anyone hear from Ireland??

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
You don't have have one from your premed advisor. You just need 3 recommendation letters, but they should probably be from members of academia, or employment experiences that are more academically related. Although it's not the honest thing to do, if you don't report your med school, I don't think they're actually going to check up on it, especially if it doesn't appear on any transcripts.
Members don't see this ad.
 
Hi everyone...
i rejected the trinity offer today... just faxed them a letter saying no thanks.

im electing to hold out for the rcsi interview, which AB told me that I would get.
 
RCSI tuition is higher isn't it? Why would you want to pay more? What are RCSI's advantages over Trinity?
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Regarding not reporting past med school education: It will haunt you for the rest of your life. Whether American, Irish, etc. anywhere in the world, all academic institutions expect full disclosure of your academic history. If they were to find out at any time during your med school career, you could be immediately expelled. I have heard of some who have done this and gotten away with it, but know what you're getting into.
 
RCSI confers no advantages over Trinity, but it's name might be that bit more recognized over Trinity's. It's really a name thing. Trinity is famous primarily for its humanities/classics, although it's med is excellent. RCSI by nature just deals in medicine/surgery. I dunno exactly why you'd want to pay more either, but whatever you feel! I think I heard only 25 international students were accepted initially, so keep holding out for that waitlist, because regis and I both might be out :) . I wish I knew my MCAT scores so I could know if I would definitely receive an interview from RCSI.

CSand1, i'm really sorry and dissappointed for you. Call AB and see what happened, and about the mixup. It could work in your favor! Best of luck
 
I was also wondering about UCC. It seems everyone is intersted in the schools located in Dublin. Anyone have Cork info?
 
I do not know too much about Cork, except that their standards should not be any different from the ones in Ireland. Really, there is no "best" school in Ireland, they all have very similar programs. Cork is a smaller city than Dublin, but a very fun one. The Corkians are also very fun, very warm and welcoming people. It's amazing, I thought Dubliners were nice enough...go southwest to Cork, west to Waterford...they get even nicer! try checking out their website. I'll see if I can get someone who applied to cork to post, but I don't know if he got too much info. b/c he dropped it to pursue DO in the US instead.
 
Has everyone here who was waiting to hear from Trinity already heard from them?

A friend of mine hasn't heard anything at all yet, not even a rejection letter.

Do you guys think that all acceptances offers have already been made? and that if they havent heard as of yet then they probably didnt get in?
 
For those of you interested in UCC here's an email address that might help:

[email protected]

You can request a current student's email address for more info, too. I found the secretary in the medical faculty office to be extremely helpful, but busy.

Good luck!
 
CSand1, I don't think AB would handle applications to grad school...they only deal with medical stuff. However, applying to Trinity grad school shouldn't be hard to do independently. You should contact your department of interest ASAP and ask about applications information. They have a department of neuroscience, etc...just check around the website at <a href="http://www.tcd.ie" target="_blank">www.tcd.ie</a>
 
This is a great thread, and I would like to keep it going. Any current "Irelanders" out there that could describe their average day for me. Are you in class all day? How are the classes/lectures? When do you study? etc., etc.
 
Okay, wow. So my parents are really not liking the whole idea of "future in limbo," and are willing to shell out the $3000 deposit for Trinity, even though there is quite a big chance that I won't go there. I'm lucky! So maybe I'll see some of you there!
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Maybe I will see you in Ireland after all Leorl!
I actually might have to make a decision between school at Trinity or school in Chicago...hum. I think I'm still leaning towards Trinity. We will see. Keep pushing everyone...the end of this whole process is getting closer <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" /> !

-p
 
I'm not too familiar with DO training, but be weary of anyone who says you learn everything in residency. The foundation is set in med school, and a poor education, or poor effort on your part won't be made up by a great residency.
 
CSand1, you're right. They offer spots the same time Irish schools are starting. I emailed a Univ. of Melbourne guy earlier in the year though, who said that for international students they try and get them interviewed and a decision out way beforehand, though. However, I've since lost that email, so asked again, and am waiting for his reply.

