US Atlantic Bridge Program 2014

[Steele]

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Do you guys find it annoying that we are still waiting for those final decision letters, knowing that we have like 80% chance of getting rejected. (At least I do).
IT'S JULY

Nothing we can really do about it. I would still happily accept an offer from Trinity.

 

[OakPond]

Still waiting on 4/5 schools. Only rejected from NUIG so far, got that I think the 25th as well. Was dated the 10th.

 

[Medstart108]

I took summer classes which have improved my overall GPA and sent my new transcripts to atlantic, do you think the schools take those into consideration this late into the admission process?

Worth a shot I guess. You don't have anything to lose.

 

[mizD]

anyone hear from TCD yet? apparently my app is still under consideration...........

 

[Artificial_Ignorance]

anyone hear from TCD yet? apparently my app is still under consideration...........

Mine is also still open for consideration... hopefully we'll get news sometime this week.

 

[Pocahontas1995]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this. I just got accepted to RSCI-MUB for the 5 year program. If anyone is looking for a roommate or knows anyone who is still looking for one please message me. As well, I applied to TCD, UCD and UCC and I am still waiting to hear from them. How do you know your application is still open for consideration, did you contact AB?

 

[sanmant]

I am applying for the 2015 cycle.
My current GPA is 2.98, however I still have 2 more semesters worth of grades.
I am taking the MCAT in 2 weeks, so I will have that to report as well.
Lots of volunteer work + work experience in both the medical setting and community outreach.

Any thoughts on my application competitiveness - which schools do you think I should apply to? All?

Thanks!

 

[Medstart108]

I am applying for the 2015 cycle.
My current GPA is 2.98, however I still have 2 more semesters worth of grades.
I am taking the MCAT in 2 weeks, so I will have that to report as well.
Lots of volunteer work + work experience in both the medical setting and community outreach.

Any thoughts on my application competitiveness - which schools do you think I should apply to? All?

Thanks!

2.98 is really low, not really sure you have great chances but if you can bump it up over 3.2 and combined with a good MCAT you might. Apply broadly to all schools. It is a bit of a mystery how they select but generally you want something like 3.5 with a 29 MCAT or 3.2 with 32 MCAT something like that with variation obviously.

 

[t0ny]

I'm a Canadian applying for fall 2015 entry to 4 year program. Stats are 3.55 cGPA but I'm doing a first year of a second bachelors so that can go up. MCAT from last September was 31 (12/9/10) but I'm rewriting on September 6th and aiming for a 34-35.

I have very large amounts of volunteer work at hospitals plus medical volunteer trips abroad, research exposure in neuropsychology plus pancreatic cancer research as well, pharmacy lab tech for 4 years and some other stuff.

I would really like to go to RCSI in Dublin or UCD. How am I looking?

 

[Medstart108]

I'm a Canadian applying for fall 2015 entry to 4 year program. Stats are 3.55 cGPA but I'm doing a first year of a second bachelors so that can go up. MCAT from last September was 31 (12/9/10) but I'm rewriting on September 6th and aiming for a 34-35.

I have very large amounts of volunteer work at hospitals plus medical volunteer trips abroad, research exposure in neuropsychology plus pancreatic cancer research as well, pharmacy lab tech for 4 years and some other stuff.

I would really like to go to RCSI in Dublin or UCD. How am I looking?

Not bad I think, especially if you got a 34-35. But if you got a 34-35 and you can bump your GPA to something around a 3.7 you might as well just apply to Canada and the US. Strongly consider Western if your GPA is 3.7+ and you can get a 11 verbal and a 12 in bio. I would apply with a 11 bio its possible that cutoff can drop.

Match rates look decent for Ireland now (45% for Europe in general and 60-70% for Ireland) but with the rapidly growing numbers of Canadians abroad that number will drop for sure. Residency spots in Canada won't be growing considering the oversupply of doctors right now and foreign schools are really bumping up enrollments with very little consideration for the students themselves. You could fill every single residency spot for IMGs in Canada with Irish grads alone.

