yes but all the base material was in the gate notes, the difficulty came in thinking critically about what you've learnt. I actually liked the poplhlth test, because it separated the critical thinkers from the simple regurgitators. medicine is after all about thinking critically with the information you know- learning the facts is the easy part!
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Auckland OLY1 chat - archive
- Thread starter Nealie
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yes but all the base material was in the gate notes, the difficulty came in thinking critically about what you've learnt. I actually liked the poplhlth test, because it separated the critical thinkers from the simple regurgitators. medicine is after all about thinking critically with the information you know- learning the facts is the easy part!
g.walker
Regular Member
So far its mostly been about your ability to recognise pattern of symptoms than to actually deduce a diagnosis. But lets keep that for later, since I honestly am just guessing here
Very little. Some have said the Auckland course goes into more detail than the Otago course, others have said the opposite. The differences come with regard to the admissions procedures used by the respective medical schools rather than the 1st year courses themselves (e.g. at Auckland only 4 set papers really matter, while at Otago 7 papers do).
The biggest difference in terms of chances of getting in:
Auckland has an interview, Otago doesn't.
Otago looks at your marks, Auckland looks at your grades. This means that for 3 of the core Auckland papers, someone who gets 97% has no advantage over someone who gets 87%. At Otago this would make a huge difference.
I think you should choose between the two on factors other than how "easy" it will be to get in (because believe me, it'll be hard at both). However, if you do want to let this influence your choice, the above are the two biggest differences. Choose the one that plays to your strengths.
For 3 of the 4 core papers at Auckland, 87% and 97% both = A+, and that's what is looked at for admission (hence no difference). At Otago, 87% = 87% and 97% = 97% (hence a large difference).
4everAlone
Regular Member
In Auckland >85% = A+
80-84% = A
75-79% = A-
etc etc etc
Auckland looks at you grade i.e whether you got A+'s or A's or whatever, whilst Otago looks at whether you got 89% or 95% or whatever...
EDIT: Greenglacier's got me for speed! And clarity =)
4everAlone
Regular Member
Me personally = Auckland as I like the idea of needing an interview to gain acceptance, and grades seem to work quite well too
But that's just my personal completely biased opinion!
Depends. If you can do really well academically (e.g. marks around 90-95% and above), the uni that looks at your marks would give you a better chance (because you'd be able to get ahead of the competition). If can perform well, but not at the very top (e.g. marks around 85-90%), then the uni that looks at your grades would give you a better chance because academically you'd look the same as the people at the top of the class, and so you could stand out in other ways (through the interview).
To join 4everAlone and give my completely biased opinion, I'd prefer Otago, as I got a high average in first year that pretty much guaranteed me entry into med without having to worry about an interview.
As I said above though, I really wouldn't choose between Auckland and Otago on the basis of which one you think you'll find "easier" to get into. Other factors are far more important.
well okay... thanks for that... as a pre med the idea of "easier" really gets to me.. even though I, myself know that i shouldnt be thinking that way. i am actually having quite a difficulty in choosing the right university. and i have been kind of obsessed with the "easier" idea... so.. even though choosing the right university for you is just a past for you, what factors do you think I, myself as a pre med student should be thinking and discussing more critically about? rather than wasting my time trying to find out which university is easier?
Alright, I can't say what's important to you, but some ideas:
1 - Geographical factors. Would you rather study in Auckland or in Dunedin (then possibly Christchurch or Wellington)? Which is closer to home? Is this good or bad? This was pretty much the decider for me - Christchurch is my hometown, so studying in Dunedin meant that I could leave home, but it'd be easy (and cheap) to visit when I wanted. At the same time, lots of Aucklanders choose to come to Otago specifically to get away from their parents! Other factors include the cities themselves - which one do you like more, practical issues (e.g. rent in Dunedin is a LOT cheaper than rent in Auckland).
2 - The universities as a whole. Which campus do you prefer? Which do you think has the better culture? Where could you study more easily? Personally I love the Otago campus.
3 - Where are your friends going to uni?
