Auckland OLY1 chat - archive

[Leafie]

Hi g.walker, i think only the ppl who lived in a hall got that email because they probably didn't update the new address for the summer. I changed mine after the exams. Make sure you do the same for studylink as well

 

[g.walker]

huh? nah actually i dont live in the halls, but anyway, got an interview offer for next thursday

 

[dip]

Thanks everyone and congrats g.walker, I hope it all goes well! Medgirl - my overall GPA was 8.5 and my core was 8.75. I wouldn't worry about it - the offers don't all come out at the same time so you will be fine ^_^

 

[manwithaplan]

What did you guys get for UMAT?
As in your average raw score? :blink:

 

[midnightrambler]

What did you guys get for UMAT?
As in your average raw score? :blink:

I achieved a raw score of 156 with a percentile of 309 good sir.

 

[midnightrambler]

Are the interviews assigned in order of GPA?

It seems that from all the people I've spoken to and on this forum that those with GPAs of 9-8.75 are on Tuesday and 8.75-8.5 on Thursday and apparently postgrad is Monday and MAPAS Wednesday.

Just seems to contradict the notion that the interviewers have no idea of our GPA going into the interview.

And I don't believe in coincidence.

 

[vacantexpression]

Umm, I know a couple of people who got 8.25 core GPAs and they've got Thursday interviews too.

I really hope the interviewers don't know our GPAs, that wouldn't be fair ...

 

[midnightrambler]

Umm, I know a couple of people who got 8.25 core GPAs and they've got Thursday interviews too.

I really hope the interviewers don't know our GPAs, that wouldn't be fair ...

Well it could decrease over time too, like 9/8.75 on Tuesday and then 8.75/8.5/8.25... on Thursday. Either way it would give the interviewers a decent idea of where you stand academically.

 

[g.walker]

hmm, what about people with GPAs less than 8?

 

[manwithaplan]

So what if they had some idea of your GPA?

It's hardly going to make a difference.

A person on the first day who cannot communicate isn't going to score highly even if interviewers were under the impression that those on the first day had a higher GPA.

And vice versa.

 

[midnightrambler]

hmm, what about people with GPAs less than 8?

Interviews run onto Friday and last day Monday the following week so GPAs of less could always be on those days.

So what if they had some idea of your GPA?

It's hardly going to make a difference.

A person on the first day who cannot communicate isn't going to score highly even if interviewers were under the impression that those on the first day had a higher GPA.

And vice versa.

Regardless, some form of bias could always come into it, even subconsciously by the interviewers. And part of the reason they aren't pointedly told in the first place is to avoid just that.

 

[Gigaoblivion]

I think that as long as you get an interview offer, interviewers know that you are academically capable. During the interview they just told me o congrats for getting an interview, you must've done very well on your university courses so far. They never stated my GPA though. They will have your med application form and can ask you about anything you have written on it.

Don't fret over whether they know your GPA or not, because there is nothing you can do. I'm quite convinced that there is an order for the interviews based on GPA from highest to lowest. If you think about it would make an administrator's scheduling of the interview much easier. Use a computer to sort out the candidates from highest to lowest GPA. Then start putting them into the time slots in that order, then at the end when all the slots are gone thats the cut off. Of course it won't be 100% in that order because some people may have pharmacy interview etc. Erm.. I don't see why it's unfair for interviewers to know your GPA. I don't think they are there to judge how academically capable you are, they want to know other relevants aspects of you.

Anyway are the interviews going to be held at city campus? We were told it was likely but haven't gotten any confirmation about it. Heck I'm supposed to helping you guys out next week and I don't even know where I'm supposed to go lmao

 

[manwithaplan]

You are only recognising the positive bias associated with a high GPA.

But what about negative bias involved? The often false portrayal of people who perform well academically as bookworms who do little-else but study?

In the words of Colin Quilter:

"take a philosophical view of this, and regard it as just one of many small gains and losses that are inevitably part of university life, (and indeed life in general)"

 

[midnightrambler]

You are only recognising the positive bias associated with a high GPA.

But what about negative bias involved? The often false portrayal of people who perform well academically as bookworms who do little-else but study?

In the words of Colin Quilter:

"take a philosophical view of this, and regard it as just one of many small gains and losses that are inevitably part of university life, (and indeed life in general)"

I never associated positive or negative connotations to the bias for those with higher GPA. I'm just stating that Dr John Mongiatti at the medicine entry evening just over a month ago said that the interviewers would be devoid of our academic prowess this year to avoid any kind of bias, be it positive because you are incredibly able academically or negative as it could be assumed you put too much focus on academics and not enough in other areas of life. Likewise for those with GPAs flirting with the cut-off or anywhere in-between.

In my words:

"there are many small gains and losses in life but a successive number of small losses in a row will lead to one big loss that no amount of small gains will bring you back from"

The big loss meaning missing out on medicine entry for 2010. Boom chikah wah wah.

 

[manwithaplan]

My point is, it doesn't really matter whether or not the interviewers have any idea of your academic prowess.

Your speculation that they do, seems somewhat unfounded. How many candidates out of the ~300-400 are you basing your judgement on?

Speaking of boom chika wah wah, did you hear about the Indian guy who sued Lynx because he never managed to get a girlfriend despite what the ads suggest? haha

 

[g.walker]

Epic lols there midnight

Oblivion, interviews will be held in OGGB level 3. What exactly will you be helping us out with next week?

 

[midnightrambler]

My point is, it doesn't really matter whether or not the interviewers have any idea of your academic prowess.

Your speculation that they do, seems somewhat unfounded. How many candidates out of the ~300-400 are you basing your judgement on?

Speaking of boom chika wah wah, did you hear about the Indian guy who sued Lynx because he never managed to get a girlfriend despite what the ads suggest? haha

I don't know about others but I subconsciously analyse people myself based on the information I have in my head about them (though I guess it's sort of conscious too as I'm admitting it right now). I could imagine that they could do the same even if they are trying not to. Regardless, there's nothing that can be done to change it so no point arguing it either.

My speculation is based on a much smaller number but as I said it seems too coincidental to actually be a genuine coincidence. I'd be willing to bet the trend continues to a much larger sample size.

I would like to meet the lawyer willing to take that case on...

 

[midnightrambler]

Is it wrong that when you find out you got an interview you go out and buy the fattiest meal possible which probably took 45 minutes off your life?

 

[g.walker]

Is it wrong that when you find out you got an interview you go out and buy the fattiest meal possible which probably took 45 minutes off your life?

im keeping my celebrations for the day i read "This applicant is: Approved". Only then will I go out to buy a wedding sized cake and drown it down with a litre of V. Then on the next day ill get immunised for hep B

 

[Gigaoblivion]

Ok thnx G.walker. Haha I'm only "helping out". What will happen is before the interview we'll just be chatting to you hopefully calm you down, make you feel better, last minute advice etc etc and not be a jerk who randomly comes and tells you that you probably won't get in med like some guy last year -_-. We will also take you to your interview room, tell you who your interviewers are. Hopefully there will be cookies and juice again