 

[DublinDoctor]

I'm a Canadian applying for fall 2015 entry to 4 year program. Stats are 3.55 cGPA but I'm doing a first year of a second bachelors so that can go up. MCAT from last September was 31 (12/9/10) but I'm rewriting on September 6th and aiming for a 34-35.

I have very large amounts of volunteer work at hospitals plus medical volunteer trips abroad, research exposure in neuropsychology plus pancreatic cancer research as well, pharmacy lab tech for 4 years and some other stuff.

I would really like to go to RCSI in Dublin or UCD. How am I looking?

You're looking good with a 31 MCAT as it is the single most important factor on your application. Some people get multiple offers, others only get 1, I'd say you're looking good for any of the 4 graduate programmes. But it's difficult to say if you would get a Dublin school since the admissions process isn't clear cut.

 

[Steele]

I'm a Canadian applying for fall 2015 entry to 4 year program. Stats are 3.55 cGPA but I'm doing a first year of a second bachelors so that can go up. MCAT from last September was 31 (12/9/10) but I'm rewriting on September 6th and aiming for a 34-35.

I have very large amounts of volunteer work at hospitals plus medical volunteer trips abroad, research exposure in neuropsychology plus pancreatic cancer research as well, pharmacy lab tech for 4 years and some other stuff.

I would really like to go to RCSI in Dublin or UCD. How am I looking?

I would highly suggest making sure you can get a better score than a 31 before you try for a better score. A 31 is very respectable. Just don't go down on your score. That would be bad.

 

[t0ny]

I would highly suggest making sure you can get a better score than a 31 before you try for a better score. A 31 is very respectable. Just don't go down on your score. That would be bad.

Yep I know, I scored below my average originally last year, so I technically should get at least 2 points above a 31. But it is stressful thinking it can go down.

 

[t0ny]

Not bad I think, especially if you got a 34-35. But if you got a 34-35 and you can bump your GPA to something around a 3.7 you might as well just apply to Canada and the US. Strongly consider Western if your GPA is 3.7+ and you can get a 11 verbal and a 12 in bio. I would apply with a 11 bio its possible that cutoff can drop.

Match rates look decent for Ireland now (45% for Europe in general and 60-70% for Ireland) but with the rapidly growing numbers of Canadians abroad that number will drop for sure. Residency spots in Canada won't be growing considering the oversupply of doctors right now and foreign schools are really bumping up enrollments with very little consideration for the students themselves. You could fill every single residency spot for IMGs in Canada with Irish grads alone.

Yeh thanks I'll see how my next year goes, if I get a 4.0 then maybe I'll consider doing a 2nd year and simply applying to Canadian schools. I'm aware of the residency crunch for IMG but I'd still very much so like to study in Ireland if not a Canadian school.

 

[Dredge]

Yeh thanks I'll see how my next year goes, if I get a 4.0 then maybe I'll consider doing a 2nd year and simply applying to Canadian schools. I'm aware of the residency crunch for IMG but I'd still very much so like to study in Ireland if not a Canadian school.

I'd have to agree with Medstart108, with your stats from your first undergrad you should've just applied to Ireland then, you definitely had a shot, my cGPA was a 3.5 and I had a 31 MCAT and got into RCSI. Now, considering you're doing a second undergrad I'd strongly suggest you completely forget Ireland all together, you've got an awesome second chance to get into school here (I'm from Ottawa). Schools like McGill just look at your most recent undergrad transcript. Anyways, good luck buddy, we're all rooting for ya! 🙂

 

[t0ny]

I'd have to agree with Medstart108, with your stats from your first undergrad you should've just applied to Ireland then, you definitely had a shot, my cGPA was a 3.5 and I had a 31 MCAT and got into RCSI. Now, considering you're doing a second undergrad I'd strongly suggest you completely forget Ireland all together, you've got an awesome second chance to get into school here (I'm from Ottawa). Schools like McGill just look at your most recent undergrad transcript. Anyways, good luck buddy, we're all rooting for ya! 🙂

