Apply to Ireland/US?

[heaton187]

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Hey everyone,

I have a 3.8 GPA, and a 33 S MCAT (12 P, 9 V, 12 B).

I'm debating whether or not to apply to Ireland/US Schools. I know I'm very late in the game for the US (rolling admissions) and I was considering applying in the summer (early).

Any thoughts? Should I just apply now and hopefully get in to an Irish school? Should I wait until next year to have better odds in the US?


Thanks!

 

[JediBookworm]

Hey everyone,

I have a 3.8 GPA, and a 33 S MCAT (12 P, 9 V, 12 B).

I'm debating whether or not to apply to Ireland/US Schools. I know I'm very late in the game for the US (rolling admissions) and I was considering applying in the summer (early).

Any thoughts? Should I just apply now and hopefully get in to an Irish school? Should I wait until next year to have better odds in the US?


Thanks!

With those kinds of stats you can probably get into a US allopathic school next year, and you'll still finish at the same time if you were to start Ireland this coming year. Your choice. Good luck.

 

[Mr. McDuck]

Depends on what you want to do. I have stats quite similar to yours and I'm applying exclusively to Irish schools. Do you plan on definitely returning to the States for residency/practice? If you do, just apply to US schools this time or next time around. If, like me, you think you might want to stay in Ireland after graduating, apply to Irish schools.

BTW, I'm no absolute authority on this, but this is my philosophy.

 

[heaton187]

Hey!

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm Canadian, actually. The problem over here is I didn't get a 10 in VR so my chances back home are slim pickings.

Ultimately, I want to practice and live in the US though, meaning my number one goal is getting a good US residency.


Any other thoughts, anyone?

 

[leorl]

stay US. Honestly, I don't think the VR matters so much... and those are pretty good stats

 

[finalpath]

If you get a place in a US school, you should take it...............
if you want to go abroad the Irish and British schools are very well regarded..........just that the number of spots for American and Canadian students will be decreasing in the coming year in all colleges except RCSI,..........the new 4 year graduate course in RCSI has 25 places for EU students and 25 for Non-EU,...................this years non -EU places on this programme are made up mainly of American and Canadian students,.........tis accounts for the extra places available................
also the new RCSI medical school in Bahrain, has taken in US and Canadian students..................to find out more information on this college click on the link for RCSI-MUB through the rcsi.ie homepage.............
take your time and pick the best option that suits you,
all the best,
finalpath

 

[leorl]

the course that the above poster mentioned... is 45,000 euro per year (and probably will rise). That's a big ouch. Although some of their technology sounds pretty awesome (I have a friend in the class) - video conferencing and video rounds and all that.

 

[finalpath]

thecurrent cost per year of the course at RCSI-MUB in bahrain is $30,0000,
as like all medical colleges it will probably increase by a few % each year,
as of note the first year international fee in RCSI dublin is 38,500 euro ie around $48,0000 .
it sure is expensive to go to medical school,
Shane

 

[med2UCC]

UCC is not planning to decrease spots for North American students, and is much cheaper than RCSI. Cheers,
M

 

[Mr. McDuck]

UCD is a lot cheaper than RCSI too. I think it said 27 000 Euro in the email I got.

 

[pattycanuck]

UCD is a lot cheaper than RCSI too. I think it said 27 000 Euro in the email I got.

Boy inflation sucks the big one eh?

When I graduated in 2003 from UCD the cost for that year was EUR19,000 When I started in 1998, it was IEP11,000 (approx EUR16-17,000).

Taking all of the Non-EUs for a ride 🙄 ... and it is still free for locals - lucky them!

 

[Sage880]

UCD is a lot cheaper than RCSI too. I think it said 27 000 Euro in the email I got.

UCC is 25,000 Euro. Cost of living in Cork is a lot cheaper too. Easier to get around as well! I lived in Dublin before coming to UCC. Not knocking Dublin - I loved it. But Cork definetly has it's pluses. Give it a thought anyway!

 

[Mr. McDuck]

Damn. Oh, well. 27 000 is better than 45 000, lol.

 

[heaton187]

Hmm .... hey, do you guys know much about the admissions standards?

I called Atlantic Bridge today and they told me they don't assess your application based on GPA or anything and that instead, they "critically analyze" your transcript (I'm assuming this is for course selection, etc.).

This is bothersome because I thought my GPA was a bit more of a strong point.

Any thoughts?

 

[JediBookworm]

I think what they really mean is that in addition to a good GPA you should have taken "worthwhile" courses and not just filler courses that boost your GPA...

 

[med2UCC]

Hmm .... hey, do you guys know much about the admissions standards?

