indecisiveness... course selections

[bubbles]

I’m in need of some advice. I’m sure there are many people in the same boat as I am but I’m getting really frustrated. I’ve already talked to my careers counsellor; unfortunately I came out of that discussion even more confused. Here’s the dilemma, I don’t know what course I want to do next year, and therefore I’m having great difficulty filling in my preferences. I’ve probably changed my mind at least 20 times this year. Some of the courses that have crossed my mind so far are: Pharmacy, Biomedicine, Optometry, Architecture, Nursing, Science and Law.
I love to draw and design stuff but I’m not sure whether that’s just a hobby I would like to do as a side thing or something I want to pursue as a career. My uncle went no where with his arts degree so my parents don't particular encourage me to follow in his path. It is hard to get a job in the field of arts?

My VCE subjects:
2007
Further Maths
Biology
Business Management 1/2
Physics 1/2
2008
English
Methods
Specialist
Chemistry
Physics – dropped it early this year

I really enjoyed biology last year, in particularly- Unit 3 Immunology.  This interest got me thinking about biomedicine (majoring in Defence and disease or Infection and Immunity) for some time but it seems as though this course would most likely lead to a career in research and I’m not sure whether I’m suitable for that (problem solving is NOT my forte). Will I be employable in 4-5 years time after I completed my studies? So that’s another fear I have with this choice.
The other difficulty that I am having is deciding which Uni. I’ve always wanted to go to Melbourne Uni.  I’m not a big fan of the New Generation degrees though I guess it doesn’t bother me that much. Next on the list would be Monash Clayton. My careers counsellor suggested Clayton since 1. It offers double degrees which is good for someone like me who is still unsure what they would like to do in the future (so maybe Arts/Science) and 2. it is much closer to home. Is it better to do Biomed at Melbourne or Monash, Arts at Melbourne or Monash and Science at Melbourne or Monash? Basically I’m asking which uni is more renowned for these particular courses. One of the key changes UoM seems to be iterating is that they are offering “breadth subjects.”  A friend who is adamant about going to Monash (biased perhaps..) was telling me that these breadth subjects are nothing new or special; they are the equivalent to Monash’s “electives.”  Is that true?
Lastly I’m a Kwong Lee Dow Scholar and this means if I do decide to ‘study abroad’ (which I am keen on) my expenses will be covered - $2500 scholarship (of course there are extra requirements involved).  This is yet another temptation to study at UoM as any financial support would be a bonus.

ANY advice?

[Mao]

as for the debate between UoM and Monash, I have had similar indecisiveness trying to find the right place for myself, here's where I ended up:

Monash is closer to home, the campus doesn't have as many beautiful buildings, but it is MUCH more spacious

Monash has more "average" people than the elitist UoM (if you know what I mean... some UoM'ers might argue against that, but this image certianly permeates its prestigous name)

UoM forces you to do breadth, whereas Monash has electives you can choose from anywhere, i.e. you can choose to do breadth only if you want to do breadth.

the double-degree, though extending a normal 3 year course to 4 or 5, offers SO many possibilities, and if your interests are far and wide, I think you will find that a lot more enjoyable

Monash give away more scholarships

Monash freely gives away study-abroad scholarships. Recently I've received so many emails from Monash public announcements that try to get students to exchange to their Sunway (Malaysia) campus, with practically everything paid for (except for your spending money, of course)

if you decided that the double-degree option is not for you, you can always go on to do masters after your 3 year bachelors course (or do honours and go on researching), the same timeframe as UoM, just without the breadth (if you choose not to), and you can do whatever you enjoy best

so that's my 2c.
you might also want to check out the other courses offered by the faculty of health sciences at monash (forgot their full name), from memory most of them allow you to study immunology.

[orsel]

seems someone is too monash-biased lol, so guess I'll be UoM represent.

Lastly I’m a Kwong Lee Dow Scholar and this means if I do decide to ‘study abroad’ (which I am keen on) my expenses will be covered - $2500 scholarship (of course there are extra requirements involved).

Thus in this case "Monash freely gives away study-abroad scholarships" is less of a benefit.

Double-degrees are an advantage, but at the same time UoM has the advantage of prestige, which might help later on when seeking employment. Dunno if its significant enough though.

Melbourne model takes away more years of your life, but again, if you're unsure what you want, then it might be beneficial to you as you can do the 'basic' undergrad degree then see what interests you, and then choose the next step in your education.

[Mao]

update: i have checked that Monash give $3.5k scholarship for study abroad, as well as free air travel + accomodation.

[Eriny]

Look at some of the breadth subjects you can take at Melbourne, remembering that there are some 'specially designed' breadth courses that may appeal to you. But, if you really don't want to do breadth, my advice is to not go to Melbourne because that would be a quarter of your degree dedicated to something you aren't really into.

Likewise, if you think you'd be happier doing a double degree, go to Monash. Remembering though that you can always do another degree later on.

You'll be able to study abroad at any uni you go to. Look into what's on offer, but don't base your decision on this alone.

It's also a good idea to look beyond Melbourne and Monash. LaTrobe, Deakin and RMIT might have some good things on offer that you're interested in as well.

[bubbles]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll do a bit more research on the breadth subjects and see if that will help. Does anyone know the answer to whether the Biomedicine course at Melbourne or Biomedical science at Monash is better? (Just purely focusing on the course itself, ignoring factors such as proximity, costs, breadth subjects etc)

[merlin]

Hi Bubbles, umm about your question of whether biomed or biomed science is better, sorry I can't give u an answer. However from what I hear, people who studies bio med in uom usually do it so that it becomes a pathway into medicine, if that's what your interested in, then it'd be great.

