Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[DrDrLMG!]

Home state: NSW
UCAT: 2740, 72nd%ile
ATAR: 94.60
Offer 1: JMP @ UNE - BMP (put 2nd on UAC)
Offer 2: UQ Med - BMP (Put 2nd on QTAC)
Potential Offer: Maybe UNSW (1st on UAC)
Any scholarships offered: $5000 at UNSW
Any accommodation secured: NO
Internship location preference: NO

Other Information:
Hey! I got UNE & UQ bonded medicine. I'm really torn on which to do. Any advice would be appreciated!

UQ appeals to me location wise as I'd probably prefer Brisbane over Armidale though the length of the degree and risk of provisional entry are a litle concerning to me. Also not sure if I want to spend 3 years doing an undergrad when I could jump straight into a medicine degree. However, UQ does have more accomodation options and part time job opportunities unike armidale.

UNE is well known and only five years of a pure medical degree which really appeals to me. However, as mentioned earlier the location isn't ideal and is difficult to access from my current location therefore perhaps making it difficult to go home in emergencies. UNE being a smaller uni also appeals as I think the sense of community might be greater but not sure.

I was just wondering what other factors I should be considering and realistically which is the better degree. Would love to here UQ and UNE students views!! Still maybe hoping for UNSW though not incredibly concerned as extremely surprised by the choice I have through these two options!!

There’s a fair chance one of these offers could end up being elevated to a CSP in subsequent rounds (esp the JMP one), which could make the decision making a little easier if that pathway concerns you at all (it may not). But it’s not something to rely on and you’ve asked some good questions. Hopefully a UNE or UQ student can weigh in.

dotwingz perhaps?

 

[A1]

Other Information:
Hey! I got UNE & UQ bonded medicine. I'm really torn on which to do. Any advice would be appreciated!

For me a choice between 5yrs and 7yrs is quite clear cut. Between 5 & 6 years would be more difficult.

 

[ar456]

For me a choice between 5yrs and 7yrs is quite clear cut. Between 5 & 6 years would be more difficult.

Similar thought here, I'm finding choosing between 5 (jmp) vs 6 years (UAdel) is challenging.
Just wondering if anyone had any opinions or could weigh in on my situation (in my previous post) with jmp vs uadel vs unsw (although now less likely to pursue unsw but perspectives still useful)?

 

[dachshund]

Similar thought here, I'm finding choosing between 5 (jmp) vs 6 years (UAdel) is challenging.
Just wondering if anyone had any opinions or could weigh in on my situation (in my previous post) with jmp vs uadel vs unsw (although now less likely to pursue unsw but perspectives still useful)?

For me it would depend on where I see myself living in the future. I saw you mention you liked the city of Adelaide and if you have thoughts on relocating completely, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to move from the get go and do the degree in Adelaide

 

[ThunderDragon]

Similar thought here, I'm finding choosing between 5 (jmp) vs 6 years (UAdel) is challenging.
Just wondering if anyone had any opinions or could weigh in on my situation (in my previous post) with jmp vs uadel vs unsw (although now less likely to pursue unsw but perspectives still useful)?

Given that you said you received accommodation for Adelaide already, it might be a better idea as you would be more settled down. Heard Newcastle accomodation is quite full and UNSW accomodation is even more of a mess atm. That being said JMP is one year shorter so if you wanted to finish faster, than that would probs be the better option. The uni you go to doesn't really impact likelihood of internship so that shouldn't really be a consideration for which uni to go to.

 

[ar456]

Given that you said you received accommodation for Adelaide already, it might be a better idea as you would be more settled down. Heard Newcastle accomodation is quite full and UNSW accomodation is even more of a mess atm. That being said JMP is one year shorter so if you wanted to finish faster, than that would probs be the better option. The uni you go to doesn't really impact likelihood of internship so that shouldn't really be a consideration for which uni to go to.