I called Atlantic Bridge today and they told me they don't assess your application based on GPA or anything and that instead, they "critically analyze" your transcript (I'm assuming this is for course selection, etc.).

This is bothersome because I thought my GPA was a bit more of a strong point.

Any thoughts?

As well as your GPA they also look at things like what you may have done work-wise, do you have any interesting hobbies, have you volunteered etc. I was told by the admissions officer at UCC that I got in because of my BA in Medieval Studies - I made the cut-off with my other course work and MCAT, then they chose me over other people based on my rather odd primary degree and my even odder hobbies ( I do hot glass work, among other things). I also had a rather extensive volunteer portfolio - everything from being on a stategic planning committee at the school I worked at to doing Girl Guides. Cheers,
M

 

[Arb]

UCD, Trinity, UCC, are all 25,000 Euro this year.

Too bad about the Verbal score man. I would head to the States but you might get lucky with a Canadian school.

 

[pattycanuck]

I would head to the States but you might get lucky with a Canadian school.

Only ONE medical school may accept a verbal of 9 ... only because they don't use the MCAT - McMaster. The Canadian PGME system is one of the hardest to get into ... you'll preverbially have to save a small country before they consider you 🙄

 

[med2UCC]

Only ONE medical school may accept a verbal of 9 ... only because they don't use the MCAT - McMaster. The Canadian PGME system is one of the hardest to get into ... you'll preverbially have to save a small country before they consider you 🙄

Um, actually it kind of depends which province you are in. Most provinces have slightly looser standards (at least minimum cut-offs) for people from their own province. Also, UBC is worth looking into even if you're not from BC if you have life experience as they like "odd" candidates. Wish I'd known this when I was applying in Canada as it might have made a difference for me. However, in general it is fair to say that the admission standards in Canada right now are insane, particularly in the English speaking schools. Hopefully as new spots open up it will loosen up a bit, although this is all too late for those of us already over here. Good luck either way,
M

 

[Mr. McDuck]

As well as your GPA they also look at things like what you may have done work-wise, do you have any interesting hobbies, have you volunteered etc. I was told by the admissions officer at UCC that I got in because of my BA in Medieval Studies - I made the cut-off with my other course work and MCAT, then they chose me over other people based on my rather odd primary degree and my even odder hobbies ( I do hot glass work, among other things). I also had a rather extensive volunteer portfolio - everything from being on a stategic planning committee at the school I worked at to doing Girl Guides. Cheers,
M

Nice. I mentioned my gold medals in Judo, my active skiing hobby, and the music groups in which I am involved. There was probably some other stuff as well, and some volunteering stuff.

 

[pattycanuck]

Um, actually it kind of depends which province you are in. Most provinces have slightly looser standards (at least minimum cut-offs) for people from their own province. Also, UBC is worth looking into even if you're not from BC if you have life experience as they like "odd" candidates. Wish I'd known this when I was applying in Canada as it might have made a difference for me. However, in general it is fair to say that the admission standards in Canada right now are insane, particularly in the English speaking schools. Hopefully as new spots open up it will loosen up a bit, although this is all too late for those of us already over here. Good luck either way,
M

Which schools then accept a verbal score of 9? I haven't heard of any from any of my mates that anyone with a v9 got accepted regardless of quirkiness, etc? In any province/school. Of note also, the scores listed are minimums and are usually higher in the actual accepted class. Unless things have changed since I applied for med school back in the 90's.

At least you are going to a recognized school in UCC and you'll have a chance now in coming home back to UBC (although indirect) 😀

Likewise and regardless to the OP, good luck either way👍 .

 

[heaton187]

Thanks everyone.

 

[med2UCC]

Which schools then accept a verbal score of 9? I haven't heard of any from any of my mates that anyone with a v9 got accepted regardless of quirkiness, etc? In any province/school. Of note also, the scores listed are minimums and are usually higher in the actual accepted class. Unless things have changed since I applied for med school back in the 90's.
Likewise and regardless to the OP, good luck either way👍 .

One of my frineds got into Dal in 2003 with a total MCAT of 24, and 8's across the board there. That was her 3rd try. Another is at UBC with, again, a total score of 24 - I think her verbal reasoning was higher though, I think she had a 9V,7P,8B. Sometimes people do get in. Now, mind you, the second person had tried at Dal 4 years running with no success before UBC took her. She also got into Western that year despite being from Nova Scotia. I think it is sometimes as much a matter of finding the school that likes your particular set of circumstances as opposed to the objective process they pretend it is.

Thanks for the good wishes,
M