Hey thanks a lot I appreciate the kind words and motivation. I just did my first practice MCAT and got a 34, so scoring higher than my 31 shouldn't be a problem. I'm from Montreal and going to do my 2nd undergrad here also. The only thing is that with 2 years of 4.0 back to back my cgpa would only fringe 3.7 which would still not make me competitive for most Canadian schools. I'm aiming for a realistic 35 in my MCAT but I think I have a shot for a 36-37, all depending on my verbal.

How are you enjoying RCSI as a Canadian?

 

[Dredge]

Haven't started yet, no idea. i'm actually just finishing up a a masters at McGill before i ship out. I'll let you know if its any good tho lol.

 

[Medstart108]

Hey thanks a lot I appreciate the kind words and motivation. I just did my first practice MCAT and got a 34, so scoring higher than my 31 shouldn't be a problem. I'm from Montreal and going to do my 2nd undergrad here also. The only thing is that with 2 years of 4.0 back to back my cgpa would only fringe 3.7 which would still not make me competitive for most Canadian schools. I'm aiming for a realistic 35 in my MCAT but I think I have a shot for a 36-37, all depending on my verbal.

How are you enjoying RCSI as a Canadian?

Do any of the medical schools only look at your recent undergrad? If so wouldn't you be applying with a 4.0 GPA? I know McMaster looks at everything but others may not.

 

[Clark_Kent12]

Has anyone heard back from TCD medical or dent as of late?

 

[username18]

Hi guys, just wanna know what my chances are if at all,

cGPA = 3.48-3.5/ last two years 3.7
MCAT: 24 - PS 10 VR 6 and BS 8

Strong and diverse extracurriculars, awards for community contribution/academic, etc. Any shot at all?

 

[Alexis121]

Hi guys, I just want to know what are my chances of getting in this year.

I'm a UofT student (currently ranked 19th top uni around the word - don't know if that makes any difference)

I also have a pretty low cGPA of 2.97 and sGPa of 3.35-3.45 in my last two years.

But I've done tons of research, presented at an international conference, 1st author publication. I played field hockey, soccer, volley ball throughout undergrad. I also volunteered at an hospital for 2 years and I tutor math and science for highschool students.

I am trying to boost up my cGPA as well. Do i have a chance this year even with my low cGPA?

 

[sharpshooter123]

I got accepted into limerick with a 3.20 Gpa and 25 mcat. Like sassa I had good experience after college though. You don't need a perfect Gpa or mcat to make it.

Hey, did you get any other offers or just Limerick? I have the same stats as you, I was wondering if I have a chance as well. What did you get on your mcat sections?

 

[JohnSnow]

Hi guys, I just want to know what are my chances of getting in this year.

I'm a UofT student (currently ranked 19th top uni around the word - don't know if that makes any difference)

I also have a pretty low cGPA of 2.97 and sGPa of 3.35-3.45 in my last two years.

But I've done tons of research, presented at an international conference, 1st author publication. I played field hockey, soccer, volley ball throughout undergrad. I also volunteered at an hospital for 2 years and I tutor math and science for highschool students.

I am trying to boost up my cGPA as well. Do i have a chance this year even with my low cGPA?

You can make up for your low cGPA with a strong MCAT, that will help your applications to Irish medical schools. There are people in Ireland who had sub-3 undergrad cGPAs but did well on MCAT.

 

[JohnSnow]

Hey, did you get any other offers or just Limerick? I have the same stats as you, I was wondering if I have a chance as well. What did you get on your mcat sections?

RCSI/UCD/UCC will all have roughly the same MCAT requirements of about 30. Give or take a couple of points here and there but the majority of accepted students will be 30+. Limerick has a much larger international cohort than UCD & UCC so they are more likely to accept students with lower MCATs. RCSI, I believe has a similar number of internationals as Limerick, but RCSI is viewed as more "prestigious" by some, I don't know if that counts for anything.

