Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[A1]

Like, for instance, I've heard that junior doctors especially will spend time in rural areas regardless of their bonded/unbonded status.

Being a rural-entry student if you don't mind working in rural/regional areas which incidentally serves the RoS, then BMP may not matter to you.

But the point they all will spend time in rural regardless I don't think is correct. Unless they personally choose to a lot of junior docs don't.

(Generally during the med course they do at least one rural clinical rotation as a student if that's what you referred to).

 

[chinaski]

4. You'll be able to utilise the connections and networking you've made during your med school + internship years in QLD. This is very important and will come in handy for your practice in QLD in the future, especially if you're looking to specialise.

Would chime in here to say that "connections and networking" at a medical school and PGY1 level isn't really that valuable or critically influential - certainly not to a make-or-break level of entering training or not.

 

[yashb]

Hi all, I am currently deciding between medicine offers and needed some advice.

My offers are:
1. Griffith, Nathan UG, Gold Coast PG
2. USYD CSP
3. Monash CSP, non-ERC
4. UTAS CSP
5. Flinders
6. UniMelb CSP (provisional Chancellor's scholarship entry pathway)

My main dilemma right now is choosing between Griffith and Monash.

I currently live in Brisbane, and hence Griffith is the closest university to me (still 1.5+ hours by public transport each way), but I will obviously still be able to live with my family which is quite important, and will have a lot of friends and a place to live. In fact, I'd pretty much made up my mind on Griffith until I received my Monash offer.

Now... after having received my Monash offer, I'm incredibly confused. I feel like there's this sentiment that Monash is the best undergraduate entry medicine course in the country and that I would be foolish to reject this offer (if someone could clarify why this sentiment seems to pervade, that would be appreciated). Plus, graduating a year early and being able to practice for a year longer seems like a positive. Furthermore, since the entire 5 years is medicine, I'll only be learning med-specific content, as opposed to Griffith where I am just doing a general Medical Science course with most of my lectures being shared with students from other disciplines.

However, I've never lived away from my parents and I do want to at least have the opportunity to come back to QLD after I graduate. I've heard differing answers to the question of 'how easy is it to come back to QLD after graduating interstate' question and if someone could clarify this, it would be fantastic. I just want to say that I have no hesitation in working in an undersubscribed/rural hospital for PGY1 or maybe even PGY2 if it would mean that I could come back to Brisbane eventually and be able to enter a competitive surgical specialty (which is my current intention). Also, I just wanted to confirm that if I didn't do PGY1/PGY2 in one of the major hospitals (i.e. RBWH, PA, Prince Charles, etc), will this affect my long-term career trajectory of working in a competitive specialty which isn't available in smaller hospitals (currently neuro was the plan, might change down the line, but wanted to keep options open).

Also, just if someone could clarify what they would do in my shoes that would be great. Also, with Griffith, after two years, the MD component is in Gold Coast so I will be moving to another city, but I will still be able to come back to Brisbane probably every month as it is accessible by public transport, but I will not be living family after two years.

Just some other info:
Griffith: will live at home and catch PT to and from uni, have 18k worth of scholarship, got into some Griffith Honours College program (idk general utility or importance of program), have a few friends but most friends are going to UQ, UG+PG course structure
Monash: sorting out accom, but looks like will be residing in UniLodge-type arrangement for first semester at least, 24k scholarship

Sorry for an incredibly long, and possibly confusing message, but any help at all would be greatly appreciated, and if anything I've said is confusing, please let me know and I'll try clarify. Thanks in advance

 

[ycxl]

Hey guys, new here and would really appreciate some advice. Just finished year 12 in 2022, and, being a rural student, I received a bunch of offers all over the country. I was able to narrow it down to two:
1. Monash bonded (clayton - 5 years)
2. Adelaide unbonded (north terrace - 6 years)
I have secured accommodation in both cities (traditional college at Adelaide and a residential hall in Monash). I am now just trying to decide between the two.
My family loosely intends to move to Melbourne at a later stage, as well as Melbourne always sort of being my dream destination for practicing and internship anyways. However, after researching what the Return of Service Obligation actually means, I am leaning towards Adelaide, despite it being 1 year longer. I am really torn at the moment between these two offers and would really appreciate any advice! Like, for instance, I've heard that junior doctors especially will spend time in rural areas regardless of their bonded/unbonded status. If this is true then bonding doesn't really seem like a big deal? There is also the fact that I am quite a social person who likes to go out and do things. Clayton seems (no offence to any clayton residents - haha) less cool of a place than Adelaide despite only being a half hour train ride from the cbd.
The last and unimportant consideration is that these two cities are equidistant from where I currently live. Any help would

Hi all, I am currently deciding between medicine offers and needed some advice.