Sorry should have added that I have already got unsw accommodation sorted (did it a few weeks back), so would this be a major factor? Would having certainty of accommodation be a bigger factor to weigh compared to a shorter degree (5 years at jmp and 6 at unsw). Or is there no such typical suggestion/dependent on each person? For more context, I'm pretty confident (finger's crossed) I'll be able to get some off-campus accommodation nearby at Newcastle.

Otherwise, is there anything at UNSW that really stands out vs JMP? I know there's the research year, but heard mixed things about it...

Also, is there one uni out of them in particular that would have higher chances of getting internship back in home state of QLD or not? I'm not too familiar with the internship process, so may need to look into that.

Sorry, and just to add, I've heard old rumours (no evidence yet) that the Adelaide course has a high dropout rate and that generally it is less favourable than other courses. Anyone got any info on if this is true, and if so, whether it's changed?

 

[ThunderDragon]

Sorry should have added that I have already got unsw accommodation sorted (did it a few weeks back), so would this be a major factor? Would having certainty of accommodation be a bigger factor to weigh compared to a shorter degree (5 years at jmp and 6 at unsw). Or is there no such typical suggestion/dependent on each person? For more context, I'm pretty confident (finger's crossed) I'll be able to get some off-campus accommodation nearby at Newcastle.

Otherwise, is there anything at UNSW that really stands out vs JMP? I know there's the research year, but heard mixed things about it...

Also, is there one uni out of them in particular that would have higher chances of getting internship back in home state of QLD or not? I'm not too familiar with the internship process, so may need to look into that.

Sorry, and just to add, I've heard old rumours (no evidence yet) that the Adelaide course has a high dropout rate and that generally it is less favourable than other courses. Anyone got any info on if this is true, and if so, whether it's changed?

If you are prettty confident about getting Newcastle accommodation, I would personally choose that over UNSW given its a year shorter. That being said it depends on the person. All the med courses are accredited so it won’t put you at any advantage for internships. The only thing UNSW has an advantage in is you could do Honours which might be useful if you wanted to pursue a PHD later however you can also do that at Newcastle and Adelaide too I believe if you wanted to. I haven’t heard much about the Adelaide course although I have heard Newcastle is pretty good and has a good community

I will add that Adelaide does have a state of the art med building and simulation lab and pretty big hospital connections

 

[ar456]

If you are prettty confident about getting Newcastle accommodation, I would personally choose that over UNSW given its a year shorter. That being said it depends on the person. All the med courses are accredited so it won’t put you at any advantage for internships. The only thing UNSW has an advantage in is you could do Honours which might be useful if you wanted to pursue a PHD later however you can also do that at Newcastle and Adelaide too I believe if you wanted to. I haven’t heard much about the Adelaide course although I have heard Newcastle is pretty good and has a good community

Right, interesting. Hopefully I'll find a place, I think some people who get even later offers at Newcastle still manage to find somewhere - maybe anyone with experience can testify? On the topic of settling in, would going for unsw as an interstate be a major disadvantage if offers come out only a week, or in some cases days, before orientation? I'd assume not, but maybe someone has experience?

Also, if anyone else has any experience/thoughts on my situation they are happy to share, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ucat3300+]

Also, if anyone else has any experience/thoughts on my situation they are happy to share, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!

You seem to be really good at interviews seeing you got offers from both JMP and Adelaide (I did interviews at both & got rejected from both). If I were in your shoes, I would do the UNSW interview (and you say that you got accommodation sorted for UNSW) and take the unbonded UNSW offer if you get it. Absolutely zero disadvantages, academically, getting a late offer as an interstate, you'll still be starting Feb 13 with the rest of the cohort.

I say this because UNSW is by far the best uni out of the three, using objective metrics such as world uni rankings, research output, their teaching hospitals, etc. It's the most popular preference on UAC, and you'll be studying with the 'cream of the crop' - the brightest kids from Sydney. Hardly any Sydneysider preferences JMP over UNSW (I am a Sydneysider myself). Undoubtedly UNSW is one of the best medical schools in Australia.

