try to get some clarity on this issue tomorrow and post updates on the Facebook page: GEMP I 2016
We will try to get some clarity on this issue tomorrow and post updates on the Facebook page: GEMP I 2016
Hello guys.
Has everyone gotten a response from wits? Do you guys know if they are still sending out acceptance emails?
Hi people
A question for all those who have written the WAPT and passed ,are you given a final score mark for each of the three areas knowledge or its a just mark combined for the three areas or you just told you passed without you being told the final mark. Thank you for your responses.
You have to pass all three areas of knowledge separately.
They don't give you your mark though, they let you know if you passed or unsuccessful.
Ok thank you so much.
I feel you pain and echo the sentiments raised! I was also denied the opportunity to study medicine despite the excellent grades, com serve, first aid and the works. Landed a scholarship to study law and I'm now an Admitted Attorney of RSA. My dream however still lies in Medicine
Has anyone received notification of firm offer since Tuesday?
Well I hope everyone has received their offers by now seeing as classes start in just over 2 weeks time.
Final offers went out on a Tuesday... What a wait! Less than 2 weeks before registration...
Hi,just want to know what papers you have and how much you ask for them.email me at christeen.olivier@gmail.com
Hey there everyone!
Firstly congratulations to everyone who passed the WAPT and are now in GEMP I. You are literally living the dream. Secondly, I'm a final year Pharmacy student (with an 80% average for 3rd year). I was just wondering whether anyone had any past question papers, or could remember any of the questions they asked you in the test. I'm studying from the learning objectives that were posted on the WITS website. Hopefully I'll be joining you guys next year! If you could email any responses to james.roberts1994@yahoo.com I would highly appreciate it!
Thanks future doctors! :D
Hey Peeps,
So I've been watching this blog for a long time, echoing many of your sentiments about this program. My only advice is learn to manage expectations, it's tough, unpredictable, and unexpected and not the end of the world. I write this from what I have heard and investigated, do not take it as gospel, since it changes all the time!
The WAPT:
The exam is tough, for peeps with bio related backgrounds or not. Follow the objectives religiously, know the details and be prepared for horrible X-type questions, i.e. DO NOT GUESS EVER. DL the microbio notes from the websites listed, stick to the objectives precisely. It's cool to learn extras as you go along, but you may waste time and confuse your mind with useless info if you cram. Learn the medical jargon well, i.e. make sure you are very clear with the language and read very carefully, the devil is in the way they ask questions and the precise meaning of words.
Don't make it more than it is, it's only an exam. I wrote it twice :). The pass rate for the WAPT is about 15-20%, this is looking at how many peeps wrote last year (+- 800-1000), and the no. who passed -+ 130. You know about a month after the exam whether you pass or fail.
Admissions:
This year there were around 100 (out of 130) graduates accepted, *apparently* the year average is about 80, possibly more were available due to 2nd year failures. According to some, there have been years with only 40 places... I can't say how many will be available in 2017.
Offers: some people (the top kiddies) heard early, i.e. late November, others heard 2 weeks after the course started in January 2016. I heard 2 weeks before the course started, i.e. late December. This is a pain, since you need to somehow position yourself to be flexible for either outcome, it's almost worse if you pass the WAPT. I.e. work out how you can resign, move etc. etc. on rediculously short notice.
My Background:
I was an engineer, I self-studied for the WAPT in about 3 months ('part-time'), it's a lot of wrote learning, not too much 'thinking' :). I'm no poster boy for academia, I had around a 73% average for my undergrad degree but not a bad matric report card. I was probably on the tail end of entrants i.e. not in the top 50. Competition is tough, but theres also a 0% chance of entry if you don't try :).
Anyway good luck and all the best :). There is no point in stressing too much, no matter if you make it in or not it's no measure of your potential or self, you are great regardless :).
Hello.I really have come to appreciate this blog. Thanks Rich.
I just have a question for anyone already in the GEMP programme;do you know of any qualified dentists that have been successful,and if they had to write the NBT prior doing the WAPT?
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences,successful or not,it's encouraging knowing that you're not the only person working to get into the programme.
Hi. I am a dentist currently in GEMP I. I have two colleagues who are also dentists and are now in GEMP IV. I only had to write the WAPT. Same as everyone else.
