Hey,

I am planning on applying to Irish med schools. What are some of the main differences between them? I know that RCSI costs more (36k Euro), but what are some of the differences in regards to reputation, location, school environment, living conditions, technology, professors, etc.

I am a Canadian Citizen. I am in my 3rd year at McMaster (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). I plan on graduating this year. I have already done my MCATs (Aug 2005). I was wondering what my chances are of getting into Irish med schools. GPA = 3.66, MCATS (low-mid 20 R) (I didn't do too well!). How well do I fare?

I am applying to the 5 year programs. I understand that RCSI, UCD, UCC, and TCD all have 5 year programs. Which ones do you think are harder to get into? Which ones have interviews. I know RCSI does, but what about the other schools?

Another other pertitent information about the application process will be helpful too.

Thanks in advance,
-- AKS 47

Your GPA looks good but I don't think that MCAT will be enough. The lowest MCAT score I've heard of anyone having at RCSI is a 27. But maybe people have lied about their scores.

RCSI is the only one of the Irish schools that interviews North American applicants. And I believe that Trinity may be the hardest school to get in at the moment.

Your scores may be alright, they'd be probably around the same as the other applicants. I don't really know what the "cutoff" for MCAT is now these days, or if there is one. The lowest I've heard of is 24, but that was a few years ago. I think a lot of it depends on the strength of your outside experiences and activities. They like seeing research, well-rounded people, people who might not fit the "regular joe schmoe med school applicant" - something to add to their diversity.

There isn't really a difference regarding standard of education. Trinity, RCSI, UCD would probably be more well known simply because they come from a larger city. But UCC has a good name as well. The difference in location...well, that's really one of a big city vs. small city, but depending on where you come from, Dublin isn't all that big compared to say...NYC or Chicago/LA, etc. School environment...that is a personal matter as well...would you like to be surrounded only by health science people and like-minded people (RCSI)? Or would you like to be in broader university setting (the rest of them)?

Living conditions...they're what you find yourself. In general, Irish living is on a smaller scale than back home. Less space, less luxurious, etc. RCSI has good dorms, so does Trinity. I can't comment on UCD cuz I don't know. UCC is quite good too. There could be things where you could get accommodation your first year, but will have to go apt-hunting from then on.

Technology..they're catching on. They've pretty much got everything we have in the US, but less of it. And it could be more annoying to get. But it is there. broadband/dsl, internet in rooms, wireless networks, etc.

Thanks for all your help.

I have another question regarding MCATs. I plan on retaking them in April 2006. How will this affect the admissions process, if at all. WIll my interview depend on my NEW MCATs (post April), or do you think I might have a chance for an interview pre-April.

Which school(s) require the MCATs.

Thanks in advance,
-- Aks47

Well, you'll definitely want to re-take MCATS regardless since I'm more with the idea that you need a high 20s score to be competitive (not based on absolute cutoffs but on the basis of who you're competing with). Many applying for next fall will have decent scores already so many of them will get acceptances pretty quickly (in May) while you'll still be waiting for your scores to be released in June. Might be a bit of rolling admissions but they're definitely still accepting some all through the summer.

As for one Irish school versus another, check out past threads since this has been discussed. All the Irish schools follow basically the same curriculum and back home you're far more likely to get a "Ireland? Cool...interesting" versus one particular Irish school being seen as better than another. You can tick them all off on the application anyway so it's a moot point unless you really feel you'd say no to an acceptance at UCC since it's "less famous". BTW, Cork is a wonderful small city to live in.