From my many years at MSO, I've always felt that the general sentiment here has been (overwhelmingly) uni prestige doesn't matter because it doesn't affect your future career outcomes, no one cares about which uni you went to few years after you graduate from med school, etc. That's probably true, and if I had to choose between attending a less prestigious med school & getting into my top preference specialty vs. prestigious med school & not getting into my preferred specialty, I would choose the former.

But I also think that which university you go to forms a pretty big part of your identity (at least for me) - your 'alma mater' is something that will stick around for the rest of your life (almost every doctor I've seen puts which med school they went to on their website profiles.)

That's why I chose a "less practical, more uncertain" 6 year provisional MD at UWA, instead of a "more practical, shorter" 5 year course at Curtin, and I have absolutely zero regrets.

In regards to JMP vs Adelaide, it's a tough choice. I have a mate who goes to Flinders, and he tells me that Adelaide is the best medical school in the state (using objective metrics of course, your subjective experience may vary) with access to the best teaching hospitals (Royal Adelaide Hospital), and new, 'state of the art' med school buildings. It is a typical 'sandstone' Group of 8 university although I must note it ranks at the bottom of the "Group of 8" along with UWA . But nonetheless, a very attractive medical school in my eyes. Also, it's in Adelaide CBD.

Newcastle is around an 1.5 hour drive from Sydney, it's a nice coastal town with rural vibes (compared to Sydney CBD which will be your stomping ground if you go UNSW), and a relaxed atmosphere. I've got mutual friends who go to UoN and I've heard their having the time of their lives up there. In terms of the course, it's very heavily based on problem based learning - I'm sure you know all about this from interview prep, but it's very much "learn on your own" from what I've seen, learning in groups, discussing & debating the content with others, teaching your mates, doing presentations, etc. I know I would not enjoy this and I very much appreciate the traditional learning style at UWA where you learn from lecturers. Given this and also because I value uni prestige highly, I'd choose Adelaide (I'd also prefer the city life).

That's my two cents, and bloody well done mate, I've been following your posts and an excellent achievement getting unbonded offers from two medical schools. The gap year paid off, I also did a gap year and got in. Happy days ahead!

 

[JeydinNewWon]

You seem to be really good at interviews seeing you got offers from both JMP and Adelaide (I did interviews at both & got rejected from both). If I were in your shoes, I would do the UNSW interview (and you say that you got accommodation sorted for UNSW) and take the unbonded UNSW offer if you get it. Absolutely zero disadvantages, academically, getting a late offer as an interstate, you'll still be starting Feb 13 with the rest of the cohort.

I say this because UNSW is by far the best uni out of the three, using objective metrics such as world uni rankings, research output, their teaching hospitals, etc. It's the most popular preference on UAC, and you'll be studying with the 'cream of the crop' - the brightest kids from Sydney. Hardly any Sydneysider preferences JMP over UNSW (I am a Sydneysider myself). Undoubtedly UNSW is one of the best medical schools in Australia.

From my many years at MSO, I've always felt that the general sentiment here has been (overridingly) uni prestige doesn't matter because it doesn't affect your future career outcomes, no one cares about which uni you went to few years after you graduate from med school, etc. That's probably true, and if I had to choose between attending a less prestigious med school & getting into my top preference specialty vs. prestigious med school & not getting into my preferred specialty, I would choose the former.

But I also think that what university you go to forms a pretty big part of your identity (at least for me) - your 'alma mater' is something that will stick around for the rest of your life (almost every doctor I've seen puts which med school they went to on their website profiles.)

That's why I chose a "less practical, more uncertain" 6 year provisional MD at UWA, instead of a "more practical, shorter" 5 year course at Curtin, and I have absolutely zero regrets.

In regards to JMP vs Adelaide, it's a tough choice. I have a mate who goes to Flinders, and he tells me that Adelaide is the best medical school in the state (using objective metrics of course, your subjective experience may vary) with access to the best teaching hospitals (Royal Adelaide Hospital), and new, 'state of the art' med school buildings. It is a typical 'sandstone' Group of 8 university although I must note it ranks at the bottom of the "Group of 8" along with UWA . But nonetheless, a very attractive medical school in my eyes. Also, it's in Adelaide CBD.

