Graduate Category Chat/Enquiry

[DrMel5916]

Hey also if you get in, maybe we can both start next year!!!?? haha

I’m not sure I’ll start/apply next year. Maybe take a year or two off study and get some work experience in my field (and money) under my belt first.

 

[spongebae]

Hi, this is my first time posting here . So I finished with a BSc Hons and after gaining some work experience in medical labs, I feel the desire to pursue a more meaningful work in medicine, however I'm not too sure even my hons GPA would be in the "safe" for cut off for interviews. But I just wanted to ask whether the GPA from an hons degree is weighed differently against an undergrad degree and if it's worth forking out that $$$ for the UCAT this year or complete my masters instead.

 

[Bootleg]

Hi, this is my first time posting here . So I finished with a BSc Hons and after gaining some work experience in medical labs, I feel the desire to pursue a more meaningful work in medicine, however I'm not too sure even my hons GPA would be in the "safe" for cut off for interviews. But I just wanted to ask whether the GPA from an hons degree is weighed differently against an undergrad degree and if it's worth forking out that $$$ for the UCAT this year or complete my masters instead.

For UoA, they will only look at your hons GPA for both interview and final admission. But in terms of weighting they are the same for undergrad and postgrad degree (they are looked at the same), so for example, a 8 GPA in a undergrad bachelors is equivalent to a 8GPA in post grad.

Usually a 8GPA will be sufficient enough in securing a interview, but it may not be enough to gain a offer of place. That is, for a 8GPA to gain a offer, it would usually require a very good UCAT score , and an above average interview score.

For reference, someone on MSO last year had a UCAT score in the 87th percentile, a GPA of 8.3 and still got declined (as their interview score was below average).

With regards to whether you should UCAT or not, I would say sit it anyways, it always better to sit than not (if you have the money); good practice.

I hope this helps!

 

[spongebae]

For UoA, they will only look at your hons GPA for both interview and final admission. But in terms of weighting they are the same for undergrad and postgrad degree (they are looked at the same), so for example, a 8 GPA in a undergrad bachelors is equivalent to a 8GPA in post grad.

Usually a 8GPA will be sufficient enough in securing a interview, but it may not be enough to gain a offer of place. That is, for a 8GPA to gain a offer, it would usually require a very good UCAT score , and an above average interview score.

For reference, someone on MSO last year had a UCAT score in the 87th percentile, a GPA of 8.3 and still got declined (as their interview score was below average).

With regards to whether you should UCAT or not, I would say sit it anyways, it always better to sit than not (if you have the money); good practice.

I hope this helps!

Thanks man, that really helps a lot! Those standards sounds crazy high, poor guy.

But you're right, might as well just try out anyway. Thanks for your help!

 

[Sebzy]

Hi, this is my first time posting here . So I finished with a BSc Hons and after gaining some work experience in medical labs, I feel the desire to pursue a more meaningful work in medicine, however I'm not too sure even my hons GPA would be in the "safe" for cut off for interviews. But I just wanted to ask whether the GPA from an hons degree is weighed differently against an undergrad degree and if it's worth forking out that $$$ for the UCAT this year or complete my masters instead.

Are there any categories you can apply for? My advice is to try regardless. Apply to both uni's, doubling your chance. Don't underestimate the importance of the MMI to increase your application. Good luck!

 

[acbard9]

I've heard different things about how Situational Judgement (UCAT) will be used for 2022 Auckland postgrad entry. Could anybody clarify this for me?

 

[Bootleg]

I've heard different things about how Situational Judgement (UCAT) will be used for 2022 Auckland postgrad entry. Could anybody clarify this for me?

Where did you hear about UoA using SJT? I can't seem to find it anywhere on the website?

 

[acbard9]

I had this preconceived notion that they did, and it may have been due to this: UCAT Test for MBChB Admissions (and this How Will Medical Schools Use UCAT? Here's a Summary (suggesting not just cognitive subtest scores are used?)

It's very likely I've misunderstood. I understand they have not been used in the past and there is no suggestion they are using it this year, but I would like to make sure! (That is, will it impact my Auckland application if I do poorly on it?)

 

[Mamba Mentality]

I had this preconceived notion that they did, and it may have been due to this: UCAT Test for MBChB Admissions (and this How Will Medical Schools Use UCAT? Here's a Summary (suggesting not just cognitive subtest scores are used?)

It's very likely I've misunderstood. I understand they have not been used in the past and there is no suggestion they are using it this year, but I would like to make sure! (That is, will it impact my Auckland application if I do poorly on it?)

I think they haven't updated the message on the website as it was the same throughout last year about them using the total score for MBCHb Entry 2021. Like you mentioned, in the past section 5 for UCAT has not been used and I think generally a change of this sort would be planned in advance, and adequate information would be provided in advance. However, given some of the unpredictable times that we are in, this may not always be the case.

When people emailed FMHS at UoA last year about Section 5, they were informed that the 'total score' referred to actually sections 1-4. People just had to attempt section 5 from what was shared. This is just based on screenshots of an email last year and may not be 100% official. The reason why I think they don't count section 5 may be because of the overlap between Section 5 and the MMI. Some of the skills that Section 5 tests us on such as understanding of the profession for example is already incorporated into an interview question. I think the only way to be 100% sure though is perhaps to email FMHS ( [email protected])

All the best for the admission process and hopefully this was useful!

 

[Bootleg]

I had this preconceived notion that they did, and it may have been due to this: UCAT Test for MBChB Admissions (and this How Will Medical Schools Use UCAT? Here's a Summary (suggesting not just cognitive subtest scores are used?)

It's very likely I've misunderstood. I understand they have not been used in the past and there is no suggestion they are using it this year, but I would like to make sure! (That is, will it impact my Auckland application if I do poorly on it?)

It's hard to tell whether they will use it or not. They might make a rash decision and decide to use it for this year... who knows. If they were, they would update their website and inform us (hopefully!)

If they were to use it, they might adopt a similar approach to what Otago does. That is, if you are below the 10th percentile, then you would automatically be rejected from getting a interview invite? But that just pure speculation.

Some of the answers to SJT type questions are quite obvious in nature, also, you get partial marks if your answer is close to the right answer. So in my opinion, getting anything below the 10th percentile in SJT is actually quite hard to do.