The applications do not come out until mid May, which is okay anyway since it'll give me time to get my final semester transcript. However, this waiting thing is killing me, especially if it turns out the timing conflicts. I think the aussies are good about making allowances, though.
 
There must be a little more life left in this thread...
 
I'm going to UCD, for sure. Anyone else? Do you know what you are doing for housing?
 
Hey Leorl, you have realised that if you go to Trinity, you'll be ready for the 2007 match, but for Melbourne, it'll be the 2008 match? Just keep it in mind.
 
leorl - yup <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> more to think about...
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by PnkJnky:
•leorl- when is your RCSI interview?•••••It is not set up yet, as I haven't received my MCAT scores back yet. But since I already got into Trinity, I'm thinking of withdrawing from RCSI altogether, since Trinity is my first choice Irish school.

Pill, after giving it more thought, I don't think the timing concerns me. Melbourne is a wonderful place, and I think it'd be more convenient if my twin and I are together, assuming I can even get IN to melbourne. I also like the fact that Melbourne seems to be more science-oriented rather than psychosocial. Not that I don't want a psychosocial perspective, but for boards maybe a more science-y approach would be better, and better suited for me.
 
I know we have not been able to get a lot of feedback from Ireland med students, but maybe someone can give me an idea of how long the average day is during the basic science years. I saw on the UCD website that they have recently switched to an PBL/organ-based curriculum. Has this shortened the # of class hours at all? Leorl, maybe you have some info?
 
Hmm, i didn't know that UCD switched. I don't think Trinity or RCSI will switch to PBL any time soon. I can only speak of what I saw from my Trinity friends. Their days were rather hectic. classes in the morning/early afternoon, then clinical work til 5 pm or 6 pm. I'm sure they had breaks in between, but the days were kind of drawn out. However, don't let that discourage you because they did some mad partying as well, and a lot of them do participate in time-consuming extracurriculars. Keep in mind that the school system is not as demanding during the year because all finals are piled up at the end (June), although there might be some christmas or term exams. I'll try to find out more definitely something more useful to you.
 
hello i'm still waiting for a reply to my med application sent into TCD and RCSI. my first choice is TCD since i'm currently there on scholarship at the moment. if anyone has any questions on TCD i can try to answer them as i'm taking alot of the 2nd and 3rd year med courses.
 
On UCD systems cirriculum:

- Moving to a systems based is just more logical. It is just non-intuitive to spend a year learning all the anatomy of the body memorizing, without a clue what they do, then come back a year later and try to make sense of the physiology. Far better to learn: "This is the anatomy of the kidney, this is the cell structure, it works this way, when it doesn't work this disease results, and I treat it with this drug because it stops this pathway".

- Making a "fluff" first year of just non-medical courses is useful in 2 ways:
(1) it is extremely difficult to get the points on a leaving cert needed to gain entrance to medicine in Ireland, and once they do they are going to enjoy their hard work and their first experience away from home: about 70% of the students are going to drink their first year away in college, so might as well make it something that isn't fundamental to medicine.

(2) entering into the initial year of the five year program now isn't as insane anymore: previously had to take all the second year courses, plus some of the first year courses piled on top, which was a very stiff workload. Now the initial year of the 5 year program is just a regular amount of workload that everyone takes.

On the 'Should I take RCSI vs UCD vs TCD' wars:

Note that in the clinical years, all the students are going to go to most of the same specialist hospitals in and around Dublin. They will be on the same wards, taught by the same professors and instructors, often small squads from a combination of the 3 schools will be in the same hospital at the same time, and no there isn't any west-side-story rumbles when they cross paths ;-)
 
g17 &gt;&gt; did you apply through the Atlantic Bridge Programme or directly to the Admissions Office? I applied to the Admissions Office and was interviewed in late April. I'm an EU citizen so they may deal with EU applicants and non-EU applicants at different times.

I'd give the Admissions Office a call and see what stage your app is at - they are really friendly.

