Congrats, berkelyboy/girl
Mr. Z, that's decent enough
. Just like in the US, you'd be competing with people who got slightly higher or lower scores, so yours sits in the middle. Also, some people haven't even taken the MCAT, so no worries. They don't really look at scores so much, as wanting applicants with a diverse array of experiences.
Don't let connections with schools be too much of an influence, because while there may not be formal connections, the name of UCD and Trinity and probably UCC too will get you a decent residency spot if you have the scores and cv. RCSI might provide a connection, but tons of North Americans from UCD and TCD arrange their own electives, no problem. I'm not sure what connections UCD has, but I think Trinity has one with Columbia. But I know UCD grads have gone on to places in Boston, so I'm sure getting a Boston elective isn't a problem either.
I think the statistic is general to AB, keeping in mind that not all students choose to go through the match. Some are Canadians who do Canadian boards or choose to remain in Ireland and do their internship here. Also, some land programs outside the Match, although this option may be cut down in the future. So that would decrease the pool of students from which AB takes that statistic.
Cons of RCSI: the cost is a major one. It's nearly $10,000 more expensive than the other schools. Also, it's primarily a med school, meaning every other student there is in health sciences with the same background and aspirations as you, versus a "normal" university. There's very few Irish people, the schools is mainly comprised of internationals (good or bad depending on your viewpoint). The school is rather small, meaning you see the same people 24/7.
Pros of RCSI: Great facilities, progressive teaching modules. Their use of technology is good (i.e. ethernet connection in residence halls for downloading webnotes, powerpoint lectures, etc. The only problem is that it's blocked by firewall). Very close to convenience things like a grocery store (there's a shopping center across from the residence halls).
it all depends what you're looking for. No Irish school really offers any more than another, or better teaching, etc - it's all pretty standard, and they're all looking to change curriculum as appropriate with advancement in medicine. The difference is in atmosphere and location.
yeah - the deposit thing is Definitely an annoyance, but it's their way of trying to grab you, I guess. It's always a problem for people who've been accepted to more than one school, especially if you're trying to time American acceptances with Irish or Aussie acceptances. What I did was kinda stupid - I put down the $3,000 deposit for Trinity by the deadline, still not sure if I was going to go there. So if I'd decided not to go there, I would have wasted $3,000. Fortunately for me, I ended up there
. But pretty much when it comes down to it, you're going to have to make a quick choice. If you're accepted to one before the other, I'd call AB because usually they might have advanced knowledge about these things. But usually you're meant to make a first choice, and if you don't get that first choice, then they notify your of acceptances to other schools. I don't know though, hopefully you'll receive notice all around the same time.
