How It Works
Why The Match Exists
The pathway into medicine is not straightforward.
There are multiple entry routes.
Different universities assess differently.
Domestic and international pathways do not overlap.
Information is scattered across forums, courses, and informal networks.
Many students feel like they are piecing together critical life decisions from Reddit threads.
The Match exists to reduce that uncertainty.
It connects aspiring medical students (mentees) with current medical students (mentors) who have recently navigated the application process successfully.
Not to provide tutoring.
Not to sell a program.
But to offer clarity, lived experience, and practical guidance.
What The Match Is
The Match is a structured mentor–mentee pairing process.
Using a weighted matching system, we align participants based on:
- Domestic vs International pathway (hard requirement)
- First Nations status (priority pairing)
- University alignment
- State or territory
- Intensity preference (low / medium / high)
- Undergraduate background
- Dream career / specialty interests
- GAMSAT focus areas
Every mentor has a capped number of mentees to ensure quality support.
The goal is compatibility — not randomness.
For Mentees: What You Can Expect
As a mentee, you will be paired with a current medical student who:
- Has successfully navigated the application process
- Understands your pathway (Domestic or International)
- Shares similar goals or background where possible
- Has opted into supporting someone at your level of intensity
Your mentor may help you with:
- Understanding entry pathways
- University preferences and decision-making
- Structuring a study plan
- GAMSAT reflections and strategy
- Interview preparation insights
- Managing rejection or setbacks
- Perspective on what medical school is actually like
Mentors are not tutors and are not expected to provide ongoing academic coaching.
This is mentorship — guidance, perspective, accountability, and support.
For Mentors: What Is Expected of You
You do not need formal training to become a mentor.
You do not need teaching qualifications.
You do not need to prepare slides or run structured lessons.
To become a mentor, you simply need to:
- Have successfully navigated the medical school application process
- Be currently enrolled in medical school
- Be willing to share your lived experience honestly
- Commit to reasonable, agreed communication with your mentee
That is it.
We are not asking you to become an educator.
We are asking you to be a guide.
Most mentoring relationships involve:
- Occasional video calls
- Messaging check-ins
- Reviewing questions or sharing perspective
- Encouragement during key milestones
Intensity is self-selected. You choose how many mentees you are comfortable supporting.
What The Match Is Not
The Match is not:
- A tutoring service
- A commercial prep course
- A guarantee of entry
- A replacement for independent effort
We are building culture change — not selling shortcuts.
Domestic and International Pathways (Important)
Domestic and International pathways do not overlap in Australia.
For that reason:
- Domestic mentees are paired only with Domestic mentors.
- International mentees are paired only with International mentors.
This is a hard requirement in our system.
First Nations Priority Pairing
If both a mentor and mentee identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, they are prioritised to be paired together.
If there are no available First Nations mentors in that pathway pool, mentees will still be matched within the broader group to ensure no one is left unsupported.
How The Matching System Works
Behind the scenes, we use a weighted compatibility system that:
- Separates Domestic and International pathways.
- Prioritises First Nations pairings.
- Avoids incompatible intensity pairings (e.g., low vs high unless absolutely necessary).
- Distributes mentees fairly so mentors are not overloaded.
- Maximises compatibility across university, background, and goals.
This is not manual guesswork.
It is structured, deliberate matching designed to balance fairness and compatibility.
Is The Match Free?
Yes.
Participation in The Match is currently free for both mentors and mentees.
We believe access to guidance should not be gated behind high costs.
Who Should Join?
Join as a mentee if:
- You are applying to medical school
- You feel unsure navigating the process alone
- You want clarity from someone who has recently done it
Join as a mentor if:
- You are currently in medical school
- You remember what it felt like to apply
- You want to make the process less isolating for someone else
The Bigger Vision
The Match is one step in a much larger mission.
We are building a mentoring ecosystem that supports students:
- From high school
- Through medical school
- Into internship
- Through specialty training
- And beyond
Medicine does not need to be competitive at the expense of collaboration.
We can do this differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does mentoring require?
There is no fixed requirement.
Most mentor–mentee pairs connect:
- Once every 2–4 weeks
- With occasional messaging in between
Intensity is discussed and agreed upon between you.
You are not signing up to weekly lessons or heavy commitments.
You are signing up to guidance and perspective.
I’m a mentor — do I need training?
No.
You do not need formal training.
If you have:
- Successfully navigated the medical school application process
- And are currently in medical school
You are qualified to mentor.
This is about lived experience — not teaching credentials.
Is this tutoring?
No.
Mentors are not expected to:
- Mark essays
- Provide structured lessons
- Teach content
They may share insight, structure, and reflection — but this is not an academic tutoring service.
What if my mentor and I don’t “click”?
While we work hard to match based on compatibility, occasionally a pairing may not feel aligned.
If that happens, you can contact us and we will review the situation.
No one is forced to remain in an uncomfortable pairing.
What if I sign up and change my mind?
That’s completely fine.
Simply email us and let us know.
There is no penalty for withdrawing before matches are finalised.
Please let us know as soon as possible so we can rematch your pair so they don’t miss out.
What if I am a First Nations applicant?
If both mentor and mentee identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, we prioritise pairing them together.
If there are no available mentors in your pathway pool, you will still be matched with a supportive mentor.
No one is left unmatched unnecessarily.
What if I’m an International student?
Domestic and International pathways are matched separately.
You will only be paired with someone who understands your specific pathway.
Is this really free?
Yes.
There is no cost to participate in The Match.
Med Mentors exists to improve accessibility, not create financial barriers.
When will I be matched?
Matching occurs after the survey closes.
You will receive an email introduction connecting you to your mentor or mentee.
We recommend reaching out within one week of receiving your match.
What if there are more mentees than mentors?
We cap mentor capacity carefully.
If numbers are imbalanced, we prioritise fair distribution and pathway alignment.
In rare cases where we cannot match someone immediately, we will communicate transparently.
However, every year we seem to have an overwhelming amount of generous mentors join the program and sometimes we keep the match sign up open longer to try to get the word out to the premed community.