I'll be a new student to RCSI in the fall. I will be a first year in the 5-year program. I have a ton of questions, and I was hoping some of you out there could help with some answers. I will be living in Mercer Court, so I guess can someone tell me how it is living there. How big are the rooms and roughly how much stuff should I bring from home? Also, would it be better for me just to ship things from the US to there?

Second, how are classes for first year medical students? Will I have alot of free time to wander around Dublin and enjoy the atmosphere, or will I be constantly doing work and studying? So if someone has the time, can they give me an example of what the workload would be for 1st year students :p .

Lastly, I was reading the post about the hot girls, now home good can they be? Like in someone's eyes what is average, like can you give me an example and then what is hot in your guys eyes? I live in NYC, so I see the best and worst of girls, so in respect to love/sex live, will I be miserable in Dublin?

Thanks for all your help, and cant wait to get some pints with all of you that get back to me. :D

Hey Beer!

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but I am going to RCSI in the fall too (5 year program) and wanted to meet some of my future classmates! :D

I'll be living off campus in an apartment or house share, don't know which yet but I am making a trip to Dublin in another couple weeks to look for housing. I spoke to someone awhile back who said you definitely want to live in Mercer as opposed to Millin.

As for moving stuff, my Dad is coming with me to orientation so I was going to stuff some belongings into his luggage and mine! I just hope it is enough space for everything. But then winter break is only 2 1/2 months after we start so I figure if I can just survive with what I brought till I go home again, I can bring more later.

Where are you from?

Hey Lavender!

Thanks for getting back to me. So how are you doing? I am from New York City, and I'd like to meet new people too. Please tell me more about yourself, and if you feel more comfortable, you can email me directly at smtermanini@earthlink.net.

To anyone else, please give me more advice about Mercer Court. I know that it's better than Milan house, but what should i bring there? I also wanted to know how it's like living there. If anyone wants to leave a post, or just email me feel free, but lets get this post going..

I'd love to hear from my future classmates as well..

I don't go to RCSI, but have been in Mercer court. You share a room, but the rooms in my opinion are quite spacious. My friends who lived there actually had plenty of room to fit a full-sized fridge into the room! I wouldn't bring all that much - clothes obviously, toiletries, converter plugs although you can buy them here, maybe an electronics wattage converter if you have US appliances that don't accept international voltage. Assuming you're going home for Christmas, you can always wait til then to figure out what you forgot at home and want to bring over.

Thanks for the feedback, I love all the help that I'm getting. Does anyone know if there are Washers and Dryers in Mercer Court, or will I have to go outside the building to do my laundry? Also, since I am from the US, is there any TV shows that come on in Dublin and if they do, are they airing the same time they are airing in the US or is there a lag in time?

Feel free to post and talk about anything else that you can advice me on about RCSI, Dublin, and Mercer Court.

Most of the tv is American :) There is a bit of lag time, but how much depends contractually on when the Dublin channel/company bought the rights to air the show. So like...Simpsons isn't that far behind, but Alias is at least a season behind and doesn't get regular air-time. Sex and the City also isn't too far behind and I think 24, ER, Desperate Housewives, the OC isn't far behind either - maybe by a few months, if even.

I love the Simpsons! :love: I thought I was going to have to do without them so that is great news!

A little info about me Beer:
25 years old.
Graduated from Texas A&M University (Gig 'em Aggies!).
Been doing immunology research ever since but man, am I glad to start school again soon. I did miss learning!

I choose RCSI after doing some research abroad a couple years ago. I traveled around England and visited Scotland and Ireland as well and loved it all! I knew that I wanted to live in Europe at least once in my life and that since I also want to return to the US for residency/to practice, now is really the only time I'd have to live there. It didn't hurt either that the dean of the medical school where I work is a graduate of Trinity, and he strongly suggested attending an Irish medical school b/c the training is excellent and US residency programs know this.

So there you have it! I have only been to NY city once (for the interview) but I enjoyed it and thought that the people were actually quite friendly :)

Now, a couple quick questions for the current med students. Do we purchase and wear scrubs to anatomy lab or should we bring some jeans we don't mind getting formaldehyde on and some old sneakers (in case of spillage!)? Does anatomy lab even start in the fall?

Thanks for getting back to me Lavender. We should keep in touch, since I will be heading out there in the middle of September, so at least we'll both know someone before school starts. If there is more contact information that you have, please let me know, i'll keep in touch.

Current med students.. what is the 1st year like? What is the typical workload and studying like? I have been out of school as well like lavender, doing research too, so I was curious how much of a shock it would be to get back into the flow of things?

to the top of the list! :)

I think the Irish med schools are pretty much the same with regards to lab procedures. Don't wear scrubs to anatomy - students don't really wear scrubs here except when they're observing in the OT in clinical years. They think it's weird that some of the Americans have them (from before) and use them as pajamas (but it's so comfy). You'll probably be required to buy a Howie labcoat for Anatomy - these are the white coats that buttom up at the neck and then down the side of the coat - it looks like you're in a 1920's movie, but eh, there you go. Or else a regular white coat.

Hi guys-

I am going to be living in Mercer Court next year too. I was wondering if anyone out there knew whether the dimensions of the beds were the same as US beds... silly question really but the woman I emailed at Mercer couldn't answer it...

