Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[pi]

Welcome to MSO and congrats!

I can't comment too much on the details of each of those courses, but just my 2c on a few things.

Also, I understand that I need to maintain a D average and WAM of 65 at USYD to continue into medicine. Could I get a measure as to how hard that really is?

For someone such as yourself who did exceptionally well in school (I'm assuming 99.95), maintaining that average is not going to be an issue. Yes, uni is different and some people do struggle with the transition, but 65 is certainly not a tall order for a BSci.

Another thing, I have also heard (it is not my belief) that USYD is much more prestigious with a better reputation. Would that make a difference in the future as a doctor?

Prestige doesn't matter. The way NSW allocates internships is essentially random, so they don't look at your uni. After internship, I don't think anyone would make more than a passing glance at your tertiary background either.

So to bluntly answer: Would that make a difference in the future as a doctor? No.

 

[chinaski]

For someone such as yourself who did exceptionally well in school (I'm assuming 99.95), maintaining that average is not going to be an issue. Yes, uni is different and some people do struggle with the transition, but 65 is certainly not a tall order for a BSci.

I wouldn't be so quick to dish out guarantees there. As you say, some people do struggle with the transition from high school to uni, and forums like this tend to be skewed, in that successful students tend to socialise with other successful students - so the attrition rate and struggling element often isn't well represented. So, I'd be a little more measured and say that a mature, well supported student will probably be OK with maintaining a fair GPA in uni, but to beware of hubris. YMM(and will probably)V.

WRT to the original question, I think the most critical factor is where and how the OP would like to study. The courses and student bodies are quite different from each other, so all things being equal (as they are), it boils down to which holds most personal appeal.

 

[Q3]

I'm assuming you meant you have to maintain a C average, since that is the gpa cut off for post graduate med. Though I'm curious as to why you need a 65 wam as I thought usyd didn't use wams.

And the difficulty of maintaining a credit average will depend on your major. A major in chemistry or physics will be much harder than biological sciences. I realise that is not true for everybody but it is true for the average person.

 

[kjz]

To me it's not a big decision because it cannot be wrong whichever you choose. If I am in this kind of situation, I may choose USyd. One more year is not a big deal for most school leavers. Also maybe USyd's 3+4 system is more recognizable by the North American system, therefore may be more convenient in some circumstances. Nevertheless, I wouldn't worry too much about choosing between these two programs. Any of them is good.

 

[Kas]

This is a pretty late reply, so apologies.
Like previously said, UNSW only entered its first cohort (around 12 people?) into Port Mac last year, so perhaps the teaching there may not be as experienced. That being said, all lectures are live streamed from the Sydney campus so content material is exactly the same.
Also, its also important to note that most (if not all) Fridays, the group has to travel down to Sydney just for anatomy pracs. And also for prac exams. And med-related events like MedBall. So you’d be doing a fair bit of travel.
Being a tiny cohort however, they seem to have bonded really well together!

 

[jelli]

Thank you so much everyone! With your perspectives, a little reflection and a lot of research, JMP is now my first UAC preference!

 

[Kas]

Another factor you may be considering are the costs. Although you would be receiving the 10K scholarship at both unis, USYD only covers the 3 years of undergrad while UNSW covers the entire 6 year duration.
Either way, you're in a fantastic position

 

[cobe0515]

This is a pretty late reply, so apologies.
Like previously said, UNSW only entered its first cohort (around 12 people?) into Port Mac last year, so perhaps the teaching there may not be as experienced. That being said, all lectures are live streamed from the Sydney campus so content material is exactly the same.
Also, its also important to note that most (if not all) Fridays, the group has to travel down to Sydney just for anatomy pracs. And also for prac exams. And med-related events like MedBall. So you’d be doing a fair bit of travel.
Being a tiny cohort however, they seem to have bonded really well together!

Hey Kas could you or any of your friends at port.m. give a little more insight as to what student life is like their as a med student in 1st/2nd year? Is it vastly different to normal uni life? Is travelling to the sydney campus arranged by the uni? Is the port mac. cohort completely seperated from the sydney cohort? Thanks in advance.

 

[beef]

anatomy trips only 2 or 3 times per sem and travel and accommodation is organised and paid for

 

[cobe0515]

anatomy trips only 2 or 3 times per sem and travel and accommodation is organised and paid for

Hey beef in terms of social events med related (i.e. medball medcamp etc and other various med societies) is it limited to the port mcquarie campus or is it the same as the sydney students? Whats the general campus life like there?

 

[Mana]

From my time at Port Macquarie (note I am NOT a UNSW Port Macquarie student, nor was I ever one) there is a nice new campus which is next to the hospital...

and not much else facility wise. Don't expect that you'll be able to attend most of the UNSW main campus activities while you are at Port Macquarie, including whatever sports or student clubs happen to run on the main campus, or the main library, et cetera.

 

[Dan775]

Hello! I've received an offer to study in the USYD Double Degree Medicine program and the UON JMP - I need a little help in deciding which program is better for me.

So through my research -
USYD is a 7 year (3+4) program that gives me an additional degree (BSc) - does this really matter in the long run? Also I need to maintain a 65+ WAM, is this hard to do at USYD?

JMP is an entire two years shorter but much lower in the rankings. Is it really worth going to USYD for the 'prestige' and sacrificing an additional two years? I've heard conflicting views, but does it really matter what university you study from when it comes to applying to specialty programs?

Also, though both programs at ECFMG certified, do you think it would be harder to get the JMP MD recognized in the North American system since the entire course is pass/fail and relatively short?

