Getting into medical school
Medicine is one of the most popular and difficult courses to get into. It’s not just about the grades.
TOP students failing to get into medical courses in public varsities, is a perennial issue.
Whether it’s the absence of meritocracy or the lack of seats, the finger pointing continues and students are left clueless as to why they were rejected.
Besides academic results, public universities conduct multiple mini interviews (MMI) where skills and character such as resilience and critical thinking, are assessed. That’s where it gets tricky.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) deputy dean of academics and alumni, Assoc Prof Dr Kamarul Aryffin Baharuddin says it’s imperative for students to do their homework before the interview.
“Despite excellent exam results and superb recommendations from former lecturers, some candidates didn’t receive an offer for medicine because of their poor performance during the interview. Being book smart alone is not enough.”
Students can get all sorts of information online with a quick click. So, saying ‘I don’t know’ at an interview, isn’t an option. Studying medicine involves plenty of sacrifice from students, he says.
“It isn’t about making money, neither is it about the glamorous life. To better prepare themselves, candidates can browse through the hundreds of YouTube videos on interview tips.
They must also know how to market themselves in a competitive setting,” he explains.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences dean Prof Dr Zamberi Sekawi urged students to start developing key skills and attributes while they’re in secondary school.
Scrambling to do it just before the interview, he says, is too late.
“This is a long term process that cannot be developed overnight.
“Communication skills is vital especially because you are expected to speak to your patients. The current generation lacks this.”
It’s frustrating for Prof Zamberi to watch bright students receiving offers to pursue courses listed in the bottom half of their choices.
He says this happens because of the common misconception that a candidate with good results will automatically get a seat in a public university’s medical faculty.
Sharing an example of how a candidate with a perfect CGPA score of 4.0 wasn’t offered a seat in the four universities that interviewed him - including UPM - Prof Zamberi says it was because he didn’t do well during the interview. His responses left a lot to be desired in almost all areas quizzed.
Echoing his sentiments is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Medicine dean
Prof Dr Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy.
Excellent students, she shares, have gotten expelled after being admitted into the varsity’s medical faculty.
“It is largely due to their inability to maintain consistency, commitment and focus in their studies, after having worked very hard to achieve highly to enter the programme.
“Some are socially immature and unable to adjust to interpersonal relationships in a residential environment,” she adds.
Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Melaka-Manipal Medical College, says only the country’s very best would be considered for entry into public varsities.
Prof Tharmaseelan was a past president of the MMA and the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia; and the former vice-chancellor CEO of a private university.
Those with full straight As may not even be accepted as they’re ranked according to marks, and Malaysia produces hundreds of such students - more than what public varsities can accommodate, he points out.
“Many candidates feel that a seat was denied to them as candidates ‘less qualified’ are granted admission. It’s frustrating and it they become disillusioned with the authorities.”
To promote greater transparency, Prof Tharmaseelan suggests a uniform entrance examination.
“A written test and an interview, with marks obtained tabulated and published for everyone to scrutinise, may result in a fairer, and more acceptable method of admission into public varsities.”
He says there needs to be greater coordination between the education and health ministries so that academic and training expectations are in sync.
Those who fail to get a place can consider the many private medical schools in the country. He, however, advises students looking at private alternatives, to not just think about tuition fees.
“Look at the curriculum, faculty, facilities, and capabilities of their graduates who are working in hospitals as house officers, and medical officers. Ask what is the percentage of their graduates who have become specialists.
“It’s perplexing to note that 20% to 25% of doctors drop out during their houseman training.
“One of the factors could be the lack of proper training during their formative years in medical college. So choosing the right college is important.”
Those wishing to go abroad, must first determine whether the school is recognised under the Second Schedule of the Medical Act 1971, says Prof Tharmaseelan.
“Just Google ‘list of medical schools under Second Schedule’. If the school is not listed, the candidate may have problems later on such as having to sit for the medical qualifying examination (MQE). He or she may not even be a competent house officer after having cleared the MQE if the school is not reputable,” he says, adding that clearance from the Education Ministry must be sought before enrolling in any college despite the student having the required grades.
As private tuition fees for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes are high, he stresses on the importance of thorough research into the medical school.
“You must make sure that the school is able to produce not just a competent graduate, but one who’s capable and motivated enough to continue to specialise.
“It’s not just the academic facilities that need looking into, a well-stocked library, sports, recreational and other extracurricular activities that promote a healthy and holistic environment are important in creating a well-rounded doctor.”