Do most people bring towels/bedding/etc., or buy them there? It seems like a waste of valuable packing space to bring them, but then life without bed bath & beyond is nearly incomprehensible to this california girl. :)

Thanks for the q&a dialogue, it is really helpful. I hope more people catch on to this thread.

I think they should work....twin beds in general are just twin beds. I had those twin XL sheets from my college dorm (cuz US dorms use extra long twin beds?) and they were fine, if they're too big you just tuck it in more. Maybe bring one set that you like and then buy another set. Can always get cheap ones at Argos which coincidentally, is like 2 seconds from you.

Ive attached a 1st med schedule from last year. 04/05 year..... Take a look, thats not everything on there.... but that's a good part of it .... :) ... hope this gives you an idea

I am so lost right now with this new system being put in place, can someone please clarify how this will work, and are you saying that it's pointless to go home over christmas vacation?

As for Cable TV, is this correct that Mercer Court doesnt have Cable TV, and if so is there a way that you can pay extra to get Cable TV? IS there decent internet in the dorms then at Mercer Court, or will I also be in the ancient ages with crappy internet as well?

Does anyone know if the beds in Mercer Court are only twins or also double/full size?

alrighty- so here's what i can tell you... I'm a third med and in the middle of all the curriculum changes. The first thing i'll say is that you'll have to get used to and learn to accept that Irish med schools are different- things aren't laid out in a plan and you know exactly what to expect on day 100 of third year. You just find out as you go what the schedule is. As for major changes, they pitched a new curriculum to our class that puts paeds in fourth year (very good) and changes elective times. its not set yet, but it sounded like some good changes to me. As for pre-clinical years, exam timelines will be changed. when i was in first med, we took exams in each course at the end of each term (there were three/yr). now its more cumulative and they're just taking mini-exams at the end of term and a big one at the end of the year. I don't know too much about that (new 1st/2nd med years) tho- so i won't pretend and mislead you.

Buy your sheet and stuff in Ireland. it will be much easier, there is a big store across from Mercer called Dunnes and you can get all your linens there. Not sure if you'd have a single or full bed, there are both in Mercer. I think all Millin beds are full unless you're sharing a room. The dimensions aren't too different if you want to bring sheets from home, i've brought sheets from home and they fit fine.

washer/dryer- there are combined ones in each apt in mercer, but the dryers are useless, clothes are mostly dried on a drying rack. those are free though, so not too bad of a deal. millin people always have to pay to use the ones in the basement, but that dryer actually dries.

whether you like the mercer atmosphere or not, its all about location! remember that if you're not too sure about the place. you're in one of the most central places you could possibly live in dublin without owning a multi-million euro home!

work load of first year- if you're an exemptee (skip pre-med) then first med is not bad at all. meaning if you've done a degree, you'll won't have a terrible time and you'll have ample time for all sorts of outside entertainment (whatever that may be ;) ) my one bit of advice- GET INVOLVED!!!!! it makes it easier to get to know others in your class and other classes. it can be very helpful down the road in your clinical years, not to mention its way more fun!

any more questions- shout 'em out and we'll do our best

Hi Sactown!

Good to meet more classmates! Are you in the 5 yr or 6 yr program? I am going to miss Bed, Bath, & Beyond too! I just got a 20% off coupon in the mail from them and I can't justify spend it on anything I might need for Ireland :(

A BIG THANKS to leorl, amamann, and Nitti for your replies! You guys are great and so helpful!

Ok this question probably sounds a bit anal/paranoid, but what kind of supplies do we need to buy for lectures? Do they give us handouts or packets of class notes and we just write what we want in them? Or do we bring our own blank notebooks and take our own notes? Taking a look at amamann's post of last year's class schedule, I see that we are taking every class pretty much all the time (as opposed to taking, say, biochemistry and anatomy for 10 weeks and then being done with those classes and taking pharm and physiology next). So to me it seems like I will likely need a notebook and binder for each subject. Does that sound right? Or just crazy? :o

You are too funny. You'll find out when you get here, but it depends on your own personal preference. Some people like to do the notebook + folder thing if there happen to be class notes (at RCSI, there will be, printed off ppt's ). Some people like to do just the binder thing with loose-leaf paper or just to put packets of class-notes in, annotated with your own notes... independence man, it's all on you.

In response to the work load, and how people do things here. Honestly, it doesn't matter what others do, 'cause everyone has their own style. However, to answer your question, the following styles are prominent within the year that you'll be entering: (1) print off the lectures before class, review, and take the handout with you to class to add any additional notes the lecturer might have, either purposely or not, missed out on the power point; (2) go to lecture, and open the power point and type in additional notes in the "note box" below the power point. Those are the two main ways. And there're people who just dont do anything at all!! I found that printing off notes was a good way, cause it allows u to draw quick sketches that might not be on the ppt. Texts books weren't used much at all in pre-med, however, I would think its alright to say that in first med things work a little differently. Especially with the new changes in exams and the curriculum itself. No one currently knows what next years schedule is going to be like, nor have they told us exactly how dramatically the changes to the curriculum would be. In RCSI, you just got to be prepared for almost anything, at any time! It's a good idea to perhaps get in the swing of making your own notes, as in the clinical years I've heard that "hand-outs" or "print-outs" don't exist! All that i've heard about next years curriculum change is that they are going to be making it a semesterized program and things are going to be more integrated into a systems based learn style. It's pretty hard to answer questions such as yours, simply 'cause no one has been told much, but I do hope this helps somewhat!

take care.

