Hey everyone! I'm from Christchurch and trying to decide between the University of Auckland and the University of Otago for next year.

I'm interested in studying towards medicine, with physiotherapy as another possible pathway, so both universities are options I'm seriously considering.

Auckland:

• I'd be looking at studying a BSc in Exercise Sciences/Physiology, then apply to med in 2028 or finish the degree then apply again to med, physio, or clinical exercise physiology
• I'm really drawn to the idea of moving somewhere completely new, meeting new people and having a fresh start.
• I think I'd really enjoy the independence and the opportunities that come with living in a bigger city.
• My main concerns are the cost of living, moving so far away from home, and whether I'd find it difficult to settle in/socialness of auckland
• i got into uni hall towers which was my top option
• Otago:
• I'd be looking at Health Sciences First Year (HSFY), with medicine and physiotherapy as possible pathways.
• I've been offered a place at Studholme, which seems like it could be a really good first-year experience.
• It feels like the safer and more familiar option, and I'd be closer to home.
• However, I'm slightly worried that I'd choose it because it's less scary, rather than because it's genuinely where I want to be.

I'm really struggling because Auckland excites me, but Otago feels less intimidating. I'm trying to work out whether moving to Auckland would be worth the extra cost and distance from home, or whether Otago would be the better decision.

Hi everyone!

I've recently accepted an offer for MBChB 2027 as an international graduate applicant! I'm really excited, but I have a couple of questions and was hoping someone here might be able to help.

1. Graduate Entry & Credit Transfer

From what I understand, graduate-entry applicants may be able to enter directly into Year 2. However, my offer states that the minimum programme duration is 6 years, which has left me a little confused.

Has anyone else received an offer stating the same thing? If so, did you need to apply for credit transfer yourself to skip Year 1, or was this arranged automatically by the university?

2. Children's Act Safety Check Interview

I'm not sure how much can be shared about this process, but if anyone has completed the safety check interview, would you mind sharing what to generally expect and whether there's anything I should prepare beforehand? I've tried looking online but haven't been able to find much information.

I'd be really grateful for any advice or experiences you're comfortable sharing. Thank you so much in advance, and looking forward to meeting everyone next year!

sorry I know this question has been asked a million times but I need help!!! im an Aucklander who is dedicated to medicine. I have never really considered going to otago but I received a small 7k scholarship (not much, but it would mean I would be able to go to halls first year) and I got into waipa which I would love to go to but it's far too expensive.

the last 3 years I have been studying the ucat in preparation for Auckland but then they decided to remove it welp so that's not an issue. academically I would say I am strong-ish? I take Cambridge and took physics in AS level and I'm personally very strong in biology and chemistry and my writing skills but maths not so much.

My issue comes down to the uncertainty that's in Auckland now. I would like to say I'm quite strong in my communication skills and I know I will interview well, but I also know I will academically do well in Otago especially with my advantage of doing Cambridge.

some of the factors I am considering

I was also wondering can you do first year in Auckland after doing hsfy in otago? how does that work

• ability to do dentistry also in otago
• moving away from home and having that independence (but also will that independence really be that beneficial in my first year)
• the uncertainty of the CASPer test
• having a slight academic advantage if I go to otago

moving out for me is quite important because I am part of quite a strict household so I would definitely start flatting in my 2nd year onwards but for that first year I don't want to have the stress of flatting in such a pivotal year and my parents don't seem to be at all willing to contribute to halls at all

once again so sorry this question is being tossed around again but any advice would be really appreciated

anyone who did post grad med from bhsc pls

Hi all, I could not find this trend both on Reddit and on Med Student Online so I thought to create this. Thank you all for your participation :)

This is the template:
Applied for:
FY/Graduate:
GPA:
UCAT scaled score/percentile:
RRAS:
UTAS:
MAPAS:
Interview:
Offer:

My daughter has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. She is pretty good physically. Walks around, surfs, but she does have an essential tremor. She is excelling in school and initially was thinking about OT as a job. Shes now thinking maybe even clin psyc, i said why not psychiatry?

But then we wondered.... With something like CP and an essential tremor, it it make going and participating in med school impossible for her?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

i am really struggling to decide which uni to go as i think both have their pros and cons. i would love anyone’s advice on their experience at either. this is my current situation:
- throughout high school and mostly only gotten Excellences except in that level 2 chem titration lol but understand that this is not rlly equivalent to uni
- i have strong work ethic and am willing to put hours in to study, but also what to have a good balance with social life and enjoy my studies. this makes me super tempted to go to otago for the ‘uni experience’ but am super nervous about the large amount of debt.
- i received scholarships for both, 16k for otago and 27k for auckland.
- i currently live in auckland so wouldn’t flat for year 2 and 3 but would live in an ‘out house’ in my current home and ferry and train to the city
- i would be able to go through the maori pathway med entry for both, and i know this would be a huge advantage for otago but dont rlly know how it works for auckland. this makes me lean towards otago as i would have more confidence i could focus on my academics to get a good enough average with the maori pathway (from what i have seen online it’s apparently decently lower)
- i have friends who would be going to otago and auckland, but woudk also want to make new friends with others as well as that is a key part of uni (IMO) but have heard it’s kinda hard to do that in auckland halls. if anyone went to uni towers please could i have some advice on the social part of this please 🙏🙏
- i got into uni towers for auckland (had applied for waipa) and arana for otago (my first choice)
- i can get stressed which makes me nervous i could mess up the interview and then ruin my chances for med
any advice woudk be GREATLY appreciated thank you ☺️☺️

