Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[Regular_Rice]

Internship preferencing is definitely more difficult as you'd be Category 2 behind the 800ish Category 1 NSW grads.

A NSW job from PGY2 onwards is possible but again you'd be disadvantaged for the more desirable ones. The NSW RMOs will jump on them first, possibly even before these jobs get advertised outside.

If moving back to NSW is a priority you should choose WSU over Monash.

Hey A1, thanks for replying. Just wondering how these jobs are advertised - how come NSW RMOs can get onto them first before graduates from other states?

Don't think moving back is a priority although it is something I am keeping in mind.

 

[A1]

Just wondering how these jobs are advertised - how come NSW RMOs can get onto them first before graduates from other states?

Not sure about other states, in WA you interstate can apply to Centralised Recruitment like in this advert
> WA Government Jobs | 2025 Annual WA Resident Medical Officer (RMO) and Service Medical Registrar (SMR) Centralised Recruitment

I didn't need to apply for this since WA Health gave us a 3-year contract i.e. I'm already in that pool for PGY3. It's non-specific, a generic RMO or Service Registrar can get allocated terms not of their interest, possibly even to their dislike.

So mid last year preparing to go from PGY2 to PGY3 I applied for four specific positions, like this one
> Resident Medical Officer - Emergency Medicine - Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA, Australia (this RMO example only, I applied for Registrar positions)

One of the four was in another hospital network, didn't get an interview. Got interviews for the other three though so I guess the "local factor" played a part in it. Alas I didn't get a job offer since PGY2 was too junior in competition for these sought-after positions. (Luckily I've been penciled for one coming up this July).

 

[Crow]

Hey A1, thanks for replying. Just wondering how these jobs are advertised - how come NSW RMOs can get onto them first before graduates from other states?

Don't think moving back is a priority although it is something I am keeping in mind.

Legally all positions must be advertised and so any interstate applicants can apply for them, however, generally a hospital is more likely to hire a candidate who has already been working for their service - 1. Because they likely already know that candidate and 2. A candidate who stays at a service for multiple years in a row is more likely to continue to work at that same service and therefore is a better investment than someone who has a history of changing workplaces every 6-12 months. By extension someone already working in NSW Health is more likely to continue working for NSW.

 

[hike]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: UQ Provisional (CSP)
Offer 2: UAdel (BMP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: No
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information: Quite undecided on which one to choose, was leaning heavily towards UQ as there is no "limitation" of the return of service requirement, but now thinking that the bonded might not be so bad? Given that rural medicine would allow me to engage more practically in medicine+6 years, I'm now considering if I should enrol at UAdel instead. Also, I've heard that most graduates already basically complete 1 year-1.5 years rural before attaining fellowship anyway, could someone please lmk if this is the case? Reading what rural med actually entails, I feel like it would be a very enjoyable experience, but I also just prefer the fact that a csp allows me more freedom to do what I want, and I can't say for sure that rural med will be for me until I actually do it. If someone could help weigh the pros and cons of both sides, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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Also depends if you are willing to study an undergrad degree at UQ then studying medicine - 3 years of somewhat med related degree, can be flexible, can be a waste of learning, pressure to get a GPA of 5 or then you are stuck with a degree that might be useless, longer 7 years

Adelaide - 3 years of non-clinical, but you do get placements, learning medicine from the start, no possibility of ‘losing the degree’, great friendships from the start with Adelaide medical society from first year, then 3 years clinical, 6 year degree faster before the olympics start in 2032 in Brisbane

Bonded - 3 years rural you do get more clinical exposure and become a better well rounded doctor, plus doesn’t have to be extremely ‘rural’, many regional areas on the coastline of NSW such as Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie etc. - they all count towards your ‘rural’ time, you also have like an 18 year time frame or something to complete your rural time so a long time whenever you are able to

 

[spotrole]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: WSU (CSP)
Offer 2: UNSW (CSP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: Can commute to both, same duration of travel
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information: I spent two years in an undergraduate degree before getting these offers. My concern is whether each university will influence my ability to network and engage in research for the purpose of applying to future specialty training.

 

[Regular_Rice]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: WSU (CSP)
Offer 2: UNSW (CSP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: Can commute to both, same duration of travel
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information: I spent two years in an undergraduate degree before getting these offers. My concern is whether each university will influence my ability to network and engage in research for the purpose of applying to future specialty training.

afaik from talking to other doctors, specialists etc - your undergrad years likely won't affect anything for specialty training, it's more about the postgrad connections you make when you are actually working as a doctor which is where meaningful research and networking more likely occurs

also research in undergrad may or may not be useful depending on if you know what you want to specialise in, although the skills would be useful regardless

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: WSU (CSP)
Offer 2: UNSW (CSP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: Can commute to both, same duration of travel
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information: I spent two years in an undergraduate degree before getting these offers. My concern is whether each university will influence my ability to network and engage in research for the purpose of applying to future specialty training.

confirming @Regular_Rice‘s comment. In Aus, the uni you go to means very little as far as specialty training down the track goes.

