HOW I GOT INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL IN SOUTH AFRICA (GEMP)

My journey to gaining admission into the GEMP medical school program at Wits University👨‍⚕️ (Unconventionally)

The “backdoor” into medical school in South Africa 🚶‍♂️🩺📚

Disclaimer*: This is neither a comprehensive breakdown of how the GEMP program works, nor a thorough explanation of what the course entails. More details are provided on Wits University’s website.

https://www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp/

👶 Kicking off 2021 as FRESH graduate

After checking my email and Wits student account for the 15th time that day, I decided to put my phone away for the evening and enjoy some family time. It the first week of January, and I had seen a few of my friends celebrating after getting their acceptance letter from Wits Medical School. I knew the pandemic had set off the dates slightly, and that those who were lucky enough to gain acceptance would hear at a later time than usual. I was content, and working as a newly qualified Optometrist. My day was extremely busy, with a few tough cases walking through the door (they’re the ones that make it all worthwhile). I remember saying to myself that this was something that I’d be happy to do for the rest of my life, because improving someone’s vision can have a drastic impact on their quality of life. Doubt about my medical school application often crept in, but I remembered to count my blessings and appreciate what I was already fortunate enough to have. I arrived home from work and my mom asked me if I had heard any news about my application, nothing had come through yet that day. Anyway, just before I called it a day I decided to check once more. I whipped out my phone, and casually checked my student account and my emails. I had received THE email from Wits Medical School Admissions, with a letterhead attached. I hesitated before opening the pdf. I opened the letter with my parents. After initially feeling as if I was hallucinating, there it was. 

As cliche as it may sound, words cannot describe the emotions that came over me that day. I don’t think the feeling I experienced, and still experience will wear off any time soon. Everyone experiences that moment differently, and I always enjoy hearing about the GEMP student’s acceptance stories. 

Lets start at the beginning, well… Not really the beginning 😜

After graduating from a full boys’ boarding school in Natal, I was definitely set on becoming a doctor and thereafter a successful surgeon one day. I had conditioned myself to become a doctor ever since I was about 6 years old.

My first experience with medicine involved my grandad, who practiced as a General Practitioner (GP) on a farm in Magaliesburg at the time. He graduated as a medical doctor from WITS in 1961 (J.L Eidelman), and his father (J.R Eidelman) graduated in 1928. It was a pretty typical Christmas day, until something very unusual happened. A man in an enormous panic knocked on the dining room window, calling out for “the local doctor” and saying that his friend was in trouble. My grandad immediately launched himself off of his chair , and told me to follow him. We brought the man and his friend to the surgery on the farm, and the man presented himself with a few lacerations around his left eye. Bleeding profusely, the man proceeded to wash the blood off of his face and asked my grandfather to ‘stitch him up’. My grandfather knew the man was inebriated, and realised that the injury was from a broken bottle. He examined the man, and then began suturing his wound closed. I sat with him and watched this whole process, in absolute AWE. What he did for this man had ultimately saved his vision, and quite possibly his life. At that very moment, I knew that was the path I was to take in my lifetime. I wanted to heal, to make a difference in communities, and save lives!

My grade 11 provisional application for medical school was unsuccessful, which set me on a pathway to start exploring the different options I would need to consider if my application following my matric year was unsuccessful, which it was, lol.. I started studying a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry at the University of Johannesburg in 2017. My other options were either to study a BSc Biological science degree at Tuks (University of Pretoria) or to do Viticulture and Oenology (“wine-making”) at Stellenbosch. I decided Optometry was the best fit for me. The degree would take me four years to complete and I would apply for medical school thereafter. I thoroughly enjoyed my student experience whilst studying Optometry, it challenged my abilities while still allowing me to pursue my extracurricular activities without having to be too invested in my studies. I enjoyed the idea of being able treat patients in a clinical environment after finishing my studies. I was fortunate enough to complete my private pilot’s license training (PPL), as well as complete a kiteboarding course in the Cape. I would like to think that I “peaked” in my final two years, which made a significant positive impact in my application process for the GEMP program at the University of the Witwatersrand.

