Studying abroad in Australia: Sydney vs. Melbourne?

I am a second year female studying abroad to Australia in July 2009 to December 2009 from California and I am torn between the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne. I am wondering what the pros and cons for going to each school is including the surrounding environment and activities to do in both cities. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Both are absolutely awesome cities, which have pretty much only pros. (cons: erm, lots of annoying big buzzing flies in Melbourne during the summer, while Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia (Melbourne is close on its heels, but not quite that bad); Melbourne nights will be a lot chillier than you're used to in California in July/August, but Sydney doesn't have nearly as many awesome restaurants and cafes and general vibe).
It'd help us a lot if you told a bit about what you consider important, so we can take that into account with our replies and what to focus on.

For the moment, I think the following similar threads might serve best to answer your question:

• Study abroad in Perth, Melbourne or Auckland? (USA student)
• Study abroad in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, or Sydney?
• Sydney Vs. Melbourne...where to live?

[ Edit: Edited on Dec 28, 2008, at 5:18 AM by Sander ]

Hello,

If you are after reputation then check out how the Universities rank in the subject you intend to study. If you love the heat, then yes, Sydney may be better, but if you are studying you may not want to be hanging out at the beach every day anyway.

I studied at Sydney University. While it is a great university, I personally think that Melbourne is a better choice. I think that Melbourne is a more interesting and more friendly city (don't get me wrong, I am from Sydney, and I love the city, but I agree with the rest of Australia: Sydney can be harder to break into).

Cheers

I can't speak much for the University of Sydney, but I've heard its name a lot.

Anyway in the state of Victoria the University of Melbourne is pretty much first class and is the hardest university for students to enter so it's a good choice.

[ Edit: Edited on Dec 30, 2008, at 3:27 PM by Erik85 ]

I realize the question is Sydney vs. Melbourne, and both cities as mentioned by other replies are two very livable and cool places to live that both have their pros and cons, but just out of curiosity have you thought about Uni. of Queensland or QUT in Brisbane? Brisbane in my opinion is a city on the rise and it has pretty good weather at least compared to Melbourne. Just a thought.

But back to the question at hand, I would personally choose Sydney over Melbourne. Not that I don't like Melbourne, cause I really do, but Sydney has better weather, great beaches (warmer water) the city is a little bit cleaner, and
you're closer to places such as Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Fraser Island, etc..... if that matters.