Student Life @ RCSI

[glider]

Hey all!

I just accepted a place at RCSI and was wondering if anyone could provide me with general info regarding student life at RCSI , how classes are conducted , exam modes,..etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated - Thankyou!

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[medgirl20]

what year are you going to be in pre-med or 1st med. They're semesterinsing everything next year so we won't know the exact details until the end of May/beginning of June.

Feel free to pm me.

 

[Fatal_Oblivion]

So what difference would there be in the old and the new system??

 

[glider]

what year are you going to be in pre-med or 1st med. They're semesterinsing everything next year so we won't know the exact details until the end of May/beginning of June.

Feel free to pm me.

Thanks Med Girl! I'm going into premed . Can you tell me what it's like? the various clubs? are exams moderate or difficult? do you like it there?

Sorry if I'm torturing you with q's ..I've never been to Ireland and am a bit nervous and excited so any info at all will help a great deal!

 

[medgirl20]

Thanks Med Girl! I'm going into premed . Can you tell me what it's like? the various clubs? are exams moderate or difficult? do you like it there?

Sorry if I'm torturing you with q's ..I've never been to Ireland and am a bit nervous and excited so any info at all will help a great deal!

When I was in pre-med it was a nice year not very much work just three main subjects bio, chem and physics.

We mainly had lectures in the mornings and then afternoons free which was cool cos we had free time to study and still do loads of extra curriculars.

It's definately a settling into college year sign up for clubs and socs is on during freshers week I think it's generally the Tuesday sign up for everything you think you might be vaguely interested in. Sign up is free unlike some colleges so it really doesn't matter if you never go to the thing afterwards.

The socs are

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Biological Society
Christian Union
Dance Society
Debating Society
Dramatic Society
Film Society
Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Society (LGB)
Gourmet Society
Irish Society
Irish Medical Students Association
Islamic Society
Musical Society
One World Project
Photography Society
Penang Medical College Student Association (PMCSA)
Publishing Society
Social Work Society
UNICEF (RCSI branch)
All Students Against Poverty
Bahraini Society
Hamilton Society (Mathematics Society)
Red Cross (RCSI Branch)
Pharmacy Society

clubs
GAA
rugby
hockey
sailing
basketball
swimming
ulimate frisbee
badminton
squash
tennis
tae quan do

I can't remember any more.
Definately participate in some of them it's a great way to meet people you wouldn't meet normally and also to get to know people in the years ahead great for advice etc.

I like RCSI despite all the negative comment on this board.

Exams are relatively difficult the max mark is 75 which really annoys some people who were used to 90's in school/undergrad etc.

 

[glider]

Thanks again medgirl ! By the way, what year are you in?

 

[dontbsme]

I like RCSI despite all the negative comment on this board.

The vast majority of students do, medgrl. Wouldn't you agree? Unfortunately, there is always a small number of people who are perpetually miserable and ruin the whole experience for everyone.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[medgirl20]

The vast majority of students do, medgrl. Wouldn't you agree? Unfortunately, there are always a small number of people who are perpetually miserable and ruin the whole experience for everyone.

Respectfully, etc.

Definately I'm in 3rd year

 

[fifi]

thanks medgirl, you have been very helpful in this discussion board.

I accepted an offer for RCSI earlier and am excited about coming!
I want to know what you mean when you say that the max. mark for exams is 75.
what is the exam/grading system like at RCSI?

 

[r3boot]

grades are as follows

all marking schemes are pegged so that the highest mark you can get is 75% and the lowest is 35% (at least until the clinical years)
there are no curves/ ratio-ed marking schemes.

60% and above is a second class honours
70% and above is a first class honours.
50% is a pass.
45-50% gets you a pass/fail oral

the top scores in the class get orals for medals in each subject

if you get above 45 but below 50 in one subject and have passed the rest then you will pass that subject by compensation.

hope you enjoy the place !

 

[glider]

thanks medgirl, you have been very helpful in this discussion board.

I accepted an offer for RCSI earlier and am excited about coming!
I want to know what you mean when you say that the max. mark for exams is 75.
what is the exam/grading system like at RCSI?

Hey Fifi,

Are you going straight into first year med or are you doing premed?

 

[medgirl20]

If you do a written exam each answer will be given one of three grades

35 Fail
55 Just a pass
75 Excellent ans

They then add up all the grades you get for each q and divide it by the no of questions on the paper. You need 50% to pass.
For MCQ's obviously you can technically get 100% but it's very rare although it did happen the year they accidently gave us the past years MCQ so we 'd all seeen it before and some people ended up with 100%.