 

[sassa]

RCSI has been around longer and has the reputation of a good school - but it's had a long time to do it 🙂 Heck, it sounds fancier!

Limerick is known back in Canada - I did a bunch of shadowing across different cities and specialties this summer, and the grads that have come back all have made great impressions. It's a great school. Even if the university name sounds like one from a nursery rhyme for leprechauns 😉

 

[sangreViento]

Guys! Anyone still alive out here? Can someone please help? I am hearing from reading the other vine that all these Irish schools require upfront tuition... has anyone been able to successfully use your Federal loans to pay that? I have no personal money and also no family....

Also, will the fact that I have a Bachelor's degree and also a JD hold me back from a 5-year programme in case I do poorly on the MCAT? I took the MCAT but don't know my scores... I was hoping that if I did mediocre I could still get into a non-MCAT requiring programme... Someone please help!

 

[Osato_se]

hey guys, i'm Nigerian and applying to the 5 yr programs at TCD and NUIG....dyu knw of any Nigerians or Africans in those schools and what stats they had on applying.

 

[ofcourse1]

I am completing my Bachelors with an overall GPA of 3.03 at the moment and I took the MCAT in January but it was brutal. I know I did really bad on it. Should I simply tell them I didn't take the MCAT and apply to their 5 year programs? I talked to Atlantic Bridge and only two of the five year schools accept students with a Bachelor's degree.

 

[petyr_baelish]

I am completing my Bachelors with an overall GPA of 3.03 at the moment and I took the MCAT in January but it was brutal. I know I did really bad on it. Should I simply tell them I didn't take the MCAT and apply to their 5 year programs? I talked to Atlantic Bridge and only two of the five year schools accept students with a Bachelor's degree.

N=1 here. You probably shouldn't get into the habit of lying to medical schools. That kind of thing can really come back to bite you when you have sunk a lot of time and money into the endeavour.

 

[ofcourse1]

ok well if i do report my scores do you think I still have a chance with a 3.03 GPA; I have just started volunteering as a research assistant at a hospital but I haven't done anything substantial in terms of research yet. But I do have work experience at the writing centre on my campus...would that still be taken into account?

 

[ofcourse1]

N=1 here. You probably shouldn't get into the habit of lying to medical schools. That kind of thing can really come back to bite you when you have sunk a lot of time and money into the endeavour.

ok well if i do report my scores do you think I still have a chance with a 3.03 GPA; I have just started volunteering as a research assistant at a hospital but I haven't done anything substantial in terms of research yet. But I do have work experience at the writing centre on my campus...would that still be taken into account?

 

[petyr_baelish]

ok well if i do report my scores do you think I still have a chance with a 3.03 GPA; I have just started volunteering as a research assistant at a hospital but I haven't done anything substantial in terms of research yet. But I do have work experience at the writing centre on my campus...would that still be taken into account?

From what I've seen, a lot of Canadians go to Ireland because Canadian medical schools are insanely tough to get into. These Canadian "rejects" have stats like 30 MCATs and 3.5 GPAs, and sometimes they from schools that notoriously grade deflate (U of T, McGill). The lowest stats I've seen on this forum are 3.2 and 25 MCAT and they had a tonne of clinical experience (thousands of hours) or a previously successful career to demonstrate their abilities. I wouldn't apply with a 3.0. I put off applying myself because I only have a 3.46 and an unknown MCAT right now. It's tough to give advice because I'm not on the admissions committee and maybe you have something special to compensate? If you are an American (or heck, even a Canadian since more schools accept Canadians now) you could try DO schools.

 

[mcat_taker]

U.S. citizen with a U.S. bachelors and masters degree here, looking to go abroad for med, whats the minimum on the MCAT needed for your application to be looked at in Ireland?

