Otago HSFY chat - archive

[ukuting]

just curious,
how is GPA expressed in %?
is that the average of the best 7 papers?
and how to calculate the ranking?
I tried to look for it but what I found is only this formula which is
(sum of best 7 papers)*2/21+(s1*0.45+s2*0.45+s3*0.1)/3=
is this what you used to calculate ranking score?

 

[the_international]

just curious,
how is GPA expressed in %?
is that the average of the best 7 papers?
and how to calculate the ranking?
I tried to look for it but what I found is only this formula which is
(sum of best 7 papers)*2/21+(s1*0.45+s2*0.45+s3*0.1)/3=
is this what you used to calculate ranking score?

Hey, yep the GPA is based on your 7 best papers (given you met the B threshold for the core 7), the ranking calculation you have is correct

 

[brin]

Still waiting for Vic to issue my transcript.. but have managed to (just) keep my GPA above 4.0, so should be set for preferential entry into HSFY (never mind the fact that I got NCEA L2 with merit.. blargh). Just need to wait until they receive my transcript and clear my dispensation I guess..

Anyone started thinking about what dates they're going to move down? I'm a little limited by a horrendously fractured femur at the moment.. going to try and set a target date to be able to walk again by and hope that actually helps somehow..

 

[Ben]

Awesome brin, what did you do at Vic?

As for your question, I'm already in Dunedin. Setting a recovery target dates sounds like an excellent idea btw.

 

[airuniverse]

Hey guys!!! I want to ask you guys something really important!! I don't have a laptop at the moment cos if I have one I really can't concentrate on studying.... Usually playing games, surfing Internet with no reason cos it's my habit....
Well here's my question. Do I have to buy a laptop for HSFY?? If I dont have a laptop or my personal computer, would it be hard to survive during HSFY????

 

[Ben]

As students we'll have access to heaps of computers around campus, so it shouldn't be too much of a worry. For course resources I'm not too sure since I haven't done HSFY yet either... But someone with the experience will surely see this post fairly soon.

 

[the_international]

well its pretty handy having a laptop, considering they upload slide/audios online, you'd probably want one considering the uni ones are usually full/cant really rely on access to one (not sure about hall ones)..
also some assessments such as the GLM's for hubs, cells and bioc are done through blackboard so i think to be safe you'd definetly want a laptop

- btw airuniverse im sure you wont get time to do that the course is pretty full on, internet around campus etc also prevents you from playing games like starcraft on bnet so dont worry

 

[brin]

Awesome brin, what did you do at Vic?

As for your question, I'm already in Dunedin. Setting a recovery target dates sounds like an excellent idea btw.

Engineering. Decided it definitely wasn't for me, so dropped it after first year and applied for otago heh.

I emailed the Otago Disability folks to find out if they could suggest any short term accommodation until I can find a flat close to Uni (as winter in particular will be very difficult with regards to walking, I've been warned), and their answer was basically a flat-out "No, we're not going to help you". Little disappointing there, apparently not being able to walk for 2-3 months doesn't rate high enough on the disability scale to warrant a bit of help. So back to the drawing board regarding finding somewhere to live, as I need to find somewhere both nearby uni and viable under Studylink's meager living costs loan.

Sussed a motorbike to replace the old one today so will be logistically able to move down early/mid january at this stage (depending on when the transporters get sorted and bring it down to Wellington) so that should at least help things a good deal.

What were you doing last year? Had a similar change of heart?

 

[Ben]

Ah well at least you got the whole Vic experience, from what I've heard, it's very fun/social.

In my opinion I think that you'll find it difficult to locate a flat in North Dunedin that isn't insanely close to campus... But yeah, there's probably a lot of hazards for you in your condition at the moment though; namely Dundas hill, among others (and even more so during the slippery winter months). I guess the best way to scope out a flat would be via GoogleMaps streetview after finding advertisements on property management sites, or Trademe actually. Regarding cost, I think you'll find that it's heaps cheaper than Vic ^_^.

Speaking of motorbikes (at a guess) and out of curiosity, how'd you fracture your femur? If you don't mind my asking that is.

I was at Foundation (https://www.otago.ac.nz/uolcfy/fy/) in the Health Sciences stream this year which is aimed at entry into HSFY btw.

 

[skyglow1]

It's pretty helpful to have a computer. You will be using blackboard, the university's website that has all the course material on it, quite a bit and it's nice to be able to do it from your own room instead of having to use hall or uni computers constantly. Also, if you can type faster than you can write, you can take notes using a laptop like I did.

 

[brin]

Ah well at least you got the whole Vic experience, from what I've heard, it's very fun/social.

In my opinion I think that you'll find it difficult to locate a flat in North Dunedin that isn't insanely close to campus... But yeah, there's probably a lot of hazards for you in your condition at the moment though; namely Dundas hill, among others (and even more so during the slippery winter months). I guess the best way to scope out a flat would be via GoogleMaps streetview after finding advertisements on property management sites, or Trademe actually. Regarding cost, I think you'll find that it's heaps cheaper than Vic ^_^.