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The GEMP program is extremely competitive, possibly even more so than the high school entry system. I was fortunate in the way that Optometry provided me a career that I would be able to flourish in if I did not get into the GEMP program. My final year of Optometry presented many challenges, especially after the pandemic hit. I worked overtime to ensure that I reached the HPCSA requirements (patient numbers and hours) for my degree, to graduate and of course to enter the working world. I started the year off on a high by attending a conference called SECO in the United States with my father. The talks, seminars, and workshops I attended there changed my perspective of the eye-care and health care system. I saw enormous potential for Africa, and in those moments I decided that I would commit to the process of gaining admission into the Wits GEMP program later on in the year. I will always be grateful for this awe-inspiring experience, as well as being able to share that with my dad! I really believe that these extra-curricular events can really shape your thinking, and give you that boost you need to go that extra step further than your competition. I graduated with distinction, achieved excellent results for my dissertation and ended up receiving a few awards at the leaver’s dinner. But as you may already be aware, all that mattered to me was whether or not I would have done what was necessary to get into medical school.

My dad & I at SECO 20/20. What an awesome experience.

More about the GEMP program 🩺

The GEMP (graduate entry medical program) is actually called MBBCh (Third year). It allows a graduate student with a previous degree to complete their medical studies in a period of 4 years. In order to be considered for the program, certain requirements need to be met such as prerequisites and minimum scores on particular subjects need to be achieved. It’s possible to complete external courses through Wits to gain the necessary credits you may need in the application process, which has allowed for a much wider range of applicants to gain entrance. I personally had what I needed to apply, and thereafter, you will get a seat to write the WAPT (Wits additional placement test). This can be written in your final year or the year before you finish your studies. It comprises of 3 subjects  being Anatomy, Physiology and Molecular Medicine. Objectives are provided online, and if you cover all of these effectively the WAPT will be a good experience for you. It is essential to pass all 3 components.

After you have sat through the WAPT, Wits provides feedback about whether or not you have passed all three components (but you will never see those results) and thereafter you are pooled up and your results are considered. This is where the tricky part comes in… Wits students typically have a preference (larger number of spots available in the program) over students from other universities. I always expected it to be slightly more competitive for me being an “outsider” and I knew I would have to work that much harder to boost my average (GPA) as much as possible. The average that one needs to obtain over their final two years is very dependent on the pool of applications in that particular year. However, aiming for an average above 77/78 would send you in good stead. Your composite index is calculate from your final two years of study, and you receive bonus points for honours, masters and PhD programs. This is used to rank you against other graduates. Depending on the number of spaces available in the following year, you will either be offered a place or not. One must also keep in mind that the pool of applicants you may found yourself in are not just those who have written the WAPT in the same year as you have, and a lot of the applicants who have passed end up reapplying in subsequent years if they haven’t yet gained acceptance. Yes, this all sounds like a bit of a slog (which it undoubtedly was) but once you pass the WAPT, I can assure you there are fewer sweeter feelings at that point in your life. The hours you put in are worth it, they’re worth every second.

Wondering where I got my resources, guidance and insight from🤓?

A very selfless and awesome group of medical students started a group called AMP’d for the WAPT, and they provided an immense amount of information and help during my journey through the application and WAPT process. The group’s administration were extremely supportive, accommodating and the resources they provide are invaluable in the GEMP application process. If you are thinking of embarking on this journey, I highly recommend using their Telegram and WhatsApp groups. 

📲 Here’s the link for the Telegram group ⬇️

https://t.me/joinchat/KHkzQxbmb6JTOnCcOzCSbQ

I think it is wonderful how the graduate entry medical students work together to provide the help necessary for the future generations of students to gain entry into this competitive program. The GEMP program has allowed for countless and passionate doctors to graduate. I have always felt that being a graduate medical student is beneficial in that you have a set of life skills and invaluable life experience that you can apply whilst studying.  I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I will undoubtedly grab it will both hands. There are countless responsibilities that come with becoming a doctor, which should never be taken lightly. Those spots in medical school are so precious, and I feel as if I owe it to my prior self to make the most of the experience.

I hope you enjoyed my story, if there is anything more you’d like to know about the program or my story please feel free to reach out. I tried to keep the details about the GEMP program as simple as possible, so if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

In conclusion, my best advice is to follow your passion and your heart. Have faith in your abilities, rejection is temporary. What comes easy never lasts and what lasts doesn’t come easy.

“Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.”

Dwayne Johnson. 

Read my article about what to expect in 2021 ⬇️

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