Extremely exciting to know. CONGRATULATIONS for having made it in.
I am just curious about your reasons for wanting to pursue medicine. No pressure for an answer. Just interested in comparing dentists experiences. I am now 2years in the field,and most colleagues that I have spoken to have expressed almost similar reasons for wanting to pursue a different career path. But otherwise,I appreciate the reply. It definitely makes me that much more hopeful in the possibility of making it in. Wish you everything of the best with your studies.
Hey guys, I'm currently in the final year of my degree and I just applied for GEMP. I was hoping that someone could answer a couple of questions for me. My GPA took a bit of a knock last year and it is currently sitting at 70%, is this good enough to get invited to write the WAPT and also when can we expect an invitation from Wits? I'm doing a BSc in Human Genetics and Human Physiology and I also took some microbiology electives this year, so the physiology and a lot of the molecular medicine objectives are part of my course work, leaving only the anatomy section as work that will be completely self study to me. I realize this might be a difficult question to answer, but what kind of questions can we expect in the WAPT? I'm assuming the questions won't be as straight forward as the three example questions Wits has on their website. Thanks in advance!
I am a first yr med student in WSU. didnt get accepted at wits. Is it possible to apply to wits for the 3rd yr gemp program?
Hi, I am currently doing BSc (Hons) Chemistry and I completed my undergrad last year with cum laude I just want to find out if I would be considered for GEMP or I must just forget. Also is it only Wits that offers GEMP or other universities too?
hi Rich
i am completing bachelor of Technology in Environmental health and my marks are good, i did chemistry,physics, anatomy and physiology on my first year and i do meet minimum requrements for medical degree. do you think i stand a chance to be accepted for GEMP?
Hi there
Your background sounds good, and if you have good marks you must at least have some chance of getting accepted if you apply. The problem really is that you have to be exceptionally lucky to be accepted, lots of people do meet the minimum requirements and there are thousands of applicants. I can only wish all you all the best and that you are one of the lucky ones!
Pre-WAPT advice.
I thought I might add a bit of advice before the cramming for WAPT begins. Speaking from experience, as I sat for the test last year and passed but still failed to get a spot in the course. I thought I may add a little insight prior to the following few stressful few months. I am sure many if of you will attempt the WAPT, and unfortunately far to many suitable or even ideal candidates will not be accepted. This however is no reflection on your potential, there are a lot of factors which determine selection. As I mentioned, many times, even the most accomplished students will not be accepted. I would like to advise, those preparing to be open to other opportunities that may come along in the next few months and not to set your heart on this programme.
Personally in my case, I believe the best thing that happened was not to be accepted. From the start I was confident that I would pass and get accepted. Months of rigorous studying and revision allowed me to answer the entirety of the exam without a doubt, yet I failed to be accepted which resulted in extreme disappointment and hopelessness. In that time I had received a few job offers as well as published a paper. In the end I accepted a prestigious post-graduate placement which has allowed me to pursue my own ideas as well as the opportunity to travel to other institutions to further these goals as well as multiple scholarships. I am currently still involved in patient care but in a research direction which has allowed me far me creative freedom and opportunities which I find far more fulfilling.
I am mentioning this to encourage those who do not get accepted into GEMP to proceed with with your lives and dreams, Medicine is not always what we expect it to be. I have interacted with many MBChB students as well as Doctors who express the same disappointment. I believe as children, we have been raised with the fallacy of what a medical degree brings, which is not always the case. a very welly regarded Oncologist once asked me if I would prefer to assist a few "hundred patients" or be able to save "millions" regrading practice and research. So do not be too disappointed if you are not accepted, there may be better opportunities waiting.
With that, good luck to those attempting the WAPT:
-Get an overview of all the topics, extensive details are not of extreme importance
-Reasoning is limited, almost entirely facts
-Anatomy can be deceptive with the small details asked
-Do not trust all the notes available (double check), there are multiple mistakes which I have found as they are set up by students
As mentioned before, avoid answering questions you are unsure of as it does count against you.
And finally, stay positive, there is hope after WAPT/GEMP whether you get a spot or not. Just remember, you will not always be accepted purely on merit, like I mentioned, there are other factors involved which is out of your control. Do not fear, there might be far better in store for you.