Speaking of motorbikes (at a guess) and out of curiosity, how'd you fracture your femur? If you don't mind my asking that is.

I was at Foundation (https://www.otago.ac.nz/uolcfy/fy/) in the Health Sciences stream this year which is aimed at entry into HSFY btw.

Have rung around all (three of) the listings within 1-2 streets of the uni itself, all of which have already been taken so will have to keep hoping something pops up there I suppose. The frustrating thing with trademe listings is they generally don't give an actual address, and proximity really is quite critical (as the affected leg was already bung even before the accident haha).

You'd be right guessing the broken leg is motorbike related - about three weeks ago some old bird in a car failed to give way at a roundabout and sent me flying over the top. I was actually incredibly lucky to escape with just a broken femur and a knee laceration, but the bike is currently being written off by the insurance assessor hence buying a new one.

Foundation year sounds like it would give you an amazing advantage going into HSFY, probably what I'll do if I don't get accepted (Vic still haven't issued my transcript, as is their general level of organisation), having not done chem or bio at school I imagine I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum as you with regard to preparedness heh.

 

[Ben]

Oh when my gf and I were moving down we saw listings on Trademe and followed the listings onto the property manager sites; e.g Mana Property Management (https://www.manaproperty.co.nz/Home) and found a few more listing than were on Trademe, so if it comes to it you might find that method useful too.

Wow, your accident sounds like a real trip! Good to see it hasn't discouraged your use of motorbikes at all though (must've scared the hell out of the driver too hah).

Foundation was more of a way to get myself on even footing for HSFY and to get settled in at Dunedin at the same time, I'd recommend it to people if they don't quite get into HSFY (although not so much for you if it's due to Vic's laziness lol) and for others as a possible alternative to Yr13 but otherwise, as it's said around here, it's all about the effort. ^_^

 

[I'mOnABoat]

btw airuniverse im sure you wont get time to do that the course is pretty full on, internet around campus etc also prevents you from playing games like starcraft on bnet so dont worry

To the hard core gamer the course is not really that full on enough to be avoiding the casual game sesh. If you are in the hall it may be hard to find people to blay with you but you can always find the people that will play. As for the University Internet not letting you play on Bnet, there are always ways around that and people do play on Bnet by using these methods.

I think a laptop is incredibly handy to have if you can control yourself not to go overboard with the game playing and the random internet surfs. Just a note Gaming does affect your marks. Trust me.

 

[squigglypencil]

Hey guys!!! I want to ask you guys something really important!! I don't have a laptop at the moment cos if I have one I really can't concentrate on studying.... Usually playing games, surfing Internet with no reason cos it's my habit....
Well here's my question. Do I have to buy a laptop for HSFY?? If I dont have a laptop or my personal computer, would it be hard to survive during HSFY????

Haha, there was a COD craze at our hall this year. Which then started off all this other gaming... to be honest I think it's really helpful having a personal laptop/computer. It would be a disadvantage to you if you didn't have one because you'd be missing out on easy access to lecture slides and podcasts. However, you can probably get around this by printing out lecture slides (although this costs quite a bit 10c a page at uni), and you could always podcast at the library/hall (but this is generally slower and some of the computers don't have programs where you can speed it up).

 

[airuniverse]

Thank you everybody for advising me to buy a laptop I think I should buy one and do research how to control myself playing computer games. I guess having a laptop will be much handy for HSFY.

 

[Deleted member 4350]

Just under 2 weeks left before Judgement day. Good luck to all the undergrad and postgrad hopefuls!

 

[squigglypencil]

Cheers! Good luck to you too. Are you going via postgrad? Was it challenging? :/

 

[smile]

How do they actually let you know? Is it just like what they did for dent and physio interviews so you find out about everything at once and just accept it? And do they usually come out much before 11pm on the 23rd?
Thanks
SO NERVOUS!!

 

[greenglacier]

Last year (and the year before) offers came out on the afternoon of the 22nd (and the official word was also "by 11pm on the 23rd") - the admissions office gets to start their christmas break once offers are released, so they have an interest in doing it as efficiently as possible.

They send you an email with a load of information to read (such as disclaimers and how to access details on any courses you have been accepted for) and (most importantly) a number and a link. When you follow the link you get taken to a website which has a box asking for your number. Upon entering your number you get taken to another website which has your name at the top and lists any offers/waitlist places you have received. You then choose whether to accept or decline each of these (you can accept one offer and any number of waitlist places). So yeah, you find out everything at once.

Good luck!

 

[brin]

HSFY Lecture Halls

As per my post in the 2011 HSFY thread, I'm trying to find a flat as close as possible to lectures for next year. Would anyone be able to point out whereabouts on campus most of the lectures will be held? I've found one post that says somewhere around the northwest corner, but some confirmation would be great.

Cheers.