I’d personally choose WSU because it’s a year shorter and would mean one year less of HECS and one year earlier earning a full time wage but that’s because I’d have to primarily consider my financial situation.

Others may choose the opposite for varying reasons (including perceived prestige - which actually means nothing in the long run unless you’re contemplating ever wanting to move to Singapore).

Both would come with the same internship opportunities.

Congrats on your offers!

 

[spotrole]

Thank you both for your replies

afaik from talking to other doctors, specialists etc - your undergrad years likely won't affect anything for specialty training, it's more about the postgrad connections you make when you are actually working as a doctor which is where meaningful research and networking more likely occurs

confirming @Regular_Rice‘s comment. In Aus, the uni you go to means very little as far as specialty training down the track goes.

This might be a silly question, but why is it the case that there are so many more UNSW graduates in the more "competitive" specialties eg) Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, and not as much WSU representation in this regard? One reason that I can think of is that the WSU course is many years younger, and another is due to the higher cohort size at UNSW, but still, I rarely see anyone from WSU when I look up the consultant doctors working at various sydney hospitals and private clinics

Congrats on your offers!

Thank you!

 

[Crow]

This might be a silly question, but why is it the case that there are so many more UNSW graduates in the more "competitive" specialties eg) Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, and not as much WSU representation in this regard? One reason that I can think of is that the WSU course is many years younger, and another is due to the higher cohort size at UNSW, but still, I rarely see anyone from WSU when I look up the consultant doctors working at various sydney hospitals and private clinics

To be honest I think your anecdotal evidence is probably just not representative of reality. The medical school you go to has no bearing on how competitive you are for any given specialty.

 

[hike]

Home state: QLD
Offer 1: JCU (BMP)
Offer 2: UAdel (CSP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: Somewhat for both
Internship location preference: Don’t mind
Other important information:
Both locations I have to fly to get there
JCU - bonded, not as flexible, if I move to Townsville will be rural for 6 years and then again for 3 years, I know people going there
UAdel - unbonded, flexible, I do want to move back to QLD in the future but doesn’t matter for internship, I don’t know many people

 

[Mangoez]

Go JCU, don’t regret having the ability to have your support system with or at least very close to you during you medical journey. I tell everyone I know to always have their family and friends near especially when pursuing a degree such as medicine, and as you mentioned you know friends going.

 

[raju]

Hi everyone, would be really appreciative of any advice
Home state: NSW
Offer 1: USYD Provisional (CSP)
Offer 2: WSU
Any scholarships offered: Mysydney
Any accommodation secured: N/A
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information:
- live equidistant from both
- really keen on specialising in ophthalmology ( I know it’s very early to have any idea about specialisations but just want to put it out there in case the university impacts my current goals)

 

[Crow]

Home state: QLD
Offer 1: JCU (BMP)
Offer 2: UAdel (CSP)
Any scholarships offered: No
Any accommodation secured: Somewhat for both
Internship location preference: Don’t mind
Other important information:
Both locations I have to fly to get there
JCU - bonded, not as flexible, if I move to Townsville will be rural for 6 years and then again for 3 years, I know people going there
UAdel - unbonded, flexible, I do want to move back to QLD in the future but doesn’t matter for internship, I don’t know many people

I think I’d pick Adelaide. QLD is perhaps unique in that you can confidently score an internship as an interstate applicant (at least, you can currently) if you’re willing to go to one of the regional centres. I think it’s worth taking CSP over BMP and having the flexibility in future, as you don’t know what career path you’ll want to take at this stage.

 

[2xq]

Hi everyone, would be really appreciative of any advice
Home state: NSW
Offer 1: USYD Provisional (CSP)
Offer 2: (WSU (BMP)
Any scholarships offered: Mysydney
Any accommodation secured: N/A
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information:
- live equidistant from both
- really keen on specialising in ophthalmology ( I know it’s very early to have any idea about specialisations but just want to put it out there in case the university or bmp impacts my current goals)

Some things to think about (not all but still some stuff)

1. Do you want to start work as soon as possible? Yes, then WSU. 2 years shorter degree. Less HECS, start work earlier.

2. Do you want to explore before starting medicine? Yes, then USYD. You can do some exploration of majors/minors which you otherwise cannot with WSU

3. Maybe also have a read regarding what the BMP is actually about. Do some research on this. There's some really good reads on the forum which I encourage you to check out.