My offers are:
1. Griffith, Nathan UG, Gold Coast PG
2. USYD CSP
3. Monash CSP, non-ERC
4. UTAS CSP
5. Flinders
6. UniMelb CSP (provisional Chancellor's scholarship entry pathway)

My main dilemma right now is choosing between Griffith and Monash.

I currently live in Brisbane, and hence Griffith is the closest university to me (still 1.5+ hours by public transport each way), but I will obviously still be able to live with my family which is quite important, and will have a lot of friends and a place to live. In fact, I'd pretty much made up my mind on Griffith until I received my Monash offer.

Now... after having received my Monash offer, I'm incredibly confused. I feel like there's this sentiment that Monash is the best undergraduate entry medicine course in the country and that I would be foolish to reject this offer (if someone could clarify why this sentiment seems to pervade, that would be appreciated). Plus, graduating a year early and being able to practice for a year longer seems like a positive. Furthermore, since the entire 5 years is medicine, I'll only be learning med-specific content, as opposed to Griffith where I am just doing a general Medical Science course with most of my lectures being shared with students from other disciplines.

However, I've never lived away from my parents and I do want to at least have the opportunity to come back to QLD after I graduate. I've heard differing answers to the question of 'how easy is it to come back to QLD after graduating interstate' question and if someone could clarify this, it would be fantastic. I just want to say that I have no hesitation in working in an undersubscribed/rural hospital for PGY1 or maybe even PGY2 if it would mean that I could come back to Brisbane eventually and be able to enter a competitive surgical specialty (which is my current intention). Also, I just wanted to confirm that if I didn't do PGY1/PGY2 in one of the major hospitals (i.e. RBWH, PA, Prince Charles, etc), will this affect my long-term career trajectory of working in a competitive specialty which isn't available in smaller hospitals (currently neuro was the plan, might change down the line, but wanted to keep options open).

Also, just if someone could clarify what they would do in my shoes that would be great. Also, with Griffith, after two years, the MD component is in Gold Coast so I will be moving to another city, but I will still be able to come back to Brisbane probably every month as it is accessible by public transport, but I will not be living family after two years.

Just some other info:
Griffith: will live at home and catch PT to and from uni, have 18k worth of scholarship, got into some Griffith Honours College program (idk general utility or importance of program), have a few friends but most friends are going to UQ, UG+PG course structure
Monash: sorting out accom, but looks like will be residing in UniLodge-type arrangement for first semester at least, 24k scholarship

Sorry for an incredibly long, and possibly confusing message, but any help at all would be greatly appreciated, and if anything I've said is confusing, please let me know and I'll try clarify. Thanks in advance

First of all, congratulations! I am a parent of a 2022 school leaver and after reading your post I found that you might be in the same situation as my child. Both of you got a perfect ATAR of 99.95, thus you both get scholarships from Monash. Both of you did well in UCAT and interviews so received multiple offers. Also both of you haven’t got your first preference in your home state. I guess yours might be UQ, correct me if I got it wrong.

My child now narrows the choices down to Adelaide Uni BMP and Monash CSP, with all the other offers rejected already.

We discussed the possibilities in the future years. All the years being able to live with family outweighs the advantage of one year earlier graduation in an unfamiliar place, and rural areas in SA are not too far away from CBD as Adelaide is a small city.

We are still comparing and deciding. How would 3 years of rural service affect the career path in 18 years? It’s too long to tell right now. All I know is that I would like my child to have a happy and relatively relaxed Uni life.

I post this for your reference. This is also my first post here. For this situation any comments will be appreciated!

