Choosing Between Universities and Offers

[dino07]

Hi guys - received a late offer today from Adelaide (bonded ) hence turning to you guys for some advice.
Home state - VIC ( don't mind moving interstate)
Have accepted UTas offer - bonded ( and have even moved for orientation - secured accommodation).

Other offers : ( have not accepted them)
1.UNSW(Port Macquarie) - unbonded - 6 yrs
2. UQ - unbonded - 7 yrs
3. Notre Dame - unbonded - 7 yrs
4. Latrobe (Bendigo)- unbonded - 7 yrs

Preference is a 5-yr course ( don't mind bonded that much as the reality is that most doctors will have some stints in rural medicine at some point). Would like to do a medical specialty in future (understand that plans may change). Adelaide is a G8 university - would the undergraduate research year and the clinical rotations offer a better undergraduate experience or advantage ?

 

[Crow]

Hi guys - received a late offer today from Adelaide (bonded ) hence turning to you guys for some advice.
Home state - VIC ( don't mind moving interstate)
Have accepted UTas offer - bonded ( and have even moved for orientation - secured accommodation).

Other offers : ( have not accepted them)
1.UNSW(Port Macquarie) - unbonded - 6 yrs
2. UQ - unbonded - 7 yrs
3. Notre Dame - unbonded - 7 yrs
4. Latrobe (Bendigo)- unbonded - 7 yrs

Preference is a 5-yr course ( don't mind bonded that much as the reality is that most doctors will have some stints in rural medicine at some point). Would like to do a medical specialty in future (understand that plans may change). Adelaide is a G8 university - would the undergraduate research year and the clinical rotations offer a better undergraduate experience or advantage ?

I think the decision is between UTAS and UNSW; I think I’d personally lean to UNSW because despite acknowledging that everyone does rural time, the bonded requirements are a bit more in depth than that, and if your chosen medical specialty was for example rheumatology or immunology (which essentially don’t exist rurally) then you would very much struggle to complete 18 months post-fellowship time as required by the bonded contract. This is also not to say that you change your mind and decide to go into any other area of medicine which may or may not be offered rurally.

However, if you have read into and understand the requirements of the BMP and are still willing to accept them, then UTAS seems like the right choice otherwise.

Congrats on so many offers.

 

[DrDrLMG!]

I think the decision is between UTAS and UNSW; I think I’d personally lean to UNSW because despite acknowledging that everyone does rural time, the bonded requirements are a bit more in depth than that, and if your chosen medical specialty was for example rheumatology or immunology (which essentially don’t exist rurally) then you would very much struggle to complete 18 months post-fellowship time as required by the bonded contract. This is also not to say that you change your mind and decide to go into any other area of medicine which may or may not be offered rurally.

However, if you have read into and understand the requirements of the BMP and are still willing to accept them, then UTAS seems like the right choice otherwise.

Congrats on so many offers.

I agree.

I definitely wouldn’t choose UAdel over UTAS for the purposes of doing research. UTAS has transitioned to an MD structure and research is a core component now so you’ll be able to get a taste easily.

The choice is definitely BMP vs no BMP and lifestyle/accommodation factors.

Given accommodation has already been secured for UTAS, that’s a huge plus. And it’s super easy to get to Melbourne from Hobart for quick weekend trips home.

 

[dino07]

Thanks so much guys ! Your balanced views are reassuring. I understand that BMP requirements might be restrictive , but many specialists also do some rural work ( say 1 session a week or fortnight - even telehealth ) just to maintain some diversity in practice . I believe the bonded program is pretty flexible on such matters and any rural work or experience is counted.

LMG! and Crow - I find your responses to be very balanced and practical - thanks guys.