Regards,
V
Hi Rich!
Some of the best career advice I've received is to identify the group of people you want to work with, to figure out in what capacity you'd like to work with them and then to figure out a way to do that that lets go of the job title. So you might not get in to a programme in Medicine or Clinical Psychology, but you can find a way to treat medically or to counsel outside of these HPCSA-designated titles. Do a nursing degree? Volunteer at a couselling centre after your day job? Gosh, the possibilities are numerous! Keep doing what you love, and you'll find fulfillment here. Given that certain degrees are incredibly difficult to get into, we need to identify what is about being a doctor (or whatever else) that attracts us. Certainly and hopefully not the title? :) It has to do with WHO you are rather than WHAT you want to be.
Helo! I know this is a couple of years later, so I hope I receive a reply. I have been trying to get into medicine @ UP and after 3 years still nothing, even though my marks are between 75 and 80.
Im finishing Bsc Human Physiology and going to write WAPT. I have been preparing and studying for 3 years for this.
Can you/someone please give me more info regarding this WAPT. Like is it only multiple choice, what type of questions do they ask, what other books can I buy to help me prepare. I have been asking around and it is as if everyone's attitude is wanting to help, but leaving to struggle just like they had to. Please, any info would be appreciated! So so so much!
Hi Domein. The WAPT didn't exist back when I was trying to get in to GEMP. But I know that there has been a lot mentioned about the WAPT from those who have written it (some more than once) in the comments - I would suggest you load each of the comment pages and search for the term 'WAPT' on the page (press Ctrl + F) to hone in on comments where it has been mentioned. I am also not sure how / if the WAPT test changes from year to year. Perhaps you will get some direct responses from some people who are more in the know regarding this. All the best though!
I stumbled upon this post as someone randomly posted it in my class facebook group as motivation. After reading the posts and through some of the comments, this is my general feeling about it. It may be years later but I know I'm not the last person to stumble upon it. Rich, this post is truly disheartening but it also stirred a negative feeling because of how arrogant you sound, how you belitted other students and even doctors, as if you deserved it and how everyone else, especially the black kids that got in were inferior to you. The way you referred to the students in their second year. That made it hard for me to feel sorry for you. I truly hope you found peace in whatever field you ended up doing. Its not impossible to get into GEMP, I actually don't know anyone who tried and didn't get in so maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
I have never 'belittled other students or doctors'. I don't think I 'deserved' anything and I never mentioned race? Please don't get confused between my actual blog post and some of the comments that have been posted here anonymously by many people who I am not responsible for. The stories I related from my second year lab experiences with some medical students are true - I can't stop you being offended by that. But don't you think it would be hard to be obliged to tutor someone who has not made the most of an opportunity, when you have already gone miles beyond them and would dearly love the same opportunity yourself? I certainly was never trying to make anyone feel sorry for myself - The whole point really is that you can do everything to tick all the boxes and not get in to medicine, so make jolly sure that you have a plan B!!
Hi I have an avarage of 80% in my undergraduate degree , 91% and 90% in my last 2 final years respectively. how likely that i will be accepted in the GEMP at wits. I have majored in Physiology and Anatomy and Genetics.
As we approach the test date, If you want to form a discussion group drop your digits/email address/ facebook user name....
Hi,
I read through this blog and obviously have mixed feelings. I will not bore you with my story of how I've always wanted to study medicine I'll rather just start get to the point.
I am interested in applying for GEMP entrance for 2018. However, I only have a legal background I hold a LLB and a Masters in Law (Medical Law to be more specific). So my first question is has anybody else with this kind of background tried to gain entrance?
I obviously found out that I need to complete Biology, Chemistry and Physics at first-year level. I have heard that it is possible to complete these modules via UNISA. I am however wondering whether these modules would be considered on the same level as when they are completed via Wits. Has anybody recently completed these modules for GEMP purposes? If so can you please advise me on what modules I need to take.
Thanks
Hi Bonnie,
I also have a non-Science background (M.Comm) and looking at applying for entry to GEMP I in 2018. I have been in contact with the Wits Faculty and confirmed the exact UNISA Biology, Chemistry and Physics modules required. I've enrolled for a few of them for non-degree purposes this semester. Plan to do the rest (including the practical modules) next year, while studying for the 2017 WAPT.