Hey Nitti,
Did you stay in Mercer Court? Any feedback on that dorm? I will be staying there, any advice for me? Also, since you say that the dryers in there stink, are there pay dryers I could use, that I can fully dry my clothes?

Well keep the posts coming, I love hearing more advice from everyone.. Any new2 1st year med students, feel free to write, since I'd love to meet more new people in my classes.

actually, they're trying to phase out giving out hard copies of the ppt presentations... they are convinced that since they're all on line and since they've given us a computer then were sorted. Not always true. a lot of us have bought printers and print our own notes off at home, or you can do that in the library. i'd say wait and get you're notebooks and stuff in dublin, they use A4 paper there which is bigger and the holes are different from american ones. so american folders and stuff don't really work for keeping notes in order. there's nothing you need to bring that you can't get there, unless there's something you're particularly obsessed with here (the US).

oh yeah, i'm a third year, in the five year program.

i lived in Millin, which wasn't the best choice for me, but i still had a great time. all my friends lived in mercer, so it was grand. ummm, advice about mercer.... hang out with your class and meet people while you have the opportunity of so many of them living close by. there's internet connections in the rooms and they work most of the time. you can use the pay dryers in the basement of millin if you get obsessed....
gotta run, back to the grind!

Hi Everyone,
I am a Canadian student who was born in Dublin a good 22 years ago, but I have only been back once since. I am very excited at the prospect of studying medicine in Ireland and its great to hear of all of the positive experiences!

Thank Nitti..
Can anyone else give me helpful advice that could be used for other new students. I guess, I was curious if people recommend I go back to the States over Christmas break or should I just stick around and study for the Jan 06 exams? Also, can people shed some more light on the curriculum for this upcoming class?
Finally, any more advice on things to bring and not to bring to Dublin.
Thanks...

Thank Nitti..
Can anyone else give me helpful advice that could be used for other new students. I guess, I was curious if people recommend I go back to the States over Christmas break or should I just stick around and study for the Jan 06 exams? Also, can people shed some more light on the curriculum for this upcoming class?
Finally, any more advice on things to bring and not to bring to Dublin.
Thanks...


I'd say go home bring you'r laptop with your notes on it and study at home and then come back maybe a week before the exams even having gone to university before most people I've spoken to find it strange living in a different country and a re glad to get home for Christmas.

Curriculum instead of studing each subject you'll be studying the respiratory system and in that you'll do all the anatomy, physiology, biochem and pharm. I'm not sure where they're putting the behavioural science. before you might be studying a different area in each subject.

Don't bring too much just clothes, and any favourite bits.
Don't bring books paper etc we have a used book sale at the start of term so buy your books there, stationary it's cheapest to buy in Reads so ask some one how to get there at the start of term it's about 5-10 mins from college. I think the SU are putting together a survival guide which should have all this info in it.

Is it true that the school gives you laptops because i read that in the orientation book they sent us that the school gives laptops to their students

Is it true that the school gives you laptops because i read that in the orientation book they sent us that the school gives laptops to their students

Yeah you'll get the latest version of the ibook G4

Yeah they give us MACz, but people are trying to get the school to give us an option between windows or macs.

About going home, personally I wouldn't, simply because I know if I was to go home, there'd be sooo many family events to attend, that studying 'properly' wouldnt happen. But if you're good at studying even though the world around is partying and stuff then you should be fine!! Plus, I dont like long flights! Thats jus mah 2 centz on it :)

Is there alot of partying that happens in Mercer Court. If there is will there be a place where i could go to study quitely if needed?

Hi Danger! Where are you from?

And Dr. Mann are you starting 1st med too? How many people from pre med are going into the 1st med class? I wonder how large our entire class will be this year :confused:

Since we're on the subject of laptops...do people usually bring their laptops to class everyday or just leave them at home? I was thinking of getting a laptop backpack but wasn't sure if it was really worth it or not since I will have notes and books (maybe) to deal with.

I heard we get those palm pilot things too during 3rd med.

Yeah there are alot of parties in mercer. Usually the top floor of the library is fairly quite and stuff. The only problem with the library is that by the end of the year you'll know alot of people, and if you cant control yourself you'll end up socializing more than actually studying!! But that's really up to you, you know!

Hi Danger! Where are you from?

And Dr. Mann are you starting 1st med too? How many people from pre med are going into the 1st med class? I wonder how large our entire class will be this year :confused:

Since we're on the subject of laptops...do people usually bring their laptops to class everyday or just leave them at home? I was thinking of getting a laptop backpack but wasn't sure if it was really worth it or not since I will have notes and books (maybe) to deal with.

I heard we get those palm pilot things too during 3rd med.
In reply to lavenderloraine's post: Yes, I'm going into 1st med - just finished pre-med! There were 150 approximately of us, and i think they take in about 50 people into 1st med. So I guess about 200 of us in 1st med! About the laptops: Students take them to class: either to take notes on the ppt or word document, or to surf the net and chat on msn. The school gives you a bag for your laptop. usually people will just bring their laptop and a pad of paper and pen and stuff like that, but not like text books etc etc!

