James San always knew he wanted a career that would allow him to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Despite the financial challenges his family faced, he was determined to study medicine and ultimately become a doctor. “I always knew I wanted to have a career that had a tangible impact on people,” James explains. “As a doctor, you can be in the room and see people from diagnosis to recovery. I think that’s a really special thing. It’s the chance to connect with people.”
Now in his first year of Griffith’s Bachelor of Medical Science program, James has provisional entry into the Doctor of Medicine. “I’m one of only 36 students on the program this year, and I travelled all the way from London to start my medical training here,” he says.
Griffith’s commitment to making education accessible through scholarships was key to James’ decision to study here. “Receiving the scholarships gave me the helping hand I needed,” he says. “Now I’m taking my first steps towards my dream career of being a doctor thanks to Griffith supporting my studies.”
James’ journey into medicine wasn’t without obstacles. Coming from a low-income, single-parent family, he grew up with limited resources and faced significant barriers often encountered by students in similar situations. “Students with free school meals living in areas with low progression to higher education are statistically very unlikely to study medicine”, he explains. “Tests such as the UCAT and GAMSAT are unaffordable for many disadvantaged students, while their well-off peers can spend up to thousands of pounds or dollars for preparatory courses and services, on top of high school tutoring, which I could not access. I remember being told that I should pursue a ‘more appropriate’ degree upon discussing my free school meals and bursary background.”
Undeterred, James built an impressive portfolio of volunteer work, virtual work experience, and research projects to strengthen his application. “I graduated as the Dux of my school—the first free school meals student in a decade. I also became one of the top 16 students in England, out of over 700,000 students!”
Griffith’s Bachelor of Medical Science program provides a clear pathway to the Doctor of Medicine, offering talented students like James the support they need to pursue medicine regardless of their backgrounds. For James, Griffith’s scholarship opportunities were a game-changer. “Receiving the scholarships gave me the helping hand I needed,” he says. “Now I’m taking my first steps towards my dream career of being a doctor thanks to Griffith supporting my studies.”
Another significant draw was Griffith’s world-class facilities. “Having the Gold Coast University Hospital on campus is super exciting. We have the opportunity to witness medical history being made when they try out new procedures and uncover new discoveries. You’re right in the middle of a medical community with such good diversity, and you can bounce off so many people’s ideas and really develop things together. It’s an exciting place to be.”
In addition to his studies, James is making the most of his time at Griffith through roles on the Student Representative Council and the Student Academy of Excellence. These experiences have not only helped him build a well-rounded portfolio but have also provided opportunities to travel, connect and grow as a future healthcare leader.
For students facing similar challenges, James offers encouragement: “Don’t be afraid of taking scholarships, meals, or bursaries if it can help you in the future. I am here to tell you that medical school is possible regardless of your financial position if you work hard and really want it. Getting into a career in medicine shouldn’t be defined by your background. I wanted to show it should be defined by your intelligence, your work ethic, your passion, and your dedication. My Griffith scholarships are helping me do that.”
