Hi Vehura, nice to see an update!
Also, I’m just wondering if anyone knows regarding VTAC applications if there are three different Monash medicine course codes? Because on the VTAC website it has three different codes for school leaver entry, bonded school leaver entry, and extended rural cohort entry, but then I saw someone on AN say you don’t need to add in the bonded code - they will just give you a bonded place? Not sure if anyone would know but it would be good information to have by august. Thanks so much!! I’ll see you guys next year
So the three Monash medicine codes are essentially for the same course but there are different "agreements" you make by accepting certain offers. See below for a general overview...
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Monash Medicine School Leaver entry (unbonded): basically you do the 5 year course (typically the most desirable).
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Monash Medicine Bonded: so exactly the same 5 year course as the above but you sign an agreement with the government to spend three years (after your degree) working rurally (see more specific info
here.) And to answer your question NO, Monash won't give you a bonded place UNLESS you put it in your VTAC preferences. I'd suggest preferencing it as it increases your chances of getting into Medicine.
i.e. if you don't have high enough scores to to get an unbonded place but you are very close, you might be able to get bonded! However, obviously you have to be aware of the terms you are signing to and be willing to follow through on the agreement after completing the course.
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Monash Medicine Extended Rural Cohort (ERC): so again, same course as the above but 2.5 out of 3 of your clinical years (DURING the course) are done in rural Victoria. This is actually the cohort that I'm in! The first two years of the course (preclinical, 1-2) are still at the Clayton Campus. Then when you get to clinical years (3-5) the majority of your placement isn't in Melbourne (you'll be placed at places like Bendigo, Mildura, Sale, etc). There are no ties to work rurally after you've finished the course (unlike bonded).
Hope this helps to explain it a little! In summary, school leaver = no ties, ERC = ties to work rurally DURING course, Bonded = ties to work rurally 3 yrs AFTER course. I would say people tend to preference school leaver first then ERC and then bonded! But ultimately it's up to you (and of course, you don't have to preference all of them if you don't want to!)
All the best for the UCAT!