Hope this helps.

In response to Dr.Mann, Does this mean that all pre-meds are not garunteed to get into first year med?

In response to Dr.Mann, Does this mean that all pre-meds are not garunteed to get into first year med?


No, you are! If you pass your exams that is. You get two chances to pass your exams, as there are repeats! But don't think of putting yourself into that sort of position!

How did you find the pre-med year. Diffficult?

What are the courses and anythign i should know before i go. Are there many people who go to RCSI straight out of hishschool?

How did you find the pre-med year. Diffficult?

What are the courses and anythign i should know before i go. Are there many people who go to RCSI straight out of hishschool?


The pre-medical year was a joke, we had way too much time off, but of course everyone was cramming for the final exams. Yeah there are alot of people. Lots of people have usually done a year or two in uni tho!

Are you going into the pre-med year?

Hey,
I'll be entering the 6-year program this year and was wondering when school starts back after the x-mas holidays because i have to book my flight. Is it on that monday (jan 2) or tues (jan 3)? thanks!

Hey,
I'll be entering the 6-year program this year and was wondering when school starts back after the x-mas holidays because i have to book my flight. Is it on that monday (jan 2) or tues (jan 3)? thanks!
TERM DATES
Christmas Holidays : 19.12.05 to 2.1.06 Easter Holidays : 10.04.06 to 21.04.06
Pre-Medical Year 03.10.05 to 27.01.06; 13.02.06 to 09.06.06

FOUNDATION YEAR Exam Schedule

GENERAL, MEDICINAL & PHAR CHEM
17.01.06 (PM)

MEDICAL PHYSICS
23.01.06 (AM)

HUMAN BIOLOGY
25.01.06 (AM)

MEDICAL INFORMATICS
27.01.06 (AM)

CLINICAL PROCESSES
29.05.06 (PM)

HUMAN SYSTEMS 1
30.05.06 (AM)
T.B.A. (practical)

HUMAN SYSTEMS 11
31.05.06 (PM)

HUMAN SYSTEMS 111
26.05.06 (AM)

**I think it's important to remind you that RCSI does change often, and sometimes the dates will vary, but this is atleast something you can work with!! Hope this helps.

Hey guys! I'm going to be in 1st year also and was wondering if someone could tell me what the class schedule is like for first semester. Is it basically a Monday to Friday, 9:00-5:00 thing or are there big breaks in the day? Thanks so much, can't wait to meeting all you guys!

Hey guys! I'm going to be in 1st year also and was wondering if someone could tell me what the class schedule is like for first semester. Is it basically a Monday to Friday, 9:00-5:00 thing or are there big breaks in the day? Thanks so much, can't wait to meeting all you guys!
Hey!! You're going to be in my class! Ah, well dude, the bad news is they havent given us a schedule at all as yet, so I can't really tell you anything. And it's ought to be different than last years as they are changing the way they teach, etc etc. I've heard from seniors that 1st med you usually spend alot of time at college - well depends if you want to attend everything, you know what i mean?? Hey, where are you from? pm me :)

Hey, I'm a bit confused about the dates that were listed in a previous post. I remember that at my interview, they told me that RCSI is switching to a semester system like in the U.S. Does that mean that 1st year med students have finals after Christmas break, or are finals before Christmas? And is there another 3-week break (spring break/easter) in the middle of the semester again, before finals at the end of the year??

Are those dates listed for 'foundation year' the same as 1st year med students? (which means that classes start back on the 2ND JAN??)

Thanks for any help, I'm trying to confirm my flight arrangements too, etc...
See you guys soon :)

Hey! Well the dates posted up there are for the pre-medical year - people who are entering into the 6 year program. As for you, our exams will be in January sometime.

TERM DATES
Christmas Holidays : 19.12.05 to 2.1.06 Easter Holidays : 10.04.06 to 21.04.06
1ST Medical Year - Junior Cycle 1
03.10.05 to 27.01.06; 13.02.06 to 09.06.06
Note: Ongoing 1st Med Students begin on 4th October 2005

JUNIOR CYCLE 1 – 1ST MED Exam Schedule

NEUROMUSCULAR
16.01.06 (PM)

HAEMATOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY
18.01.06 (PM)

NUTRITION & ENERGY
19.01.06 (PM)

HEALTH, BEHAVIOUR & SOCIETY
24.01.06 (AM)

ANATOMY
practical: 25/26.01.06

CARDIORESPIRATORY MODULE
29.05.06 (AM)

GENITOURINARY/ENDOCRINE
31.05.06 (AM)

CLINICAL COMPETENCIES
practical: 01/02.06.06
-

MOLECULAR MEDICINE 10
Written: 06.06.06 (PM)

HEALTH BEHAVIOUR & SOCIETY
Written: 07.06.06 (AM)

ANATOMY
Practical: 08/09.06.06

Hope this helps!

What topics are covered in Medical Physics, Medical Informatrics and Human System 1,2,3

And what is pharm chem and what topics does it cover.

I am right in assuming these "Foundation Year" exams are the same as the first year of the 6-year course?

