Uni degree choice help (1 Viewer)

[erucibon]

Hi, I currently have a very broad idea of what to apply for and i'm struggling to narrow it down.
I originally wanted (but not a strong desire) to study medicine but my UCAT is too low. Would it be worth it to continue trying to get in if i'm not absolutely set on getting in? Also, how much does the university matter in medicine?
I have always more been interested in studying dentistry but I am not sure i'd make usyd. What other options with other unis do I have?
I have been looking into physio (USYD), optom (UNSW), actuarial studies (UNSW), and some kind to commerce double degree to work in a big financial institution. The thing is I would not mind any of them so I am not sure which to choose, considering salaries and lifestyle
I'm aiming for a 99+ atar (hopefully on track).
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Call it mate !]

If your UCAT score is low, first keep trying again and again to get a higher score, then if it's still low do a medical degree at uni and after apply for medicine. There are a bunch of online zoom lessons that give you more info on that. UTS also have a pre-medicine course, check that out too.

I really don't like to be negative but most uni's take in postgraduate students and international students before undergraduate students because they have more experience and less likely to drop the course.

Butttttt if you are really aiming for a 99 atar and you get it then I think you have a great chance.

 

[Call it mate !]

Hi, I currently have a very broad idea of what to apply for and i'm struggling to narrow it down.
I originally wanted (but not a strong desire) to study medicine but my UCAT is too low. Would it be worth it to continue trying to get in if i'm not absolutely set on getting in? Also, how much does the university matter in medicine?
I have always more been interested in studying dentistry but I am not sure i'd make usyd. What other options with other unis do I have?
I have been looking into physio (USYD), optom (UNSW), actuarial studies (UNSW), and some kind to commerce double degree to work in a big financial institution. The thing is I would not mind any of them so I am not sure which to choose, considering salaries and lifestyle
I'm aiming for a 99+ atar (hopefully on track).
Any advice would be appreciated!

Wait I’m so dumb I didn’t even realise this was 2 years old :|

 

[idkkdi]

Wait I’m so dumb I didn’t even realise this was 2 years old :|

it says today for the message?

 

[Call it mate !]

it says today for the message?

mine says it’s from 2018 ???

 

[idkkdi]

mine says it’s from 2018 ???

 

[quickoats]

Regarding medicine, there are a few interstate options that don't need the UCAT (Griffith, Sunshine Coast, James Cook, Bond - if your parents can afford it) so if you get a really high ATAR you don't have worry about alternatives.

What draws you to medicine? If it's the hospital environment then nursing or radiography would be good to consider. If it's the extended patient contact and assessment (like a GP) then physio or optom would be more up your alley.

If salary is your main goals then business/finance is probably the way to go - people can make a whole heap of money straight out of uni especially in investment banks, however, not everyone will end up with those sorts of salaries. However, work life balance is probably lacking - very long hours, but those people would probably be the workaholic type to end up in investment banking. Actuarial has better hours (in traditional fields) but from what I've heard it's been quite difficult to land a grad role since there's just so many people doing the degree. Accreditation as an actuary also takes quite a while so keep that in mind.

Medicine will pay quite well in the end, but takes years of further study. Even GP's have to specialise in general practice after working in the hospital for a few years after they graduate med school). Depending on the specialty, you easily take 10+ years after you graduate to finally become a specialist - it's a big commitment for sure. Lifestyle wise this isn't great. Health field wise, the jobs with the best lifestyle are probably physio and optometry as you do 9-5 (optom would maybe do a Thursday shopping night).

Don't take this too personally, but you've listed all the "prestigious" degrees. Maybe once your trials finish, take some time to think about what you actually want to do and why you want to do it. This should help to narrow things down.

I didn't really think things over myself so I just picked a degree at random pretty much based on its perceived 'prestige' but I'm not too sure about my choice. That being said, it's really easy to change degrees nowadays so don't get too hung up on picking 'the one'. Most of the fields you listed have graduate entry pathways (4 yr MD, DDS, 2 year MPhysio, MActlPractice, MCom) so you could even finish a degree, start work, realise you don't like it, then do a career switch.

 

[erucibon]

Thanks for all the info, it was very helpful!