5 years bonded vs 7 years unbonded (1 Viewer)

[iStudent]

This has probably been discussed to death already, but can someone provide some insight? i.e. JMP bonded vs UQ unbonded.

For UQ, I'd be doing 3 years of study in a course that probably won't be relevant to my med career (and you also have to consider that I have to maintain GPA 5) PLUS it's 2 years extra of studying compared to JMP. (and I very much would like to finish studying and start working ASAP).

On the other hand, Newcastle provides a very appealing 5 year program. Disadvantage is that it's bonded - but I heard you can buy your way out of it? And that it's around 100k? (15-20k for each year of your degree). But then can't you earn that much in the 2 years that you're working (whereas if I did UQ, I'd be studying those 2 years).

I'd appreciate it a lot if someone could provide some reasons for and against, as well which one YOU would choose. Thank you!
The prestige or location of the universities doesn't really bother me.

 

[bangladesh]

I'd go UQ unbonded. I read a guide about selecting between medschools and the first point was choose unbonded over bonded whenever you can. The 5.0 GPA is a breeze. I did nothing in first year and have a gpa of 5.4 lol. Also, call up jmp tomorrow to see what your chances are of being upgraded to unbonded in later rounds.

 

[iStudent]

I will do that, thanks
My only problem is that I could easily break and pay off the bond by entering the workforce 2 years early :/ (and hence in a sense, it shouldn't matter)

 

[cho6092]

It seems that you got a 99.90 ATAR (is this right?)...why didn't you choose Melbourne Uni Medicine?

 

[bangladesh]

I would go 5 years bonded, only because you can pay off your bond (working for two years to pay off bond > studying for 2-3 years in a course of no relevance and paying its fees too etc)

I kind of have to disagree there, firstly as someone who has done first year science (just like you'd have to do it at uq for premed) firstly, its not completely irrelevant. You can choose your units from a range of anatomy/physiology in order to prepare yourself for med. Secondly, even though some units are not relevant, they still help you grasp ideas of basic physics and chemistry that will later help you understand more complex concepts in med/life, and finally, dont look at it as 2-3 years of wasting time, You basically have the option to chill out and do whatever you want to do before you begin medschool given you have a guaranteed spot.
again, it really depends on the individual though.

 

[iStudent]

It seems that you got a 99.90 ATAR (is this right?)...why didn't you choose Melbourne Uni Medicine?

Yes that is right. You're supposed to request an interview before you get your ATAR and I didn't think I'd actually get it... so I didn't apply (and hence, I didn't do an interview missing out on a spot). Though, it doesn't matter because I see UMelb and UQ as the same (both 7 years and both respectable unis in an urban area!)

I would go 5 years bonded, only because you can pay off your bond (working for two years to pay off bond > studying for 2-3 years in a course of no relevance and paying its fees too etc)

That's what I also think

I kind of have to disagree there, firstly as someone who has done first year science (just like you'd have to do it at uq for premed) firstly, its not completely irrelevant. You can choose your units from a range of anatomy/physiology in order to prepare yourself for med. Secondly, even though some units are not relevant, they still help you grasp ideas of basic physics and chemistry that will later help you understand more complex concepts in med/life, and finally, dont look at it as 2-3 years of wasting time, You basically have the option to chill out and do whatever you want to do before you begin medschool given you have a guaranteed spot.
again, it really depends on the individual though.

True. Didn't really consider that I could work etc during the 2-3 years (or perhaps enjoy life haha). Now I'm kind of conflicted

 

[Schmeag]

I would say Newcastle. I have no experience with bonded positions and you should find someone who knows about it. A science degree, while helpful during medicine, may not add as much when you work (it is an extra degree, however). An undergraduate medical course should teach you the science you need to know. If your mind is fixed firmly on medicine and getting into the workforce ASAP, Newcastle would be the way to go.

You have to decide whether you would be happy with the constraints of a bonded position. A bonded colleague of mine specialised in paediatrics and it so happens an area of need is in largest paediatric centre in the state (only from hearsay). I don't know how frequently this occurs, so you would need to be comfortable with working rurally for the allotted time if as a 'worst-case' scenario (unless you love rural, then the choice is easier). Is it more important to you to have a greater freedom of choice or to start your career earlier?

