Atlantic Bridge 2017

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Interesting post. I have been on these forums for +7 years, and it seems year after year, the same questions are asked again and again lol.. One wonders if some basic info like this can be stickied for future reference.. Anyways.. I dedicated an entire thread to the topic of going to international medical schools outside of Canada. You can see this thread on my signature below. I even recently updated a book about this very topic, see my signature for the 2017 version. I go into great details about going to international medical schools versus American DO/MD schools. Your chances of match, staying in the US, coming back to Canada. I encourage any Canadian who is considering Irish schools to carefully consider the facts and do your research before going overseas.
 
Thank you all for the generous information. I found it difficult finding sufficient information about this program and how it compared to the US.
I'll be withdrawing my RCSI interview - hopefully it goes to someone on here!
 
zbrittingham said:
Thank you all for the generous information. I found it difficult finding sufficient information about this program and how it compared to the US.
I'll be withdrawing my RCSI interview - hopefully it goes to someone on here!
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I wish you the best of luck! I hope everything works out for you in the end! Congrats on your DO a few years in advance 😉
 
Just curious, what extracurriculars does everyone have? Sports, music, hospital work? Just wondering if I stand a chance for an interview if I apply next year. 🙂 (Sorry, I know this forum is for AB 2017, however, I just wanted to know what extracurriculars the people who got an interview have.)

Because I heard they look a lot at the extracurriculars, personal statement, and resume. :/
 
ShawnT said:
Just curious, what extracurriculars does everyone have? Sports, music, hospital work? Just wondering if I stand a chance for an interview if I apply next year. 🙂 (Sorry, I know this forum is for AB 2017, however, I just wanted to know what extracurriculars the people who got an interview have.)

Because I heard they look a lot at the extracurriculars, personal statement, and resume. :/
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It's still pretty early in the selection process for these schools. To my knowledge, RCSI is the only one that has started sending interview invites.

As far as extracurricular stuff is concerned, I think it depends on which program you are interested in. For example, a 6 year applicant probably has vastly different EC's than 4 year applicants. To answer your question, I have over 20,000 hours working as a paramedic during my undergrad, music EC's, + volunteering, teaching, etc.
 
Doctor_Beez said:
It's still pretty early in the selection process for these schools. To my knowledge, RCSI is the only one that has started sending interview invites.

As far as extracurricular stuff is concerned, I think it depends on which program you are interested in. For example, a 6 year applicant probably has vastly different EC's than 4 year applicants. To answer your question, I have over 20,000 hours working as a paramedic during my undergrad, music EC's, + volunteering, teaching, etc.
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Thanks! I'm a high school student in IB and I am hoping to apply to RCSI. I only have 300 hours of volunteering and I do a lot of simple hospital volunteering. I also have done sports for 10 years competitively and play the piano. Not sure if that is enough or diverse enough. 😛
 
ShawnT said:
Thanks! I'm a high school student in IB and I am hoping to apply to RCSI. I only have 300 hours of volunteering and I do a lot of simple hospital volunteering. I also have done sports for 10 years competitively and play the piano. Not sure if that is enough or diverse enough. 😛
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You definitely have a chance and like you said, your planning on applying next year which gives you a fair bit of time to add to that resume! Like I'm sure you've heard before, the Irish schools do a great job of looking at applications holistically. Just focus on keeping your grades up/ making them better and doing the things you love/ volunteering etc.. A high school student only has so many opportunities and can only do so much in terms of EC's so don't sweat it too much or compare yourself to students that have had the opportunity to TA, or work in magnificent research labs etc.. Maybe you can talk to your family doc about shadowing here and there in your free time? If your high school has a nurse or physio clinic, you can maybe try and volunteer there? (that's what I did in high school). For a high school student (Grade 11 from your explanation), your on the right path imo!

Good luck next year!
 
Kind of a silly question but does anyone know what the "protocol" is for beards/facial hair during an interview? I look like a 12 year old without my beard and was wondering if anyone knew if "a well kept/maintained" beard would be acceptable to interview with? Is it safer to just cut my losses and look like a kid?


I'm hoping I'm not the only one wondering this lol
 
I'm planning on keeping mine. I figure as long as it looks clean and intentional it should be fine.


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Gameface81 said:
Kind of a silly question but does anyone know what the "protocol" is for beards/facial hair during an interview? I look like a 12 year old without my beard and was wondering if anyone knew if "a well kept/maintained" beard would be acceptable to interview with? Is it safer to just cut my losses and look like a kid?


I'm hoping I'm not the only one wondering this lol
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Neatly trimmed will be fine. Nothing crazy. I think the golden rule is you don't want to be remembered for how you look. Be conservative.
 
Is it too late to apply now? I just found out about this..
 
Any updates? I applied to all of the schools, but as of yet, I've only heard from RCSI for the NY interview.


