Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[chinaski]

Assuming the process stays the same in 6 years time, being a NSW Y12 student returning you'll be Priority 2 for NSW internship allocation.

Bit of a risky assumption - I wouldn't place all my chips on that roll.

 

[ucat3300+]

I guess elephant in the room but its risky going to WA. It certainly seems that after 2 years they're rejoining the rest of Australia but it's honestly impossible to know if that would be for long. Who's to say that a new variant or wave will come along and they will close their borders again.

If you're uncomfortable with the idea of that I would say go Griffith.

QLD certainly hasn't been the most liberal on their borders either but at least with this current wave they walked in at a high. They could have shut down the borders when Omicron was ravaging NSW whilst QLD was clear of it, but decided against it for better or for worse. WA seems to only be opening now because they've lost control of Omicron. When the next variant/wave/etc comes and ravages the east I have no doubt that WA will close up shop again before they lose control of it themselves.

Just my 2c

I wouldn't choose possible bonded over guaranteed unbonded based on speculation about the future.. I would argue that WA is now transitioning to become like the eastern states (we hit 1000+ cases for the first time today) and even if a new variant emerges, they wouldn't completely shut off their borders. Modelling (which quite accurately predicted the surge of COVID cases today) suggests WA will be having 10,000 cases a day by the end of March. Do you think they will adopt a zero COVID policy (i.e. complete border shutdown) after that?

Anyhow, no one knows what will happen in the future. If the past two years have taught us anything, it's that the surest assumptions can be wrong and unprecedented things happen. (e.g. - ATAR coming out on 9am, UNSW interviews starting 1pm the same day). Seems unwise to kick away a guaranteed unbonded offer based on speculation about the future.

 

[TKAO]

A1 TKAO do you happen to know how UWA works as far as reapplying to JMP, JPM, UNSW using undergrad GPA goes (in the same way it’s possible from UQ, for example, as you’re not considered a Med student until MD).

To add to A1's response, you would also be able to to complete your entire bachelors degree and still apply to non-standard/grad entry and technically even though you are doing MD1 in your bachelors, you are still doing a Bachelor level major and are therefore considered an undergraduate student still. Source: Not having access to the postgrad study floor in the library, student connect documentation, being told that I'm not eligible for MD scholarships from UWA admin(even though other reputable sources with the med school have told me otherwise), and that several people I know are sitting the GAMSAT to transfer unis/switch spots from BMP to CSP.

 

[ucat3300+]

non bonded

University Western Australia is far from NSW. Is it anyone go UWA from NSW? I am scared of having no chance go back NSW.

Yeah I moved from NSW to WA 2 weeks ago to start provisional medicine at UWA. I would also like to move back to NSW. Keep in mind physical distance obviously doesn't affect your chances of coming back to NSW. Whether you go to medical school at Griffith (GC) or UWA (Perth), you're classified as an interstate for both and just because GC is closer to NSW doesn't mean you're more likely to be able to return to NSW for internships, obviously. The three offers you've received are all interstate so they are all equal in terms of being able to come back to NSW.

 

[dotwingz]

Do you think they will adopt a zero COVID policy (i.e. complete border shutdown) after that?

Border Shutdown /= COVID 0

Much like how countries across the world shut borders to Southern Africa at the start of Omicron, or India with Delta, etc - I don't think its out of the ordinary at all if WA was to isolate themselves when another surge comes around.

Tbh without reading too much into WA politics (i.e. low modality) - it seems to me the only reason WA is opening up is because the situation there has gotten worse than the eastern states (not yet - but like you said 10k cases forecasted vs 7k in NSW today with a much larger population). There's no longer a reason to keep shut. When there is a reason to close up shop again, I would be suprised if they didn't take the opportunity.

Keep in mind the rest of the Eastern States opened up when the situations outside their borders were worse than inside. That to me is the distinction between shifting mentalities and whatever WA is doing

 

[chinaski]

When there is a reason to close up shop again, I would be suprised if they didn't take the opportunity.

"When" there is a reason...? WA has simply been lucky with regards to relative geographical isolation to date. Australia as a country had that luck in early 2020 compared to other countries. That luck ran out, and I don't think anyone reasonably assumes that we'll ever get back to that position of being safe from what's going on everywhere else.

 

[Juicecan]

Thanks all for comments

 

[A1]

Tbh without reading too much into WA politics (i.e. low modality) - it seems to me the only reason WA is opening up is because the situation there has gotten worse than the eastern states

It wasn't simply politics, it was to safeguard the WA mining operations to continue producing half a billion dollars a day export income. Google you will find how the Federal Treasurer and the Resources Minister were thankful for that.

The quarantine/isolation rules at the time were any close contact or exposure cases must isolate for two weeks. Imagine several hundred workers sharing the site's dining hall, just one person found with Covid would put that whole mining site out of action.

