Application for Admission to Medicine 2013
Other Category
Applications for 2013 closed on 1 May 2012 at 5pm (NZST)
An application for admission to second year Medicine under the Other Categories is open to Allied Health Professionals or Other Graduates.
Allied Health Professional
To apply under this category allied health professionals are recommended to have not less than five years’ experience in their chosen
profession, of which at least two years must have been in New Zealand.
Other Graduates
Those who completed their first degree more than three years previous to application, completed
a second or higher degree in New Zealand or completed a degree at an overseas university. An academic grade point average equivalent to an Otago B (70%) or better is recommended for consideration under
this category.
Sub-Categories
MAORI – Form A
Applicants wishing to be considered under the Māori sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by ticking
the Māori sub-category box on the application form and completing Form A. Successful applicants from the Māori sub-category are required to attend a mihiwhakatau (greeting) at the commencement
of classes in Dunedin.
Whanau are welcome and encouraged to attend.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
The New Zealand Government has agreed to fund extra places in Medical School specifically for those
applicants seeking medical careers in mental health. The Faculty of Medicine will make places available through
Other Categories for those who have a career in mental health and who wish to continue in this specialisation.
Applicants should apply through this category and provide evidence of their career to date.
NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT PACIFIC ORIGINS (NZRPO) – Form B
Applicants wishing to be considered under the NZRPO sub-category must indicate this at the time of application by
ticking the NZRPO sub-category box on the application form, completing Form B and attaching a copy of their birth
certificate.
NEW ZEALAND RURAL ORIGINS – MEDICINE ONLY – Form C
The New Zealand Government has agreed to fund extra places in the Faculty of Medicine specifically focused towards
those seeking medical careers in rural practice.
Applicants wishing to have their New Zealand Rural Origins status (Medicine only) considered with their application
must indicate this at the time of application by ticking the New Zealand Rural Origins sub-category box on the application
form and completing Form C.
In order to qualify as a New Zealand Rural Origins student, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have undertaken a significant portion of their pre-secondary education whilst living in a rural area of
New Zealand.
- Have spent at least three years at a secondary school in a rural area of New Zealand.
- Any reasonable interpretation of the above.
The New Zealand Government has determined that for the purposes of these clauses a rural area includes those towns
in New Zealand with a population of 20,000 or less.
Those applicants successful in gaining a place in the professional classes in Medicine under the New Zealand Rural
Origins sub-category may be required to complete a part of their of training in a rural area within New Zealand. This
training will be at the same standard as the rest of the medical course. Students will not be bonded after graduation
nor will the inclusion of the rural training increase the length of the programme.
All Medicine Other Categories applicants
All applicants who are offered a place in second-year Medicine must have completed the prescribed papers for the University of Otago Health Sciences First Year programme or an acceptable equivalent.
If applicants have not completed the required papers by the time they apply, those who gain a place in second year Medicine will have that place reserved for one year while they complete the pre-requisite papers. When the Medical Admissions Committee offer a place, the applicant will be advised which papers he
or she must complete, as well as the grades that must be attained.
Consideration will be given to an applicant’s personal and employment achievements, including evidence of why the applicant is now motivated to enter Medicine.
For applications to be accurately assessed, examination results including School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, University Entrance Bursary Examinations or overseas equivalents, and complete academic transcript(s) showing results of all previous university study are required (please see Additional Required Documents checklist for details).
Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Permanent residents are required to have held permanent residency in New Zealand for at least 2 years prior to application.
International applicants are not considered under the Other categories.
Presentation of information
Application material is photocopied and distributed to the Medical Admissions Subcommittee without modification.
All material submitted must be typed on single sided A4 paper. Presentation of Curriculum Vitae material should begin with an applicant’s final year at secondary school and provide details of their subsequent activities.
Interviews
Applicants who are selected for interview by the Medical Admissions Subcommittee will be assessed on the following:
- potential academic achievement;
- achievements so far;
- commitment to a career change;
- communication skills;
- knowledge of the New Zealand health system;
- understanding of the profession.
Interviews take place in Dunedin approximately 10 weeks from the closing date and notification will be by email. Applicants need to ensure that they are available to attend for interview if invited, as the Interview Panel will not reschedule their dates.
Not all applicants will be selected for interview. Interviews are held in Dunedin.
Additional Required Documents
- Completed on-line application form;
- Signed and dated declaration(s);
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Certified copy of Bursary Examination, Sixth Form Certificate and School Certificates, NCEA or Secondary School results;
- If unavailable, please provide as many details as possible;
- Certified copy of academic records (transcripts) of all university study (including extramural and incomplete courses);
- Result notification forms are not acceptable. Certified transcripts can be obtained from the Registrar of the relevant university;
- Applications will not be processed if complete academic transcripts are not attached;
- Copies of academic records of training in any schools of nursing or polytechnics. The grades awarded are more important than the number of hours of study. If the school you attended no longer exists, or the records have been destroyed, a letter from a Principal or other official person confirming that you completed the course successfully may suffice;
- A copy of your birth certificate or passport;
- A statement outlining the reasons for wanting to enter Medicine on a separate A4 sheet headed:
“Statement of reasons for wanting to enter Medicine” with your name. (Please note this is one A4 page only);
- Names, addresses and Email of three people who may be contacted for a confidential reference;
- A passport-sized photograph-loose.
Declaration forms
Important notes
A candidate may apply once only using this category (refer University of Otago Calendar 2012, page 609).
The final outcome of applications will be sent by email only by 31 August 2012. In order to ensure that the outcome of your application reaches you, your application form must include an email address you will have access to from this date. The Division of Health Sciences will not be held responsible because of failure to provide an appropriate email address.
Overseas qualifications must be completed (with results available by 1 May 2012) and a full academic transcript must be provided before an application can be processed.
The Other Categories are very competitive and entry numbers are strictly limited.
The Medical Admission Committee will not enter into any correspondence regarding application outcome or interview.
If your application is successful, you will be required to provide evidence of your serology status for the following infections prior to entry to second year Medicine:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella
Additionally, a certified copy of an appropriate current first aid certificate.
Applicants must have their personal and financial affairs in order when they apply so that if their application is successful, they are able to take up a place at the start of the first semester.
How to contact the Health Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
If you have a question in relation to your application, the only addresses that you will receive a response from are:
Email: health-sciences@otago.ac.nz
Fax: +64 3 479 5058
Postal: Health Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
Or hand deliver documentation to (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM NZST):
Health Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office
Division of Health Sciences
325 Great King Street
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand
Enrolment at Otago
As well as completing this application, ALL applicants must also register at the University of Otago:
- new or transferring students by 10 December 2012;
- returning students by 20 December 2012.
Visit www.otago.ac.nz for enrolment details or phone 0800 80 80 98 (within New Zealand) or +64 3 479 7000.
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