Otago HSFY chat - archive

[McNerdy]

It's interesting that this thread is starting to be taken over by the new Otago HSFY peeps. The handing over of the batton

 

[LightGrenades]

Eeek... Mahjohnna, my answers were completely different!

Edit: Ooops not allowed to post about that...

 

[Majohnna]

"Pharmacy
Admission to second-year classes in Pharmacy is competitive and selection is based upon the grade point average (GPA) achieved in the Health Sciences First Year programme."
Off the admission to profesh page, isn't it weird how all of the other admission specs say the GPA that u need to get in order to even be considered, as well as that UMAT result will also be a factor, but pharmacy doesnt say the GPA needed or that UMAT result will have any bearing on selection. Is this true that UMAT doesnt matter for pharm? What GPA would be needed to be considered as well as UMAT result?


I believe that there is an english diagnostic test at the beggining of the year and that it is apparently super easy according to others. But how easy is it, and what does it entail? Essays? Unfamilliar text like things? Fill in the missing gap to the sentence?
thanks

 

[Arutha]

"Pharmacy
Admission to second-year classes in Pharmacy is competitive and selection is based upon the grade point average (GPA) achieved in the Health Sciences First Year programme."
Off the admission to profesh page, isn't it weird how all of the other admission specs say the GPA that u need to get in order to even be considered, as well as that UMAT result will also be a factor, but pharmacy doesnt say the GPA needed or that UMAT result will have any bearing on selection. Is this true that UMAT doesnt matter for pharm? What GPA would be needed to be considered as well as UMAT result?


I believe that there is an english diagnostic test at the beggining of the year and that it is apparently super easy according to others. But how easy is it, and what does it entail? Essays? Unfamilliar text like things? Fill in the missing gap to the sentence?
thanks

UMAT isn't needed for pharmacy, I don't think. I guess as long as you get a high enough GPA relative to all the others that apply for pharmacy then you're in. I'm not sure what sort of mark you'd need to get into Pharmacy sorry.

There were a number of sections in the English test. I can't remember the first...I think it was reading something. Second section was dictation; you had to write down what the tape said. It was like a 10-15 word sentence and you were given like 3 seconds to write what they said before the next sentence came up. The first group in the morning got the short straw because the examiners didn't realise that 500 students turning the same page was going to make a lot of noise and result in the tape voice being lost. The last section was writing a short essay; you were given a number of topics and after choosing one you write stuff about it. It's like writing an achieved piece at level 1.

I'm getting old. I can't remember if there were more sections >_<. You'll be fine. If you're actually worried about it then maybe you should be really worried.

 

[skyglow1]

Oh wait now that I think of it...wasn't the first section listening comprehension? Like some person was talking about controlling malaria or something I think. Then you had to answer some basic questions that were based on what you heard. I screwed that one up bad

The turning of the pages thing was annoying :/ Hadn't done dictation in ages and the voice was so soft so I missed out alot of words lol.

The topics for the essay were something like "the effectiveness of the NCEA system", "global warming" (I think?), "how important are communciation skills for doctors" or something like that and you had to pick one and write like 250 words or something. You really really don't have to worry about it. Even if you do fail, which some people surprisingly did, you just turn up to the english office and say look I passed english at L2 or L3 or whatever I shouldn't have to sit this ENG paper, and they let you off.

I don't even know a single person who went for Pharm I would assume the GPA you'd need to get a spot wouldn't be ridiculously high ebcause there's not many people going for the spots.

From the admission guidelines:
"An applicant must pass all the papers prescribed for the HSFY programme. Selection is competitive and based on the grade point average (GPA) achieved in HSFY."

So yeah they don't consider UMAT.

 

[docca.emb]

Hello all

I'm also starting Health Science this year and just have a few questions.. I received the OUSA package the other day, o O week looks exciting!!) and the booklet says that I will receive a 'blue and yellow course approval form' sometime in Jan. Just wondering if anyone has received it yet.. I'm not sure if it's just me but everything seems so hazy at the moment. There hasn't been any instructions as to what we need to do (if it wasn't for the ousa package, I would have wondered if I applied at all)

So yeah.. hope someone can clear things up for me. Thanks

 

[Arutha]

Nope, haven't received my course approval form yet. I hope I get mine soon because I'm leaving my home address shortly.

 

[skyglow1]

Haven't got mine either. I have a feeling it's gonna turn up tomorrow.

I remember being really really confused with the enrolment process last year for HSFY. Once you get the form, you head down to Otago with it then on the dates of course approval you turn up to where you're meant to be at for course approval, which should be at the link building. You wait in line there to get your form signed off by some people, then once that's done the whole process is complete.