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MNski said:
Any updates? I applied to all of the school, but as of yet, I've only heard from RCSI for the NY interview.


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second that. None here. They said no other schools but the RCSI campuses have sent anything yet.
 
Just curious how you heard from RCSI? I have not received any mail or anything yet.

Thanks
 
bevan_borton said:
Just curious how you heard from RCSI? I have not received any mail or anything yet.

Thanks
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RCSI sends their invites out via email. They don't send out mail till later on in the form of an acceptance (only if you checked off the Fed-Ex box on your app) and the acceptance package afterwards.
 
How is everyone? On my way to NY this morning. I'm very excited to explore the city before Sunday!

Any updates/news?

Just curious, does anyone know if RCSI decided to interview less people this year? I've read a few times that they over-accepted last year, so I've been wondering if they've decided to be more conservative this year.

Also, does anyone have any experience with any of the schools? Or, any insight, perhaps? I've tried to read as much as I can about the different schools, but haven't found the wealth of information I'd been hoping for. I applied to all of the schools, and ultimately, I'd like to know which is the best (far too subjective, I know) and why.

Side question, Dublin seems to be an expensive city... have any of you guys looked into, or know about, the rest of Ireland?


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MNski said:
How is everyone? On my way to NY this morning. I'm very excited to explore the city before Sunday!

Any updates/news?

Just curious, does anyone know if RCSI decided to interview less people this year? I've read a few times that they over-accepted last year, so I've been wondering if they've decided to be more conservative this year.

Also, does anyone have any experience with any of the schools? Or, any insight, perhaps? I've tried to read as much as I can about the different schools, but haven't found the wealth of information I'd been hoping for. I applied to all of the schools, and ultimately, I'd like to know which is the best (far too subjective, I know) and why.

Side question, Dublin seems to be an expensive city... have any of you guys looked into, or know about, the rest of Ireland?


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Living near campus in any of the cities is going to be a bit pricey, just due to demand. But Ireland has exceptional public transportation so if you don't mind living a bit further out you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a decently priced place to live.

As far as other living expenses (groceries, entertainment, etc) I found Ireland to be quite reasonable. Electronics are kind of expensive so if you are attached to anything in particular think about shipping it with you and getting a converter rather than purchasing a new one.
Also I live in Arizona and we have a pretty decent cost of living here.
 
Good luck to everyone interviewing with RCSI tomorrow! let's crush it! :banana:
 
B_52 said:
Good luck to everyone interviewing with RCSI tomorrow! let's crush it! :banana:
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First day in Toronto is Tuesday! beyond excited and nervous. Goodluck tomorrow and to everyone else in NYC!!! 🙂 this is what we've all been working for and dreaming about..
 
How did everyone feel about their interviews in NYC yesterday?
Also did everyone have some fun in the big apple?

Well wishes to all of the people interviewing in Toronto this week!
 
drmmh said:
How did everyone feel about their interviews in NYC yesterday?
Also did everyone have some fun in the big apple?

Well wishes to all of the people interviewing in Toronto this week!
Click to expand...

I thought it went well, I was a little awkward right at the very beginning and near the end, but hopefully they will understand that I was just nervous.
 
B_52 said:
I thought it went well, I was a little awkward right at the very beginning and near the end, but hopefully they will understand that I was just nervous.
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Don't worry. I felt the same way. I feel like I was very obviously nervous.
 
Did anyone by any chance get the names of the 3 ABP staff/ RCSI reps at the Toronto interview? I assume it was the same people at the NYC interview. Just had a question for one of them.

Thank you!

Also Goodluck to everyone else interviewing today and tomorrow in T.O.. and I hope all went well with those that interviewed yesterday!

Personally, mine could have gone either way.. there were a few things my interviewer needed to clear up about my early undergrad which was a bit nerve-racking but otherwise, it was pretty much just as have been talked about for years in the past on these forums. Conversational style, but the topics were controlled by the interviewer. For those psych kids out there.. it was a classic semi structured interview for the most part.

Cheers!
 
Gameface81 said:
Did anyone by any chance get the names of the 3 ABP staff/ RCSI reps at the Toronto interview? I assume it was the same people at the NYC interview. Just had a question for one of them.

Thank you!

Also Goodluck to everyone else interviewing today and tomorrow in T.O.. and I hope all went well with those that interviewed yesterday!

Personally, mine could have gone either way.. there were a few things my interviewer needed to clear up about my early undergrad which was a bit nerve-racking but otherwise, it was pretty much just as have been talked about for years in the past on these forums. Conversational style, but the topics were controlled by the interviewer. For those psych kids out there.. it was a classic semi structured interview for the most part.

Cheers!
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I asked Robert Shadley to pass their information along to me so that i could send thank you letters. He did so right away.
 
MNski said:
Any updates? I applied to all of the schools, but as of yet, I've only heard from RCSI for the NY interview.


