Hey
I called the admissions people direct and asked about my specific situation and if, in the medical admissions advisors opinion I should apply. I had a number of people tell me directly that I would not be competitive in their program and then these four who considered my nursing degree and research background as an extreme bonus.
I found the people on the phone to be very straight forward about my chances. Something you mostly will not find in the USA, especially with for profit private schools. After all, they make money off you simply with the app and the secondary.
I have also found that all of the admissions people I have talked to at many US schools very evasive when you ask the "is it worth it to apply" question. They tell you the story of the one applicant in probably 10 years who barely made the "offical GPA minimum" and made it in. Whereas I found the UK admissions people quiet frank with me using phrases like this "If I were you I would not apply in your current application state". Good advice and honest.
I would say, however, that in general UK schools dont take many north americans. Every admissions person had about the same numbers 10-15 people TOTAL yearly. So chances are slim regardless of qualifications. For the cost of applying I decided it was worth the money for a 10% chance of admission.
Basically I felt the same way with Ireland. Being that I wont have the MCAT for the 2006 app. I instantly narrowed the schools that will offer me 5 year programs down to ONE, Trinity. That would leave me with a 10-15% chance of admission. Not good, but realistic. If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is realism. Better to be prepared for any outcome but expect the worst, I find it allows me to continue on with the same interest.
Good Luck!