Not everyone agrees with the marking scheme but it is thought that it's fair because all examiners will agree whether an answer deserves 35/55/75 but they wouldn't agree if they could just give any mark.

 

[fifi]

I may be thinking a little ahead, but how does this kind of grading system affect residency later on? Would RCSI grads be at a "disadvantage" because even though you have scored a top mark according to the school's marking scheme, your actual mark looks low. (I am thinking about residency matching in the US.)

FYI: I am entering first-year.

 

[r3boot]

they write in your grades not numbers (e.g. pass, 1st honors, 2.1 honors, 2.2 honours, pass (resit))

 

[13538]

Just to clear this up...the marking scheme is as follows for medicine:

70%+ First Class Honours (AKA I Hons)
60-69% 2nd Class Honours (AKA II Hons)
50-59% Pass
<50% Fail

Upper division and lower division 2nd Class Honours (ie- 2.1 and 2.2 respectively) are only used in other university courses but not in medicine. Also, 50% is required to pass in medicine whereas 40% is required in other university courses.

For residency, your grades in medical school don't matter one bit (once you pass everything!). Great USMLE scores are they key 🙂

 

[Wandaa]

Hi guys. I too much prefer this thread to the other "bitter" RCSI threads. I'm really excited about starting at RCSI in the fall! I've decided to live at Mercer Court and was hoping that someone could give some insight into life there. Thanks!
Wandaa.

 

[dontbsme]

thanks medgirl, you have been very helpful in this discussion board.

Agreed! So too has been R3boot. Their responsible and intelligent input is what SDN members are looking for.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Sage880]

Agreed! So too has been R3boot. Their responsible and intelligent input is what SDN members are looking for.

On the subject of RCSI, you praise anyone who speaks highly of it as having, "responsible and intelligent input".

You ignore anyone's intelligent but negative comments on RCSI and then bash anyone who makes any unintelligent and negative comments. May I ask what your relationship to the school is? From reading what you've wrote and seeing what you've been responding too it seems to me you have a vested interest in the school.

Again, I'll make my point: When 4/5 Irish med schools charge 66% of the tuition of RCSI and teach the same ciriculum it's bad enough. But the fact that RCSI stresses how they are affiliated with all these amazing American universities is sleezy. No higher percentage of grads from RCSI obtain higher quality American residencies or do better American rotations. RCSI never promised they would, but they make vague statements alluding to that fact because they know how to prey on scared pre-meds who are worried about their future. The fact that they use this tatic to charge 50% more then any other school is disgusting in my opinion. It's a fine school and the complaints people make about it you'll find at any Irish med school. But you'll also save a fair amount of money in the process.

 

[dontbsme]

On the subject of RCSI, you praise anyone who speaks highly of it as having, "responsible and intelligent input".

You ignore anyone's intelligent but negative comments on RCSI and then bash anyone who makes any unintelligent and negative comments.

Intelligent but negative comments are more than acceptable as they lead to intelligent discourse. Therefore I am happy to leave those to other posters to dicuss on most occasions. However, I most certainly do "correct" anyone who makes unintelligent and negative comments.

May I ask what your relationship to the school is?

Certainly. I am a very proud graduate and, on occasion, a guest lecturer.

From reading what you've wrote and seeing what you've been responding too it seems to me you have a vested interest in the school.

As a graduate, I most certainly do. And, if you are attending RCSI, you should also. (Addendum: I see from your previous posts that you are attending NUI, Cork. You will receive an excellent education there. For the benefit of all the suspicious/paranoid types here, I have no personal affiliation with NUI, Cork.)

Again,

Again?

I'll make my point: When 4/5 Irish med schools charge 66% of the tuition of RCSI and teach the same ciriculum it's bad enough. But the fact that RCSI stresses how they are affiliated with all these amazing American universities is sleezy. No higher percentage of grads from RCSI obtain higher quality American residencies or do better American rotations. RCSI never promised they would, but they make vague statements alluding to that fact because they know how to prey on scared pre-meds who are worried about their future. The fact that they use this tatic to charge 50% more then any other school is disgusting in my opinion. It's a fine school and the complaints people make about it you'll find at any Irish med school. But you'll also save a fair amount of money in the process.

Please refer to my previous posts regarding this old and now very boring topic and to this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jammer
RCSI charges more tuition than other Irish medical schools because it is a private school and receives little to no public funding, unlike TCD, UCD, UCC and UCG. 70-80% of the overall running expenses at RCSI are covered by student's tuition fees.

