r/UniversityofOtago

So idk what I want to study yet but I have two things so that's ok but my 2017 macbook Air just decided to kill itself so I need a new computer. Google is saying I need over 16 gb of RAM or something about have a processing power of 16gb to be able to run the programs correctly but like every computer with the requirement is like over 2.5k and im not made of money there is one for 1.5k.

So I'm just asking would it be better to be able to run the programs on my own computer and spend like a extra 1 k or just use the computers at the uni to run the programs and do the rest on my Mac book neo

Hey everyone i am thinking of joining otago for my HSFY in 2027 and i came across a post here and people said many old people come for hsfy even in their mid 20 or 30s so is it true that majority are like these or will i find people of my age as well ?? I am 18 btw

Hi guys! I’ve already started my application for the residentials. I know my top pick is Te Rangi because I like that it’s quite new and clean. The rooms were really nice as well, and I did hear that some rooms have less natural light, which is a bit eh, but I can manage. I’m quite introverted, but I can get along with people pretty well. I’m also pretty outgoing, and I like having a balance between studying and having fun :) I’m planning to do Oral Health (idk if this will help with anything regarding halls, but I thought I’d mention it anyway). So far, I’ve considered Arana as my second pick and St Margaret’s as my third (though i heard it is a VERY STUDIOUS hall) which is why im having some doubts . Any suggestions as to what would suit me? or js lmk what experiences you had in the halls listed above. Thankss!!

Sorry for another post again lol, was just wondering from anyone with knowledge of either or both halls (or if anyone went to one of them) what hall you think is overall better? cost wise I calculated the fees on the website and the difference (factoring in entry fees) if I am correct is around $400, so I was wondering for any info on either of them (and which one is harder to get into?)

Thanks :)

Hi,

I submitted my application for halls a few days after it opened and wasn't fully aware of the fact that you had to be strategic about what halls you chose (kinda dumb ik lol but I think I got overexcited about applying) in regards to first choice and competitiveness etc, then later realised I choose 3 competitive/smaller pool ones. I read on the site that you can change your top 3 by emailing the accommodation office by September, so I am thinking of doing this for my third option. My first pick is selwyn, and my second is Knox (again, ik this is (from what I have heard) a first choice hall, but I don't want to change it as my second option because I really like it and hope that if I do not get into selwyn, I hopefully have a better chance in getting into knox than if I never put it down at all yk). My third I didn't too too much research into so I was not aware it was competitive (....carrington. im embarrassed to write this haha, I swear I had no idea it was hard to get into), so I was wondering if anyone may have suggestions for a safe but still good third choice option. obviously this will probably be one of the bigger halls (so if anyone is from any of the bigger ones any anecdotes and advice would be greatly appreciated) but Im not too sure about unicol.... might be too big for me haha.

thanks

I'm applying to halls rn and I'm a bit stuck on the part where I have to write why I chose my 1st choice (Carrington) in 100 characters. I feel like that's not a lot of words and I honestly just chose Carrington because of the music room and gym. Is there anything specific I should mention in that section that could help with my application?

Yes, long title but if it saves people time, I am all for it.

If you can't see the Apply Now button, check the following.

Have you applied for a 2027 programme?

Have you accidentally said you'll be a university student as of 1st October 2026? If you have and you're still in school, if you haven't submitted your programme application, I think you can change that yourself. If you can't, contact either AskOtago or the entrance scholarships team right now.

Are you doing Foundation? You'll probably need an invitation. Contact entrance scholarships.

Have you already submitted an application? If you have, you can't just go back into it and you don't need to apply for each scholarship like Auckland, or UC.

If you can't see the button, please don't just assume that it will magically fix itself. Contact AskOtago.

Can't submit your application?

Check you've answered every * question.

Check you've saved every section you go into.

Check you've ticked all the right tick boxes on the Declaration/Submit section

How do you know if it's been submitted?

You don't get an email, but you get an alert confirming its been submitted. I believe it says on the Scholarships and Awards page too what the status is, going from the website.

Do you need to provide referee details? Depends. If a section you've completed asks you for details, then yes! If a section doesn't, then no!

Why hasn't your referee heard anything?

They don't contact referees until a bit after apps close, so refs aren't hurriedly trying to fill in forms to meet the app closing deadline.

Pro tip, make sure your referee knows to expect an email and gets in the habit of checking their junk folder on the regular. Deadlines (from what I remember) tend to be narrow!

All I can think of now. Best of luck. Don't leave it to 11pm to start looking into it though.

Hey guys!

So I genuinely dont know what to do, so what best to solve this then ask the internet!

So Pacific Entrance scholarship is due tomorrow but my Pacific Ancestry Verification hasn't got back to me yet.

IS IT BAD? IF SO HELP ME PLEASE

kia ora,

thinking seriously about applying for hsfy for 2027 but wondering if there's a decent ratio of older/graduate students doing it? it's definitely not a huge deal because i'm 21 with an april birthday but I would like to know roughly how much of the hsfy cohort is not coming straight out of high school

in general, if anyone here applied to hsfy as a graduate or slightly older student i'd love to ask some questions :)

Hi everyone,

I’m applying for halls rn, with my top 2 choices being Selwyn and Studholme (I’m unsure on my 3rd choice). The reason I’ve chosen these 2 is that I love to go out, meet new people and have a thriving social life, while also being able to lock in for exam time. I got a 39 in the IB (777 HLs), and are involved in many extracurricular activities such as dance, student council, school initiatives and more. I plan to study a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts.

I am kiwi but will be moving from Singapore so I’m lowkey an international student. If anyone has any advice for a 3rd hall choice or anywhere else they think would be better for me pls let me know!

I also have heard a few things about first choice halls, but aren’t too sure which ones those are so if someone could clear that up that would be great!