Thank you for taking the time to answer our qs. I have recently applied to the 4 yr program as well and I had a couple of questions.
Hi- no problem, i'm happy to help. Although I will say I'm not well versed in all the stats, just the information that I find important for my particular case. Also, i'm just going to speak to matching in the US/USMLE because I don't know enough about the Canadian program to accurately comment on it.
1- I have a 509 MCAT score (above 80th percentile overall - low CARs -the rest of the sections all above 87%) and a 3.7 GPA with lots of ECs. Am I competitive enough ?
Based on what I know, your stats seem like they would be competitive enough. I know that RCSI may be more stringent this year because last year more people than expected accepted their offer, so they may be likely to give out less offers, at least at first. Regardless, I think your stats are solid.
2- I am Canadian and just like everyone I am worried about matching (I dun mind moving to states after at all). Based on that is RCSI the best school to attend in terms of the match rate (alum) ? Because it is considerably more expensive than the other 3 (Cork , Dublin, Limerick) and it seems like Limerick had a better 2015 match rate! I chose RCSI because I thought it was my best bet in terms of matching.
They tailor their curriculum towards the USMLE, mentioning in particular when something in particular is important to the test or when their lectures lack info that is important to the USMLE. I know in the past they've had an excellent match rate and have a number of strong relationships with US hospitals. When thinking about Limerick, just remember that it is a very new program and that it is based on PBL. They did have a great match rate last year. Other than that, I can't really comment on the other programs and their match rates. If you go to RCSI and do well, do several rotations in the states, and score well on the USMLE, I don't think you'd have any trouble matching (this obviously depends on the specialty you are after
3- How do people set up their own rotation ? What % of people are successful doing that ? and when do we have a chance to do the abroad rotation (how many weeks what year etc.) and when students come back from their rotation do they feel like the education system is way too different? Cuz I heard irish schools are all about taking history and students do not do too much procedural typa activities.
In terms of % of people successful at setting up rotations, i'm not even sure if they release that information and i'm not at that point in my education, but I do know that RCSI helps everyone to get rotations and that if you want to set up your own rotation, it's very important to be proactive and make connections early on your own terms via shadowing and research prior to the program. I did have a cousin who graduate from RCSI and is now an Attending at a well known Boston hospital in heme/onc. He did say that when he came back he felt he was very well versed at taking patient histories, which is incredibly important, but that in terms of following the patients throughout their care, he did have some catch up to play. That being said, he assured me this was not a major discrepancy and is easily picked up once training begins.
4- I have heard some negative comments about RCSI "old" facilities. is that true ? Some of the facilities aren't very new, but they are in the process of constructing some new buildings. The library is relatively small and it's kitchen area is ****. The building in Sandyford, where you'll spend most of your time first year, is nice enough, but it's also a commute (for most people), and isolated from the rest of the RCSI community. You will spend most of your day in one big room with rotating instructors. The dissection room in the main campus, where you will have anatomy, is fairly decent I think. The gym is also tiny with limited resources.
5- How is the housing environment? and how much would you say you spend a year all included (school, books etc) Everyone I know sought out their own accommodation. The housing through RCSI is more for the 5 and 6 year programs. You can avail of it, but it would mean living with 18 year olds. I spend around 700 euro on rent each month to live in a convenient area with one roommate and a decent amount of space.
6- I know Limerick gives students pdf of the books to help them save money! does RCSI help in that regard? or buying books is a MUST? No, but I was able to get almost all books I needed through other students. People are really great about sharing PDFS and I have a surplus of PDF texts, most I don't even use. I wouldn't worry about that. Also, the library has all the texts and they are really accessible. I wouldn't worry about this.
7- Considering the increase in # of IMGs would you recommend going abroad based on what youve heard in the school ? I mean obviously I am biased, because I did..... But from what I know from the later years and people I know who have personally gone through the program, matching is very do-able, provided you plan on putting the time in to do well, secure rotations in the states, and try to make connections, study your ass off and do well on the USMLE. If you have your heart set on a specialty that is difficult to match in (which is probably sort of premature anyways), than I would be wary of studying abroad because it will only be that much more difficult.
If you have any other Q's i'm happy to answer. I have an Irish friend who is in their final year at UL and has 7 interviews in the states, which is wonderful. It seems like you are thinking a lot about their program, and I wouldn't want to deter you at all from that. I just am not the right person to give that info.