Your comment about the college "preying on scared, pre-meds" is reminiscent of those of the other posters here who continuously cry, whine and complain about their sad lot in life. Such plaintive wails! This is the psychology of victimization which is so prevalent in the USA. Ah yes, all those poor, weak, scared, ignorant, pre-meds who did not realize what they were getting into. God bless them. The poor things. What a sad hand they have been dealt in life. RCSI blindly lead them up a path they were ill-prepared for. They didn't know what they were getting into. Utter nonsense! You can rest assured that RCSI has no interest in preying on the weak of this world. How ridiculous is this type of paranoia, in which sinister ulterior motives are attributed to benevolent persons or organizations?

Furthermore, may I ask why a student would choose to attend RCSI, knowing that it is (necessarily) costly when there are hundreds of other medical schools s/he might have attended at less cost? Would you not agree that accepting a place at a costly medical school and then complaining about the cost an extremely stupid reaction?

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Sage880]

Please refer to my previous posts regarding this old and now very boring topic. Your comment about the college "preying on scared, pre-meds" is reminiscent of those of the other posters here who continuously cry, whine and complain about their sad lot in life. Ah yes, all those poor, weak, scared, ignorant, pre-meds who did not realize what they were getting into! You can rest assured that the college has no interest in preying on the weak of this world. How absurd! Interestingly, such paranoia, in which sinister ulterior motives are attributed to benevloent persons or organizations is primarily seen in Americans. It is indicative of the type of fear-driven society in which they are raised.

Respectfully, etc.

Listen, I'm not a troll and don't appreciate your condescending tone. I think it’s an absurd argument at all by the way. I think it’s interesting that you just attacked me for some reason instead of just presenting your side of the argument.

I'm not interested in attacking you or RCSI either. I attend another Irish college and think RCSI is equal to every other school in Ireland. I have friends who attend the school and I think I'm making a valid point and if all you want to do is criticize my spelling or grammar then go ahead, but it really does take away from our discussion.

In addition, I find your comments about Americans very stereotypical and slightly racist. I’m not an American myself so I will leave it to someone else to speak of their country and let you know what they think about your blanket comments.

Ok, I said nothing about you or about your school in general. I considered attending RCSI and came to those conclusions by myself. If I am wrong, I will be the first to admit it. Please respond to the fact that RCSI is 50% more expensive with no extra added value. If you have any comments on what a student will get for 50% extra every year I’d be happy to listen to it.

 

[dontbsme]

Listen, I'm not a troll and don't appreciate your condescending tone. I think it’s an absurd argument at all by the way. I think it’s interesting that you just attacked me for some reason instead of just presenting your side of the argument.

I'm not interested in attacking you or RCSI either. I attend another Irish college and think RCSI is equal to every other school in Ireland. I have friends who attend the school and I think I'm making a valid point and if all you want to do is criticize my spelling or grammar then go ahead, but it really does take away from our discussion.

In addition, I find your comments about Americans very stereotypical and slightly racist. I’m not an American myself so I will leave it to someone else to speak of their country and let you know what they think about your blanket comments.

Ok, I said nothing about you or about your school in general. I considered attending RCSI and came to those conclusions by myself. If I am wrong, I will be the first to admit it. Please respond to the fact that RCSI is 50% more expensive with no extra added value. If you have any comments on what a student will get for 50% extra every year I’d be happy to listen to it.

Please refer to my ammended posting in which your question has been answered and reanswered by Jammer. Thank you.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Sage880]

You changed your post since I hit reply but I think it mostly stays the same.

As for the "Again" comment, I've posted this comment on threads you've chosen to respond to and you've ignored my comment and replied to some idiot with no real point to make. I'm not interested in listening to people who just want to trash a school either.

As for my stance on the 50% more fees for RCSI, I really believe you don't get any more for your money. My opinion is that they scare people into paying it. I'm just speaking from experience here. When you're coming to Ireland and considering going back to your own country or America you are especially prone to believing anything that will seem to make that easier. After doing some research, I concluded that, to the best of my ability, I was unable to find any information to back that up. Looking at the ciriculum, I decided that the education was the same between the universities and they all provided equal opportunities no matter where you wanted to go after school.

If you could simply explain to me why a student should pay 50% more money to go to RCSI then to go across town to Trinity then I will be happy and stop trying to warn pre-meds to save their money and pick another Irish school.

 

[Sage880]

Please refer to my ammended posting in which your question has been answered and reanswered by Jammer. Thank you.

Respectfully, etc.