All the best - Peter
 
g17, I am heading over to Dublin this weekend to check things out...any advice? I know the college is closed due to a Bank Holiday on Monday, but do you know if the college will be open on Sunday? Do you know who would be best to talk to in order to get a good look around? Any info would be great! I am only there from Sunday morning until Tues morning. Any info would be great.

cheers
-paul
 
hi trinners
i applied directly through the college, the application i filled in was so small that i figured it was just Stage 1, and a follow up application would take place. i didn't supply references, or past qualifications. when i went to the admin office they couldn't even tell me where my application was and that someone would phone me. no one got back to me. i went down again and asked when they would be interviewing international students, and they said that they wouldn't be doing that this year. when i said that i was currently enrolled as a scholarship student they said 'that's great, you'll hear from us in april.' now i'm starting to panic!!!!

hi P
trinity is always 'open' due to the tourists, not all of the buildings have access to the public. is there something in particular that you would like to see. i'm fairly free on the sunday so i could give you a tour around. are you familiar with dublin?
 
g17 That would be excellent if you could do that! I arrive Sunday morning at 8 am and I currently have 0 contacts in Dublin. I have been trying like crazy to get in touch with anyone to show me around. I haven't figured out where I am staying yet...that is to be determined soon. you can drop me an e-mail at following address:

[email protected]

Really appreciate it!

-paul
 
Hi g17
I filled in that form too. I also submitted a full CV and undergrad transcript. A few weeks after I submitted the app the Admissions Office wrote to me looking for the names of 2 confidential referees. You could follow up your app with a CV, transcript and two letters of recommendation...

If you are called for interview let me know - I'll give you the low-down on who was on the panel and what kind of questions I was asked.

Best of luck - Peter
 
thanks trinners
i'm going to fax off my CV tomorrow, admis did request my transcripts, but i brought them in by hand and i'm kind of curious to see if i've been lost in the system somewhere as this has happened this year. thanks for the advice and i'll let you know if i'm called for an interview.
 
LOL trinners, GREAT NAME! Trinners all the way!! When I was rowing for Trinity, people would throw stuff at us though :(. But I just thought it was cool that you made it you SDN Screen name :wink:
 
the UCD oiks can stuff it. Ooooh i'm already pushing the rivalry :) . (btw, disclaimer: oiks not derogatory, they already know trinners use that name for them. The best they can do, on the other hand, is call us slags. lame lame lame :) ).

Just kidding folks, I'll always be loyal to Trinity, but the UCD crowd are a WHOLE LOT of fun! Now, if only the ones I'm friends with would stop failing classes.... hehe.
 
I am a student (in the 5 year program ) at RCSI, from the US. Post any questions and I will try to answer them. I am getting ready for the USMLE in a few weeks so, don't kill me with posts.

-RCSI Student
 
how about this for starters,

how has your experience been at RCSI, pros and cons ?

thanks for your help!
 
RCSI Student,
Yeah, an overview of your Ireland experience would be a good start. Also things like: grading system, # of class hours per day, etc. would be great. For someone who is very interested in Irish Schools, would you recommend that they go even if they are accepted to a U.S. school? Are you glad that you went with the Ireland option? Thank you very much for offering to help us out.
 
Is it true that if you earn your medical degree in Ireland (or any other E.U. country) that you are eligible to practice anywhere in the European Union?
 
Thanks leorl. That is what I meant to write. If you do your residency in Ireland, can you practice in other E.U. countries w/o another residency? You answered my question though. Just curious (this may have been answered before), if you earn a degree or do a residency in Australia, does it automatically transfer to the U.K.?
 
As of now, an Australian degree (as well as a select few other countries) will transfer to the UK with no hitch. Problem is that the GMC has posted on its website its intent to pursue a change in law regarding these countries given exceptions. They want it to be only EU countries eventually. I've tried with no luck to find out a timeline on this proposal. GMC refuses to comment on it. A family member says he does not foresee GMC doing anything with such a doctor shortage, and the fact that historically UK and Aus. doctors have moved freely either permanently or for training between both countries. Currently at my hospital, I wouldn't even be able to keep count the number of RMO's and registrars from the UK, and at the same time a handful of Australian RMO's are making plans to leave for the UK in the next six months. So who knows?
 
OK-
my experience has been mostly positive. There are differences between the 2 cultures and academic theories. That said here is a short overview, forgive me if I am all over the place!

