Can't determine if Monash or uniMelb is closer?

[HYPS]

Hi,

Once I graduate high school in a couple years I plan on completing a degree in either Monash or Melb university. I can't determine which uni is closer.

I do know if I want to study a Engineering and Commrce double I'd have to go to Monash, if I want to study engineering I'll most likely go to Monash, and if I want to study Commerce I'll probably go to Melb.

Anyway, let's just say I live in Box Hill Cemetery. To get to Monash via bus 733, it takes roughly around ~40 minute but probably longer since it passes a crap ton of bus stops. Additionally, the engineering department seems like a long way from my stop @ Wellington Road.

For Melb Uni, it takes around 1 hour to get in which I'd have to take a bus, then a train and then a tram. However I could take the express train and tram but that would depend on when my classes start which would obviously change, the tram stops at Grattan Street which is right outside of the engineering buildings. It's probably worth mentioning, I assume it would cost quite a lot to go on a bus, train and tram to uni and back which would add up significantly over time.. I'm not cheap but it's in my mind..also the athletics track is also a bonus 

These are the only ways I know how to get to each uni, if there's any other ways that are faster please let me know.

I'm sure I've missed something out but what other factors should influence my decision? University life, facilities? Degree accreditation?

Cheers

[Joseph41]

Hi HYPS,

Firstly, well done for considering university life at this stage. There is no harm in having a general idea about what you might like to pursue. However, I wouldn't worry too much about specifics like this at the moment. Or at least, there's no need to.

But to answer your question: I go to Monash and I personally enjoy the fact that I can just hop on a bus and be at Campus forty minutes later without changing. That figure changes a bit depending on time of day, time of year and so on. In saying that, I assume that changing once or twice wouldn't be horribly onerous, and might break up the journey a bit more.

Travel time is certainly something that you might consider when choosing universities, but if the difference isn't huge then I don't think it's a deal-breaker either way. The other things that you mentioned might also be factors. I also considered financial reimbursement and, importantly, gut feeling. But in your situation I would stress that none of this is particularly important at the moment; who knows what might occur in the next few years?

Best of luck with your eventual decision and future studies.

P.S. I spent a significant portion of my life training and playing essentially across the road from where you live!

[EDIT: Also, the walk to Engineering isn't too far. The campus is relatively large, but you could comfortably make the trip in quite a short period of time. Not worth considering, in my opinion.]

[sjayne]

The price will be the same both ways because you don't get charged for each type of transport that you take but by time(which would probably be a daily) and zones.

I travel 1.5hr+ each day to get to Melbourne and if I went to Monash that would be more like 2.5(over-exaggerating here). So for me it was an obvious choice but I know people who travel over 2hrs each way. It depends how much travelling influences you personally. Your travelling times don't seem that bad, but you have to consider what will be easier for you eg. would you rather just catch one bus?

It's probably best to decide based on other factors. If you're not sure about engineering and commerce then a double degree could be a really good option (you also avoid the whole melbourne model which usually required masters later). And anyway you have heaps of time to decide! Don't stress, you'll figure it out eventually. I didn't even know what course I wanted to do until the day before I had to lock in my choices!!!

[pi]

The 733 bus doesn't take much longer than 40mins, I used to take it to get from Clayton to Box Hill (to Box Hill hospital) and back for a lot of last year. The walk from the bus loop to engineering isn't /that/ long, about 5mins at a decent pace. And not all your classes will be in the eng buildings anyway (likewise with UoM).

I rekon, Monash is your best bet #monashmasterrace

[grannysmith]

I rekon, Monash is your best bet #monashmasterrace

This guy, always.

[Coffee]

Sounds like Monash would be easier as it's a 40 minute bus straight to the campus. If you don't mind switching transport modes though I guess Melbourne would be fine too. Ultimately it sounds like Monash would be closer though.

What factors should influence your decision? Well obviously the degree is your main one. You mention commerce and engineering. If you're still wanting to pursue these subjects by the end of Year 12 Monash would be your best bet as you can do the double degree. Not too sure about the accreditation between Monash and Melbourne but I believe it would be the same. This would be something to look into though.

In terms of facilities, you have to ask yourself what's important and whether or not having an athletics track would bother you/take away your enjoyment.

Keep in mind you're a few years off university and you don't need to know/make these decisions yet. Things change and you might find yourself in a different position by then. You might want to move, or you might have a car. Perhaps your interests will change or you'll find a university that caters to all your needs that isn't Monash nor Melbourne. The possibilities are endless really.