4. Length of degrees. (Kind of ties into 1.)
- WSU - 5 years - B Clinical Science/Doctor of Medicine
- USYD - 7 years- depending on what you chose either a B Arts or B Science / Doctor of Medicine

5. Scholarships
USYD MySydney will apply for the 3 years of undergrad you do. Essentially $8.5k a year for 3 years. Basically $25,500 across your first 3 years of the 7 year provisional program. (Edit: please read LMGs reply as well. Ties in well with point 1.)

 

[DrDrLMG!]

5. Scholarships
USYD MySydney will apply for the 3 years of undergrad you do. Essentially $8.5k a year for 3 years. Basically $25,500 across your first 3 years of the 7 year provisional program.

I think this is a really important point. Sometimes scholarships can seem bright and shiny but from a purely financial standpoint can actually leave you worse off long term.

USyd vs WSU
+ $25.5k (scholarship)
- ~$15k (2 years of additional HECS)
- ~$240 - $260k (2 years less of working)

The USyd scholarship (not considering any other factor) actually leaves you $~250k worse off financially than WSU with no scholarship.

BUT… it’s never that straightforward! Haha! Just something to think about (would be very relevant to me in my situation but maybe less so to someone else).

 

[raju]

I think this is a really important point. Sometimes scholarships can seem bright and shiny but from a purely financial standpoint can actually leave you worse off long term.

USyd vs WSU
+ $25.5k (scholarship)
- ~$15k (2 years of additional HECS)
- ~$240 - $260k (2 years less of working)

The USyd scholarship (not considering any other factor) actually leaves you $~250k worse off financially than WSU with no scholarship.

BUT… it’s never that straightforward! Haha! Just something to think about (would be very relevant to me in my situation but maybe less so to someone else).

Thanks guys for the replies but I was more interested in a non financial perspective. Things like quality of learning, research and networking opportunities and duration on desired specialities are all a little more important to me at this point in time.

 

[2xq]

Thanks guys for the replies but I was more interested in a non financial perspective. Things like quality of learning,

Both are AHPRA accredited courses

research and networking opportunities,

Both will have a research component on them. You will have to undertake clinical placements where you have the opportunity to network with working medical professionals.

impact of BMP

Like I mentioned, please have a read about the BMP on this forum. There are plenty of great replies and resources on here.

and duration on desired specialities are all a little more important to me at this point in time.

You haven't really specified any specialties but for the most part, it's fair game. All on you to pursue the area you want to specialise in.

 

[Some guy]

Thank you both for your replies


This might be a silly question, but why is it the case that there are so many more UNSW graduates in the more "competitive" specialties eg) Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, and not as much WSU representation in this regard? One reason that I can think of is that the WSU course is many years younger, and another is due to the higher cohort size at UNSW, but still, I rarely see anyone from WSU when I look up the consultant doctors working at various sydney hospitals and private clinics

Thank you!

You're probably right re age of the med school. WSU med school is about 10-15 years old so you'll see fewer graduates in any speciality than say UNSW. But as others have said, the med school you go to has near-zero bearing on your speciality prospects.

What affects your entrance to specialty training is your performance, study and engagement after graduation, as a practicing doctor. As a current JMO I assure you no one has the slightest interest in what med school anyone attended, and it has no effect on opportunities for research/networking/recognition from bosses.

As random advice, use your med school time to explore every specialty you can and discover what you like. Ask yourself what you can imagine yourself learning and doing at midnight and weekends when others are sleeping or having fun. Rule out what you really hate and actively consider everything else.

And no need to pressure yourself this early or start ruling out entire med schools because you've heard somewhere that they don't all give equal access to training. All med schools are AHPRA-accredited. No med school is restricted to any particular speciality. There are graduates from every med school in every field. And your basic med degree just gets you out on the pitch - the specialisation arms race only really starts afterward.

 

[TATA]

Hi all,
Home state: NSW
Offer 1: JMP(CSP)- Central Coast Clinical School
Offer 2: UNSW (BMP)
Any scholarships offered: none
Any accommodation secured: none- But travel from home(1 hr) to JMP is possible for the initial years
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information:
Some advice is appreciated in choosing between JMP (CSP) Vs UNSW(BMP). I genuinely have no idea what exactly BMP means. Is it always working in rural for 5 years or can it vary?

 

[Crow]

Hi all,
Home state: NSW
Offer 1: JMP(CSP)- Central Coast Clinical School
Offer 2: UNSW (BMP)
Any scholarships offered: none
Any accommodation secured: none- But travel from home(1 hr) to JMP is possible for the initial years
Internship location preference: NSW
Other important information:
Some advice is appreciated in choosing between JMP (CSP) Vs UNSW(BMP). I genuinely have no idea what exactly BMP means. Is it always working in rural for 5 years or can it vary?

Seems like a slam dunk for JMP to me. I would recommend reading our thread on the guide to BMPs on the forum and you'll gain a good understanding.