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So I emailed Atlantic Bridge yesterday about this and they said: " No offers have been made at this time. The first round offers are typically made in late-March, early-April"

However, I looked at last years ABP thread and it seemed like a lot of people received offers the first/second week in March.
 
drmmh said:
So I emailed Atlantic Bridge yesterday about this and they said: " No offers have been made at this time. The first round offers are typically made in late-March, early-April"

However, I looked at last years ABP thread and it seemed like a lot of people received offers the first/second week in March.
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mid march is when my RCSI interviewers said to expect a decision
 
Is it known whether the atlantic bridge programs send out emails regarding both acceptances and declines? As well can we expect most schools to send out their acceptances within March?
 
I doubt they'd send denial letters so soon... but hopefully, they do at some point. It's nice to know one way or another. Has anyone heard from the other schools? Does anyone have a school preference? If so, could you tell me why?


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Hi guys
Could you please mention which program you got into ex. 6,5,4 year program and what were your grades if you don't mind
Thanks
 
I was accepted into the 4 year graduate entry program. My GPA was 3.1 and my MCAT was 503. However, I was about 2.5 for my first two years and 3.6 for my last two. Also have immaculate letters of recommendation and extra curriculars. They are honestly what got me in... not my grades.
 
BishopsStudent92 said:
I was accepted into the 4 year graduate entry program. My GPA was 3.1 and my MCAT was 503. However, I was about 2.5 for my first two years and 3.6 for my last two. Also have immaculate letters of recommendation and extra curriculars. They are honestly what got me in... not my grades.
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Congrats! I remember you from interview day just based on your user name lol.. congratulations on your acceptance! I applied for the 5 year and hopefully those acceptences/ rejections come soon because I'm going to have some sort of cardiac event waiting.. I'm in the same boat in terms of grades but having strong ECs and letters of recommendation so that gives me alot of hope!

Cheers and Goodluck in Ireland!
 
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I was accepted into the 4 year GEM program. I had a 3.4 gap in my undergraduate, and in my Master's that I completed in Ireland I got an Irish 2.1 which is approximately a B+ average. I had a 505 MCAT.
I also had some stellar letters of recommendation, and the interviewer has worked with one of my professors from my Master's who wrote my recommendation.
I also have work experience in public health and teach college biology.
They are definitely looking for holistic candidates.
 
Accepted to the 4 year GEM program

Undergrad GPA: 2.98
Graduate GPA (Master's degree in biomed science): 3.62

Pre-2015 MCAT: 38

Extensive extracurriculars and volunteering both health and non-health with some humanitarian aid, EMT license, and ED scribe full time for close to 3 years.
Very solid letters of rec. This was also my second time applying thru AB and my interviewers came right out an mentioned to me that they like the commitment that picking yourself back up and trying again shows.
 
Not sure if people already know this but I received an email today and thought I'd share.

For anyone who interviewed at RCSI for the 4 year program but has not taken/received a score for the MCAT yet, conditional acceptance is a 501 or higher.
 
B_52 said:
Accepted to the 4 year GEM program

Undergrad GPA: 2.98
Graduate GPA (Master's degree in biomed science): 3.62

Pre-2015 MCAT: 38

Extensive extracurriculars and volunteering both health and non-health with some humanitarian aid, EMT license, and ED scribe full time for close to 3 years.
Very solid letters of rec. This was also my second time applying thru AB and my interviewers came right out an mentioned to me that they like the commitment that picking yourself back up and trying again shows.
Click to expand...

38 MCAT?!? That's super impressive along with some really strong EC's...out of curiosity..are you looking into stateside too? I'm assuming you've applied to both Ireland and the states with those stats?
 
Gameface81 said:
38 MCAT?!? That's super impressive along with some really strong EC's...out of curiosity..are you looking into stateside too? I'm assuming you've applied to both Ireland and the states with those stats?
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Yes. Applied both. So far only lucky in Ireland, however my fiance is Irish and currently studying her PhD in Ireland so I would probably turn down a stateside offer unless it was one of my top choices near a major international airport.

And thank you! I'm super proud of that score 😀
 
Any news from the other schools yet?


~Mnski~
 
MNski said:
Any news from the other schools yet?


~Mnski~
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From my experience last year, they don't send out a first round of decisions until near the end of march.
 
Congrats to everyone who got accepted recently! I just got waitlisted at RCSI 4 year GEM, interviewed last weekend in NY. Loved the people & school and hoping for the best! Undergrad GPA 3.4 and MCAT 506
 
Anyone know if there is a facebook page or something like that for accepted/matriculated students? Would love to start getting a grasp on what it's going to be like to find housing and such.
 
B_52 said:
Anyone know if there is a facebook page or something like that for accepted/matriculated students? Would love to start getting a grasp on what it's going to be like to find housing and such.
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I actually tried to look for one today and didn't find any.
 
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