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UoO: Alternative ('Other') Category Chat/Enquiries

kia ora - for anyone wanting some help/advice on applying to the alternative category this year feel free to DM me - I got in via the alternative category from the help of some VERY kind strangers on the internet (mainly this forum) and I am very keen to pass on any tips/tricks that were helpful for me, to help repay the favour
 
hello321 said:
kia ora - for anyone wanting some help/advice on applying to the alternative category this year feel free to DM me - I got in via the alternative category from the help of some VERY kind strangers on the internet (mainly this forum) and I am very keen to pass on any tips/tricks that were helpful for me, to help repay the favour
Click to expand...
Hi, I want to DM you, but I’m not sure how to do that. I only joined this forum a few weeks ago, so I might not have that function yet. Would you be able to DM me?
 
Hello everyone, I was wondering if someone could help me out with some information regarding applying for Medicine at UoO under the Alternative Category:

I have completed a Bachelor of Physio (Honours) at the University of Adelaide last year in Australia and managed to graduate with first class honours and a GPA of 6.2 (in Aus GPA is out of 7 compared to NZ which is 9). Im currently working this year but ofcourse as I have just graduated I will have less than 5 years of experience which is normally the recommended amount so I am pretty much applying with my GPA only.

Does anyone know if there is anyway I could convert my GPA to the NZ scale to determine how strong it is? According to Otago they look at your GPA as a whole rather than a standard weighted calculation so would having first class honours strengthen my application? I also undertook a year of Health Sciences prior to physio where i got a GPA of 6.6 so unsure if this would be included?

As you can only apply once I just dont know if my application at the moment is strong enough considering I have less than 5 years of experience and unsure how my GPA would convert over. Do you guys think it is worth applying and I actually have a shot at getting in or should i undertake further study or apply elsewhere, fairly conflicted about it

Thankyou heaps
 
Henry from aus said:
Hello everyone, I was wondering if someone could help me out with some information regarding applying for Medicine at UoO under the Alternative Category:

I have completed a Bachelor of Physio (Honours) at the University of Adelaide last year in Australia and managed to graduate with first class honours and a GPA of 6.2 (in Aus GPA is out of 7 compared to NZ which is 9). Im currently working this year but ofcourse as I have just graduated I will have less than 5 years of experience which is normally the recommended amount so I am pretty much applying with my GPA only.

Does anyone know if there is anyway I could convert my GPA to the NZ scale to determine how strong it is? According to Otago they look at your GPA as a whole rather than a standard weighted calculation so would having first class honours strengthen my application? I also undertook a year of Health Sciences prior to physio where i got a GPA of 6.6 so unsure if this would be included?

As you can only apply once I just dont know if my application at the moment is strong enough considering I have less than 5 years of experience and unsure how my GPA would convert over. Do you guys think it is worth applying and I actually have a shot at getting in or should i undertake further study or apply elsewhere, fairly conflicted about it

Thankyou heaps
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Better to have working experience before applying for as Alternative Category, based on my research you could compete with someone who has over 10 years healthcare working experience in New Zealand......
 
Kia ora! I'm applying for alternative entry to medicine based on having studied biology at uni (graduated barely over three years ago, so I've just missed out on the graduate entry pathway :(). I was wondering if anyone has experience applying with a similar background, i.e., no previous healthcare work? I was also wondering if anyone could answer how Otago approaches reference checks? I want to be able to give my referees some info on what they'll be asked to do. Thank you!
 
Pepper13 said:
Kia ora! I'm applying for alternative entry to medicine based on having studied biology at uni (graduated barely over three years ago, so I've just missed out on the graduate entry pathway :(). I was wondering if anyone has experience applying with a similar background, i.e., no previous healthcare work? I was also wondering if anyone could answer how Otago approaches reference checks? I want to be able to give my referees some info on what they'll be asked to do. Thank you!
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kia ora, re the reference check, the uni contacted my references either early-mid May (cant remember when) via email and asked for a written reference to submit online. I believe they asked a few things from the reference, eg an explanation of their connection to you, their role, and some comments on your suitability for a career in medicine.
 
hello321 said:
kia ora - for anyone wanting some help/advice on applying to the alternative category this year feel free to DM me - I got in via the alternative category from the help of some VERY kind strangers on the internet (mainly this forum) and I am very keen to pass on any tips/tricks that were helpful for me, to help repay the favour
Click to expand...
Hi! This is very kind of you and I'd greatly appreciate the advice (applying for 2027 entry). I can't seem to DM you but if you are still happy to chat, please DM me. :)

For those who have successfully entered medicine at the University of Otago through the alternative category, what did your profile look like (or other successful applicants you know)? E.g. number of years of work experience, a Master’s, research, etc.

I’m trying to understand what experience, qualifications, or achievements strengthen the application, and whether I should apply this year or wait.
 
friendlyflower said:
Hi! This is very kind of you and I'd greatly appreciate the advice (applying for 2027 entry). I can't seem to DM you but if you are still happy to chat, please DM me. :)

For those who have successfully entered medicine at the University of Otago through the alternative category, what did your profile look like (or other successful applicants you know)? E.g. number of years of work experience, a Master’s, research, etc.

I’m trying to understand what experience, qualifications, or achievements strengthen the application, and whether I should apply this year or wait.
Click to expand...
I would also like to know the same
 
friendlyflower said:
Hi! This is very kind of you and I'd greatly appreciate the advice (applying for 2027 entry). I can't seem to DM you but if you are still happy to chat, please DM me. :)

For those who have successfully entered medicine at the University of Otago through the alternative category, what did your profile look like (or other successful applicants you know)? E.g. number of years of work experience, a Master’s, research, etc.

I’m trying to understand what experience, qualifications, or achievements strengthen the application, and whether I should apply this year or wait.
Click to expand...
If it helps to know my background (current ELM2), I'm 33, a Speech Language Therapist (Master's Degree), graduated SLT in 2015 and been working since then. Lived overseas for four years and also worked in New Zealand. Anything else you'd like to know?
 
Anyone else considering HSFY if they don't get accepted via Alternative entry? Just noticed that HSFY applications are due before the Alternative entries offers will be out.
 
alt_lurker said:
Anyone else considering HSFY if they don't get accepted via Alternative entry? Just noticed that HSFY applications are due before the Alternative entries offers will be out.
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I'm considering it for sure. Based on past years, I think results for alternative entry are usually out before applications close for HSFY. If we don't hear by then, I'm sure there's no harm in submitting an application for HSFY just in case. Maybe someone else would have more information though?
 
Hi, anyone knows when does Otago release interview invitation about alternative pathway usually? I only know they will release end of May and early of June, does anyone know when the last two years released invitations? Thank you.
 
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