In the 5 year program, The first 1.5 years are basically the same as year 1 in the US. The time is spread out....you get almost 4 months off at the first summer. There is a VERY heavy emphasis on Anatomy. I think Biochem and some Physiology(renal) is lacking. They try to follow a systems based approach but that is not always the case. Then you do one year...april-march with the normal breaks for summer(2 months) of Pathology and Micro. The Path teaching is very, very good. At the same time, you begin clinical training, basis clerkships in Medicine and Surgery. All they really want you to learn is how to do a H&P, not spend hours in the OR etc, so it is basically a year long Into to Clin Med class. It is a bit difficult, because there is really no patient management, but this aspect is improving every year and there is a stronger role in the early clinical training expected. After that, you do Ortho/Epidemiology-Pub Health/Tropical Medicine. Then USMELLYS over the summer. You come bact to your 4th year and do the rest of your clerkships...OBS-GYN/Psych.... over the next 2 years.

Evaluations-
There are essay and Mult Choice exams(MCQ) at the end of each term. At the end of the first 1.5 years, you have an exam, 1st Professional Exam- it is a cumulative exam in ALL SUBJECTS studied up to date. All subjects have an Essay, SHort Answer Written and A MCQ, plus a Combined MCQ in all subjects. Oh yeah, there are Oral Exams in front of your whole cadaver table in ANatomy q2 weeks during the 1.5 years.

Path and Micro, Med/Surg, there are exams at the end of each term and at the end...2nd Professional Exam..same thing as the 1st but just Path/Micro/Med/Surg. From then on it is just exams on each rotation. To move on you have to pass the professional exams(you can resit them if you fail) To Graduate you have to Pass Final Professional Exam...Med/Surg/Peds...they include everything.

THe school relies on what I feel is subjective grading. You never get exams back to see how you did on questions, only get numbers and they repeat questions a lot. In general the admin/exams are disorganized but if you can deal with it, the clinical teaching is very good.
As for DUblin, it is a great city and since the course is spread out, you can travel and see Europe. The school cut out some of the long vacation time and finish in 4 years but that is one less year to money they can suck out of you(Irish students are now free so they have to make it up)

I think some of the facilities are lacking, they have less than some US HIgh Schools and they take more and more students each year.
Most all of the students from N. AMericia do well, they are usually more motivated and there is good unity.
As for getting into the US and still coming here....if you do not want a competitive residency ie ORTHO.ENT.EMED.DERM.......it will not be a problem, that is not to say you will not get one. RCSI Students from US and Canada do well in the USMLE and Match, but all IMG's have more difficulty with the more competitive programs...that a said student matched ENT last year.

I will end it there for now saying that I have and I am enjoying myself, I work hard and do well. Like so many other things it all comes down to your motivation and what you put in to it.

If you need some more info let me know!
 
RCSI,
I have a financial question. I don't know what your financial situaion is, but do you know if everything runs pretty smoothly as far as loans to pay for living expenses, tuition, etc. Also, are you ablr to get loans for the fifth year, or only 4 years. Like I said, these issues may not apply to you, but if you have any info, let me know. Thank you for your previous post.
 
RCSI,
What year are you currently in?
 
As for Finances, Atlantic Bridge sets all that up every year. Tuition is going up to about 26000 Euro. AB does the work for the Federal loans ($18,500 per year for all 5 years). They also give you options for more loans. Many secure $ elsewhere ie Citiassist loan, Key Bank-Medachiever loan. I think the total RCSI will certify for is ~40K but that is supposed to go up.
I am 4th med
 
i know your studying for usmle right now..but has the first few years covered most of the material for the usmle? or is it a totally different cirriculum?

thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

W
Typical working day for a surgical trainee (registrar) in Ireland
Replies
0
Views
748
Wssm10
W
D
how hard is started CST in Ireland with my profile
Replies
1
Views
794
dancal88
D
B
Should I go to Medical School in Ireland?
Replies
1
Views
2K
texhess
texhess
teflon_doc
  • Locked
Atlantic Bridge (Ireland) Medicine - 2022 Admissions
Replies
1
Views
10K
gyngyn
gyngyn
N
Ireland vs UK Internship
Replies
0
Views
2K
nawrp11
N
Top