UQ vs. USyd (Current!)

[emerald6392]

Since the existing threads that compare the two are quite old, I'm going to put this out there again. So NOT in terms of USMLE or whether you can go to the US afterwards or not, how do these schools compare?

1) USyd is ranked higher than UQ in Australia, how much does that matter in terms of internship/residency placements in Australia?

2) How do the locations compare in terms of climate, cost of living (please help compare all the costs from rent to food to utilities), things to do, walkability to classes?

3) I know they have classes at St. Lucia for UQ med, but where in Camperdown do they have med classes for USyd (just curious)?

4) How about the quality of teaching in terms of the professors? Is there academic support (tutors, office hours, etc)?

5) How organized are the programs?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[deathelement]

1. Reputation means zilch. Preference for internships is given first to Australian PR/citizens always. Whatever spots leftover are then filled by internationals.
2. Brisbane is cheaper than Sydney. You're looking at $250+/week for a "shared room" (as in you've got a twin bed and will be sleeping a meter away from your roommate on a twin bed) unless you're willing to have a one hour or more commute each way and live in crime ridden areas for about $300/week or so. Hell, I'm paying $500/week just for a place slightly closer to campus and it's still a 20 minute walk (brisk walking) but it's a pain to commute to class during rush hour. Utilities not included for me but internet is approximately $60/month, phone plan is $50/month, and electricity is pretty expensive but it depends on you. I'd say about $400/quarter year. For $250/week, you'd be getting a lot more at UQ. Food costs are relatively high in Sydney but I come from Canada so costs aren't that disproportionate but I'd understand that it'd be much more for someone coming from the states. For reference, you're looking at $10+ for a fast food combo. I'd say food runs about $10-20/day in terms of cost if you're cheap. A decent NY steak meal runs about $50-60. The same meal would cost me $35-45 in Canada. I can't think without food so I spend unreasonable sums. Eating healthy will be VERY pricey btw. I find this is always the case when you're on a rock (hello Hawaii!).
3. East Sydney, closer to the financial district hence why food/rent is quite pricey (but prices across Sydney is high) and commuting is annoying.
4. I can't say anything about the quality at UQ but I'd say USyd has been alright. There was an incident lately due cheating students due to a certain problematic course and they've currently suspended that course. So no, the school isn't perfect but I'm disappointed at my peers for cheating. A lot of learning is self-directed especially since it is PBL based at USyd. No one is going to hold your hand to go through with it, they'll raise complaints if you don't know your ****. There is help but I assume it's available like at any school.
5. Not really sure what you even want to know here. Material is available on the website.

 

[emerald6392]

1. Reputation means zilch. Preference for internships is given first to Australian PR/citizens always. Whatever spots leftover are then filled by internationals.
2. Brisbane is cheaper than Sydney. You're looking at $250+/week for a "shared room" (as in you've got a twin bed and will be sleeping a meter away from your roommate on a twin bed) unless you're willing to have a one hour or more commute each way and live in crime ridden areas for about $300/week or so. Hell, I'm paying $500/week just for a place slightly closer to campus and it's still a 20 minute walk (brisk walking) but it's a pain to commute to class during rush hour. Utilities not included for me but internet is approximately $60/month, phone plan is $50/month, and electricity is pretty expensive but it depends on you. I'd say about $400/quarter year. For $250/week, you'd be getting a lot more at UQ. Food costs are relatively high in Sydney but I come from Canada so costs aren't that disproportionate but I'd understand that it'd be much more for someone coming from the states. For reference, you're looking at $10+ for a fast food combo. I'd say food runs about $10-20/day in terms of cost if you're cheap. A decent NY steak meal runs about $50-60. The same meal would cost me $35-45 in Canada. I can't think without food so I spend unreasonable sums. Eating healthy will be VERY pricey btw. I find this is always the case when you're on a rock (hello Hawaii!).
3. East Sydney, closer to the financial district hence why food/rent is quite pricey (but prices across Sydney is high) and commuting is annoying.
4. I can't say anything about the quality at UQ but I'd say USyd has been alright. There was an incident lately due cheating students due to a certain problematic course and they've currently suspended that course. So no, the school isn't perfect but I'm disappointed at my peers for cheating. A lot of learning is self-directed especially since it is PBL based at USyd. No one is going to hold your hand to go through with it, they'll raise complaints if you don't know your ****. There is help but I assume it's available like at any school.
5. Not really sure what you even want to know here. Material is available on the website.

I'm aware of the priority given to Australians over internationals for internship spots and what not....but when international compete with one another, I was wondering if the ranking/reputation of the school mattered in terms of internship and residencies. I also originally wanted to work in underserved regions anyway, and I'm hoping the residencies for those regions aren't as competitive.


I was actually looking at the on-campus housing costs comparing Sydney to Queensland and it seemed like the on campus housing costs are overall cheaper for Sydney, strangely. But the off-campus housing is definitely cheaper in Brisbane (was hard to get to all of that info, sigh). I guess the cost of food in Sydney is higher regardless... Do you like living in Sydney so far?


One more question! I see that Australia has Costco (haha) in NSW. Have you been there before?

 

[bashwell]

I've been to two different Costcos in Sydney.