HSFY 2019

[Avatar Aang]

Maybe in the future they can create a blood test where it tells you exactly how passionate and impactful this person will be if they became a doctor loool

 

[cookies&cream]

I heard that they can take venous blood gas to determine if that person contains the "ideal doctor characteristics". My friend had it before and he got accepted into med school. A bit expensive because the health care system does not subsidize it but totally worth it if you tested positive.

 

[Avatar Aang]

What’s the weighting for this test? If it’s a lot then I’ll probs get it myself. Maybe get a loan from the bank to get the test? Unless any of you guys have rich parents and are willing to sponsor me. I’ll give you and your family free medical care for lifetime but terms and conditions apply

 

[cookies&cream]

What’s the weighting for this test? If it’s a lot then I’ll probs get it myself. Maybe get a loan from the bank to get the test?

If you pass this test, you won't need to do CHEM191, BIOC192, HUBS191, & HUBS192 because you wouldn't need to know the theory of how the body works if the "ideal doctor characteristics" is within you. You will also get 100th percentile in UCAT because the blood test is pretty much as objective as you can get in assessing a premed student applicant.

 

[Fairy Bread]

I'm genuinely curious though how the cutoffs could be that high. Trying to be completely unbiased, I would consider myself above average intelligence and I worked my arse off this year like most. I didn't think that any of the papers were easy by any stretch of the imagination. And I still felt like I was extremely busy throughout the year despite 4 less lectures per week. You can argue that this year was drastically easier than previous years HSFY, but there was still a hell of a lot of content and so many different factors at play. Personally, for someone straight out of high school, I wouldn't have seen a difference between 3/4 lectures a week. I would have still probably complained about the workload yet still have tried my best. Obviously med is extremely competitive, but I could barely get a single A+ this year, let alone 8 high A+s like some. There'll obviously be people that ace HSFY, but I can't fathom how there could be that many people with that high an average. I tried to keep to myself and few individuals throughout the year, because I knew the competition would crush me, but I still felt like getting into Med was achievable. But if it is true and the averages are that high, you'd have to ask yourself whether cutoffs like these are really healthy, even for something as competitive as med? Maybe it's just me but it seems kinda ludicrous. I'm not sure what Auckland's like, but if the grade cutoffs for med are lower, then maybe having an extra entry requirement such as an interview would help to alleviate this. At the end of the day, Otago is still a uni just like any uni in the world, and it still has standards and guidelines like any educational institution. I seriously hope it's just a rumour/ people just preparing for the worst. I guess we're about to find out.

 

[Stuart]

I'm genuinely curious though how the cutoffs could be that high. Trying to be completely unbiased, I would consider myself above average intelligence and I worked my arse off this year like most. I didn't think that any of the papers were easy by any stretch of the imagination. And I still felt like I was extremely busy throughout the year despite 4 less lectures per week. You can argue that this year was drastically easier than previous years HSFY, but there was still a hell of a lot of content and so many different factors at play. Personally, for someone straight out of high school, I wouldn't have seen a difference between 3/4 lectures a week. I would have still probably complained about the workload yet still have tried my best. Obviously med is extremely competitive, but I could barely get a single A+ this year, let alone 8 high A+s like some. There'll obviously be people that ace HSFY, but I can't fathom how there could be that many people with that high an average. I tried to keep to myself and few individuals throughout the year, because I knew the competition would crush me, but I still felt like getting into Med was achievable. But if it is true and the averages are that high, you'd have to ask yourself whether cutoffs like these are really healthy, even for something as competitive as med? Maybe it's just me but it seems kinda ludicrous. I'm not sure what Auckland's like, but if the grade cutoffs for med are lower, then maybe having an extra entry requirement such as an interview would help to alleviate this. At the end of the day, Otago is still a uni just like any uni in the world, and it still has standards and guidelines like any educational institution. I seriously hope it's just a rumour/ people just preparing for the worst. I guess we're about to find out.

Hi there,

It's totally possible to achieve 90+ in all of the papers, I believe. It is not easy and it is a lot of work. It is also important you study smart. This is a key to surviving undergraduate study in general. I personally think HSFY papers are probably the easiest to get such high marks in. It gets harder as you move up the ladder. It might be hard to realise now, but you are spoon-fed like no other courses, and there is (nearly) unlimited amount of resources.

So, work hard, but study smarter. You can do just as well. I can see some comments about Auckland above, sparking the age old AU VS OU, but in my opinion, it's more or less the same. It's usually the stress and pressure that get people, not the work.