Hey guys, new here and would really appreciate some advice. Just finished year 12 in 2022, and, being a rural student, I received a bunch of offers all over the country. I was able to narrow it down to two:
1. Monash bonded (clayton - 5 years)
2. Adelaide unbonded (north terrace - 6 years)
I have secured accommodation in both cities (traditional college at Adelaide and a residential hall in Monash). I am now just trying to decide between the two.
My family loosely intends to move to Melbourne at a later stage, as well as Melbourne always sort of being my dream destination for practicing and internship anyways. However, after researching what the Return of Service Obligation actually means, I am leaning towards Adelaide, despite it being 1 year longer. I am really torn at the moment between these two offers and would really appreciate any advice! Like, for instance, I've heard that junior doctors especially will spend time in rural areas regardless of their bonded/unbonded status. If this is true then bonding doesn't really seem like a big deal? There is also the fact that I am quite a social person who likes to go out and do things. Clayton seems (no offence to any clayton residents - haha) less cool of a place than Adelaide despite only being a half hour train ride from the cbd.
The last and unimportant consideration is that these two cities are equidistant from where I currently live. Any help would be great! Thanks!

Congratulations!
Your offers are just the mirror version of the offers my child is now holding onto. Could you please share what your thoughts are when finalising the choice? It’s so not easy that we need all the brains. Thanks!

 

[hibap]

Hey, congratulations!!

Now... after having received my Monash offer, I'm incredibly confused. I feel like there's this sentiment that Monash is the best undergraduate entry medicine course in the country and that I would be foolish to reject this offer (if someone could clarify why this sentiment seems to pervade, that would be appreciated).

Both Griffith and Monash have excellent med teaching + facilities. In terms of global uni rankings, Monash does run ahead but this is of no importance in Australia. University prestige does not influence your career opportunities and does not give you any tangible advantage.

Plus, graduating a year early and being able to practice for a year longer seems like a positive. Furthermore, since the entire 5 years is medicine, I'll only be learning med-specific content, as opposed to Griffith where I am just doing a general Medical Science course with most of my lectures being shared with students from other disciplines.

I think you may have the wrong idea of Griffith's Bachelor of Medical Science degree. I'm not a student but I'm pretty sure you are learning 'med-specific content' since it's a medical science degree. Everyone who completes the Medical Science program and fulfils the necessary requirements will gain seamless entry into the MD. By 'students from other disciplines', do you mean students who won't complete an MD after? Most students will ultimately follow through with an MD unless they fail to fulfil the requirements of completing the first 2 years with a GPA of at least 5.0. Bear in mind that it's possible for students at both Griffith AND Monash to exit with only a Bachelor of Medical Science degree.

However, I've never lived away from my parents and I do want to at least have the opportunity to come back to QLD after I graduate. I've heard differing answers to the question of 'how easy is it to come back to QLD after graduating interstate' question and if someone could clarify this, it would be fantastic.

Coming back to QLD as an intern is definitely more difficult + more risky if you choose to study interstate. The reason why it's harder to intern in QLD after studying interstate is you will be considered in a different category BEHIND the med students who studied in QLD. However, it is definitely possible to come back to QLD in the future after your internship years.

Also, I just wanted to confirm that if I didn't do PGY1/PGY2 in one of the major hospitals (i.e. RBWH, PA, Prince Charles, etc), will this affect my long-term career trajectory of working in a competitive specialty which isn't available in smaller hospitals (currently neuro was the plan, might change down the line, but wanted to keep options open).

This I'm not sure about, sorry about that!

Also, just if someone could clarify what they would do in my shoes that would be great. Also, with Griffith, after two years, the MD component is in Gold Coast so I will be moving to another city, but I will still be able to come back to Brisbane probably every month as it is accessible by public transport, but I will not be living family after two years.

Although I'm also from QLD and currently studying at Monash, I would choose Griffith if I had the chance. (Unfortunately, didn't get an offer)
Anyways, congrats and hope you're able to come to a decision soon

 

[LeSpicyGinger]

First of all, congratulations! I am a parent of a 2022 school leaver and after reading your post I found that you might be in the same situation as my child. Both of you got a perfect ATAR of 99.95, thus you both get scholarships from Monash. Both of you did well in UCAT and interviews so received multiple offers. Also both of you haven’t got your first preference in your home state. I guess yours might be UQ, correct me if I got it wrong.

My child now narrows the choices down to Adelaide Uni BMP and Monash CSP, with all the other offers rejected already.

We discussed the possibilities in the future years. All the years being able to live with family outweighs the advantage of one year earlier graduation in an unfamiliar place, and rural areas in SA are not too far away from CBD as Adelaide is a small city.

