Chances for 5y Trinity Program

[pittfan15]

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Hi Guys,

I am really interested in Trinity's 5 year program (I really would like the 4 year program, but I really don't like my MCAT scores are good enough)

Anyway, I am an American citizen and a student at a top 10 US school.

GPA: Overall- 3.68 Science- 3.5

Extracurriculars: I have around 5 scientific publications and have done a lot of research (both clinical and public health). I have a lot of volunteering and am currently president of our campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity...among other things (honor societies, etc).

My MCAT is the thing that is bringing down my application- V-8 P-9 B-8 , Total: 25


So do you all think I would have a chance of getting in the 5 year program? What about the 4 year program? I've looked at past threads, but most of them are pretty dated and my question and stats are relatively specific.


I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks so much!

 

[Handsome88]

Hi Guys,

I am really interested in Trinity's 5 year program (I really would like the 4 year program, but I really don't like my MCAT scores are good enough)

Anyway, I am an American citizen and a student at a top 10 US school.

GPA: Overall- 3.68 Science- 3.5

Extracurriculars: I have around 5 scientific publications and have done a lot of research (both clinical and public health). I have a lot of volunteering and am currently president of our campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity...among other things (honor societies, etc).

My MCAT is the thing that is bringing down my application- V-8 P-9 B-8 , Total: 25


So do you all think I would have a chance of getting in the 5 year program? What about the 4 year program? I've looked at past threads, but most of them are pretty dated and my question and stats are relatively specific.


I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks so much!

You have decent chance, I wouldn't say it is very good. Irish universities are getting harder to get into. I had stats close to yours but higher MCAT and was rejected from 4 year programs. I'm now in Trinity 5yr program. So its worth applying.

 

[schroon]

'88,

Congratulations on your acceptance to Trinity.

1. If you don't mind say- what was your GPA and MCAT score that had you rejected from the 4 year Trinity program but accepted in the 5 year program?

2. What guidelines do believe Trinity and the other Irish med schools look for for granting admission to their 4 and 5 year programs? GPA, MCAT score, etc.

3. When do the admission decisions for the Irish med schools come out? Do many students get invited for interviews?

4. Are you satisfied with you decision to attend medical school in Ireland?

5. Do you sense that a North American with decidedly Irish surname may be at a disadvantage or have any advantage in the admissions process? [Surprisingly I was told third hand that Irish surnames may actually be a disadvantage.]

Thanks.

 

[Handsome88]

'88,

Congratulations on your acceptance to Trinity.

1. If you don't mind say- what was your GPA and MCAT score that had you rejected from the 4 year Trinity program but accepted in the 5 year program?

2. What guidelines do believe Trinity and the other Irish med schools look for for granting admission to their 4 and 5 year programs? GPA, MCAT score, etc.

3. When do the admission decisions for the Irish med schools come out? Do many students get invited for interviews?

4. Are you satisfied with you decision to attend medical school in Ireland?

5. Do you sense that a North American with decidedly Irish surname may be at a disadvantage or have any advantage in the admissions process? [Surprisingly I was told third hand that Irish surnames may actually be a disadvantage.]

Thanks.

1. Keep in mind Trinity does not have a 4 year program. My stats were 3.6+ with a strong upward trend (3.96 in the last two years).

2. From the stats of other students in my year, the average is ~3.7. Trinity requires a higher GPA than other Irish schools as they do not harp on the MCAT as much. A lot of the students have 29+ on the MCAT here though and still did not make it to the 4 year programs! I don't know a lot about the 4-year programs but they may have a lower GPA average but you need a high MCAT (30's). Trinity looks for a well rounded student, we have people who have already worked in clinical settings and have extensive research. Some with masters degrees.

3. I received my admissions in mid May if I remember correctly. I was waitlisted for other schools but rejected soon after I accepted TCD (I don't know if its a causation).