4 - The medical schools themselves. Generally Otago and Auckland are pretty similar, but there are some differences, particularly at years 2/3 (where Auckland is a lot more traditional, with lots of lectures and tests, 7-8 papers, and grades, compared to Otago which is more clinical and self-directed - though still a pretty conventional sort of university course).
The vast majority of people I know at Otago chose it over Auckland on the basis of these (and similar) factors. I don't yet think I've personally met anyone who chose Otago specifically because they thought it would be easier to get into med here. Ultimately you're at med school for 6 years, and just thinking of admissions at this stage (while perfectly understandable) runs the risk of becoming short-sighted.
1 - Geographical factors. Would you rather study in Auckland or in Dunedin (then possibly Christchurch or Wellington)? Which is closer to home? Is this good or bad? This was pretty much the decider for me - Christchurch is my hometown, so studying in Dunedin meant that I could leave home, but it'd be easy (and cheap) to visit when I wanted. At the same time, lots of Aucklanders choose to come to Otago specifically to get away from their parents! Other factors include the cities themselves - which one do you like more, practical issues (e.g. rent in Dunedin is a LOT cheaper than rent in Auckland).
2 - The universities as a whole. Which campus do you prefer? Which do you think has the better culture? Where could you study more easily? Personally I love the Otago campus.
3 - Where are your friends going to uni?
4 - The medical schools themselves. Generally Otago and Auckland are pretty similar, but there are some differences, particularly at years 2/3 (where Auckland is a lot more traditional, with lots of lectures and tests, 7-8 papers, and grades, compared to Otago which is more clinical and self-directed - though still a pretty conventional sort of university course).
The vast majority of people I know at Otago chose it over Auckland on the basis of these (and similar) factors. I don't yet think I've personally met anyone who chose Otago specifically because they thought it would be easier to get into med here. Ultimately you're at med school for 6 years, and just thinking of admissions at this stage (while perfectly understandable) runs the risk of becoming short-sighted.
g.walker
Regular Member
How much is a lot?
Over here, from what i know, weekly rent for students living away from home is between 130-180 depending on how "luxurious" you want to live (read: how low you'll go). To be fair, our university is in the CBD so its understandable that we would pay nationally some of the highest rates / sqm or so.
How much do you guys have it at?
kakarot
Member
On the days my study is efficient, ie. I follow my routine, I can manage 8 hours sleep. However, deviations occur sometimes and for example, yesterday night I entered a POPHLTH 111 study group with some peers on my floor and ordered pizzas and sides from dominos. We had a very long chat over the pizza and then discussed the GATE notes and before I knew it, the early hours of the morning dawned on me. I tend to get 8 hours sleep on a regular basis.
Reading slowly while studying is obviously good if you are understanding what you are reading. There is no point reading fast if you haven't really understood what you just read. When it comes to learning and absorbing information, I tend to read slowly. Sometimes, multiple readings at a slow speed are required (not too often). However once I've digested the content, the next time I look over it to memorise it, I can read over it quickly.
Reading slowly while studying is obviously good if you are understanding what you are reading. There is no point reading fast if you haven't really understood what you just read. When it comes to learning and absorbing information, I tend to read slowly. Sometimes, multiple readings at a slow speed are required (not too often). However once I've digested the content, the next time I look over it to memorise it, I can read over it quickly.
According to the accommodation office at Otago (which run the flat listings), the typical range for rent on a flat is 95-125 per person, which is very much consistent with what I've seen, and for that you can get a decent sized flat with a garden (not just a small apartment). This year the average is $110
Haha, I suppose I could point out that most flats in Dunedin are within 4-5 blocks of the CBD, but of course calling it a "CBD" is a massive overstatement when comparing to Auckland.
Haha, I suppose I could point out that most flats in Dunedin are within 4-5 blocks of the CBD, but of course calling it a "CBD" is a massive overstatement when comparing to Auckland.
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g.walker
Regular Member
Thats pretty much how it is
Oh, and I know everyone has their own learning style, but study groups (in my experience) are real time wasters, especially when its with friends
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