[brenden]

I honestly think switching transport is so draining. I'd probably take a 1 hour train ride over a 40 minute train - train - tram ride or something like that.

[HYPS]

Thanks for the replies, I agree that I need to calm down 

I forgot to say, for the people who drive to uni - when did you get your license or when did you start the process for getting your license?

[Kalopsic]

First of all, I congratulate you on the planning of your future because I never really planned anything until mid Year 12. I'll first address your transport worries then discuss the degrees.

In terms of transport, the times really depend on your timetable and what time you start and finish. The bus may take longer during the time when school starts and finishes due to congestion however the same could be said for your bus ride to the train station and back. I live on the west side so it was a no-brainer for me to pick UoM over Monash because of the travel time but I have a few friends who go to Monash and their total travel time for a day of uni is roughly 4 hours yet they manage to keep up with their uni workload fine despite sleeping on the train and still working, working out etc. If your estimates on your travel is accurate, 20 minutes more or less travel time won't have much impact. Also there is a limit of $6 (IIRC) charged per day for public transport and you can travel cheaper if you buy x day pass. So for example this semester, I bought a 235 day pass which was cheaper than being charged $6 each day but this was because I went to uni 5 days a week. I think if you go to uni 3 days or less, it starts to become more expensive.

Now onto your uni choice. The others have already said pretty much everything so I won't repeat them however there is one more thing I need to add. While Engineering at UoM is post-grad, you can do a Bachelors of commerce first and still get into Masters of Engineering (UoM's engineering course) afterwards provided you do all the per-requisite subjects as your breadth. I'm not sure how long the double is at Monash but if you decide to go to Melbourne, it would take you a minimum of 5 years. Here is a link to UoM's Master of Engineering page where you can get more information: http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate/

*Hint: If you click on the type of Engineering you would like to do then click more info, program description you will find all the entry requirements for a student studying Bachelors of Commerce.

[Coffee]

Thanks for the replies, I agree that I need to calm down 

I forgot to say, for the people who drive to uni - when did you get your license or when did you start the process for getting your license?

If you want to drive by the time you're in uni you should aim to get your learner's this year (assuming you turn 16 this year) and your Ps when you're 18 (Year 12).

[HYPS]

First of all, I congratulate you on the planning of your future because I never really planned anything until mid Year 12. I'll first address your transport worries then discuss the degrees.

In terms of transport, the times really depend on your timetable and what time you start and finish. The bus may take longer during the time when school starts and finishes due to congestion however the same could be said for your bus ride to the train station and back. I live on the west side so it was a no-brainer for me to pick UoM over Monash because of the travel time but I have a few friends who go to Monash and their total travel time for a day of uni is roughly 4 hours yet they manage to keep up with their uni workload fine despite sleeping on the train and still working, working out etc. If your estimates on your travel is accurate, 20 minutes more or less travel time won't have much impact. Also there is a limit of $6 (IIRC) charged per day for public transport and you can travel cheaper if you buy x day pass. So for example this semester, I bought a 235 day pass which was cheaper than being charged $6 each day but this was because I went to uni 5 days a week. I think if you go to uni 3 days or less, it starts to become more expensive.

Now onto your uni choice. The others have already said pretty much everything so I won't repeat them however there is one more thing I need to add. While Engineering at UoM is post-grad, you can do a Bachelors of commerce first and still get into Masters of Engineering (UoM's engineering course) afterwards provided you do all the per-requisite subjects as your breadth. I'm not sure how long the double is at Monash but if you decide to go to Melbourne, it would take you a minimum of 5 years. Here is a link to UoM's Master of Engineering page where you can get more information: http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate/

*Hint: If you click on the type of Engineering you would like to do then click more info, program description you will find all the entry requirements for a student studying Bachelors of Commerce.

Thanks for that.

If I choose to do BCom and choose MEng prereqs as my breadth, would my workload be significantly higher compared to people just taking easier breadth subjects?

I also saw that Melb uni's MEng is accredited in Europe unlike Monash's BEng.

[Kalopsic]

Thanks for that.

If I choose to do BCom and choose MEng prereqs as my breadth, would my workload be significantly higher compared to people just taking easier breadth subjects?

I also saw that Melb uni's MEng is accredited in Europe unlike Monash's BEng.

I would assume the workload would be similar to that of the double degree at Monash. I'll leave this question to other ANer's who are more knowledgeable in this department.