Newcastle is around an 1.5 hour drive from Sydney, it's a nice coastal town with rural vibes (compared to Sydney CBD which will be your stomping ground if you go UNSW), and a relaxed atmosphere. I've got mutual friends who go to UoN and I've heard their having the time of their lives up there. In terms of the course, it's very heavily based on problem based learning - I'm sure you know all about this from interview prep, but it's very much "learn on your own" from what I've seen, learning in groups, discussing & debating the content with others, teaching your mates, doing presentations, etc. I know I would not enjoy this and I very much appreciate the traditional learning style at UWA where you learn from lecturers. Given this and also because I value uni prestige highly, I'd choose Adelaide.

That's my two cents, and bloody well done mate, I've been following your posts and an excellent achievement getting unbonded offers from two medical schools. The gap year paid off, I also did a gap year and got in. Happy days ahead!

Pls tell me who from UNSW hired you



JK JK, but yes, I would agree that uni life does matter to an extent (at least to those who have been kept inside a lot as kids...lol). But as a NSW kid, I would agree that I'd preference UNSW over WSU and JMP, haha.

Also, why do you give special mention to the cream of the crop of Sydney as the brightest kids? xD Why not Monash with the brightest Victorian, or UAdel with the brightest Adelaide kids xD?

 

[ucat3300+]

Pls tell me who from UNSW hired you

UNSW is the school I wish I went to but never got in

Also, why do you give special mention to the cream of the crop of Sydney as the brightest kids? xD Why not Monash with the brightest Victorian, or UAdel with the brightest Adelaide kids xD?

Well UNSW Med does have the highest median ATAR out of all medical courses across the whole of Australia

 

[JeydinNewWon]

UNSW is the school I wished I went to but never got in

Well UNSW Med does have the highest median ATAR out of all medical courses across the whole of Australia
View attachment 5311

Huh. But that assumes the ATAR is a good correlation with how perceivably 'bright' one is...if we choose to define 'bright' one is by an arbitrary ranking system, which has implicit biases against certain subjects... Further, UNSW's median raw ATAR could be like 99.65 and Monash be like 99.60 and UNSW would technically still be higher but that doesn't mean a major discrepancy in 'brightness', now does it? haha.

Just nitpicking, lol...but it does show that maybe us Sydneysiders inflate our egos a bit too much ;P

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[A1]

Given that this thread has moved to a lighthearted note on school ranking I must add this...

although I must note it ranks at the bottom of the "Group of 8" along with UWA

Why does everyone diss UWA, didn't I tell you guys UWA Med officially consistently ranked among the top 3 in Australia, alongside UMelb & USyd
> General FunTimes and Meme-ery

(Btw this ranking^ is specifically on Clinical Medicine. Ignore the silly post further down by dotwingz which is ranking on Med + Health Sciences thus distorts. The fact it ranks Uni Canberra higher than WSU Med, UoN Med, JCU Med ... says enough )

 

[ar456]

you'll still be starting Feb 13

I thought I'd have to come a little earlier for orientation, like a week earlier?

I say this because UNSW is by far the best uni out of the three, using objective metrics such as world uni rankings, research output, their teaching hospitals, etc.

Hmm I thought UAdel has ranked higher globally recently, maybe it's not consistent: Best universities in Australia for medicine degrees 2023

It's the most popular preference on UAC, and you'll be studying with the 'cream of the crop'

I know studying with the best of the best would be a boost, but wouldn't it also be harder to differentiate myself for internships/future opportunities/specialties?

But I also think that which university you go to forms a pretty big part of your identity (at least for me) - your 'alma mater' is something that will stick around for the rest of your life (almost every doctor I've seen puts which med school they went to on their website profiles.)

This is an interesting point - one I haven't really considered. Would be curious to know if anyone else also shares the same sentiment? Or has any thoughts on prestige vs practicality?

That's my two cents, and bloody well done mate, I've been following your posts and an excellent achievement getting unbonded offers from two medical schools. The gap year paid off, I also did a gap year and got in. Happy days ahead!