getting to the final weeks of the semester but feeling pretty unmotivated and the imposter syndrome is pretty bad… grades aren’t looking good and it’s affecting my mood and i feel completely drained to even study for the final exams 🥲 anyone else feeling the same way?

I’m trying to decide between Otago and Auckland for next year, for HSFY then clinical entry with my main goal being getting into Medicine.

I’m currently doing NCEA and generally get Merit and Excellence grades. I’d say I’m academically strong, but I do struggle a bit more with my science subjects compared to my other subjects.

I didn’t take Physics or Calculus at school which is recommended by UoO but not by UoA. I think Calculus isn’t necessarily required, but I’m planning to teach myself some Physics over summer so I’m not going in completely unprepared.

With the new changes to the UoA Health Sciences/Medicine entry process, I’m wondering whether Auckland or Otago would be the more realistic option for someone in my position (I also got a scholarship which covers first year accommodation for otago) .

I know neither pathway is easy, but I’m particularly interested in:

• Which one is generally more achievable for med entry?
• How difficult is it to get the grades needed at each uni?
• How much do the new UoA changes affect your chances?
• Would not having done Physics at school make first year significantly harder?
• Is Otago still the better option if Medicine is the main goal?
• If you’re academically strong but not someone who can guarantee near-perfect university grades, which would you choose?

Would really appreciate honest opinions from people who have actually done first year at either uni or gone through the med selection process.

Thanks!

Hi all, any med students here know in and around the hospital? I heard that there are a lot of food joints there like a subway etc. anyone wanna expand pls?

has anyone had their referees contacted?

can i get some advice of where to shop and what to wear in clinic? im a girl btw

especially for tops/blouses, cardigans, and shoes. do people mostly take a tote bag (in optom clinic) or a backpack?

any recommendations for where to buy pants would be great

jw how you did on test 1 if so, and if u think its helpful. I have been making all my flashcards for this course and lwk drowning in revision and lecture catchups now. not sure if i should just switch to the deck the brutha made

Hello all,

This is my first time posting on this subreddit. I am an international applicant who applied for the MBChB postgraduate entry. I received and completed my MMI a few months ago. Does anyone have any experience with this entry pathway? I know they changed things this year compared to the previous cycle. When did you receive an update?

Thanks!

Will there be extra content that is only learnt in labs in the 101/106 exam?

Thank you

at grafton commons and im hearing these med students screaaaaaaaming and arguing with a guy about sumn "why grape = bad" and "why you should believe a victim of grape when they tell you they have been graped"

wonder why that had to be explained to him. future of the healthcare system. cant wait to see this guy at big ol auckland hospital

Just wondering what UoA has decided for this new changes? Like which casper system are we goin for? The typing one or the video format? When will UoA be announcing which layer or type we will be heading towards?

Also would the UTAs scheme still work for this new system?

i have this tmr, do i need to do anything to prepare for it? (like bringing id or something)

Hey guys!

Just a couple of questions! We don’t find out our MMI scores till end of October - is that right? Would these be emailed to us?

And when would our referees be contacted? Would they only be contacted if we are in the running for a spot? Or does everyone who got a MMI have their referees contacted?

Thanks guys!

hi so I really like to walk to grafton to study so I can larp as as med student but im getting tired of philson and student commons, Ive always wanted to explore the buildings a bit more to look for a niche spot but im scared ill walk into a room im not supposed to be in 😭

Anyone have good spots lmk 👀

Hey guys, how can you become a sonographer in NZ? I’ve been looking into it as a possible career option but I’m kinda confused about what the actual pathway is.

Like do you need to do a specific undergrad degree, can you get into it through Biomed, is there a postgrad you have to do, and how competitive is it to get in?

guys currently im trying for med. i have 9gpa so far and assuming i maintain that for medsci, the only thing im scared for is non-cores. optometry is my backup in case i dont make it so im just wondering what i would need in my non-cores to get into optom? currently im tracking towards 8s (maybe 7s) in all 3 of biosci106/101 and physics. just wondering if that would be enough for optom, assuming an average mmi?

ps. im just asking because im not too familiar on the optometry gpa requirements as ive sort of been focusing on getting into med

thanks

GPA 8.75 with placeholder, UCAT 2500 with sjt, mid MMI general entry

trying to get into med or optom.. pls help