Leaving Certificate

[TristanB]

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What is a Leaving certificate? I have also noticed some places saying requirements include a third language?

What really are the requirements, they seem so different from what I know of in Canada. Any help deciphering the admissions criteria is well appreciated!

 

[ocularphd]

I assume you've been looking at the Irish Medical School application requirements. 😉

Leaving Certificate is the Irish Secondary School National Qualification, similar to the UK A Level system.

Typically, students do anything from 9-10 subjects and sit these national exams and are required in order to apply for any university spot in the country.

With regards to the 3rd language requirement, irish students do

1) English
2) Irish

So, any addition language eg. french/german/spanish etc will be considered as the 3rd....

Hope this helps!

 

[TristanB]

hmmm so coming from Canada this is irrelevant to me?
Also does this mean i have to know a 3rd language and its actually a requirement?

I really did not know Irish was its own language, that is quite neat.

 

[ocularphd]

If you contact the universities directly, they may be able to give you specific criteria for you before applying.

As for the 3rd language, I would presume that if you speak eg.french as a second language, then you should meet the requirements

 

[TristanB]

wow ok well so much for that school, I did not think you would need to be trilingual to be a doctor...I'm really hoping there are some schools out there that just want you to have a honors degree, MCAT scores or UKCAT and LOR's the normal stuff.

 

[med2UCC]

hmmm so coming from Canada this is irrelevant to me?
Also does this mean i have to know a 3rd language and its actually a requirement?

I really did not know Irish was its own language, that is quite neat.

If you are in university already in North America you don't need to worry about the leaving cert thing. People applying from North America to Irish schools who are in university already need to have good MCAT scores for all schools (except one of the Dublin ones, can't remember which one) and decent marks at Uni. You don't need to be trilingual; I am not, and I am a final med at UCC. Cheers,
M

 

[TristanB]

Ok thats awesome news...I thought trilingual was a bit much.
If you don't mind me asking how was your application process to UCC

 

[med2UCC]

Ok thats awesome news...I thought trilingual was a bit much.
If you don't mind me asking how was your application process to UCC

I applied through the Atlantic Bridge program (google it to get the website) so I just filled out the forms and wrote the personal statements as recommended. I applied to Trinity, UCD and UCC and got into UCC only. I had a 3.6ish GPA, and a 28 R (11 VR, 9BS, 8PS) on the MCAT. I had a BA in medieval studies and most of a BSc done in biology and psychology. I found out I got accepted at the end of April, but some years you find out earlier, and some years (like last year) much later, and it also depends on when you apply (later application equals later acceptance). Did this answer your question? Cheers,
M

 

[TristanB]

Awesome...I have looked at the Atlantic Bridge Program for applications. I was skeptical at first, and I did not want them to just take my money and I never hear back from the colleges. But this is good news.

Do you think I should apply to the schools after my 3rd year and do the whole process during my 4th year? or wait and do the process after I graduate and I am working.

 

[med2UCC]

Awesome...I have looked at the Atlantic Bridge Program for applications. I was skeptical at first, and I did not want them to just take my money and I never hear back from the colleges. But this is good news.

Do you think I should apply to the schools after my 3rd year and do the whole process during my 4th year? or wait and do the process after I graduate and I am working.

I have to say that during that year I did wonder if the Atlantic Bridge program was a scam, but they really do what they say they do. In addition they will help you figure out your finances and answer other questions you might have about the various programs and living in Ireland.
As to your question, I think that is really a personal choice. Myself, I would apply as soon as possible; there is no guarantee that you will get in on the first try, and personally I was keen to get on with the rest of my life. If you are sure you want to do medicine, why delay? If you have student loans already, unless you get an exceptional entry level job you won't make much of a dent in them your first year working and it will just make you one year older when you start medicine. If you have doubts about medicine, hold off and work for a year, or apply domestically first (because you have the option of deferring acceptance for a year, an option that does not exist if you get accepted to any of the Irish schools).
You can also apply to the Irish schools directly without going through AB. Galway doesn't handle their applications through AB at all, and it is worth looking at them as an option; the program seems very good, and Galway is a nice place to live and cheaper than either Cork or Dublin for living expenses. I don't think applying either way gives you an advantage, but applying through AB does give you someone to answer questions and help with the application process. Good luck,
M

 

[TristanB]

Well my entry level job would be as a nurse, sooo 60K isnt out of the question I have heard. But I think I will apply in my 4th year and then go from there.

Thanks for helping me out. I will certainly come to you with more questions as my 4th year approaches.