University of Melbourne vs Monash University

[Azzzz]

Hi all!

I'm in a bit of a dilemma as I don't know what university to go to, I'm considering doing a bachelor of science degree and I really like the Melbourne model but I want to do a double degree in engineering/science or commerce/science at Monash. However, I'm not 100% about what I want to do yet, I'm highly considering doing medicine but I'm not a fan of biomedicine due to what I have heard from multiple sources thus I plan to graduate from science and get into med.

I won't lie a primary reason I wish to go to Melb is due to the prestigious status but the main reason is the Melbourne model which I mentioned before. But Monash is closer to my home (25 min drive vs 50 min) and I know many people who are going to Monash or are already there. So any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you! 

[Sine]

Both The University of Melbourne and Monash are great unis and you can't really go wrong with either imo (where you end up after will be dependent on you and not the uni). The melbourne model is based on the fact that there are no double degrees (although they are trying to make it more fleixble recently) so it's really a choice between UoM or a double. A double degree will mean delaying doing medicine by 1-2 years if that is what you want.

 I don't think there is much difference in prestige especially for a course like science since there are like 2k+ people doing per year level so inherently it's not too competitive to get in. Also the cutoffs for UoM are decreasing and Monash are increasing recently.

Personally, I don't think factors such as prestige, atar cutoffs, using your full atar is important as long as you are choosing a course that you actually want to do - and not something you just want others to see you doing.

[Bri MT]

I chose Monash instead of UniMelb even though UniMelb is closer to me, and I know people who chose UniMelb even though Monash was closer.

I wouldn't pick a uni based on your friends (you can make new friends and there's nothing stopping you from keeping in contact) or 25 minutes extra trip (but I understand this being a factor more). For science I don't think either Monash or UniMelb are sufficiently different in prestige to actually have any impact.

Keep in mind that with Monash you do get electives too, so if you want to do science with only a little bit of engineering or commerce using your elective spots might be better than doing a double degree.


Did you go to Open Day? What environment can you see yourself in more?

[thunderring]

DO NOT come to UniMelb if you have the option to go to Monash. They are roughly as prestigious as the other.
DO NOT get baited by the Unimelb model. What you will soon find out is that you will spend 80% of your subjects slots doing subjects that are not even related to your major. To name a few, Wine tasting, gender studies, music and health. You may think to yourself, I could just do the useful subjects but you will soon realize that those "useful" subjects are are scarce and insanely hard (because it is a core subject of another major). They will suck up so much of your time to the point you wonder why you came to uni at all. And you MUST do at least 4 of these because it will "expand your knowledge". Of course it's a lie but there is no way around this.
You will also soon find out that what you actually learn from uni is minimum and you have to go to Masters to learn what you actually are interested about.
TLDR: Go to Monash. Pick a major NOW. Don't hesitate like I did and get baited by Unimelb.
If not, I wish you good luck because you will need it.