Happy to share the details if it would be of use. If so, drop me a note with your e-mail address and I'll contact you.
Best regards
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
At last someone that can help. I've tried contacting Unisa but no one can give me the exact information. Maybe I'm just talking to the wrong people.
Will you please share your information with me. My email address is venter.bonnie@gmail.com
Thanks!
Mbibarichard@gmail.com
Mbibarichard@gmail.com
Hi everyone, ill be writing the WAPT this year and would like to know if we have to fill out a biographical questionnaire before the test? I thought it was removed, but now I've read on their website that we have to fill it in before the test. Anyone know how much this counts towards being accepted?
Apparently early offers have been sent out, has anyone received one yet?
I received an offer on Saturday,3 Dec. Just some more info, I studied B.pharm with an average of 81%. All the people I know that received early offers had an average of 80% and above.
Congrats!! With those marks, you definitely deserve it. Still waiting and praying for an offer
Hey Anonymous, holding thumbs for you, I know they will probably make some more offers after the 15th of December. One of my friends only got notified after new year's day at the beginning of 2015.
Hi,
Has anyone on here applied to other universities as well or did everyone apply for the GEMP?
Hey Guys, As anyone received any offers for the GEMP 2017 recently?
Have heard about a rejection today but no offers since last weekend. Waiting patiently
Have heard of a few people getting offers this past weekend. Still haven't received anything. Does it mean that if you haven't received a rejection email that you're still in the game??
Offers out to everyone with composite score of 75% degree average and above. Rest on waiting list pending cancellations. Fresh from the official office.
Hi all,
Congrats to those who have received offers, and all the best to those who are still waiting to hear.
Does anyone know whether one could still qualify for an early offer if you have finished your degree/s (with an average of 80%+), but are completing the last few first year Science subjects in the year of application? If so, would it be a conditional offer then?
If you (or someone you know) has followed a similar route, it would be great to hear your experience, please!
Hi guys, anyone know of any short courses to do to boost your chance of getting accepted? Passed wapt on first attempt but was not accepted. Thanks
Well done for passing the WAPT on your first attempt.
What was your Composite Index (the average % of your final two years of study)?
Your best bet at improving your chances of selection given that you've already passed the WAPT is a higher Composite Index. And that can only be avhieved through formal degree study.
So, for example, if you have a Bachelors degree, you could complete an Honours degree, the results of which would count as a 4th year of study. Your Composite Index then would be based on the average of your 3rd year Bachelors and Honours (4th year) results. The key of course would be to do as well as you possibly can in the Honours degree.
Hi, thanx for your response.
I have a 5 year dental degree so no chance of honours as it doesn't exist. Unfortunately my average wasn't great, sitting at 65 % for the final 2 years of study.
Ah I understand. That sure does make things a bit trickier.
Are there perhaps any of your undergrad BDS subects you could take for non-degree purposes up to 3rd year level to qualify to complete Honours degree, e.g. Microbiology? Just trying to think of options..
Hope you figure a way to make it happen for you!
Hi All
Guys does wits Gemp program consider BSC degrees from UNISA. I am working and studying through unisa and wanna go to the GEMP program as soon as I finish my BSC Biomedical Science .
Hi Rich,
I just wondered how you dealt with the disappointment and the rejection. I have a similar story and I get upset when I think of people who managed to get in when I know for a fact that I had better matric results. Or people who are studying medicine, even though they are not passionate about it.
It was difficult to deal with the disappointment after I (and other people) had invested so much in me towards this path. I started an electrical engineering degree after my BSc honours year but I had actually reached the point of burn out and I ended up taking the year off instead. I had to find myself and figure out a new way forward. I did get over it eventually and I can look back now and say things worked out okay, God has a different plan for my life ...
I've been rejected 10 times since I started my Pharmacy degree. Finished it last year with a Summa Cum Laude and an average of 80% across the last two years. Needless to say that I didn't apply at WITS because I just knew I wouldn't have time to study with my Honors Thesis and all those weird and wonderful things. Applied at all the other Medical Schools (TUkkies, UKZN, UFS, UCT and SMU) and was rejected by all of them! :/ Looks like I'll just try again for next year.
