Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[fallen]

Adelaide University or JMP UNE or Science UniMelb + GAMSAT?

Originally from Melbourne, Victoria. Both places are bonded but I don't mind that at all. Leaning towards Adelaide but it's only 1 year shorter than UniMelb, so I think it's a bit not worth it in that way. UNE would be cheaper in terms of living costs but also I would absolutely need a car and the university is located in an isolated place, really far from Melbourne and the travel costs are not great. I basically know no one from either place, while all my friends would be doing biomed/science with me if I choose postgrad.

Honestly I don't mind graduate entry, did some GAMSAT questions and think I'd be pretty decent at it, my main concern is keeping up a high GPA for all of undergraduate with no room for slacking off. Living at home in Melbourne would also save me tons of money.

 

[Crow]

Adelaide University or JMP UNE or Science UniMelb + GAMSAT?

Originally from Melbourne, Victoria. Both places are bonded but I don't mind that at all. Leaning towards Adelaide but it's only 1 year shorter than UniMelb, so I think it's a bit not worth it in that way. UNE would be cheaper in terms of living costs but also I would absolutely need a car and the university is located in an isolated place, really far from Melbourne and the travel costs are not great. I basically know no one from either place, while all my friends would be doing biomed/science with me if I choose postgrad.

Honestly I don't mind graduate entry, did some GAMSAT questions and think I'd be pretty decent at it, my main concern is keeping up a high GPA for all of undergraduate with no room for slacking off. Living at home in Melbourne would also save me tons of money.

If you truly want to do medicine it would be insane to pass up the undergraduate entry offers and gamble with graduate entry unless your life circumstances in some way require you to stay in Melbourne. It seems to me like Adelaide would be the best choice for you - though keep in mind that internships are generally easiest to get in the state you graduate from.

 

[Crow]

hi guys,

I got an offer from griffith gc and unimelb chancellors guaranteed entry pathway. which one do u recommend to pick?

Your life circumstances are not mentioned here so it is challenging to give you an answer. If you already live in Melbourne and want to work in Victoria when you graduate then UniMelb is the better choice; the same would apply to Griffith if you live in SEQ etc.

If you're from neither state then I'd personally lean towards UniMelb given the saving in fees (acknowledging that graduating a year earlier at Griffith and the salary earned would be more than what you save) and the guaranteed CSP, as Griffith you are at chance of a BMP and need to compete with your colleagues in the undergrad portion for a CSP.

 

[monin]

Hey guys,

I have received offers from Griffith and La Trobe Dent, and wanted to know what would be a better choice? I am currently living in SA, so still waiting for Adelaide, but I wanted to toss up these options in case, and where I can also get better accommodation. Thanks!

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hey guys,

I have received offers from Griffith and La Trobe Dent, and wanted to know what would be a better choice? I am currently living in SA, so still waiting for Adelaide, but I wanted to toss up these options in case, and where I can also get better accommodation. Thanks!

Do you have any of the following in either location:
Family or friends living nearby
Accommodation sorted
Scholarship offers

 

[monin]

Do you have any of the following in either location:
Family or friends living nearby
Accommodation sorted
Scholarship offers

Unfortunately none of the following! I know a few people in the GC, but La Trobe is probably slightly closer in terms of flights (minus driving out of Bendigo)

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Unfortunately none of the following! I know a few people in the GC, but La Trobe is probably slightly closer in terms of flights (minus driving out of Bendigo)

I don’t know heaps about dent so just confirming:
Latrobe: fully CSP
Griffith: masters component FFP

Is that right?

Unless finances are not an issue for you, and in addition to flights to Adelaide being shorter/more convenient, I’d be definitely thinking Latrobe has the edge.

 

[dekatica]

Could you help me choose between two offers? The first is JCU unbonded, and the second is Monash bonded. We live in QLD, actually 5 km from JCU. Thanks heaps.

 

[monin]

I don’t know heaps about dent so just confirming:
Latrobe: fully CSP
Griffith: masters component FFP

Is that right?

Unless finances are not an issue for you, and in addition to flights to Adelaide being shorter/more convenient, I’d be definitely thinking Latrobe has the edge.

Is one better for just general uni life/way of living?

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Is one better for just general uni life/way of living?

No idea, I haven’t been to either. You’ll probably find no one who has been to both that could provide a meaningful comparison and it would be personal to you anyway regarding your climate/lifestyle/family access preferences. We can’t really weigh in on that kind of thing, only the more measurable components such as accomm, costs, family support, scholarships. The rest is up to you to decide.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Could you help me choose between two offers? The first is JCU unbonded, and the second is Monash bonded. We live in QLD, actually 5 km from JCU. Thanks heaps.

This is a useful template to help us give you the most meaningful advice. Some you’ve already provided so I’ve pre-filled. Can you please add in the rest?

Home state: Qld
Offer 1: JCU CSP
Offer 2: Monash BMP
(Offer 3, 4 as necessary.)
Any scholarships offered:
Any accommodation secured: (family, Uni, Private)
Internship location preference:
Other important information: (ie. keen on integrated research component, keen on tropical Med placements, etc)

 

[dekatica]

Home state: Qld
Offer 1: JCU CSP
Offer 2: Monash BMP
Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: live in Townsville near the uni
Internship location preference: QLD
Other important information: None

 

[Crow]

Home state: Qld
Offer 1: JCU CSP
Offer 2: Monash BMP
Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: live in Townsville near the uni
Internship location preference: QLD
Other important information: None

Unless you have a particular desire to move to Victoria, JCU seems like an ideal choice for you - unbonded and ?potential to live at home and save on living expenses? And you’ll be right near your support network and primed for a job in the QLD system when you graduate - again, assuming this is what you want.