 

[cereal]

I'm genuinely curious though how the cutoffs could be that high. Trying to be completely unbiased, I would consider myself above average intelligence and I worked my arse off this year like most. I didn't think that any of the papers were easy by any stretch of the imagination. And I still felt like I was extremely busy throughout the year despite 4 less lectures per week. You can argue that this year was drastically easier than previous years HSFY, but there was still a hell of a lot of content and so many different factors at play. Personally, for someone straight out of high school, I wouldn't have seen a difference between 3/4 lectures a week. I would have still probably complained about the workload yet still have tried my best. Obviously med is extremely competitive, but I could barely get a single A+ this year, let alone 8 high A+s like some. There'll obviously be people that ace HSFY, but I can't fathom how there could be that many people with that high an average. I tried to keep to myself and few individuals throughout the year, because I knew the competition would crush me, but I still felt like getting into Med was achievable. But if it is true and the averages are that high, you'd have to ask yourself whether cutoffs like these are really healthy, even for something as competitive as med? Maybe it's just me but it seems kinda ludicrous. I'm not sure what Auckland's like, but if the grade cutoffs for med are lower, then maybe having an extra entry requirement such as an interview would help to alleviate this. At the end of the day, Otago is still a uni just like any uni in the world, and it still has standards and guidelines like any educational institution. I seriously hope it's just a rumour/ people just preparing for the worst. I guess we're about to find out.

I don't find it unrealistic that some people (a large majority of the undergraduate entry places most likely) have been getting astronomically high averages. I hate to say this but based on past years' entry cutoffs I don't think it's a rumour that the averages for med will be very high and increase again this year (as they have been over the last few years).
I agree with you that to any high school graduate HSFY is very very hard regardless of the changes to content, because at the end of the day, uni is a huge change from NCEA and it's still overly competitive.
I have a friend who's mother is a doctor and she has mentioned that doctors only really need like a B average (this was the case when she trained). The crazy grades produced from HSFY are a product of the unfortunately extreme competition. It's sad..

 

[Avatar Aang]

Ya I reckon making the papers easier like I’ve heard is not that wise since now the averages are high and losing even 1/2 a mark due to silly mistakes could give you a heart attack.

 

[zurab]

I'm genuinely curious though how the cutoffs could be that high. Trying to be completely unbiased, I would consider myself above average intelligence and I worked my arse off this year like most. I didn't think that any of the papers were easy by any stretch of the imagination. And I still felt like I was extremely busy throughout the year despite 4 less lectures per week. You can argue that this year was drastically easier than previous years HSFY, but there was still a hell of a lot of content and so many different factors at play. Personally, for someone straight out of high school, I wouldn't have seen a difference between 3/4 lectures a week. I would have still probably complained about the workload yet still have tried my best. Obviously med is extremely competitive, but I could barely get a single A+ this year, let alone 8 high A+s like some. There'll obviously be people that ace HSFY, but I can't fathom how there could be that many people with that high an average. I tried to keep to myself and few individuals throughout the year, because I knew the competition would crush me, but I still felt like getting into Med was achievable. But if it is true and the averages are that high, you'd have to ask yourself whether cutoffs like these are really healthy, even for something as competitive as med? Maybe it's just me but it seems kinda ludicrous. I'm not sure what Auckland's like, but if the grade cutoffs for med are lower, then maybe having an extra entry requirement such as an interview would help to alleviate this. At the end of the day, Otago is still a uni just like any uni in the world, and it still has standards and guidelines like any educational institution. I seriously hope it's just a rumour/ people just preparing for the worst. I guess we're about to find out.

Hi,

I think with your comments about the averages you also need to take into account that MSOs averages tend to be higher than the rest of the cohort as stated by other more experienced members who look at the trends each year. Yes, there are so many high averages this year, but you can't control how well others do, this year may have just been a very strong cohort. I know a few people on this site in real life who have posted their averages (they may not know me cause I'm anonymous on this account/forum ) and without naming them I'll tell you they are very extreme cases in terms of how much time they spend studying. Also adding an interview will filter out less suitable candidates but it isn't going to make entry any less competitive, stressful or "healthy" for that matter, just because you know that your grades are not worth as much it doesn't mean you are going to try less for your papers or that people are going to start doing worse in their papers, adding an interview will just put more on our plate. I think all in all, as generic as it sounds It's better just to focus on yourself and not worry about others at all, you can only control how well you do

 

[Fairy Bread]

Hi Stuart
I'm not denying that it's possible to get such high averages. I just feel like there's this illusion on MSO that grades like those are a walk in the park and your average Joe can just get it.

 

[cereal]

I feel like the biggest solution to the competitiveness would be HSFY having more prerequisites so the cohort itself was smaller. Although I know people who have taken HSFY as a second chance after not doing so great in high school, so prerequisites would be unfair to them. But then at the same time I can't help but think that health sci is just this massive cash grab by Otago uni to get as many students committed to Otago as possible, and once they don't get the course they want they just continue to study there for convenience/ obligation. Sorry I'm rambling haha I just think about this a lot.

 

[Stuart]

Hi Stuart
I'm not denying that it's possible to get such high averages. I just feel like there's this illusion on MSO that grades like those are a walk in the park and your average Joe can just get it.

Hi Fairy Bread,

It is good that you realise that. I do think an average Joe can do it, though, with right resources and advice (given they are dedicated).