Hi Wanda!

Great to meet more people in our class! I'm curious too about what our days will be like. I am visiting Dublin next week to find a place and plan to visit the school if I have time. So I will report back anything I find out!

I was talking to this Scottish guy at a party a couple weeks ago and he totally freaked me out! He said that you have to be REALLY careful in Dublin when you go out at night b/c people get mugged all the time there :eek: He says there is a major cabbie shortage and people have to wait forever for their cabs to arrive. So some end up walking home instead and the muggers take advantage of this fact. The guy even told me the muggers don't care if you are walking in a group...they will jump you all anyway and take your money. So he says you have to call a cab and wait for it no matter how long it takes, but don't walk home.

Now I am from the 4th largest city in the US. I know not to go down dark alleys at night and to avoid certain parts of the city. Basically I have common sense and know what not to do. But for those of us living in the city center within walking distance of the pubs, is it really that unsafe? Do people really get jumped alot? I am so afraid now!

Thanks for posting the schedule of exams DrMann. It is little bit annoying that school wouldn't give any kind of info to their future students. I agree the system is different but people need to book flights. Without the help of people on SDN I would never know how the school runs. thanks everybody.
BTW my name's Nav and i am going to be 1st year med.

What topics are covered in Medical Physics, Medical Informatrics and Human System 1,2,3

And what is pharm chem and what topics does it cover.

I am right in assuming these "Foundation Year" exams are the same as the first year of the 6-year course?

The foundation year is the pre-medical year, just they've changed the name for this coming year. And yes the exam dates are like that.

Medical informatics is basically the class in which they teach literally computers. But, like I said before, they are changing alot of things in the school, so things might be completely different than how they were last year. Medical physics is basically physics, but applied to the human body - so you'll for example learn how much damage does a certain type of bullet do to the body depending on the speed of the bullet, etc etc. Or the pressure within your blood vessels, and how it effects certain things. Etc etc....or how an MRI works. Things like that... got it?....

What about all of us who are underage.

Are parties gonna be hard to attend or people really dont care? What abour clubs and bars. I know this may sound silly but are the really picky and are there wys to curb this problem?

Well, if its a college event then no one usually checks..........and if it's not... then i suppose you find other means.....you'll figure it out ...dont worry about it.. just chill

I have a question for those of you who already paid your tuition fee.

Did you pay by bank draft via ABP, or did you pay via direct fund transfer?
if you did a direct fund transfer into RCSI's account did you get any sort of confirmation from the collage?

thanks.

I have a question for those of you who already paid your tuition fee.

Did you pay by bank draft via ABP, or did you pay via direct fund transfer?
if you did a direct fund transfer into RCSI's account did you get any sort of confirmation from the collage?

thanks.
Haven't paid mine as yet - are you going to pay in full or are you going for the half now, half later deal?

LOL ShotCalla. You're not underage here. The drinking "age" is 18, same as carding for clubs and gigs. Of course, most of them have been drinking since 14-15. The big clubs will check ID, pubs won't unless you really look young or something.

LLBeer,
when are you leaving NYC? what airline? aer lingus? do they allow 2 check-in bags for 70 lbs each? where will you live?
indiegirl@gmail.com

Hey Lavender!

Thanks for getting back to me. So how are you doing? I am from New York City, and I'd like to meet new people too. Please tell me more about yourself, and if you feel more comfortable, you can email me directly at smtermanini@earthlink.net.

To anyone else, please give me more advice about Mercer Court. I know that it's better than Milan house, but what should i bring there? I also wanted to know how it's like living there. If anyone wants to leave a post, or just email me feel free, but lets get this post going..

I'd love to hear from my future classmates as well..

Hey guys, more questions:

Are there any books for classes like Anatomy that would be cheaper to get in the U.S. than in Ireland?

Do ppl wear scrubs to gross anatomy lab, and if so, is any color preferred for students?

Things like stethoscopes etc -- wait till I get to Ireland, or buy in the U.S?

Thanks for your help!

books are generally the same price in ireland as north america, if not cheaper and all the u.s. ones are available so don't waste your valuable luggage space.

no one wears scrubs for gross anatomy dissection (at least not at ucd anyway).

you won't need a stethoscope for 2.5 years so don't even bother yet but when you do, buy it at home because they're overpriced in ireland (like most things).

Hi Wanda!

Great to meet more people in our class! I'm curious too about what our days will be like. I am visiting Dublin next week to find a place and plan to visit the school if I have time. So I will report back anything I find out!

I was talking to this Scottish guy at a party a couple weeks ago and he totally freaked me out! He said that you have to be REALLY careful in Dublin when you go out at night b/c people get mugged all the time there :eek: He says there is a major cabbie shortage and people have to wait forever for their cabs to arrive. So some end up walking home instead and the muggers take advantage of this fact. The guy even told me the muggers don't care if you are walking in a group...they will jump you all anyway and take your money. So he says you have to call a cab and wait for it no matter how long it takes, but don't walk home.

Now I am from the 4th largest city in the US. I know not to go down dark alleys at night and to avoid certain parts of the city. Basically I have common sense and know what not to do. But for those of us living in the city center within walking distance of the pubs, is it really that unsafe? Do people really get jumped alot? I am so afraid now!