Now what I was trying to discuss was that many people in this forum believes that if u want to do double degrees, your best choice is Monash. However, I must rebut this because at uom u can just as easily do a double degree through the melbourne model in the same amt time as Monash. For example if u were interested in doing engineering/commerce in Monash, it would take 5 yrs, but with bachelor degrees in both. While, at uom u can do commerce for three yrs and then masters of engineering for 2 yrs and u recieve a bachelor degree in commerce but a masters degree in engineering. So in the essentially the same amt of time u can get a higher degree!   

O, and as for breadth subjects in uom, I think by having breadth subs you would have a significant advantage over students from other unis as u would have a much broader knowledge and therefore more job opportunities. For example, u can choose to study a diploma in languages and this will give u opportunties to work overseas. There are endless of possibilities.

Well bubbles I hope this helps u out!

[bubbles]

everyone's advice has been helpful . Merlin, are you talking about the "sequential degrees"? I didn't know they existed until i was told about them at UoM's open day...unfortunately biomedicine doesn't offer such a thing.

[merlin]

No, I think if u had a look on the uom web, u'll find u can do med after studying biomed.

[xox.happy1.xox]

Maybe you should also consider TAFE courses. I mean, if you don't get into your preferred course, you can always have a pathway into that course, and transfer when you can. It is helpful to those who crash and burn in exams (not to mention myself )

[merlin]

xox.happy1.xox, let's hope that doesn't happen lol. Btw do u have any TAFE couses in your preferences?

[bubbles]

No, I think if u had a look on the uom web, u'll find u can do med after studying biomed.

No no i knew that, though i still don't think we are able to do i.e biomed/law, biomed/engineering etc double degrees or sequentially at UoM like you can at Monash within a short amount of time. (Then again i'm really unreliable in these sort of things...a direct link could be helpful )
I know that majority of the students who study biomed goes onto studying medicine, however I'm unsure whether I'll be heading in the same direction- that could be an option but that's something i'll probably decide upon after a year or so.

[merlin]

No no i knew that, though i still don't think we are able to do i.e biomed/law, biomed/engineering etc double degrees or sequentially at UoM like you can at Monash within a short amount of time. (Then again i'm really unreliable in these sort of things...a direct link could be helpful Cheesy)
I know that majority of the students who study biomed goes onto studying medicine, however I'm unsure whether I'll be heading in the same direction- that could be an option but that's something i'll probably decide upon after a year or so.

I can confirm that u have the option of doing law, engineering, etc sequentially after biomed: on http://coursesearch.unimelb.edu.au/coursedetail.aspx?cid=1504&ctype=1&typeall=1&typepg=0&typeug=0&typesc=0&stype=Keyword&sterm=biomed

Further study in this area

Graduate study opportunities include: Professional graduate programs specialising in Dental Surgery, Medicine/Surgery, Nursing and Physiotherapy, or courses in Biomedical Engineering, Optometry and Public Health; Other professional graduate programs within the University, including those in Applied Commerce, Law, Social Work, Teaching and Urban Planning; Specialist advanced research and/or coursework programs in the biomedical sciences. 

In fact by completing a degree in biomed, u probaly have the broadest option of completing another degree in almost anything! However, u need to remember that when u do decide to undertake further study, your chances of being accepted to a particular course is very much dependent on how well u perform in uni. Anywayz good luck! 

[xox.happy1.xox]

xox.happy1.xox, let's hope that doesn't happen lol. Btw do u have any TAFE couses in your preferences?

Yeah, I have a few at the bottom of my list. I started a full topic about TAFE , encourage those like me that there are other options out there.

[AppleXY]

as for the debate between UoM and Monash, I have had similar indecisiveness trying to find the right place for myself, here's where I ended up:

Monash is closer to home, the campus doesn't have as many beautiful buildings, but it is MUCH more spacious

Monash has more "average" people than the elitist UoM (if you know what I mean... some UoM'ers might argue against that, but this image certianly permeates its prestigous name)

UoM forces you to do breadth, whereas Monash has electives you can choose from anywhere, i.e. you can choose to do breadth only if you want to do breadth.

the double-degree, though extending a normal 3 year course to 4 or 5, offers SO many possibilities, and if your interests are far and wide, I think you will find that a lot more enjoyable

Monash give away more scholarships

Monash freely gives away study-abroad scholarships. Recently I've received so many emails from Monash public announcements that try to get students to exchange to their Sunway (Malaysia) campus, with practically everything paid for (except for your spending money, of course)

if you decided that the double-degree option is not for you, you can always go on to do masters after your 3 year bachelors course (or do honours and go on researching), the same timeframe as UoM, just without the breadth (if you choose not to), and you can do whatever you enjoy best

so that's my 2c.
you might also want to check out the other courses offered by the faculty of health sciences at monash (forgot their full name), from memory most of them allow you to study immunology.

lol. Yeah that was totally unbiased Mao -_______-.

UoM offer many scholarships, it's one of the few universities who consider under-represented schools as a SEAS category. UoM is also expected to give $100M in scholarships too.

Breadth is something pretty awesome as shows employers that you are not restricted to one field alone, you have plenty of transferrable skills.

Statistics also show that Melbourne Graduates are highly sort after with higher starting salaries than the norm. Not to mention that UoM  is a world leader in research, ranking in as the 2nd best university in Australia. (after ANU).

UoM has plenty of exchange relationships which includes the Stern School of Business in NYU which is one of the best Business schools in the US.

That should settle the tablez.