Older applicant needs reassurance...

[bartonaw]

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Hello all.

I have been lurking for some time, and would like to ask a few specific questions.

First, I am an older applicant...I took a detour in my career towards basic research, but I am determined now to get back on my correct path and train to be a physician.

I have applied to Irish schools due to my lower GPA in undergrad (same old story...didnt apply myself to basic courses or ones I erringly thought were of no use to me in med school, however did well in advanced coursework and graduate degree).

I would like to hear from some on what they feel my chances are of being made an offer. I have applied to all schools in Ireland. Critical info below:

Undergrad: All 2.84, science 2.94 (Saint Louis University)
Graduate: M.Sc. Cell Biology 3.61 (Saint Louis University)
8yrs academic and pharma research positions
MCATs 2003 9,12,14,S 2005 12,9,14,P (PS,VR,BS,essay)

I am applying to a number of schools in US, but I am affraid my undergrad GPA will prevent me from obtaining an interview.

I have read the pro's/cons of Ireland vs US vs Carib...and based upon my personality and having visited Ireland---I would best fit in Ireland (even if accepted to lower tier of US schools). Plus I have future plans to want to practice internationally and the EU portability of the Irish degree seems beneficial.

Any comments would be appreciated...I do not want to start a debate as to the relative benefits/drawbacks of each choice. I feel they are adequately addressed in other forums.

I would like to hear from Irish medical students/graduates...this is going to be a LONG 4-5 months. If you would rather communicate by pm...please feel free to send me a note.

Thank you.

 

[Sage880]

Your MCAT is very good so you should get into UCC I'd imagine. As for being older, we have a couple 40+ year olds in the different years so they don't seem to discriminate on age one bit.

 

[med2UCC]

Your MCAT is very good so you should get into UCC I'd imagine. As for being older, we have a couple 40+ year olds in the different years so they don't seem to discriminate on age one bit.

I'm 42 and was 38 when I started at UCC, so I wouldn't worry about the age thing. I was sooo happy when I found out that one guy in my class was 43-it made me feel so much younger.
You're MCAT is fairly strong, and you seem to have a good GPA on your MSc, so you should have a good chance of getting in (keeping in mind that all med school applications are a bit of a crap shoot). UCC seems to like non-traditional applicants, so give it a shot. Cork is a lovely little city and the university and city are generally very welcoming to international students. I am in 5th year and am enjoying med school here very much.
Good luck,
M

 

[bartonaw]

Thank you both for the replies...I probably should have mentioned that I am 39 yrs old. I loved Cork when I was there.

I was in Ireland for a week in Oct. to visit all the medical schools (UCC, UCD, Trinity, RCSI). I just wanted to have a personal knowledge of the country and to see first hand what the campuses were like.

I was very impressed with UCC, but it comes down to this...I am ready to move on from academic research to the bedside, and if I am accepted anywhere I will go.

Thanks again for the responses

Regards

Aaron

 

[stiz]

I'll be applying to Atlantic Bridge and I'm 39! 😱

Go watch "Old School" you'll feel better.

Who's going streaking through the quad....??!!

 

[Unch]

I'm another...ThirdMed at UCC and I'm 42. My Irish classmates are having their 21st birthdays and I'm having my private "Two-Fer". I have zero regrets so far and find that I'm treated quite differently (subtly, not overtly) by the lecturers and clinicians. Maybe it's because I'm of similar age or older than some/most and because I have kids. It's actually pretty nice to stand out in such a way. I tend to get remembered as I go along.