Dublin is safe enopugh I wouldn't get freaked out. If you live in the city centre then nearly everyone walks home I don9t know anyone who has had any problems obviously don9t be stupid take the main well lit streets and walk in a group. Taxi's aren't too difficult to get a few <ears ago you would have been waiting ages but not any more.

I was just wondering about some few things about RCSI, well i guess they are general mediacl school questions.

So when do you start meeting pattients?
What are electives?
What are rotations and when do they start in RCSI?

What is it called when a medical student learns in different diciplines: surgery, OB/GYN, peds etc

When do you start writing USMLE anmd when do u apply for residencies.

Id appreciate if some of you could help me because i want to be crystal clear about all the things ill be facing in med school.

Thanks alot

O ya and what are electives and when do you start those?

Dunno when RCSI will start introducing patients in, but traditionally it's during your clinical years (yrs. 3-6). Those are rotations. Ob/gyn, psych, peds, etc. - those are "core" rotations (in the US, they are considered core). Other rotations (in various fields of surgery and medicine) are just rotations. The specific medicine and surgery rotations happen in 6th year when you're practicing for finals. Electives are rotations you organize yourself in whatever field you desire. All you have to do is approach a consultant (email, in person, phone call, etc) and ask their permission to rotation with them. Electives do not have to be completed through your school's teaching hospital.

You do your USMLE Step 1 after you've done all your pre-clinical classes (after you finish path). Generally, after 4th year. Some people choose to do it in 5th year. You apply for residencies during 6th year, but maybe have to play with timing of interviews and things. Some people choose to do an intern year here and would thus apply then.

Hey guys,
I know that this may be a stupid question, but nonetheless it's a question. For the people that have stayed at Mercer Court or will be staying at Mercer Court, I have a question about cable TV and the shows that we can watch at Mercer Court. Seeing that I am from the US, there are tons of shows that I watch and I am curious to see if I will be able to see them in Dublin.
So I wanted to know if these shows are available in Dublin:
OC, NipTuck, Laguna Beach, The Real World, and Over There. Can someone tell me if I would be able to see these shows on the TV's in Mercer court. Also, for these shows are there delays in the showings, in that what comes on in Dublin is later than it comes on in the US or are both realtime.
Please let me know, what I watch in my free time is somewhat important.
Thanks..
ST :D

Regular basic cable subscribers (what RCSI would probably be getting) get the OC and Nip Tuck - think they're on non-cable channels as well. To my knowledge, we don't get the other three. Don't know about the delays. Since they're popular shows, probably only a couple months behind...the season would end the same year. I really think your mind probably has better things to occupy itself with than worrying about what tv programs you can watch. If you really can't stand missing anything, get parents/friends to buy you the seasons when they come out on DVD.

I was curiuos when othere people are planning on getting to Dublin for the start of school. Maybe there are other people already there that I could meet up with when I move in early and we can all hang out, so that no one is lonely in the new city. I plan to arrive to Dublin on the 29th of September, so let me know if there are other people arriving that time that want to hang out. I will be living in Mercer Court.

hi. i will be landing on the 29th of september too and am going to stay in mercer court this coming year. I would love to hang out. have you contacted the school regarding somebody picking people up from airport? they say on rcsi website that this service is available.

Nah, I didnt know that they had that. Tell me more about this service. Also what is your contact info, either send me a message on here, or email me so that we can at least know to maybe get the same service from the airport. Where are you coming from and what time are you arriving to Dublin?

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned earlier, I took a trip to Dublin last week to look for housing. While I was there, I visited RCSI and got some more info. First thing...vacation dates which I think have been posted before. For my own simplicity and comfort, I'll post them in the format MM/DD/YY.

Winter Break/Christmas holidays (during Module 1): 12/19/05 to 1/2/06
Semester Break (b/w Modules 1 and 2): 1/30/06 to 2/10/06
Easter Break (during Module 2): 04/10/06 to 04/21/06

I was told that last year they had a white-coat ceremony 3 weeks into the 1st Module, and that they were planning to do the same thing again this year.

Now about class size and structure. My tour guide informed me that pretty much the only time our entire class of 200 is together on a normal day is for the big lecture in the O'Flanigan Lecture Hall (seats 400 so it is known as the 1st med lecture room). We will be introduced to that particular lecture hall during orientation. Then, we're divided into groups of about 25 to attend "tutorials" later in the day with professors. This is for the purpose of keeping classes smaller and more manageable so the students get more individual attention.

Standing in the hallway by 1st med lecture hall, if you look outside across the street you'll notice a really old, dilapidated, red-brick building. RCSI has purchased the land beneath that building and the plan is to demolish it soon and begin construction on a new recreation facility (and I think it might also be a residence as well if I heard him correctly but don't quote me on that). Guide said it should take 18 months once they start. They were supposed to start in June, he says. The current gym is quite small. Not much equipment either. The cool thing is they have someone on staff there who will guide you in working-out, assessing your excercises, etc.

The anatomy room is being renovated right now. And by that I mean they were painting it off-white. It looked like it used to be yellow or something. I don't know what else they've done. It has some cool columns throughout. Very unique, at least compared to what I've seen in the US.

