Auckland OLY1 chat - archive

[iUsername]

As has been stated earlier, there will be more places available this year, which will end up lowering the threshold also.

Where are these places going? Grad or undergrad entry? ROMPE or MAPAS?
I've heard that most of the increases happen in the grad pathway.

 

[qbob]

no one knows the answer to that question... but lets just say I think it would be reasonable to assume that the number of places going to undergrads will increase (even if it is just slightly).

as far as I know in previous years the ROMPE/MAPAS places have not always all been filled, so it would seem silly to increase the number of places.

 

[iUsername]

as far as I know in previous years the ROMPE/MAPAS places have not always all been filled, so it would seem silly to increase the number of places.

Really? Wow perhaps I should add this to the rumors thread
I was always under the impression that the acceptance rate for MAPAS was around 80%!

Would those additional places go to undergrads or grads?

 

[govpop]

BTW i've met a few med students that are exactly the opposite of what you've described as ideal traits... a lot are lacking in passion but huge in drive and I think their determination to enter medicine (because it was such a presitigus role) might have been mistaken for passion by them and the interviewers.

I'm curious as to how you determined they have a lack of passion. Its not exactly something that people put on public display. Unless you know them pretty well?

 

[iUsername]

I'm curious as to how you determined they have a lack of passion. Its not exactly something that people put on public display. Unless you know them pretty well?

I don't know MANY...but I know a few (3) that feel like they made a mistake entering medicine. Like after first year the 'buzz' of medicine just went downhill and they realised that the competition/parental pressure etc was their sole reason for pursuing it.
My tutor also told me she knew quite a few that grew really sick of it after 3rd year...

Haven't you noticed a few questionable admissions?

 

[Hari]

Rofl having a bit of trouble with your space bar?

Those are all great traits for a person in any clinical profession in health ie nurses, paramedics as well as doctors.
I'm not sure how you can 'improve' your passion.... I suppose you can become more aware of it as you go through pre med? That was the case with me anyway

BTW i've met a few med students that are exactly the opposite of what you've described as ideal traits... a lot are lacking in passion but huge in drive and I think their determination to enter medicine (because it was such a presitigus role) might have been mistaken for passion by them and the interviewers.

Cheers

EDIT: oh A's are really awesome you guys...dont look so upset!

Yes I blame my ipod for that

Well yeah, the reason why I want to go to Auckland is because they have an interview. Im pretty sure that even if i have pretty average grades, if I manage to stand out in the interview I might have a better chance of getting in compared to Otago where it solely requires me to have good grades.

I mean I really really have this strong burning passion to get into med ( it just so happens that my grades are not quite med savvy). I mean I get the stuff I learn, its just I can't put it on paper.

Soooooo yeah... If you have any info to pass on eg, common interview questions or things I could prepare for? That would be great

2nd post:

Hey its me again,

I was just wondering if someone could put up a book list for biomed?

I was also wondering if anyone could point me to a place where I can find a syllabus for each paper?

Thanks
H

 

[qbob]

Soooooo yeah... If you have any info to pass on eg, common interview questions or things I could prepare for? That would be great

there aren't really any "set" interview questions. it's more like a discussion, where they ask for your views, ideas, and opinions. I guess there is only one question which every interviewee is asked, and that is "why do you want to study medicine?". Besides that its a bit of a free-for-all.
But generally they ask you ethical questions, and questions related to Maori health (e.g. shortcomings etc).
Basically its just a chat where they get to know you. You will learn about Maori health in poplhlth111, so don't worry about that.

Yes I blame my ipod for that
I was just wondering if someone could put up a book list for biomed?

I was also wondering if anyone could point me to a place where I can find a syllabus for each paper?

don't worry about this. you don't need to attempt to learn the courses before you enrol in them!

 

[gustavofring]

I don't know MANY...but I know a few (3) that feel like they made a mistake entering medicine. Like after first year the 'buzz' of medicine just went downhill and they realised that the competition/parental pressure etc was their sole reason for pursuing it.
My tutor also told me she knew quite a few that grew really sick of it after 3rd year...

Haven't you noticed a few questionable admissions?

I don't know if there are some questionable admissions and I think it is unfair for me to judge them based on a few comments they have said, especially if I do not know that person well. I'm not saying that there are people who got in because of the motives you've described. Also, this is just anecdotal, but some of the best doctors now are those who chose medicine (or law/engineering) because they had good grades at high school and didn't really know what they wanted to do.

It is more helpful to think of it as a process, the medical training path is very long
People above our year have told me that you realise quickly why you need to study once you start working but when you're in year 2 or 3, it's basically just lectures and regurgitating information in exams so that can become a bit tedious, especially since the workload they give you is quite intense.

A GP gave us a talk last year, sharing his experiences and told us that he basically cruised through med school, drinking a lot and having the best time of his life whilst scaping through with bare passes. However, once he graduated, he gained a sense of responsibility since the hospital is not a place to piss about and he is now working competently in a rural area (and quite passionate about rural medicine too). People change depending on the situation they're in.

 

[clever_cat]

I don't know if there are some questionable admissions and I think it is unfair for me to judge them based on a few comments they have said, especially if I do not know that person well. I'm not saying that there are people who got in because of the motives you've described. Also, this is just anecdotal, but some of the best doctors now are those who chose medicine (or law/engineering) because they had good grades at high school and didn't really know what they wanted to do.