We are still comparing and deciding. How would 3 years of rural service affect the career path in 18 years? It’s too long to tell right now. All I know is that I would like my child to have a happy and relatively relaxed Uni life.

I post this for your reference. This is also my first post here. For this situation any comments will be appreciated!


Congratulations!
Your offers are just the mirror version of the offers my child is now holding onto. Could you please share what your thoughts are when finalising the choice? It’s so not easy that we need all the brains. Thanks!

I understand that there may be a preference for Adelaide University, but if you want a CSP offer in SA, you can always shift your preferences to have Flinders second pref and wait for a subsequent offer round for potential adelaide top ups and a high likelihood Flinders offer.

I believe you can accept your current offer and be considered for higher preferences.

 

[ycxl]

I understand that there may be a preference for Adelaide University, but if you want a CSP offer in SA, you can always shift your preferences to have Flinders second pref and wait for a subsequent offer round for potential adelaide top ups and a high likelihood Flinders offer.

I believe you can accept your current offer and be considered for higher preferences.

Thanks for the reply and the suggestion, but now it’s too late to shift the preferences of med schools. The window closed even before the ATAR released if I remember it correctly. We can only accept and wait for the higher preference. Fingers crossed .

 

[carebear_12]

Hi! I currently have two offers to choose from, JMP at University of New England (unbonded) or University of Adelaide (bonded). I'm from Melbourne so they would both require moving out, although the cost of living is lower in Armidale. However, I have my heart set on practising medicine in a metropolitan area in the long term. With my offers its obvious that I will have to spend some of my time rurally (which I don't terribly mind) but I was wondering which would be preferable: living rurally for 5 years during my degree, or for only 3 years after I complete my degree? In University of New England, it seems like I'll get more exposure to generalised areas of medicine which are ideal for someone wanting to practice rurally, so would this harm my ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future? Right now I'm leaning towards Adelaide as living in a major city for my uni life would be very preferable in terms of things to do/social life, and they have the bigger metro hospitals and research facilities. I also feel like a bonded RoS wouldn't impact me horribly in terms of career advancement? I do know that everyone on this forum sees the word bonded and immediately rejects the option, but is it really that bad?

 

[ycxl]

Hi! I currently have two offers to choose from, JMP at University of New England (unbonded) or University of Adelaide (bonded). I'm from Melbourne so they would both require moving out, although the cost of living is lower in Armidale. However, I have my heart set on practising medicine in a metropolitan area in the long term. With my offers its obvious that I will have to spend some of my time rurally (which I don't terribly mind) but I was wondering which would be preferable: living rurally for 5 years during my degree, or for only 3 years after I complete my degree? In University of New England, it seems like I'll get more exposure to generalised areas of medicine which are ideal for someone wanting to practice rurally, so would this harm my ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future? Right now I'm leaning towards Adelaide as living in a major city for my uni life would be very preferable in terms of things to do/social life, and they have the bigger metro hospitals and research facilities. I also feel like a bonded RoS wouldn't impact me horribly in terms of career advancement? I do know that everyone on this forum sees the word bonded and immediately rejects the option, but is it really that bad?

My child’s Uni Adelaide offer has been updated to unbonded , this could happen to yours as well depends on when you got the offer. Also Adelaide is small so rural areas in SA is relatively closer to the city than other states . If you finish RoS in SA it won’t be a big issue, just two hours drive from CBD.

 

[chinaski]

Hi! I currently have two offers to choose from, JMP at University of New England (unbonded) or University of Adelaide (bonded). I'm from Melbourne so they would both require moving out, although the cost of living is lower in Armidale. However, I have my heart set on practising medicine in a metropolitan area in the long term. With my offers its obvious that I will have to spend some of my time rurally (which I don't terribly mind) but I was wondering which would be preferable: living rurally for 5 years during my degree, or for only 3 years after I complete my degree? In University of New England, it seems like I'll get more exposure to generalised areas of medicine which are ideal for someone wanting to practice rurally, so would this harm my ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future? Right now I'm leaning towards Adelaide as living in a major city for my uni life would be very preferable in terms of things to do/social life, and they have the bigger metro hospitals and research facilities. I also feel like a bonded RoS wouldn't impact me horribly in terms of career advancement? I do know that everyone on this forum sees the word bonded and immediately rejects the option, but is it really that bad?