Apparently the school likes to throw wine parties for the students. Especially the biology club I think it is. I also got the impression that there are nice parties for the fellows, visiting physicians, conferences, etc. These parties are held in the old building depicted on most of the brochures for the school. I was also told there is a formal for the students in January.

Lunch time here in Ireland is from 1 to 2, by the way. I know that where I'm from, it is at noon. The cafeteria is small as well. I don't know how crowded it gets or not, but it sells the warm food. There is another little deli area in the basement that sells sandwiches and cold food.

That's all I can think of for now! Hope this gives people a little more of an idea of what to expect, although I'm not sure I have the clearest picture since I was only visiting a few hours. :)

Hi LavenderLoraine

Thanks for updating us. I always wanted to know what the situation of school was like and tried looking up some pictures but couldn't find anything other than the front main building. Your reply gives a sense of what the school is like and the surroundings. What did you thought of the weather there?

Everybody else, here's some info regarding the meet and greet service


MEET AND GREET SERVICE: The College offers new students a complimentary welcome on arrival service, including transfer from Dublin International Airport to your accommodation in Dublin. When you have finalized your travel arrangements you should contact Travel Places, Ltd. in Dublin to make the necessary arrangements. Their URL is www.travelplaces.ie/rcsi

I emailed the contact they had listed on the website but he hasn't replied back yet. Does anybody know anything about meet and greet service offered by RCSI or has used in past?

hey not sure if im too late.. but i would be happy to answer your questions... email me at stechu@rcsi.ie

just that there has been so many posts to this thread i cant read it all... takes too long and requires too much reading! hehehe

one question did catch my eye...

i hope im not ofending anyone, but after coming back from my elective in slovakia... and been to various other european countries, irish women are not the hottest item! :( then again neither are the british! hehe

this is just my opinion...

and yes there are way hotter girls in nyc and college station, texas.. etc..

Hey Lavender,
Good WOrk! Anyways, what is the story with exams? Are you still going to go away for Christmas time and head back to the States? Also, what happens during semester break, do people have work or basically its off from school and people are free to do whatever they want? Other people, feel free to give your own feedback as well.

Hey,
Lavender, thanks for the informative post! I look forward to other replies re the 'semester break' (i.e. is there work, or is it completely off??)

Also, is anyone attending RCSI living off-campus? If so, have you found anywhere yet? Are you mostly looking in Dublin 2 and 1? I am trying to find 1 bdrm apts using www.daft.ie; but it seems that most places (and most ppl I've talked to) recommend viewing places before agreeing to rent them..that's fine with me, but I'm a bit concerned about finding somewhere not too far from RCSI, being new to Dublin and all. I am arriving on the 26th, do you think that gives me enough time to find an apartment?
Thanks a lot!

My impression was that the break in February b/w Modules 1 and 2 is completely off, so I wouldn't expect work in between. Might be a good time to travel (be it explore Ireland, Europe, return home, or whatever) since it's a good 2 weeks.

As far as the traditional break for winter/Christmas, the decision to travel is yours! Personally, I'm going home. My family would freak-out if I didn't, plus going home that time of year just feels right to me :) Exams don't begin for another 2-3 weeks after we return (based on the schedule posted earlier on this thread), so I figure I can goof off at home for a week or so, and then start to study a bit the second week of break. Hard core studying will resume when I return. But wanting to go home may not be the case for everyone, and also some people just need more study or quiet time and can't get that while home! So you'll just have to figure out the best compromise between seeing family/friends and studying.

Hi guys i will also be starting in 1st year med (5yr program) in October 2005 at RCSI and staying in mercer court too.

I have some friends whom are studying med at trinity college and they say that mercer court is a top place to stay. They are also very impressed with all the irish medical schools so no need to be concerned.

Anyway catch u in october

hey guys... i just discovered this thing... i'm gonna be a 1st med at RCSI but i was a premed last year so i've already been over here for a year... wow this thread is long and by virtue of being way too lazy to read it all i just thought i'd put my screename up here and let ya'll IM if you had any questions... my AIM screename is lilsgal67... it looked like most of ya'll were american so i'm guessing ya'll have AIM... but if not.. my email is lilsgal67@yahoo.com ... k hopefully i'll hear from some of you soon :)

Hey there folks.. Alright I have a question about cell phones. I am from the US and I have lots of family and friends there, so what should I do about getting a cell phone or calling them. Can someone give me the rundown about what is the best way to get a cell phone in Ireland and how I can use it to call my fellow students but also call family and friends overseas. Also, How should I tell my friends/family from the US to contact me in Ireland? I know this may seem as a dumb question, but I'm sure others from the US reading this could also use this information. Also I'll be living in Mercer Court too
Thanks.. :D

One of first purchases should be a mobile phone. Or if you like yours from the US, and it's triband, just bring it over and get a sim card. There's O2 stores and Vodafone stores all over the place, as well as carphone warehouses . All you have to do is walk down grafton street which is 2 seconds from RCSI

Look here: www.o2.ie , www.vodafone.ie, www.carphonewarehouse.ie, www.3G.ie

One of first purchases should be a mobile phone. Or if you like yours from the US, and it's triband, just bring it over and get a sim card. There's O2 stores and Vodafone stores all over the place, as well as carphone warehouses . All you have to do is walk down grafton street which is 2 seconds from RCSI

Look here: www.o2.ie , www.vodafone.ie, www.carphonewarehouse.ie, www.3G.ie


why not try www.meteor.ie

btw, not in any way affiliated with meteor or its subsidiaries :D

why not try www.meteor.ie

btw, not in any way affiliated with meteor or its subsidiaries :D

Because it's rubbish. Coverage is awful especially outside Dublin.

