BIOMED AT MONASH OR MELB UNI? (DESPERATE HELP)

[neenoii]

Hey guys!
I have graduated high school with an ATAR of 94.95 and I was wondering which uni and which course I should do (all I want is to specialise in a particular field and get a master degree... but I don't know which course and what career). Basically I still have no idea of what I want to do but I have listed Biomedicine at Monash and Melbourne as well as medical imaging/radiography. I'm leaning more towards biomedicine due to the fact that it is broad and I can still decide which pathway I want to take whereas medical imaging/radiography is a set path but apparently it is interesting and in good demand. I have listed some facts down below and I want your opinion

Monash:
- is closer to home (10-15 mins drive, 30 mins public transport)
- no need for GAMSAT if I want to do medicine
- offered me a scholarship (6k per annum for 6 years min)
- I'm also very familiar with the place
- I also applied for the scholar's program but I do not know if I'll get in (honestly don't even know what the difference between the normal program and the scholar's program :/ )

Melbourne Uni:
- further than Monash (50 mins public transport)
- requires GAMSAT
- offered me a scholarship (5k per annum for 3 years only)
- more prestigious? I think my parents want me to go to Melb
- I'm only leaning towards Melbourne because I didn't want to waste my atar as well

Also, if anyone is doing or did medical imaging/radiography, do you recommend it? (apparently, there's a lot of physics )

[lm21074]

Hi neenoii,

Congrats on completing Year 12!

AFAIK, the difference between Monash's biomed and biomed scholars program is that you are required to take a Research in Action unit (12 week research project) in the scholars program. I think it also comes with the Biomedicine Discovery Scholarship (3k per annum). There may be mentoring you can access too.

It can be tempting to want to enter a course with a high ATAR to "spend" your ATAR, but in the long run, your ATAR is just a key to get into a course. A course that requires a higher ATAR than another has that requirement generally because it is more popular than the other course, but that doesn't say a lot about how good the course is. Also, if you're gaining entry into med (or any course really) after your undergrad degree, the uni(s) you want to do med at don't care where you did your degree (as long as you did the prerequisite units for entry - Melbourne from 2022 and Deakin currently don't have any to gain entry into their med course, biomed at Monash is a course you can do that is accepted for entry into their graduate med program).

Personally, I'd choose a course based on location of the uni and the units (subjects) that will be studied in the course. I'd encourage you to have a look at the handbook entries (this is a tool you can use in uni to select units) for Monash's biomed degree and Melbourne's biomed degree to see the structure of each course and the majors / minors you can do (there are mostly core units in Monash biomed but there are 8 free elective spaces that you can use to do units from any faculty in the uni provided you've met the prerequisites to take those units (fewer if you're in the scholars program as the research unit takes up more credit points). Also, Melbourne has breadth subjects which are subjects you have to take from outside your course's faculty (iirc).

You also mentioned not having to do the GAMSAT should you gain entry into Monash's graduate medicine program. Keep in mind that this is a highly competitive pathway and so it might be a good idea that you do the GAMSAT if you'd like to be eligible for entry at other unis.

Hope this helps and good luck making your decision

[neenoii]

Hello!
Thank you for giving me your opinion!!

I had done some reading into the scholar's program and it seems that its a waste a time since you are doing extra research when it is not required for transferring to med? (I'm not sure) Also with the scholarship, I think my "Achieving Potential Scholarship for Distinction" override the Biomedicine Discovery Scholarship since my scholarship gives me more money :/

I also thought that it is easier to transfer to med through Monash as I had already done the UCAT and I didn't do that well. I'm pretty sure that the GAMSAT is harder... so more unlikely for me to pass the GAMSAT. But it is also very competitive at Monash so I do not know 

After getting in touch with some people, it feels like I should pick medical imaging and radiography since you can get lots of experience and you have a set path with a guaranteed job at the end. Whereas for broader courses such as science and biomed, I do not know where I'll end up Is this a wise thing to do? Im not sure if i'll like the course but I can always transfer to science or biomed after (but it is a waste of time and money)

[AngelWings]

It's up to you what you believe is best for you.

I had done some reading into the scholar's program and it seems that its a waste a time since you are doing extra research when it is not required for transferring to med? (I'm not sure)

I will put out there that research experience does look favourably on anyone intending on going into almost all health/ science areas. This is where you get a lot of practical experience. 

After getting in touch with some people, it feels like I should pick medical imaging and radiography since you can get lots of experience and you have a set path with a guaranteed job at the end. Whereas for broader courses such as science and biomed, I do not know where I'll end up Is this a wise thing to do? Im not sure if i'll like the course but I can always transfer to science or biomed after (but it is a waste of time and money)

Again, up to you.

Technically, it wouldn't really be a waste of money and time, as you'll likely be able to have majority of your credit transfer over to the new degree, if not all. Credit transfer means that whatever grades you got from your original degree will be used as part of your grades for your new degree. This means you don't have to redo many subjects and you can pick up the new degree from a similar spot to where you left off your original degree (and you'll have the experience of taking the original degree to boot).

[neenoii]

Technically, it wouldn't really be a waste of money and time, as you'll likely be able to have majority of your credit transfer over to the new degree, if not all. Credit transfer means that whatever grades you got from your original degree will be used as part of your grades for your new degree. This means you don't have to redo many subjects and you can pick up the new degree from a similar spot to where you left off your original degree (and you'll have the experience of taking the original degree to boot).

Oh okay, I think I'll put medical imaging as my first preference and if it is not the right course for me, I'll transfer. In addition, if I do a transfer, will I lose my scholarship for the "Achieving Potential Scholarship for Distinction"?

Thank you so much for giving me some opinion

[AngelWings]

Oh okay, I think I'll put medical imaging as my first preference and if it is not the right course for me, I'll transfer. In addition, if I do a transfer, will I lose my scholarship for the "Achieving Potential Scholarship for Distinction"?

It depends on the type of scholarship it is. Read the terms and conditions attached. Does it say you need to be specifically taking X course or if you'll only retain it if you stay in the same course? From there, you'll know your answer.

Edit: According to this, it looks like a general merit scholarship that is applicable to all Monash courses, so should be OK to retain as long as you keep a 60+ WAM at Monash (which is very achievable). I would advise you double check the T&Cs you've been given in case the website turns out to be incorrect or outdated.

[paulthekiller123]

Are access scholarships for melbourne already out?? I haven't received one yet...

[neenoii]

It depends on the type of scholarship it is. Read the terms and conditions attached. Does it say you need to be specifically taking X course or if you'll only retain it if you stay in the same course? From there, you'll know your answer.

Edit: According to this, it looks like a general merit scholarship that is applicable to all Monash courses, so should be OK to retain as long as you keep a 60+ WAM at Monash (which is very achievable). I would advise you double check the T&Cs you've been given in case the website turns out to be incorrect or outdated.

Oh Yep, I'll definitely look at that Thank you so much for your help!!

Are access scholarships for melbourne already out?? I haven't received one yet...

I received mine on Saturday through a call and they said that they'll send me the email but they haven't sent it yet :/ I think that they'll call you to notify you that you have received the access scholarship Don't get your hopes up, maybe they'll contact you soon!