 

[rustyedges]

I can't help but think that health sci is just this massive cash grab by Otago uni to get as many students committed to Otago as possible, and once they don't get the course they want they just continue to study there for convenience/ obligation.

Yes, that's been my belief for years. It locks hundreds of students into biochemistry and anatomy degrees they would have never chosen otherwise.

 

[Stuart]

Yes, that's been my belief for years. It locks hundreds of students into biochemistry and anatomy degrees they would have never chosen otherwise.

Hi,

It's a little different for me. I think highly of HSFY programme. It is great because it provides the base for a variety of life science trainings while giving you an opportunity to apply for professional programmes. This is done without "losing" any time. I think it would be foolish to just move onto second year without giving a very good thought about the future, however.

 

[cookies&cream]

I feel like the biggest solution to the competitiveness would be HSFY having more prerequisites so the cohort itself was smaller. Although I know people who have taken HSFY as a second chance after not doing so great in high school, so prerequisites would be unfair to them. But then at the same time I can't help but think that health sci is just this massive cash grab by Otago uni to get as many students committed to Otago as possible, and once they don't get the course they want they just continue to study there for convenience/ obligation. Sorry I'm rambling haha I just think about this a lot.

Tbh I feel the same way ever since I found out that I'm not getting into med. But I love studying at Otago though because I really enjoyed this year despite the competitiveness part.

 

[cookies&cream]

Hey do you guys know of any way to still be able to study medicine with 3 years worth of EFTs left? I already used too much EFTs from a 3 year degree that I finished + completion of HSFY course.

I want to do postgrad biomed but by the time I finish it, I will be left with only a small EFTs (depending if each biomed course is worth 1.2)

I can't seem to find any other options financially speaking other than use my degree to work for money and use it to pay for tuition.

It is really sad because I really do love to continue studying. I just hated my previous degree and can't seem to find a way to love it.

Any thoughts?

 

[Stuart]

Hi everyone,

This is a little early to bring this up, but if anyone is feeling lost and not sure what to do after when the offers come out, feel free to leave a message. I will be more than happy to chat about future plans.

Hey do you guys know of any way to still be able to study medicine with 3 years worth of EFTs left? I already used too much EFTs from a 3 year degree that I finished + completion of HSFY course.

I want to do postgrad biomed but by the time I finish it, I will be left with only a small EFTs (depending if each biomed course is worth 1.2)

I can't seem to find any other options financially speaking other than use my degree to work for money and use it to pay for tuition.

It is really sad because I really do love to continue studying. I just hated my previous degree and can't seem to find a way to love it.

Any thoughts?

Hi there,

That's pretty tough. Are you aware Otago only uses the first degree? Do you have a university degree? You should join the Graduate category thread. We can have a chat about it and see if you can still give it a go.

 

[cookies&cream]

Hey

Hi everyone,

This is a little early to bring this up, but if anyone is feeling lost and not sure what to do after when the offers come out, feel free to leave a message. I will be more than happy to chat about future plans.







Hi there,

That's pretty tough. Are you aware Otago only uses the first degree? Do you have a university degree? You should join the Graduate category thread. We can have a chat about it and see if you can still give it a go.

Hey Stuart,
The huge problem was that I graduated from a polytech not one of the NZ universities so they can't really credit my previous degree.

 

[jaejoong]

Hey


Hey Stuart,
The huge problem was that I graduated from a polytech not one of the NZ universities so they can't really credit my previous degree.

Wasnt there a law change for people studying long degrees like medicine to get an extended EFTS? Cant remember exactly but I do remember reading it somewhere...

 

[Fairy Bread]

Hi Fairy Bread,

It is good that you realise that. I do think an average Joe can do it, though, with right resources and advice (given they are dedicated).

Hi there Stuart

I understand you're trying to give helpful and generic advice and not sure if you went through HSFY yourself but I don't think it's as simple as that. Perhaps it is for the people that ace it, but for the majority that slip through the cracks, there's a lot more to it that's left unsaid. Not meaning to sound rude mate, but by that same virtue, you could say that anyone can make the All Blacks if they train well- which like obviously isn't the case. For starters, for many you're away from home and away from family and for many that is a massive adjustment. Not only that but you're adjusting to 'University' which is in itself a new concept. And to add to that, you're expected to be acing all your tests and working hard from the get-go. Now obviously we are all in the same boat, but for some this in itself can be a huge struggle. But not only that, I've heard stories of people falling ill and having family problems which completely messed up their year. To be brutally honest, as with anything in life there has to be a crap ton of luck involved, but it's more mental fortitude more than anything that will make you succeed, on top of studying smart, being disciplined and having a relative amount of intelligence. And honestly what is the difference between a 95 and a 94 average and just because you get these averages doesn't mean you're gonna be a better doctor than anyone with a lower average. Not meaning to discredit anyone with fantastic averages.Just thought I'd share this, for the majority that don't make Med and don't get their voices heard. Because there certainly is this illusion on this forum, that people can just magically get perfect averages when unfortunately it's not the case for the majority.