Because it's rubbish. Coverage is awful especially outside Dublin.
That's such a myth. Coverage is fine now. I don't live in Dublin, travel all over Ireland for sports, and have never once not had service.

When I used to live in Dublin and meteor just came out I remember it used to suck. Now all the Irish seem to stick with O2 and every foreigner uses meteor because it's such a better deal.

One bad thing about meteor though - they don't seem to have service aggreements with other countries so you can't use your phone when travelling unless you sign up for another service. Still, for free meteor texting or 5 cent per minute calls (depending on when you signed up), it's worth it.

So honestly for prices and service quality, which is the best provider: O2, Meteor, or Vodafone?
Get back to me!!!

I don't think the free texts are going to stay for much longer. And the fact that they don't have roaming contracts and they suck :) wouldn't make me go for them. Meteor would only work if you convinced all your friends to go on meteor too.

So honestly for prices and service quality, which is the best provider: O2, Meteor, or Vodafone?
Get back to me!!!

For me, the choice was between Vodaphone and O2. After talking with several people, my impression was that O2 is a bit pricier than Vodaphone but that both offer good service quality. In the end, I chose Vodaphone because O2 charges you to check your voice messages (and Vodaphone does not). Keep in mind I was comparing pre-paid plans and not ones with monthly contracts.

I make a lot of calls so I'm on pay monthly. You generally don't need to start off on pay monthly though. I'm with O2...I don't think either company really saves you that much money. People I know with vodafone spend craploads, but I'm sure people with O2 do as well. I usually use up all my free webtexts. Both companies are fairly equal, so sign up with whoever seems to be offering promotions or better deals at the time you look.

if i were recommending a mobile company, i'd go with o2....meteor is fine in dublin, with some exceptions, ie no reception in the basement of earlsfort terrace. o2 has slightly better rates than vodafone but like leorl said, if you text a lot, the bottom line is you'll pay a lot. you could just be shifty and use payphones all the time while looking over your shoulder....


to everyone at ucd, i'll see most/all of you at the med soc welcome back shindig at the russell court next thursday....and i'll be absolutely peeled...i love med school in ireland....

to be clear meteor is probably the best priced and it's coverage is getting better...just about everyonw i know who went with vodafone or o2 in first year has switched....the ncie thing about meteor was that when most of us signed up we got free meteor to meteor texts for life....that makes it hard to give up....

Hello everybody. I am a Canadian who has just finished high school, (got my ontario secondary school diploma) and am living in malaysia for the moment. i will be going to rcsi in the fall for the 6 year program, and will be living in Mercer Court. I'll be taking a single room, but i still wanted to get to know anyone else who will also be at Mercer Court at the same time. This thread has been very useful so far (a lot of my questions and uncertainties have been answered by this thread) and so I just wanted to get to know some of you, and maybe have some contacts before i go.

Hey I'm going to be in Mercer Court too. Feel free to write me a message, but tell us more about yourself.

Hello everybody. I am a Canadian who has just finished high school, (got my ontario secondary school diploma) and am living in malaysia for the moment. i will be going to rcsi in the fall for the 6 year program, and will be living in Mercer Court. I'll be taking a single room, but i still wanted to get to know anyone else who will also be at Mercer Court at the same time. This thread has been very useful so far (a lot of my questions and uncertainties have been answered by this thread) and so I just wanted to get to know some of you, and maybe have some contacts before i go.

Hey, I'm going to be in Mercer Court as well. I've done two years undergrad. PM any time.

Hey I'm going to be in Mercer Court too. Feel free to write me a message, but tell us more about yourself.

Ok then. i'm fresh out of high school, i'm seventeen years old, although i will be eighteen soon.. umm.. i'm a girl... yep.. i'm living in malaysia right now because my family works here but i visit home quite often (home for me would be canada).. and... i'm repeating myself arent i.. :P well i dont really know what else to say.. haha what would you like to know?

oh, one question: about the laptops that we get from rcsi, when do we get them? once classes start or before?

oh, one question: about the laptops that we get from rcsi, when do we get them? once classes start or before?

Laptops are given out sometime during Freshers week usually on the Tuesday or Wednesday they make announcements in class about when everyone has to collect them.

Hey everyone! I'm so happy I stumbled over your thread, it's great. I'll be starting the 5 year programme this year on Oct. 3rd and can't wait to meet you all. I'm 17 and just out of school here in Dublin. I'm a little worried about the classes in pharmacology and such since I've never studied chemistry. I've never done biology either but I've heard it's easy to pick up. Can anyone advise me please?

for those of you who are going to stay in mercer court. have you received any confirmation letter or email? do you know which room you have yet? or do we not find out until we get there?

hey there, I'll be in mercer court too. I still dont know my room number, my roommates, any of that. I kind of annoys me, but still all I know is that I have a room reserved. Anyone else have similar luck or better luck?