I'm not from NSW, so location doesn't matter very much to me, and both places are unbonded. I just need to decide whether it's really worth spending an additional 2 years at USYD because it's ranked higher.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Crow]

Hello! I've received an offer to study in the USYD Double Degree Medicine program and the UON JMP - I need a little help in deciding which program is better for me.

So through my research -
USYD is a 7 year (3+4) program that gives me an additional degree (BSc) - does this really matter in the long run? Also I need to maintain a 65+ WAM, is this hard to do at USYD?

JMP is an entire two years shorter but much lower in the rankings. Is it really worth going to USYD for the 'prestige' and sacrificing an additional two years? I've heard conflicting views, but does it really matter what university you study from when it comes to applying to specialty programs?

Also, though both programs at ECFMG certified, do you think it would be harder to get the JMP MD recognized in the North American system since the entire course is pass/fail and relatively short?

I'm not from NSW, so location doesn't matter very much to me, and both places are unbonded. I just need to decide whether it's really worth spending an additional 2 years at USYD because it's ranked higher.

Thanks for your help!

A bachelor of science will be a useless degree in the medical field, considering you’ll have an MD. Prestige means nothing in the medical field and where you went to med school will have no influence on your speciality opportunities. A course being short or pass/fail would likely have no influence on whether it is recognised overseas or not. To me the JMP seems the obvious choice - two years shorter, cheaper to live in Newcastle, you’ll be a doctor two years earlier and consequently earning money earlier, and you won’t need to maintain a certain WAM.

 

[kjz]

Thanks for your reply! I also hear that more and more doctors are completing Masters or PhDs in order to get accepted to competitive specialty programs. Does going to USYD and having the opportunity to do research in my undergraduate years present me any benefit when potentially applying to Masters or Ph.D. programs?

Which specialty programs do you refer to that may need Masters or PhD?

 

[Mana]

Then the JMP will finish two years earlier allowing you to apply to a Masters or PhD program two years earlier as well.

There is no reason to take USyd over the JMP unless you already live in Sydney and don't want to move.

 

[Sonya Lee]

Hello!! I am in a bit of a dilemma- I have received offers for UNSW and Griffith provisional medicine courses, but I am completely at a loss for which one to pick! I am from the Gold Coast, so obviously Griffith is the more convenient option, but I am leaning towards UNSW because I've always liked Sydney. Money/accomodation isn't really a big influencing factor because I've also been offered a scholarship to UNSW. Is there a big difference in the quality of the two programs? What are my prospects as a graduate from either university? My GP told me that it is harder get into a "good" specialty in UNSW because it is very competitive, and it will be easier in QLD because everyone is more "relaxed" (I don't know what he meant by good speciality... Or what more relaxed means...) Did anyone else who live away from home for med find it to be a significant challenge?
Thank you!!

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hello!! I am in a bit of a dilemma- I have received offers for UNSW and Griffith provisional medicine courses, but I am completely at a loss for which one to pick! I am from the Gold Coast, so obviously Griffith is the more convenient option, but I am leaning towards UNSW because I've always liked Sydney. Money/accomodation isn't really a big influencing factor because I've also been offered a scholarship to UNSW. Is there a big difference in the quality of the two programs? What are my prospects as a graduate from either university? My GP told me that it is harder get into a "good" specialty in UNSW because it is very competitive, and it will be easier in QLD because everyone is more "relaxed" (I don't know what he meant by good speciality... Or what more relaxed means...) Did anyone else who live away from home for med find it to be a significant challenge?
Thank you!!

I'm only starting first year myself this year, so can't really help you (someone else will chime in), but I'm pretty sure UNSW won't have been a provisional Med offer (unless you just mean that in the context that it's BMedSci/MD).

 

[Crow]

Hello!! I am in a bit of a dilemma- I have received offers for UNSW and Griffith provisional medicine courses, but I am completely at a loss for which one to pick! I am from the Gold Coast, so obviously Griffith is the more convenient option, but I am leaning towards UNSW because I've always liked Sydney. Money/accomodation isn't really a big influencing factor because I've also been offered a scholarship to UNSW. Is there a big difference in the quality of the two programs? What are my prospects as a graduate from either university? My GP told me that it is harder get into a "good" specialty in UNSW because it is very competitive, and it will be easier in QLD because everyone is more "relaxed" (I don't know what he meant by good speciality... Or what more relaxed means...) Did anyone else who live away from home for med find it to be a significant challenge?
Thank you!!

Hi, I noticed you have a 99.90 ATAR. Where did you do your brief stint of undergraduate study before withdrawing? I can almost guarantee you will also get a scholarship at Griffith (valued 60k) if you applied for one there.. I can't comment on specialty opportunities either sorry, although this sounds like an unusual statement? Perhaps Mana or pi can weigh in?

 

[Sonya Lee]

I'm only starting first year myself this year, so can't really help you (someone else will chime in), but I'm pretty sure UNSW won't have been a provisional Med offer (unless you just mean that in the context that it's BMedSci/MD).

Yes, sorry, that's what I meant!!

 

[Sonya Lee]

Hi, I noticed you have a 99.90 ATAR. Where did you do your brief stint of undergraduate study before withdrawing? I can almost guarantee you will also get a scholarship at Griffith (valued 60k) if you applied for one there.. I can't comment on specialty opportunities either sorry, although this sounds like an unusual statement? Perhaps Mana or pi can weigh in?

I did B of Vet Science at UQ for a month or so before withdrawing.. I did apply for a scholarship to Griffith as well, but my written application was pretty lacklustre because I had already applied to like six scholarships before and getting kind of tired of filling them out...