4. So far, yes, Ireland's curriculum is close to that of North America for the first two years. But I'm not sure about the clinical years yet. And life here is easy-going (sometimes too easy-going). You will get the same if not better education than a lot of the North American universities (TCD is ranked higher than most Canadian universities!) so I don't think there will be any stigma attached to you as an IMG.

5. I do not think it will matter at all.

 

[Handsome88]

'88

Thank you for providing insight here in the Ireland & UK section. I have a few questions regarding Trinity, here goes:

1. How many N. Americans (e.g. # of Canadians and US citizens) do you gather are studying at Trinity per class year?

2. Can you comment on whether students interact well towards one other or if there's an overly competitive environment (e.g. cut-throat, immature pre-med-type behavior)?

3. What is your daily class schedule like, so far?

4. I'm writing my MCAT in April, do you believe this may cause a delay in them making a decision beyond their typical March/April notification period?

5. How much does a pint of Guinness cost at the nearby pubs? (okay, not Trinity related but it's essential to know!)

Thank you!

1. About 25 North American students, with ~20 Canadians and ~5 US. The total class size is around 160.
2. The Canadian students are all in the same boat so they actually help each other, at least in the first 3 years (not sure about the final years). They are always in the top of the class and have study groups together every once in a while.
3. The work load is not as bad as it is in the US or Canada, but you will still be very busy. I actually have more free time than I did in undergrad (but I went to UofT). Classes in first two years will be from 9am-5pm, with a day or two where you finish earlier (at 3pm). If you did physiology (with lab) or biochem (with lab) in your undergrad then you can apply for an exception from these courses in first year and your schedule will be even easier. But you may not be eligible to sit the schols exam (an awesome scholarship opportunity which reduces your fees to that of a European student) if you do so...inquire about that first.
4. It will not cause a delay for Trinity, but may affect your chances for RCSI as interviewes will have been out by then. UCD does not hold interviews so you will be eligible for the second round of acceptances.
5. About 5 Euros Lol.

 

[IamSuperDoctor]

5 euros? that seems reasonable. how much does a 24 of guiness at the liquor store cost?

 

[caveman721]

Hello, everyone congrats on getting in. I am applying fall 2011 to Galway, and Trinity (the two schools that don't harp on the mcat). If you dont mind me asking what was everyones GPA and clinical history. I finished up with a BA in bio, my under grad GPA was 3.678 as well as my master GPA this fall was 3.85, I work in one ER and as an paid EMT and a volunteer EMT for five years. The only thing I don't have is research background. My application has been submitted on 8/23/2010 hoping that would help. Any insight would greatly help.

 

[caveman721]

Hey thanks for the reply and the kind words. Even with my stats I messed up on the mcat I got and 18 9BS 6PS 3VR and M or N dont really remember. I am studying again. When I applied I didnt bother sending it, my one other worry is my essay, it was a page long not sure if I should have done two pages. It was direct and not to sappy so I'm banking on the "short and sweet" approach.

 

[IamSuperDoctor]

18 MCAT? Why didnt you void? I would have voided if I expected anything less than a 30...

 

[caveman721]

i really didn't think I messed up that bad, but good news with that my friend got the same score, crazy right. took it a month later got a 26 and was waitlisted at drexel and got in off that list. true story pretty crazy

 

[caveman721]

Hi Guys,

I am really interested in Trinity's 5 year program (I really would like the 4 year program, but I really don't like my MCAT scores are good enough)

Anyway, I am an American citizen and a student at a top 10 US school.

GPA: Overall- 3.68 Science- 3.5

Extracurriculars: I have around 5 scientific publications and have done a lot of research (both clinical and public health). I have a lot of volunteering and am currently president of our campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity...among other things (honor societies, etc).

My MCAT is the thing that is bringing down my application- V-8 P-9 B-8 , Total: 25


So do you all think I would have a chance of getting in the 5 year program? What about the 4 year program? I've looked at past threads, but most of them are pretty dated and my question and stats are relatively specific.


I would appreciate any feedback! Thanks so much!

That's a really nice background. Did you send in your MCAT scores in as well? I wasn't sure if I should have sent my mine so I held off