If you have your "heart set on practicing medicine in a metropolitan area in the long term", why do you think taking a bonded spot would be conducive to that aim?

My child’s Uni Adelaide offer has been updated to unbonded , this could happen to yours as well depends on when you got the offer. Also Adelaide is small so rural areas in SA is relatively closer to the city than other states . If you finish RoS in SA it won’t be a big issue, just two hours drive from CBD.

Adelaide may be small, but the entire state of South Australia is not. It is conceivable that jobs "just two hours drive from the CBD" aren't as plentiful as those a lot further away from that. Nevertheless, a four-hour round commute on a daily basis - especially if you work shifts - isn't really a feasible option for most people in any case.

 

[ycxl]

If you have your "heart set on practicing medicine in a metropolitan area in the long term", why do you think taking a bonded spot would be conducive to that aim?


Adelaide may be small, but the entire state of South Australia is not. It is conceivable that jobs "just two hours drive from the CBD" aren't as plentiful as those a lot further away from that. Nevertheless, a four-hour round commute on a daily basis - especially if you work shifts - isn't really a feasible option for most people in any case.

Hi I think we are here posting opinions and suggestions for people, not debating or fighting.
My understanding is when you choose where to do your RoS, you could decide among those locations no further than two hours driving from CBD or from where you live then. Since internship placement is normally in the same state as your medicine school, Uni Adelaide has a better opportunity to make sure that most graduates could stay in the city for this while JMP I doubt. Now we compare the two choices: definitely five years and possibly another year internship in rural, compare to six years in city and internship highly likely as well. And these are the best ,youngest years of a person.
A four hours commute might sound terrible, however if you count traffic jams more and more people spend at least two hours per day without too much complaining. Also it doesn’t need to be daily. For example staying close to where your RoS is and drive to city every weekend or holiday. This can be arranged in any state, so you will get a continuous city life as what you want.

 

[chinaski]

You can "choose" where you work in so far as you "choose" between what jobs are available. The reality of medical jobs is that often the desirable places to work are already well serviced and as such opportunities are scarce (and there's no guarantee you'll be the successful candidate for such posts). This lovely idea of having a short commute between the city and a nice rural locale isn't new and many have thought of it years before this crop of graduates will have hit the pavement. There are a lot more jobs going begging in far more far-flung areas - these are the locations where many people end up by default, potentially moreso if they are obliged to work rurally (rather than by choice).

The OP could alternatively choose to take up an unbonded medical school place in NSW, and study with a much lower cost of living, then be on an equal footing to secure a job in Sydney (much, much bigger and metropolitan than Adelaide), in a potentially much stronger position financially, with no obligation to return any service whatsoever. If "practicing medicine" in an urban setting is what they want, then the unbonded spot is the way to go. You don't "practice medicine" until you graduate.

I'm not posting an "opinion" or a "debate" so much as an insight as someone who works in the industry.

 

[ycxl]

You can "choose" where you work in so far as you "choose" between what jobs are available. The reality of medical jobs is that often the desirable places to work are already well serviced and as such opportunities are scarce (and there's no guarantee you'll be the successful candidate for such posts). This lovely idea of having a short commute between the city and a nice rural locale isn't new and many have thought of it years before this crop of graduates will have hit the pavement. There are a lot more jobs going begging in far more far-flung areas - these are the locations where many people end up by default, potentially moreso if they are obliged to work rurally (rather than by choice).

The OP could alternatively choose to take up an unbonded medical school place in NSW, and study with a much lower cost of living, then be on an equal footing to secure a job in Sydney (much, much bigger and metropolitan than Adelaide), in a potentially much stronger position financially, with no obligation to return any service whatsoever. If "practicing medicine" in an urban setting is what they want, then the unbonded spot is the way to go. You don't "practice medicine" until you graduate.

I'm not posting an "opinion" or a "debate" so much as an insight as someone who works in the industry.

I am glad that here we both are not talking about going back to Melbourne for internship , because it would be very difficult.
But I still wonder how to “secure a job in Sydney” for an interstate student graduated from JMP ? How easy or difficult it would be?

 

[chinaski]

In University of New England, it seems like I'll get more exposure to generalised areas of medicine which are ideal for someone wanting to practice rurally, so would this harm my ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future?