I worked during my undergraduate medicine course, so I would not say this is something you could only do during your science years. Chilling out and medicine is also a not mutually exclusive. All in all, decide your priorities, consult a lawyer and then make an informed decision (advice from the internet like this should be taken with a grain of salt).

 

[Medman]

I disagree with amirbang having completed undergraduate. My undergraduate degree hardly relevant now but I didn't major in physiology and anatomy. I feel like it has just added to my HELP debt.

Medical school is easy in the first 2 years. I never really studied too hard for med. I wouldn't say I am the smartest so saying you need to study a lot for medicine I feel like is a myth unless you want to be the top of your class which is different.

Also if you go UQ coming back you'll be shafted to Blacktown, Nepean or another hospital where you will have less exposure to your chosen field of interest. Bonded might mean the same but you will be working 2 years and that will easily pay off the bond and give you extra.

2 years is a long time if you are sure about your career. My UWS friends are now all registrars and I just started interning. Big difference in pay and responsibilities despite similar age. If you are unsure about med those 2 years are quite valuable for maturation but otherwise it is an absolute waste of time. 2 years worth of consultancy pay is almost a house.

 

[Medman]

Just a addon. Bonded responsibilities only apply once you reach consultancy. However you can work off your bonded during your training. After PGY1 (internship) every term worked (more than 10 weeks) counts towards your bonded requirements (This includes all your resident and registrar and fellow years). If you train in a specialty you will most likely be forced to work at least 1 year in a rural area. This means you will get at least if not more 1-2 years off your bonded requirements so once you reach consultancy and you consider the options and want to stay urban you can just pay off the remainder.

People are scared of bonded because they don't understand it in depth.

 

[iStudent]

That is very helpful advice, thank you very much!

Looks like JMP is the way to go

 

[Kiraken]

if u applied for UWS as well u might be getting an offer in the late round because i remember in my year at least the bulk of the offers for UWS med were released in late round rather than main round

 

[iStudent]

Ah I didn't receive an interview for UWS :/ (since S3 was my strongest section ...)

 

[vikavish]

This is a pretty immature way to look at it to be honest. JMP 4th and 5th years are mostly clinical anyway and you get posted to various places around the hunter region and further.

You need to grow up and see that even if it is a bonded place, working in a rural or regional setting is not in anyway a minus. Chances are you will study in regional and rural clinical schools anyway.

You need to break away from the fact that you wont be living with your mum and dad and little high school friends. Take on new responsibilities and make a forward change in your life and career.

Hope I do see you at Newcastle this year though, Good luck.

 

[iStudent]

This is a pretty immature way to look at it to be honest. JMP 4th and 5th years are mostly clinical anyway and you get posted to various places around the hunter region and further.

You need to grow up and see that even if it is a bonded place, working in a rural or regional setting is not in anyway a minus. Chances are you will study in regional and rural clinical schools anyway.

You need to break away from the fact that you wont be living with your mum and dad and little high school friends. Take on new responsibilities and make a forward change in your life and career.

Hope I do see you at Newcastle this year though, Good luck.

I agree. Though, I still very much prefer living in a capital city at least somewhat close to family and friends (not necessarily living under the same roof). Reasons I won't discuss because there's too many...

Also, I should make a correction - I'm going to be studying at UNE (I just realised after clicking the UAC link again, which states in a rather small and not revealing font "Offer note 1: Offer is to the BMed-JMP at the University of New England ONLY").

 

[bangladesh]

I agree. Though, I still very much prefer living in a capital city at least somewhat close to family and friends (not necessarily living under the same roof). Reasons I won't discuss because there's too many...

Also, I should make a correction - I'm going to be studying at UNE (I just realised after clicking the UAC link again, which states in a rather small and not revealing font "Offer note 1: Offer is to the BMed-JMP at the University of New England ONLY").

haha see ya there brah

 

[iStudent]

haha see ya there brah

UNE? Not Newcastle? Oh cool
There's only 60 students studying med there glad I could know one of them haha.
See you there!

 

[bangladesh]

UNE? Not Newcastle? Oh cool
There's only 60 students studying med there glad I could know one of them haha.
See you there!

ye une haha