__________
A1 adds: I agree. IMO unbonded is well worth the extra uni year. The living at/near home saving living-away expenses is extra bonus to choose JCU.

 

[dekatica]

Unless you have a particular desire to move to Victoria, JCU seems like an ideal choice for you - unbonded and ?potential to live at home and save on living expenses? And you’ll be right near your support network and primed for a job in the QLD system when you graduate - again, assuming this is what you want.

__________
A1 adds: I agree. IMO unbonded is well worth the extra uni year. The living at/near home saving living-away expenses is extra bonus to choose JCU.

Thanks heaps!

 

[semi_serious]

Hi everyone, would really appreciate any advice on this:

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: Newcastle unbonded
Offer 2: UNSW bonded
Any scholarships offered: N/A
Any accommodation secured: live in Sydney
Internship location preference: N/A

JMP seems like the reasonable choice being a year shorter and unbonded, but I'm personally quite keen on UNSW for sport/social life, staying close to my support network, and greater flexibility in working internationally in the future (though unlikely). What would be the impact (positive and negative) of taking the BMP and working rurally during internship and residency on job prospects and competitiveness for specialties? I imagine there would be more hands on experience but potentially fewer research and networking opportunities - is this actually the case? Thanks!

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hi everyone, would really appreciate any advice on this:

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: Newcastle unbonded
Offer 2: UNSW bonded
Any scholarships offered: N/A
Any accommodation secured: live in Sydney
Internship location preference: N/A

JMP seems like the reasonable choice being a year shorter and unbonded, but I'm personally quite keen on UNSW for sport/social life, staying close to my support network, and greater flexibility in working internationally in the future (though unlikely). What would be the impact (positive and negative) of taking the BMP and working rurally during internship and residency on job prospects and competitiveness for specialties? I imagine there would be more hands on experience but potentially fewer research and networking opportunities - is this actually the case? Thanks!

I was fortunate to be able to accept a CSP so I’m not super across the pros and cons of the BMP these days but there might be some useful info here: [2020 entry and beyond] Guide to Bonded Medical Places

 

[Crow]

Hi everyone, would really appreciate any advice on this:

Home state: NSW
Offer 1: Newcastle unbonded
Offer 2: UNSW bonded
Any scholarships offered: N/A
Any accommodation secured: live in Sydney
Internship location preference: N/A

JMP seems like the reasonable choice being a year shorter and unbonded, but I'm personally quite keen on UNSW for sport/social life, staying close to my support network, and greater flexibility in working internationally in the future (though unlikely). What would be the impact (positive and negative) of taking the BMP and working rurally during internship and residency on job prospects and competitiveness for specialties? I imagine there would be more hands on experience but potentially fewer research and networking opportunities - is this actually the case? Thanks!

I admit I haven’t kept up with bonded requirements and whether they’ve changed in recent years but the last time I checked there was a requirement for 18 months post-fellowship service time, and this is far more problematic/restrictive to career opportunities than working rurally in internship and residency. If your desired specialty does not exist in smaller regional or rural hospitals and you are bonded then you effectively cannot pursue that specialty if the above requirement still stands. I would take the JMP offer personally but ultimately it comes down to what you prioritise most.

 

[moggiemed24]

Hey guys,
In desperate need of advise here. I received med offers from UNSW and WSU. I’m leaning more towards WSU but what would you all advise?

Btw I’m an international student so paying full fees and haven’t received scholarships from unsw yet.

Hi which one did you end up joining

 

[coolcucumber]

Hey guys, just got a late round offer today and now am on the fence about everything. Obviously its very close to the uni year beginning which may cause some logistical issues however i want to make sure i make the right choice regardless.

Home state: Qld
Offer 1: CQU rural pathway with UQ - Rockhampton Bonded position
Offer 2: University of Adelaide bonded position
Offer 3: Notre Dame SYD - won't be taking (decision is between CQU and UAdl)
Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: live in Rockhampton
Internship location preference: none
Other important information: I don't want to choose rocky just because of practicality of being a local, just open to anyones thoughts on choosing between the 2. quite happy to make the move if it is the right choice, but also happy to stay.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

Hey guys, just got a late round offer today and now am on the fence about everything. Obviously its very close to the uni year beginning which may cause some logistical issues however i want to make sure i make the right choice regardless.

Home state: Qld
Offer 1: CQU rural pathway with UQ - Rockhampton Bonded position
Offer 2: University of Adelaide bonded position
Offer 3: Notre Dame SYD - won't be taking (decision is between CQU and UAdl)
Any scholarships offered: None
Any accommodation secured: live in Rockhampton
Internship location preference: none
Other important information: I don't want to choose rocky just because of practicality of being a local, just open to anyones thoughts on choosing between the 2. quite happy to make the move if it is the right choice, but also happy to stay.

While you might not want to make a decision based on practicality, it really is something to factor into the pros side of the coin. Being able to live at home is a huge financial bonus if that is relevant. And direct support is a huge emotional/psychological bonus.

Pros of Adelaide would be a course that is shorter by one year and the opportunity to experience living elsewhere, gaining independence etc but I honestly don’t think I’d rank that above the security of home and support, particularly when you move to the MD portion of your studies.

Congrats on your offers.