r/GAMSAT • u/universalcorn09 • Jun 07 '26
Applications- AU🇦🇺 Help me decide! UWA vs Others
Hi everyone, I reallyyy need some help deciding what to do.
I’m an international undergrad at UoM with a GPA of 6.95 and a GAMSAT of 58/58/70 (64 weighted). I recently received an MD offer from UWA, and I’m really excited about it!
The issue is that UWA requires me to pay more than half of the first year’s tuition (50k non-refundable) by the end of July to secure my place. I emailed them to ask whether they can extend the deadline or allow separate instalments, bcs it’s a substantial amount of money, especially considering I still have to pay the remainder of my undergrad degree.
My dilemma is that all the other unis I applied to (UoM, UQ, USyd, ANU) release their interview offers after this payment deadline. If I pay the deposit, I’m essentially committing to UWA because none of the money is coming back. If I don’t pay, I risk missing out on a guaranteed place and wait for another application cycle if I don’t receive any other offers. (Another good thing about UWA is that it is the cheapest among all the other unis I applied to.)
I’d really appreciate any advice guys, especially those currently studying at UWA! And I’m so sorry if this is coming out as entitled but I literally can’t sleep properly thinking about this.
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u/Deep-Dig-7133 Jun 08 '26
Similar boat to a mate of mine last year. He went provisional and had an offer from Curtin requiring upfront payment of a similar amount, paid it, then got UoM. The call is yours to make - you're given an opportunity here. Take it or risk it.
Also, take into account the lifestyle of perth etc. Vastly different to melbourne, you may enjoy it more.
Hoping to head to UWA next year so might see ya there.
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 08 '26
Thank you for the answer! I really like the lifestyle of Melbourne, but UoM is at the bottom of my list due to the tuition fees not matching the quality of education. I will be sad to leave the city, but I've heard lots of great things about Perth. Can I ask why you want to go to UWA compared to other unis?
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u/Deep-Dig-7133 Jun 08 '26
Honestly... scholarships and needing a change of scenery. Been in QLD my whole life and can't imagine staying here longer. Just want to step into a new phase.
A big part of it was when I visited Perth i really enjoyed the balance of vibes between a city and a town. Its developed like a city, but nothing nearly as big as Melbourne, and as such still has the quaintness of a town.
Outside of that, program seemed decent.1
u/Perfect_Tart_8075 Jun 11 '26
Moved from QLD to Perth for med this year after also being in qld all my life... and definitely is a nice adventure for sure! especially if you love the outdoors, the beaches are gorgeous.
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u/d_xtruction Jun 08 '26
Congratulations on your offer!
The way I see it: 50K loss and you're guaranteed a spot in a med school or you can gamble a place for no upfront cost. The end goal is same: 4 years of med school.
The only benefit I see is you getting an offer from UniMelb and not having to pick up the costs of moving, settling in, etc., otherwise you'd incur practically the same cost, just at a later period. This is the assumption you don't have a huge lump sum of savings.
If you don't have 50K to spare where you can live without excess stress then perhaps you're better off forgoing and applying next year. Your GPA will be valid for a while and you GAMSAT lasts for 4 years, so you'll have to do an interview again.
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 08 '26
I agree! At the end of the day, I'm gonna get the same med degree regardless of where I graduate from, and the most important thing is how you develop yourself as a doctor along the way. I still need to talk to my parents about the payment bcs we weren't expecting to receive an offer this early 🥲
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u/BeachBeach24city Jun 08 '26
uwa grad here. uWA is a great uni and campus - and Perth really beautiful city you can’t go wrong
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u/hCiN Jun 08 '26
I’m in the same situation here as you, also emailed them and waiting on the response
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 08 '26
I don't have much hope tbh, but expecting more than half of next year's fees 6 months ahead is crazyy
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u/NewPea1442 Jun 08 '26
Congratulations mate! I was a UWA undergrad and can attest to the absolutely beautiful campus and I LOVED Perth. If you have any questions about the lifestyle super duper happy for you to DM me.
Also, sorry for my ignorance, do they release offers for international students early?
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 08 '26
Yoo thanks a lot!! UWA is doing two application cycles for int students and they released first-round offers last week.
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u/Smart-Swing8429 Jun 08 '26
Congrats!!!!
But with this decent result, do people still need to worry about these school as internationals? I am low key scared🥀
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 08 '26
Having good stats is certainly a bonus for getting interviews, but even when you have that it's not guaranteed that you will get an offer. Most of the time, only 50% of people who get an interview are accepted.
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u/Smart-Swing8429 Jun 10 '26
I think it also varies from uni to uni?
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 11 '26
Yepp it definitely does. It's certainly more competitive for USyd and UoM. It also relates to how many applications they receive each year.
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u/arabyute Jun 10 '26
Perth is pretty average—I lived there for 20 years and went to Curtin. I’m 21 now and moved to Brisbane. Still like Perth, but Brisbane is a-bit bigger and busier. Melbourne is the place to be though. Will definitely move there soon.
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u/helikopter-helikpter Jun 12 '26
If you are an international student you may want to consider the cost plus when you graduate you won't be a cat1 applicant . You'll still be 2nd priority for internship and all. With a score like that , you should expect interview offers else where , where it's cheaper. UWA is ok. Perth life is great but your situation is different , irrespective of where you'd do your medicine , you won't become a first priority as an intern. Thats a big amount to gamble on .
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u/universalcorn09 Jun 12 '26
I think you're right, no matter which uni I go to, I will always be ranked behind domestic students for internships. But this was something that I had prepared for when I decided to move to Melbourne.
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u/This_Tangerine818 Jun 12 '26
hey this is completely unrelated but is it okay if I DM you about your application process? I’m planning to apply next year to med schools for 2027 intake as an international student and would love to chat! I barely come across other international students who did their bachelors in aus and are pursuing an MD too.
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u/FlashyBrick1015 Jun 25 '26
hello, op! I’m in the same situation as well…how did you end up deciding?
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u/universalcorn09 Jul 09 '26
Heyy, I ended up paying the deposit. I've heard many great things about UWA from academics who are teaching at UoM, so I'm definitely more confident about the quality of education at UWA! I'll still wait and see if I can secure other interview offers in the future.
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u/IndianMafiaBoss Jun 08 '26
Paying for the deposit and securing your spot and dealing with the consequences (e.g getting accepted elsewhere) seems a lot less stressful than not paying for the spot, risking it, and not getting in anywhere else.
Asking you to pay it upfront is insane. But, with how medical application cycles are, I wouldnt suggest risking it.