I've started studying for the WAPT atleast because I have a lot more time. Let's hope it goes well. I mean I have time - I'm only 21.
TO answer anonymous. Yes Biomedical Science degree from unisa is considered. Unisa is one of the top universities in south Africa. I am also in the same boat, I first enquired with wits and they confirmed Wits and they confirmed. I still have an email they sent incase the change their tune on me in the future.
Hello....I would like to apply for wapt 2018....Please drop me an email (atoutie39@gmail.com) as i would really appreciate support while studying for wapt
Hi Kevin
Which Physics and Chemistry modules did u register for at Unisa? Drop me a mail...atoutie39@gmail.com
Hi Rich. I'm Indian female. Your story is very similar to mine. Did BSc in anatomy and physiology with great results final year 2005 , volunteered at jhb gen, peer counsellor at wits and the list goes on. Did Zulu in my final year at wits passed with distinction. Got a 10 min interview and did not get accepted into gemp 1.I received a merit award to do honours anatomy but I was too heartbroken so I decided to pursue a professional qualification. I am nw a chartered accountant but my heart still has a hole. I can't even go into a hospital without wanting to cry.i love helping people. I want to be a doctor. I recently became a mum. I chatted to my hubby about wanting to try again so if he gets promoted to cfo or fd I will apply into gemp. If I could pay off our house I would apply this year. Once u become older you have so many responsibilities. It's hard to compromise your family for your dream. I'm even playing the lotto in hopes of winning so I can study I want this with all my heart. Any advice?
It's hard that we can't all follow the dream. But those of us who don't get in to study medicine really need to move on with life and dare to dream new dreams. I know that the opportunity to study medicine has long passed for me and I need to engage with and apply myself to the life I am living now. I can't really offer any advice apart from that. Don't let not studying medicine steal the rest of your life away from you!
Hey everyone
Seeing these posts makes me very disheartened. I am a b.sc student at wits and I too plan on doing medicine. Seeing the competition and the number of people trying to get in I was just wondering who has tried applying as a graduate overseas by writing the MCAT. Also south africa is getting really scary these days and I was wondering if I should go overseas before going through this pain or complete my degree. Any help thanks
Just to answer to clear it up, yes they do take unisa degrees, I got in with bsc chem and physiology whilst doing honours. Know of at least 2 others that have gotten in with unisa degrees, one guy in a year below me. Really don't think it makes a diff where you studied but it does seem like mostly wits degrees get in, always seems random like one or two of each type of degree except the wits bhsc which takes up most spots... hope that's helpful
Hi guys,
I'm selling the two recommended textbooks (latest editions) for the wapt, if interested please contact me on 0827319732
Any new blog, or updates concerning GEMP at Wits
Hi there
I was just curious, will everyone who meets minimum requirements sit for wapt this year? Heard some people already been offered to sit for wapt. Does this mean they have a greater chance of getting in if they got invited earlier?
I had 61 and 60% in my final year of studying but did the bsc courses and passed with all 80%+
Last question, does doing well in wapt give you a greater chance?
All my burning questions ( gives me sleepless nights) :(
The Faculty uses a Composite Index to rank applicants for GEMP. It is calculated as the average marks from the final two years of qualifying study (for example the last 2 years of a 3-year Bachelors degree; or, if an Honours / 4-year degree was completed, the average of the 3rd and 4th years' results). Additional degrees above a 3-year Bachelors degree (such as Honours, Masters & PhD) may add a few additional points to the Composite Index.
Marks obtained for the first year Science requirement courses (Biology, Physics & Chemistry) and scores on the WAPT do not influence the Composite Index. In both cases only a pass is required.
Apparently, the Composite Index 'cut-off' for this year's intake was around 75%.
Last I heard, all applicants who meet the minimum requirements for WAPT are invited to sit the test - not sure if that has changed. After WAPT, those who pass the test are ranked based on their Composite Index, with offers made in descending order.
PS: with effect from this year a fee of R100 has been introduced to sit the WAPT.
Hope this is of some help. Good luck and try not to stress too much - if it is any consolation, there are many others in a similar boat on this journey!
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