Now with the triple-vaxxed rate reaching a sufficient level the gov can start lessening the isolation requirements for the state, thus the mining sites. Any Covid found on site can be managed with less disruption.

 

[Unluckydude]

It is unlikely that WA or Australia will shut the borders again unless a more pathogenic strain emerges. But I don't think we can rule out the possibility that a more severe variant emerges.
Alpha is more pathogenic than the original virus.
Delta is more pathogenic than Alpha.
BA.1 is less pathogenic than delta.
BA.2 is more infectious than BA.1 with no reduction in severity.

There is no clear evidence that the virus will inevitably become more mild.

 

[ucat3300+]

For anyone who's looking to apply to UWA provisional medicine in the future, don't be scared by their 5.5 GPA minimum requirement which is higher than the 5.0 GPA minimum at other provisional courses like UQ, Griffith, or Flinders. It's actually the same - 65% average mark, but UWA just has a different grading scale.

I'm just putting it out there because as a naive Year 12, I put UWA at the bottom of my preference list because of the seemingly higher academic requirement in your undergraduate degree to progress to MD, but it's actually the same as all other provisional courses like UQ, Flinders, Griffith and USYD - 65%.

More detailed explanation:

The scale 5 = credit, 6 = distinction, 7 = high distinction is universal. But the grading scale is different between UWA and other unis.

At UQ, Griffith and Flinders, 65% = credit, 75% = distinction, 85% = high distinction. So their 5.0 minimum GPA requirement to progress to the MD corresponds to a 65%. But at UWA, 60% = credit, 70% = distinction, 80% = high distinction. So the 5.5 minimum GPA requirement also corresponds to a 65% minimum.

So while it's true that you need to get midway between credit and distinction at UWA provisional while you just need to get credit at other provisional courses, the percentage you need to get is actually the same (65%), and of course percentage is the fairer comparison when it comes to the amount of effort you need to put in.

I also realised that this means it's easier to get a HD (i.e. 7 GPA) at UWA compared to other universities (80% vs 85%).

So yeah. This is my third week at UWA and I only just realised this, so putting it out there. Hopefully other future applicants don't get misguided like me, thinking UWA is a more difficult provisional course than others.

 

[Dmltkdmltk]

Hello,
I wasn't sure where to ask this. But I was wondering how do you reject an offer from USYD. It's for diagnostic science which was my 4th preference. It says I have to make a one time login to accept. Does the same go for rejecting the offer?

 

[Random567]

Home state: NSW
ATAR: 99.90 (bad ucat)
Possible Offer 1: Griffth Medicine (6yr)(put 1st on QTAC)
Offer 2: University of Melbourne - Medicine (7yr)
Any scholarships offered: UniMelb Chancellors Scholarship
Any accommodation secured: None
Internship location preference: EitherOther Information: I have received a Chancellor's scholarship offer from UniMelb and the email says that this offer lapses after 5th of January. However QTAC offers come out on 12th of January from my understanding, so I won't definitively know if I got Griffith or JCU(I did interview and I put it as 3rd preference after Griffith Nathan campus and gold coast). I have asked around and from what I have heard the UniMelb interview is a pass-or-fail thing so it isn't competitive and you aren't ranked (I think you are in a different pool to other postgrad). Apparently, you have to pass 5/8 stations in the MMI interview and I've people currently doing the program and they said that if you fail you're basically a psychopath. Also, I think that UniMelb has better opportunities and scholarships. I'm leaning towards UniMelb but I'm still not sure yet. Could I please receive some advice? Thank you.

 

[A1]

the UniMelb interview is a pass-or-fail thing so it isn't competitive and you aren't ranked (I think you are in a different pool to other postgrad).

That's correct you won't be competing against the GAMSAT-entry applicants. Iirc Chancellors also has the advantage you'll be unbonded whereas Griffith you may end up bonded.

Beware Chancellors requires to achieve 70+ WAM *every* semester (i.e. not the final average). If you fail this the webpage says they may suspend your scholarship in monetary terms until your next semester 70+ WAM. You should check with UMelb whether this affects your MD guarantee.

Even if not sure about it you should accept the Chancellors offer for now. If you later get & prefer Griffith you can withdraw from Chancellors without any penalty.

 

[Crow]

Home state: NSW
ATAR: 99.90 (bad ucat)
Possible Offer 1: Griffth Medicine (6yr)(put 1st on QTAC)
Offer 2: University of Melbourne - Medicine (7yr)
Any scholarships offered: UniMelb Chancellors Scholarship
Any accommodation secured: None
Internship location preference: EitherOther Information: I have received a Chancellor's scholarship offer from UniMelb and the email says that this offer lapses after 5th of January. However QTAC offers come out on 12th of January from my understanding, so I won't definitively know if I got Griffith or JCU(I did interview and I put it as 3rd preference after Griffith Nathan campus and gold coast). I have asked around and from what I have heard the UniMelb interview is a pass-or-fail thing so it isn't competitive and you aren't ranked (I think you are in a different pool to other postgrad). Apparently, you have to pass 5/8 stations in the MMI interview and I've people currently doing the program and they said that if you fail you're basically a psychopath. Also, I think that UniMelb has better opportunities and scholarships. I'm leaning towards UniMelb but I'm still not sure yet. Could I please receive some advice? Thank you.

