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Otago HSFY chat - archive

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Yea I'm motivated to try harder, and it's true most people who don't get in will give up. Many don't want med that much, they will just take it if they get it first go. I know a few who will try and get dent if they dont or physio. but I know if I dont do med I'll always wonder what if. So I gota keep going.
Do you know how many graduates they take into med each year?
 
skyglow1 said:
Greengraclier, the ones who got in with 50th percentile are almost definitely rural/maori. I can't see how 50th percentile could get you in through normal entry.
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Last year (before they changed the rules surrounding doing the UMAT twice), in deciding whether or not to do UMAT, I went after some relevant information. As part of this, I got my dad (who teaches 4th year med students in Christchurch) to ask around as to what sort of UMAT results are required. He definately found some students with marks as low as 50th percentile, and I'm pretty sure that some of those got in through standard entry. It makes sense too - if you look at the percentile graph, 50th percentile = 50 raw score and 80th percentile (which is the picture he got as what you should aim for to be competitive) = 56 raw score. That's a difference of only 6, or 3% in terms of the average paper mark. It's certainly not implausible.
 
Hey everyone, I'm a health sci at Otago this year and I got the following UMAT results: 96th percentile overall, Raw Scores: S1: 65 S2: 60 S3: 62. I'm just wondering what kind of average I'll need across my papers to get into Otago Med School. Cheers Heaps
 
I think the only reason Otago has UMAT with such high weighting is because they dun have interviews compared with all the other unis, so thats their way of getting rid of the people who have bad english and who just studies all day. So in a way, UMAT is the equivalent of an interview for Otago...
 
Yeah I know. Otago should bring in interviews, but Im just saying that cos I did bad in UMAT I guess. It would give them a better idea of motivations etc though
 
Ironic said:
I think the only reason Otago has UMAT with such high weighting is because they dun have interviews compared with all the other unis, so thats their way of getting rid of the people who have bad english and who just studies all day. So in a way, UMAT is the equivalent of an interview for Otago...
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I don't know why they think UMAT is better than an interview. The interview would easily pick up on things like proficiency in english and involvement outside of studies.

greenglacier said:
Last year (before they changed the rules surrounding doing the UMAT twice), in deciding whether or not to do UMAT, I went after some relevant information. As part of this, I got my dad (who teaches 4th year med students in Christchurch) to ask around as to what sort of UMAT results are required. He definately found some students with marks as low as 50th percentile, and I'm pretty sure that some of those got in through standard entry. It makes sense too - if you look at the percentile graph, 50th percentile = 50 raw score and 80th percentile (which is the picture he got as what you should aim for to be competitive) = 56 raw score. That's a difference of only 6, or 3% in terms of the average paper mark. It's certainly not implausible.
Click to expand...

Then I stand corrected. I know the difference between 50th percentile and 80th percentile is only a few raw score, but when you're at a raw of score 56 which is already on the lower end of the scale compared to typical med marks, and UMAT is worth 1/3 of your mark, I would've thought having 6 less raw marks is a pretty big blow. The lowest I've heard by standard entry this year is 70s for their percentile I think.
 
Sorry, me again. Acer's website says:

"Results will not be released to candidates in time for selecting university preferences."

What does that mean? So if applied for a re-mark and got better results would Otago see it just in time?
 
I think they are referring to aussie universities, it would just mean you won't be able to apply for dent or physion probably, as the interviews will be before you get the new result. Or they may still use your old mark for interviews, but I guess you are more worried about med. Im also thinking about getting a remark. My scores are similar to your first 2 sections except my last section is as bad as my 2nd section. They would be able to pick up things like if you hadnt rubbed out an answer hard enough so the computer picks it up etc, cos they hand mark it. Your overall percentile aint too bad, but since its mainly weighted to the first 2 sections you might cut it fine, but I don't know
 
Hey all,
Wow, must say I really admire the conviction you guys have, guess I'll be joining the postgraduate club as well after those atrocious UMATS... <_<
Aside from the UMATS, I think First Year Health Science has been really enjoyable regardless, love the vibe, all the more reason to keep going I suppose! (yy)
 
Join the club haha. Seriously we should make an MSO group haha. If you don't mind me asking Candy, what were your UMAT scores?

Ahhhh its just so annoying when everyone else is getting high 90s percentiles!
 
(CENSORED)

But yea I no aye, its lame but thats life for you I guess...
My UMATS were pretty stink, but since it was my first time I didn't really know what to expect. Overall I got 66th percentile overall with pretty average raw scores; 54 for S1, 45 for S2 and 60 for S3 = 53 raw score overall. No chance now I know, but at least I'm over sulking, so I can go catch up on all the lectures I missed while sulking lol.
 
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Well, I'm finding it really hard to study for MAOR102, a convenience paper I took in which I honestly have absolutely no interest in. And since the UMATS turned out the way they did, its just going to be a drag on my part, since I haven't really given it any attention all semester.
Anyone else took an eighth optional paper?:mellow:
 
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