Repeating this message as it seems to be lost (even though it's been said many times before): the Australian university from which you graduate will have zero impact on your ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future.

I am glad that here we both are not talking about going back to Melbourne for internship , because it would be very difficult.
But I still wonder how to “secure a job in Sydney” for an interstate student graduated from JMP ? How easy or difficult it would be?

JMP is administered by a NSW university, therefore domestic graduates enter the same pool for internship positions as the rest of the state. Ergo, they stand as much chance of securing an internship in Sydney upon graduation as someone who graduates from, say, UNSW or USyd.

 

[GriddyMaster]

Hi guys! One question:
Bonded Monash (Clayton) (accommodation in a hall of residence)
Unbonded Adelaide (North Terrace) (accommodation in an affiliated college)
I would have to move to either place as they are both pretty far away from where I grew up. I would like to practice in Melbourne eventually as my family will move there one day, but I'm not too fussed in doing my RoS as I've heard many doctors are allocated rural positions as a junior doctor and a resident anyways. Is this true? And any insight on the decision?

 

[ycxl]

Repeating this message as it seems to be lost (even though it's been said many times before): the Australian university from which you graduate will have zero impact on your ability to work in a metro hospital and specialise in the future.



JMP is administered by a NSW university, therefore domestic graduates enter the same pool for internship positions as the rest of the state. Ergo, they stand as much chance of securing an internship in Sydney upon graduation as someone who graduates from, say, UNSW or USyd.

Do the year 12 leavers from NSW get some priority?

 

[chinaski]

Do the year 12 leavers from NSW get some priority?

Looking up the HETI guidelines would answer this question for you - but in short, yes, but not to the same level as being a domestic graduate of a NSW medical school. Nonetheless irrelevant for the OP, assuming they are from Victoria.

I'm not too fussed in doing my RoS as I've heard many doctors are allocated rural positions as a junior doctor and a resident anyways. Is this true? And any insight on the decision?

You can't fulfil your entire RoS as a junior doctor - half of it must be fulfilled after you attain specialist qualifications. Further, it's not really true that "many doctors" are allocated to rural positions - the majority of JMOs work in urban-based hospitals. They may be required to fulfil temporary rural secondments to outpost hospitals as a part of their network, but statistically you find more working in the city and close surrounds than not (makes sense: the majority of the JMO workforce is centred around the most populous areas).

 

[Parterre]

You can't fulfil your entire RoS as a junior doctor - half of it must be fulfilled after you attain specialist qualifications. Further, it's not really true that "many doctors" are allocated to rural positions - the majority of JMOs work in urban-based hospitals. They may be required to fulfil temporary rural secondments to outpost hospitals as a part of their network, but statistically you find more working in the city and close surrounds than not (makes sense: the majority of the JMO workforce is centred around the most populous areas).

ETA: Apologies for the double post!

Further to this, it is a pain to have to pay rent in the city and have to find accommodation (and pay double rent if you really like your metro accommodation) when doing a rural term as a reg or JMO. Have been a specialist for a while, so not sure if they provide rent assistance now.

 

[chinaski]

Further to this, it is a pain to have to pay rent in the city and have to find accommodation (and pay double rent if you really like your metro accommodation) when doing a rural term as a reg or JMO. Have been a specialist for a while, so not sure if they provide rent assistance now.

Seconded doctors are either provided with living quarters or an allowance when they are on rotation. It's not true that you have to find accommodation or pay for the same out of your own pocket. Some awards even go so far as to stipulate that the hospital must also provide adequate housing spouses if a doctor is seconded extended rotations.

 

[Millipede]

Home state: SA
Offer 1: UQ provisional BMP (received 20/01)
Offer 2: UoN CSP (received 8/02)
Any scholarships offered: N/A
Any accommodation secured: Homestay for UQ
Internship location preference: SA ideally, no preferences when it comes to interstate
Other important information: Originally I had a CSP offer for UNE, and I chose UQ BMP because of tertiary hospital access in Brisbane compared to Armidale. However, after receiving an email yesterday saying I have now been offered a place at UoN, I am wondering if I should reconsider, as UoN has the John Hunter Hospital, I have a friend who is also going to UoN, compared to no support in QLD, and the difference between 7 years + BMP vs 5 years. On the other hand, the location of UQ still seems like it could provide more clinical opportunities throughout studies, though this is from my limited knowledge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.