RCSI charges more tuition than other Irish medical schools because it is a private school and receives little to no public funding, unlike TCD, UCD, UCC and UCG. 70-80% of the overall running expenses at RCSI are covered by student's tuition fees.

Great! I think we can see eye to eye on this now.

RCSI is a good school. As good as any other in Ireland. Since they are private, you will be expected to pay 50% more tuition. If you can get accepted to another Irish school, you should go there.

Ignore the posts bitching about small details of RCSI or any other school's life. It's the same all over Ireland and pretty much the same in North America. The grass just always seems greener on the other side of the fence.

 

[dontbsme]

Great! I think we can see eye to eye on this now.

RCSI is a good school. As good as any other in Ireland. Since they are private, you will be expected to pay 50% more tuition. If you can get accepted to another Irish school, you should go there.

Ignore the posts bitching about small details of RCSI or any other school's life. It's the same all over Ireland and pretty much the same in North America. The grass just always seems greener on the other side of the fence.

Thank you very much for returning this thread to what it was designed for. I wish you the very best with your studies at NUI, Cork.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[Jammer]

As for the "Again" comment, I've posted this comment on threads you've chosen to respond to and you've ignored my comment and replied to some idiot with no real point to make. I'm not interested in listening to people who just want to trash a school either.

You have no experience as a student at RCSI and, therefore, you have no right to judge or insult a past/present RCSI student for expressing his/her opinion about RCSI.

 

[dontbsme]

You have no experience as a student at RCSI and, therefore, you have no right to judge or insult a past/present RCSI student for expressing his/her opinion about RCSI.

I most certainly do. Please refer to my previous posts. Thank you.

Respectfully, etc.

 

[csname]

well, i'm a rcsi student myself and i have to say i loved every day of college there. its great life. people are nice, your class fellows are friendly, plus education is fun. i know money is a big matter and a lot of us students were often frustrated as to why wouldn't the school disclose how it handles all the finances.

i just have one question. i know this year for canadians, the school gave out a notice saying that Royal Bank gives out 150K of student line of credit to canadians studying at RCSI without any co-signer. is there any other bank in canada that does the same. I've contacted CIBC, and they say that their 125K line of credit is only for canadian medical schools. TD bank says that they require a co-signer with "healthy financial relationship" with their bank to make a medical student eligibe for 60K of line of credit.

So basically what i'm getting at is whether there is any other option for financial help besides Royal Bank, and Bank of America (CanHELP), which puts crazy interest on you. I took CanHELP last year, but am not too keen to take it again. Do i have any other options beside Royal Bank. I hope there are other options coz i don't wanna be dropping out of med school in my final year because of lack of finances. Help anyone!!!

 

[Sage880]

well, i'm a rcsi student myself and i have to say i loved every day of college there. its great life. people are nice, your class fellows are friendly, plus education is fun. i know money is a big matter and a lot of us students were often frustrated as to why wouldn't the school disclose how it handles all the finances.

i just have one question. i know this year for canadians, the school gave out a notice saying that Royal Bank gives out 150K of student line of credit to canadians studying at RCSI without any co-signer. is there any other bank in canada that does the same. I've contacted CIBC, and they say that their 125K line of credit is only for canadian medical schools. TD bank says that they require a co-signer with "healthy financial relationship" with their bank to make a medical student eligibe for 60K of line of credit.

So basically what i'm getting at is whether there is any other option for financial help besides Royal Bank, and Bank of America (CanHELP), which puts crazy interest on you. I took CanHELP last year, but am not too keen to take it again. Do i have any other options beside Royal Bank. I hope there are other options coz i don't wanna be dropping out of med school in my final year because of lack of finances. Help anyone!!!

You can use the Royal bank line of credit at any Irish med school. I'm going to sit down and look at that and see if it's better then CanHELP - which is pretty steep. OSAP helps a little. Interest free even though it's not a huge amount. Too bad those punks won't give us more!

 

[leorl]

I'm not sure if this is correct, but my understanding is that part of RCSI's hefty fees are due to the fact that it is a private college, not public like every other Irish university. Therefore, it receives no funding from the government? I think 75% of medical education in this country is paid by foreign student fees, and if RCSI has no allocation from the government, then they'd need to hike up fees for their own management/sustainability/profit. In that budget, they may make allowances for what students would consider extravagant, in the hopes of attracting people to their university?

It still doesn't answer the question for some of us why people would willingly choose to pay so much extra for RCSI since to us, it may not seem like value for money. But others think it's worth it, and if they're willing to go there, let them spend it - they'll get a fine education same as anywhere else.