Thanks so much! Your posts and advice at the start of the year actually helped me consider a gap year further, so thank you!

 

[chinaski]

From my many years at MSO, I've always felt that the general sentiment here has been (overwhelmingly) uni prestige doesn't matter because it doesn't affect your future career outcomes, no one cares about which uni you went to few years after you graduate from med school, etc. That's probably true, and if I had to choose between attending a less prestigious med school & getting into my top preference specialty vs. prestigious med school & not getting into my preferred specialty, I would choose the former.

Nobody cares where you went to med school. It has no bearing on what you specialise in, or if you specialise at all. As such, your hypothetical choice here doesn't bear out in reality in any case.

But I also think that which university you go to forms a pretty big part of your identity (at least for me) - your 'alma mater' is something that will stick around for the rest of your life (almost every doctor I've seen puts which med school they went to on their website profiles.)

Yeah, no. It may mean something to you personally, but you're projecting if you think doctors (or university grads in general) form their identity around their alma mater. If a doctor nominates their med school in their post nominals (and I don't think this is as common as you think), be aware that they are trading on perceived prestige to a public who don't know any better. Professionally speaking, if your old med school is one of the more notable things about you professionally, quite frankly you're lacking in more relevant and impressive things to mention.

Bear in mind, also: half of Australia's medical schools are now graduate entry, and as such enrol students who already hold degrees from universities other than the uni they attend for med school. As an alma mater of three universities myself, I feel no connection or bond to any of them. Similarly, I don't know any of my colleagues who feel that way either.

 

[ThunderDragon]

I thought I'd have to come a little earlier for orientation, like a week earlier?

Hmm I thought UAdel has ranked higher globally recently, maybe it's not consistent: Best universities in Australia for medicine degrees 2023


I know studying with the best of the best would be a boost, but wouldn't it also be harder to differentiate myself for internships/future opportunities/specialties?

This is an interesting point - one I haven't really considered. Would be curious to know if anyone else also shares the same sentiment? Or has any thoughts on prestige vs practicality?

Thanks so much! Your posts and advice at the start of the year actually helped me consider a gap year further, so thank you!

In terms of internships for QLD, somebody correct me if I'm wrong but you only gain an advantage if you graduated from a QLD uni otherwise you are all lumped in together. Personally, are you leaning towards Adelaide, JMP, or UNSW more? From what you have said, it seems like you are slightly favoring Adelaide?

 

[ar456]

In terms of internships for QLD, somebody correct me if I'm wrong but you only gain an advantage if you graduated from a QLD uni otherwise you are all lumped in together. Personally, are you leaning towards Adelaide, JMP, or UNSW more? From what you have said, it seems like you are slightly favoring Adelaide?

Honestly, I'm still really torn. If I had to choose, yes I'd pick Adelaide right now, but I'm still considering JMP and UNSW.
For me:
Adelaide: good location and lifestyle that suits me, college accommodation sorted, great facilities, PBL which I think I'd enjoy.
JMP: shorter, earlier clinical exposure, apparently wider variety (demographic, background, etc.) of students, quieter location.
UNSW: prestige (still unsure if it matters), college accommodation sorted, access to more opportunities?

One thing I'd also like to know (especially from people who study med at these unis) is how the quality of clinical placements (resources, facilities, variety of exposure) may differ between these unis?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

UNSW: prestige (still unsure if it matters)

It absolutely doesn’t in general. You have to decide if it matters to you (and be honest about that), and also recognise that prestige is utterly your own perception. Just coz you think it’s prestigious doesn’t mean everyone else will. I certainly don’t.

 

[chinaski]

Sometimes I think people who keep referring to prestige and doubting whether it matters (even despite being told that it doesn't) actually want it to matter. Why else do we keep circling back to this issue?

 

[ucatboy]

Well UNSW Med does have the highest median ATAR out of all medical courses across the whole of Australia

I'm calling on this one because there's no way it isn't USyd where the minimum (and maximum) ATAR for getting invited for an interview is 99.95