Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[ar456]

Looks like someone is going to get Monash and ditch the rest
I've just browsed back this time last year you were panicking about doing gap year and here we are... offers coming out of your ears.
(Others please note not everyone will be successful the same)

Haha, hopefully I didn't come across as arrogant or ungrateful, not my intention! But yes, it's been quite a journey!

I was given UNSW interview on a Friday and Monash on Monday, with the weekend break we made it comfortably. Two consecutive days is challenging, you need to request a morning with UNSW, fly to Melb afternoon/evening. I would try to do both since you're still not convinced about JMP/Adelaide

Right, my monash interview is online on the morning of Jan 20th, while my UNSW has already been scheduled in-person for the evening on the 18th. So it's possible to do, I just need to consider whether travel to Sydney would negatively affect monash. Also, I don't really have a pref anymore between UNSW and Adelaide, both are good, so that's a factor.

 

[rudolph123]

Haha, hopefully I didn't come across as arrogant or ungrateful, not my intention! But yes, it's been quite a journey!

Right, my monash interview is online on the morning of Jan 20th, while my UNSW has already been scheduled in-person for the evening on the 18th. So it's possible to do, I just need to consider whether travel to Sydney would negatively affect monash. Also, I don't really have a pref anymore between UNSW and Adelaide, both are good, so that's a factor.

I think going to UNSW will help you better prepare for Monash MMI because you are able to practice your verbal communication and interview skills

 

[wantingdentistr]

Hi everyone,
I am in a situation where I have to choose between dent CSU and Griffith. I have accepted both offers for now and waiting for their credit assessment. To give a brief information of myself, I will be a mature student in late 20s and I have done a bachelor of pharmacy and been living and working in Victoria.
If I manage to get credits then I would have reasonable amount of free time and thinking of continue to work as pharmacist and prob get a job as a dental assistant too at the same time.
Money wise, I am leaning towards CSU (50k tuition fee vs 150k + better salary as pharmacist in rural area) but I am just afraid that my lifestyle in rural area could make me depressed as I am not used to with rural lifestyle. Even if you could drive to Sydney from Orange, it takes nearly 4 hrs one way trip so I don't think I can do this often.
Where would you guys pick if you were in my situation?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Cookie~]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: WSU - BMP (put 2nd on UAC)
Offer 2: Griffith Provisional Med (graduated Y12 in 2021)
Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: Both
Internship location preference: Preferably NSW but honestly wouldn't mind
Other important information:

Hi! So, I was a non-standard applicant this year because I started my Griffith MedSci course and got a bonded place at WSU. I was a little conflicted as to which one to choose because I would finish both at the same time but the WSU place is bonded. Which uni is better? Also, I wasn't sure how much a bonded place disadvantages me. In terms of being able to specialise, I've heard that it's better to try early and that your referrals during internship and residency are important. If I were to do a rural placement during this time where I may not get to shadow a specialist in the field, would that affect me? Correct me if I'm wrong. Also, when do people usually do their return of service obligation?

With my GPA at Griffith, I think it's pretty unlikely I would be bonded. I also graduate med sci this year so would be able to try postgrad route to see if I can get back to NSW however I wouldn't mind finishing the 6 years there either.

 

[A1]

I was a little conflicted as to which one to choose because I would finish both at the same time but the WSU place is bonded.

If the WSU offer were unbonded you wouldn't hesitate to switch, right?

In that case it boils down to how much you see BMP will affect you personally. Have a detail read of this thread, lots of discussion on the implications of BMP see what you think
> [2020 entry and beyond] Guide to Bonded Medical Places

 

[DrDrLMG!]

If the WSU offer were unbonded you wouldn't hesitate to switch, right?

In that case it boils down to how much you see BMP will affect you personally. Have a detail read of this thread, lots of discussion on the implications of BMP see what you think
> [2020 entry and beyond] Guide to Bonded Medical Places

There’s also the chance the BMP is upgraded as further offers are declined and made.

 

[Cookie~]

If the WSU offer were unbonded you wouldn't hesitate to switch, right?

Yea I think so. Okay, thank you so much for the info.
Also, I was just asking around for more opinions and the perks of each uni. Which one would you guys personally take?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Yea I think so. Okay, thank you so much for the info.
Also, I was just asking around for more opinions and the perks of each uni. Which one would you guys personally take?

Honestly, I doubt you’ll find someone active here at MSO who has studied substantially at both (though you might!) in order to provide a meaningful opinion. Not to mention the fact that their motivations may be vastly different to yours.