It is more helpful to think of it as a process, the medical training path is very long
People above our year have told me that you realise quickly why you need to study once you start working but when you're in year 2 or 3, it's basically just lectures and regurgitating information in exams so that can become a bit tedious, especially since the workload they give you is quite intense.

A GP gave us a talk last year, sharing his experiences and told us that he basically cruised through med school, drinking a lot and having the best time of his life whilst scaping through with bare passes. However, once he graduated, he gained a sense of responsibility since the hospital is not a place to piss about and he is now working competently in a rural area (and quite passionate about rural medicine too). People change depending on the situation they're in.

I just wanted to say - thank you [MENTION=5176]dogtown[/MENTION]! A wonderful post and glad for the insight

 

[qbob]

chem110 results are out.

A here

 

[kakarot]

i must be jinxed with A grades

 

[medprospect]

I'm the same, all A grades what do you guys think my chances for med are with an 8.0 core gpa

 

[italianopalo]

A+ for chem, but I must say it's been a tough year for us considering the raised grade boundaries.

 

[qbob]

I'm the same, all A grades what do you guys think my chances for med are with an 8.0 core gpa

more than fine

 

[bambasbat]

yay i got 3 A+ for my cores. what should be my strategy for this semester? should i go all out for medsci and try to get a 9.0 gpa for my core or should i try boosting up my non core gpa?

 

[govpop]

yay i got 3 A+ for my cores. what should be my strategy for this semester? should i go all out for medsci and try to get a 9.0 gpa for my core or should i try boosting up my non core gpa?

Definitely focus on medsci. For non core just make sure you maintain an overall 6 gpa. Its a great confidence booster walking into the interview with a 9. Although if you can do really well in your 106 midterm you take alot of pressure off the exam and can focus that time on medsci. Up to you.

 

[iUsername]

I was just wondering if someone could put up a book list for biomed?

I was also wondering if anyone could point me to a place where I can find a syllabus for each paper?

Thanks
H

You'll only need totora and derickson for medsci and biosci 107.
Other than that you get adequate notes for your other papers (not sure about the biomed papers but for core you'll be sweet).
Just remember to stay on top of your work as soon as uni starts...don't slack off and maintain some good time management skills.

 

[Tupac4life]

If you ended with a core GPA of 8.25 to 8.5 GPA would it still be safe for selection for medicine? While would a non core including overall GPA of 7.5 be sufficient as well as a UMAT of raw score of 57 to 59 for an interview and acceptance besides the interview which is a different story altogether?

Cheers

 

[Tupac4life]

GPA for UoA

Really curious now that they've raised the bar in terms of grades for the BIOSCI papers for Biomedical Overlapping Year 1 for the University of Auckland what potential interview threshold GPAs would be like for the overall GPA for the 8 papers and the core GPA for the 4 papers.*

E.g A+ 90 to 100 GPA 9
** * A *85-89 GPA 8
** * A- 80-84 GPA 7
** * B+ 75-79 GPA 6
** * B 70-74 GPA 5
** * *ETC ETC ETC

I would assume an overall GPA for 8 papers of 7.5 as I have heard from previous med students is fairly safe as a minimum requirement but would it remain the same or would it be lower?

Furthermore usually for the core papers is a GPA of 8.25 to 8.75 safe? I know 9.00 is definitely safe which a handful 30 manage to get each year.*

Would like to hear from anyone current OLYs and current medical students from UoA.*

 

[iUsername]

If you ended with a core GPA of 8.25 to 8.5 GPA would it still be safe for selection for medicine? While would a non core including overall GPA of 7.5 be sufficient as well as a UMAT of raw score of 57 to 59 for an interview and acceptance besides the interview which is a different story altogether?

Cheers

Grades look fine. Just keep your non core over 6 and your core over 7.5 (8.5 is 'safe'). I'm not sure about your raw score but remember you could knock your interview out of the park..so you could be automatically accepted regardless of your grades and UMAT

Enjoy whats left of your holidays and don't worry about interviews...they'll come soon enough

Really curious now that they've raised the bar in terms of grades for the BIOSCI papers for Biomedical Overlapping Year 1 for the University of Auckland what potential interview threshold GPAs would be like for the overall GPA for the 8 papers and the core GPA for the 4 papers.*

E.g A+ 90 to 100 GPA 9
** * A *85-89 GPA 8
** * A- 80-84 GPA 7
** * B+ 75-79 GPA 6
** * B 70-74 GPA 5
** * *ETC ETC ETC

I would assume an overall GPA for 8 papers of 7.5 as I have heard from previous med students is fairly safe as a minimum requirement but would it remain the same or would it be lower?

Furthermore usually for the core papers is a GPA of 8.25 to 8.75 safe? I know 9.00 is definitely safe which a handful 30 manage to get each year.*

Would like to hear from anyone current OLYs and current medical students from UoA.*

You worry too much. Enjoy your holidays, do the best you can next semester and the interviews will sort themselves out.

Yes people have gotten in on 7.5s with good UMAT and good interviews (or sometimes just interviews)... but I'd say anything in the 8 range will be 'safe'. And I say that with caution
Forget what they've done to thresholds...it's all relative to what others get. If you do better compared to everyone else, they might scale you up or lower the thresholds.