You then head off to get your student ID which is potentially another big wait too.

Btw, on course approval day don't go early in the morning because that's what everyone did and so it was a massive wait. Go sometime around lunchtime and there's like no line lol.

 

[Arutha]

For all the fresh meat: (retrieved from Otago's website)
"Course approval will take place on the following dates:

• Friday 20 February 2009
• Monday 23 February 2009
• Tuesday 24 February 2009

Students in Dunedin from Monday 16 February may check with individual departments to see if they can complete course approval earlier.
Note: Students who complete course approval after 24 February will be charged a late course approval fee."

Go on the last day. I went on the last day and there was no one at the course approval desks. Waiting in line to get my ID card was very short -5min at the most.

Have some form of identification ready, like your driver's licence, or else they'll send you away and you'll have to wait in line all over again.

What are we med students meant to do with course approval?!?

 

[McNerdy]

For all the fresh meat: (retrieved from Otago's website)
"Course approval will take place on the following dates:

• Friday 20 February 2009
• Monday 23 February 2009
• Tuesday 24 February 2009

Students in Dunedin from Monday 16 February may check with individual departments to see if they can complete course approval earlier.
Note: Students who complete course approval after 24 February will be charged a late course approval fee."

What are we med students meant to do with course approval?!?

No course approval here either . I'm driving down the end of the week so it better damn well turn up!

The intro booklet says we don't need a course advisor to sign it off and I'm assuming we may be better off S) getting it done on the 16th given that's when we start? It all seems odd to me, never had any of this at Auckland Uni, nDeva removed the need for the course approval business if I'm correct in assuming what it's for (although nDeva was pretty awful to use).

 

[skyglow1]

I assume we gotta do it before the 16th, so that way we get our study timetable on PIMS before lectures start. Or maybe we get our timetable during orientation (I don't think so though). Hmm but from what Arutha posted it looks like its the 16th...*confused*

 

[Minia]

Hi. I was wondering if there are lockers in Uni(specifically Otago)?:unsure:

 

[skyglow1]

Yeah I saw some HSFY students using them. I think you get them during course approval time? Not sure though, but there definitely are lockers in the St David lecture complex.

 

[McNerdy]

Anyone had their course approval form/letter yet?


Pssst, anyone going to the OUSA orientation events? I see Shihad are playing at the rugby and they always do a good show

 

[skyglow1]

I haven't got mine still...getting annoyed/nervous >_>

[Edit]This thread just passed 10k views! Partyyyyyy

 

[Maiden_NewZealand]

Hey Arutha,
I'm not sure how far back you can remember NCEA L3, but on another site you mentioned that math w/calc helped you in hsfy(im not stalking lol)? I don't really want to take 6 subjects this year (I want some ME time) so I was hoping to only do the relevant A.S in Calculus...hopefully there is only one or two exams/internals or not? Anyway any input would be appreciated.

Also does anyone know what Studholme(sp) hall is like/have friends that went there? I was told it was a goodie but would like a 2nd, 3rd or fourth opinion? How many people from that hall got into med, if any?
cheers^_^

 

[Arutha]

I have revised that opinion: calculus didn't help that much in health sci. When I typed that I think I was thinking only in terms of making a couple of shortcuts for myself in some chemistry and physics problems. But yeah, don't go out of your way to take calculus because it really isn't necessary. Year 13 calc is a lot of hard work and you're just going to forget it all the next year. I've forgotten all my calculus already.

No, I'm not going to orientation events. I don't do drunk freshers.

 

[Maiden_NewZealand]

I
(Man studyit are slackers! Forums still locked -_-)

I KNOW , the forums were active and ready round the 15th last year and its almost FEB! BTW I'm schizanth on those forums...hardly ever post.

My careers advisor told me today that I would have to maintain high grades throughout the year to even stand a chance and that hsfy is full of supergeeks her words not mine, but she just called you guys supergeeks!
Ah well if getting into med is going to brand me supergeek then I'm all for it.

Arutha are you def sure that I dont need calculus? I wouldnt mind doing the trig paper cos I love trig but if your certain then yeah...

 

[McNerdy]

No, I'm not going to orientation events. I don't do drunk freshers. But if any of you are going to the toga parade I'll be tempted to turn up and stand on the sidelines just to pelt eggs at you .

I don't think you have to be drunk to enjoy all the events.

Toga parade? Who's running that?
I see the freshers comp involves "Tool musical chairs" lol! I think Tool would approve.

 

[Arutha]

I am definitely sure.