For example, I’d choose firstly based on location, then based on 5 years over 6 or 7, then CSP over BMP (if I had that option). The perceived ‘perks’ of the university wouldn’t factor in for me personally. You need to weigh up what is most important to you.

 

[drchp]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on which uni to go for

Home State: NSW
Offer 1: JMP Newcastle Bonded (2nd on UAC, WSU was 1st)
Offer 2: Adelaide Unbonded
Offer 3: UQ Unbonded

I'm currently heavily leaning towards Newcastle because 1) location (2h drive from Sydney, so I can visit home every weekend) and 2) it's short, 3) I want to practise in NSW. The only thing stopping me is the fact that it's bonded...

- Is it likely for bonded to upgrade to unbonded for JMP Newcastle?
- Do WSU give out 2nd round offers to Non GWS? (if i receive an unbonded WSU offer then I might consider going WSU)
- Can being bonded have good career outcomes?? (everyone who talks about it makes it sound like a death sentence and it's kinda stressing me out lol)

 

[day331]

I just got an email saying that there were sports open in the central coast clinical school and I was wondering what the differences between the Newcastle and central coast campuses are?

 

[drchp]

I just got an email saying that there were sports open in the central coast clinical school and I was wondering what the differences between the Newcastle and central coast campuses are?

me too! i said i'm interested and newcastle confirmed that i'll be going to central coast now

from my knowledge, central coast campus is quite small and med cohort is 30-35 people - you get more clinical exposure than newcastle, and more attention from doctors etc at teaching hospitals. the facilities at the hospital are more new, too.

i chose it because
- I live in Sydney, so it's closer to home
- better teaching facilities and resources

i'm hoping the social life won't be too bad; the cohort will be super tight, and we'll still be able to travel to UoN for med society stuff, but I'm not sure if there is a CCCS-specific club here.

lmk if you're going to CCCS too !!

(ps you may want to make a decision fast - i called the yr 1 coordinator at CCCS and she said there are only a handful of spots open, around 3, and I accepted one)

 

[apple01]

Right thanks A1.

So my dilemma now is trying to decide if a Sydney NSW internship is worth being bonded versus unbonded Adelaide.

Also, I've heard that Adelaide uni isn't the most desirable as if you fail an exam you repeat the semester rather than resitting (not verified). Do you have any thoughts on this as this can be a significant quality of life deterrent, compared to UNE's pass/fail system.

Can only speak for Adelaide. Yes, you get a replacement exam if you fail your EOY or End-of-Sem exam by any measure. From experience, these exams are you usually fairly reasonable given you study decently in the SWOTVAC (2-week revision period) before the exam + hopefully during the semester. Yes if you fail the replacement, you are forced to repeat it and are unable to progress to the next semester/year (and hence are known as 'hurdles'). If you fail second semester, however, you are not forced to repeat first semester (which you passed via the End-of-Sem exam) the following year.

Long story short => should not be a deterrent for Adelaide!

 

[borenkar]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: UQ Dent (put 3rd on QTAC)
Currently: Griffith Dent (Got offer in 2021)
Other important information:
Hi everyone! I needed some advice on choosing between continuing at Griffith Dent vs starting afresh at UQ Dent (hopefully will get credits for some subjects). I'm tempted to move to UQ as I've been offered a CSP place and wouldn't have to pay enormous fees for my last two years unlike at Griffith Uni. However, if I choose to move, then I will be losing 1 year which I could instead use gaining experience and working. I was just wondering does the university you graduate from affect wanting to specialise in the future/getting future employment? Has anyone had a similar experience of transferring between dent programs? Would appreciate any advice.

Thankyou!

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: UQ Dent (put 3rd on QTAC)
Currently: Griffith Dent (Got offer in 2021)
Other important information:
Hi everyone! I needed some advice on choosing between continuing at Griffith Dent vs starting afresh at UQ Dent (hopefully will get credits for some subjects). I'm tempted to move to UQ as I've been offered a CSP place and wouldn't have to pay enormous fees for my last two years unlike at Griffith Uni. However, if I choose to move, then I will be losing 1 year which I could instead use gaining experience and working. I was just wondering does the university you graduate from affect wanting to specialise in the future/getting future employment? Has anyone had a similar experience of transferring between dent programs? Would appreciate any advice.

Thankyou!

Yamster received credit when starting UQDent from a different allied health pathway (not another Dent degree), so I’d imagine you could certainly look into this.

