University students opened rejection letters shattering their dreams of becoming doctors just hours before they were due to head into a test.
Letters were sent to 87 first year students telling them they had not been short listed for interviews for the University of Auckland's medical programme.
After receiving the upsetting news, the students who were enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Health Science were then expected to sit a test.
The test was part of the Medical Science 142 paper, which is compulsory for those wanting to get into medical school.
The 87 students were among 917 students vying for interviews for the medical programme.
The University of Auckland has apologised for the timing of the letters, but a spokesperson said it did not impact the decision about whether they had got on the course.
Students have been encouraged, however, to apply for compassionate consideration when their tests are marked, the spokesperson said.
"The timing of this communication was a mistake.
"We regret this communication was sent and any impact this may have had on students' test performance."
In a post on the Biomed/Health Science First Year Course Facebook page, the committee advisor for the paper wrote that the timing was "completely inappropriate" given it came just before students were due to sit an exam.
The selection committee was apparently unaware of the test.
Auckland University Student Medical Association president Jibi Kunnethedam said about 50 association members had reached out to the students affected by the ordeal. None of the students affected were members as the association only represented medical students, which would be students who were in their second year or more.
"We understand it can be very upsetting for students."