You have a guaranteed CSP at UniMelb which is ideal when it's not guaranteed at Griffith. If you want to visit home regularly I imagine Melbourne will be closer than SEQ too. I'd probably take Melbourne for these reasons despite the extra year of study duration.

Apparently, you have to pass 5/8 stations in the MMI interview and I've people currently doing the program and they said that if you fail you're basically a psychopath.

I'm sure there is no ill intention here but don't perpetuate toxic and insulting comments like this. Many capable people do not "pass" their interviews when attempting to get into medicine despite being more than suitable candidates (I know the circumstances RE Chancellor's interviews are different but the rule still applies).

 

[Random567]

You have a guaranteed CSP at UniMelb which is ideal when it's not guaranteed at Griffith. If you want to visit home regularly I imagine Melbourne will be closer than SEQ too. I'd probably take Melbourne for these reasons despite the extra year of study duration.

I'm sure there is no ill intention here but don't perpetuate toxic and insulting comments like this. Many capable people do not "pass" their interviews when attempting to get into medicine despite being more than suitable candidates (I know the circumstances RE Chancellor's interviews are different but the rule still applies).

I'm very sorry I poorly worded what I was trying to convey. People have generally said that if you prepare you should be able to pass the interview. Also, I've heard that BMP is not that bad, isn't it just you work for 3 years in a rural area or am I mistaken? Also is it very difficult to get an unbonded spot in Griffith? And do you think the risk of the interview at UniMelb is worth taking for an unbonded spot?

 

[Crow]

I've heard that BMP is not that bad, isn't it just you work for 3 years in a rural area or am I mistaken?

More or less correct, and while "just working in a rural area for 3 years" doesn't bother me personally, it is a significant commitment for others, or even most (especially given you don't know what your life circumstances will be like in 7 years time when you graduate). Having a contractual obligation to the government should not be taken too lightly.

Also is it very difficult to get an unbonded spot in Griffith?

Most will end up with an unbonded spot, but maintaining a GPA of 6.75 or above (the rough requirement these days) for a two year undergraduate degree is not a simple feat by any means.

And do you think the risk of the interview at UniMelb is worth taking for an unbonded spot?

Only you can answer that. The risk is relatively low but it's not a decision for others to make! I would take it personally.

 

[Random567]

More or less correct, and while "just working in a rural area for 3 years" doesn't bother me personally, it is a significant commitment for others, or even most (especially given you don't know what your life circumstances will be like in 7 years time when you graduate). Having a contractual obligation to the government should not be taken too lightly.

Most will end up with an unbonded spot, but maintaining a GPA of 6.75 or above (the rough requirement these days) for a two year undergraduate degree is not a simple feat by any means.

Only you can answer that. The risk is relatively low but it's not a decision for others to make! I would take it personally.

Thanks for the guidance I really appreciate it. Also would you say the academic requirements for UniMelb (75 WAM iirc) is easier to achieve compared to the GPA for Griffith for an unbonded spot or the GPA required to get into the doctor of medicine after the medical science degree(iirc this was a 5.0 GPA?).

 

[A1]

would you say the academic requirements for UniMelb (75 WAM iirc)

The 75 WAM requirement is for the ATAR 99+ leading to full-fee MD and it's overall WAM at end of the undergrad. In your case the Chancellors 99.90+ requires 70+ WAM every semester.

 

[Crow]

Thanks for the guidance I really appreciate it. Also would you say the academic requirements for UniMelb (75 WAM iirc) is easier to achieve compared to the GPA for Griffith for an unbonded spot or the GPA required to get into the doctor of medicine after the medical science degree(iirc this was a 5.0 GPA?).

It’s definitely going to be easier to maintain a 70 WAM than a 6.75+ GPA. 70 WAM and 5.0 GPA are probably in line with each other in terms of difficulty.

 

[kitkat23]

I'm very sorry I poorly worded what I was trying to convey. People have generally said that if you prepare you should be able to pass the interview. Also, I've heard that BMP is not that bad, isn't it just you work for 3 years in a rural area or am I mistaken? Also is it very difficult to get an unbonded spot in Griffith? And do you think the risk of the interview at UniMelb is worth taking for an unbonded spot?

Yeah would highly recommend unimelb! You're gonna grow and develop so much as a person over three years of undergrad - it's such a good program and environment to learn in. Most people start interview prep like a few months before the interviews in Sep/Oct of 3rd year so there's heaps of time and usually the chancellors get around each other in groups to prep and everyone gets in. I've not personally known anyone who hasn't.