Uni reputation doesn’t matter for Med, but I am less familiar with Dent. Perhaps Yamster can provide some insights.

Also, remind me how much the masters component of Griffith Uni is?

 

[jsms6]

Hi guys,

I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm honestly too lazy to go back and check like 50 pages hahaha
Just wanted to get people's thoughts on the USYD Double Degree Medicine Program vs the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine.

I've done quite a lot of my own research, and have spoken to current students in both programs at each uni, but I'm still totally torn between the two!

Key Differences: (USYD vs UNSW)

• 7 Years vs 6 Years
• Bachelor of Science - Undergrad/Postgrad structure vs Full Undegradute Medicine structure
• Limited clinical experience in first 3 years vs Clinical experience early from Year 1
• Unsure of research opportunities vs 4th-year honours/ILP
• Higher reputation vs Better community/lifestyle??

If anyone could help or give more insight that would be greatly appreciated!! Can be anything like food or campus, or stuff more related to content or syllabus etc.

 

[2xq]

Hi guys,

I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm honestly too lazy to go back and check like 50 pages hahaha
Just wanted to get people's thoughts on the USYD Double Degree Medicine Program vs the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine.

I've done quite a lot of my own research, and have spoken to current students in both programs at each uni, but I'm still totally torn between the two!

Key Differences: (USYD vs UNSW)

• 7 Years vs 6 Years
• Bachelor of Science - Undergrad/Postgrad structure vs Full Undegradute Medicine structure
• Limited clinical experience in first 3 years vs Clinical experience early from Year 1
• Unsure of research opportunities vs 4th-year honours/ILP
• Higher reputation vs Better community/lifestyle??

If anyone could help or give more insight that would be greatly appreciated!! Can be anything like food or campus, or stuff more related to content or syllabus etc.

Just a small correction. There is an MD project as part of USYD's MD program.

 

[ThunderDragon]

Hi guys,

I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm honestly too lazy to go back and check like 50 pages hahaha
Just wanted to get people's thoughts on the USYD Double Degree Medicine Program vs the UNSW Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine.

I've done quite a lot of my own research, and have spoken to current students in both programs at each uni, but I'm still totally torn between the two!

Key Differences: (USYD vs UNSW)

• 7 Years vs 6 Years
• Bachelor of Science - Undergrad/Postgrad structure vs Full Undegradute Medicine structure
• Limited clinical experience in first 3 years vs Clinical experience early from Year 1
• Unsure of research opportunities vs 4th-year honours/ILP
• Higher reputation vs Better community/lifestyle??

If anyone could help or give more insight that would be greatly appreciated!! Can be anything like food or campus, or stuff more related to content or syllabus etc.

I think it comes down to whether you want to explore other things first or not. If you have other hobbies like maths etc that you want to explore, USYD would be the better option given that UNSW has almost no electives and the course is set whereas you have a lot more free reign in a Bachelor of Science at USYD. UNSW would give you more early clinical exposure however you can take units in a BSci at USYD where you learn the basic preclinical stuff like anatomy etc as well. I would presume doing a BSCI first may be more chill than going straight into Medicine if that is something else you wanted to consider and wanted to take it a bit easy before going into Med whereas UNSW you will need to be on the ball right from the start.

 

[Yamster]

Hey borenkar,

LMG is right it doesn't matter where you studied if you want to specialise. I think first year courses for both UQ/GU dent is just basic health sciences with the exception of the dent specific course right? You'll probably have to redo that in first year but your chemistry, biology, stats, etc. might be able be credited! It's been a while since I've done transfers or what not but you might be able to look up course equivalency guides at UQ to see if you can get credits for your GU courses.

Yep, fair point in having difficulty deciding besides a full fee masters and working one full year as a dentist! I'd have trouble deciding too tbh!

 

[A1]

Yep, fair point in having difficulty deciding besides a full fee masters and working one full year as a dentist! I'd have trouble deciding too tbh!

Fee for the Masters two years is $132k so $110k more than two CSP years.

Yamster given your reluctance to start working you shouldn't have any trouble deciding. Why have to work for the $110k instead of not having to pay it

 

[A1]

Key Differences: (USYD vs UNSW)

Unless it's one bonded vs one unbonded I would have no hesitation choosing the 6 years.

But at least one MSO member has chosen USyd over UNSW as in this post
> USyd - USyd Medicine: Provisional Entry Questions and General Discussion