 

[sharpshooter123]

Do you guys find it annoying that we are still waiting for those final decision letters, knowing that we have like 80% chance of getting rejected. (At least I do).
IT'S JULY

Did you end up getting any offer?

 

[PNW92]

On the Atlantic Bridge website, they talk about how they weigh each applicant differently based on the level on difficulty of their undergraduate degree, competitiveness of their school, and course load and studies. I was curious as to if anyone has any experience or feedback based on how AB weighs different students?
I did my undergraduate studies in the US at a highly ranked school worldwide. My science GPA is higher than average at my school. However, my cumulative GPA while considered average at my school (especially in my department), it is lower than the cumulative GPA I've seen throughout this forum suggested as competitive for AB.
I'd appreciate any feedback!

 

[t0ny]

On the Atlantic Bridge website, they talk about how they weigh each applicant differently based on the level on difficulty of their undergraduate degree, competitiveness of their school, and course load and studies. I was curious as to if anyone has any experience or feedback based on how AB weighs different students?
I did my undergraduate studies in the US at a highly ranked school worldwide. My science GPA is higher than average at my school. However, my cumulative GPA while considered average at my school (especially in my department), it is lower than the cumulative GPA I've seen throughout this forum suggested as competitive for AB.
I'd appreciate any feedback!

They don't really look at inter school differences for GPA, they just go my overall cGPA and look at the trend. Irish schools tend to have a more holistic approach to their application process so they don't simply discount you based on your GPA. They do however place more emphasis on the MCAT (as it is a standardized exam).

I know this since I went at the end of last summer to visit all the Irish schools.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[gavin511]

*Sorry in advance as I did post this in another thread before seeing this newer version!

Hey guys,
I was just looking to get some feed back from everyone on potential outlook on acceptance into the 5-year programs in Ireland (as I am only in my second year of my program).

I'm originally from Canada
My country of citizenship is: Canada and Ireland
Currently studying: undergrad (Medical Sciences)
At this University: Brock University
My GPA is: GPA 3.90 (Using Ontario Medschool Criteria) Highschool average: 93%
I have not written any MCAT or standardized tests, and wont be before April 2016.

I applied to: NUIG, UCC, TCD
I was accepted to:
I was waitlisted at:
I was rejected from:

EC/Distinctions:
-Volunteer at local hospital (4 years, 1000+ hours)
-Volunteer within community non-profit organizations (couldn't say how many hours or years.. probably roughly 8 years)
-President of university live music group
-Sing in regional choir
-Member of my University's MedPlus program
-Lifeguard, and swimming instructor
-Year long Rotary Youth Exchange to Argentina
-Summer long research-internship in Sydney Australia
-Two week long mission trip to the Dominican Republic

I have applied to medical schools this many times: 1

Mainly looking to apply to the 5 years programs (as this is all I am qualified for)

 

[Medstart108]

*Sorry in advance as I did post this in another thread before seeing this newer version!

Hey guys,
I was just looking to get some feed back from everyone on potential outlook on acceptance into the 5-year programs in Ireland (as I am only in my second year of my program).

I'm originally from Canada
My country of citizenship is: Canada and Ireland
Currently studying: undergrad (Medical Sciences)
At this University: Brock University
My GPA is: GPA 3.90 (Using Ontario Medschool Criteria) Highschool average: 93%
I have not written any MCAT or standardized tests, and wont be before April 2016.

I applied to: NUIG, UCC, TCD
I was accepted to:
I was waitlisted at:
I was rejected from:

EC/Distinctions:
-Volunteer at local hospital (4 years, 1000+ hours)
-Volunteer within community non-profit organizations (couldn't say how many hours or years.. probably roughly 8 years)
-President of university live music group
-Sing in regional choir
-Member of my University's MedPlus program
-Lifeguard, and swimming instructor
-Year long Rotary Youth Exchange to Argentina
-Summer long research-internship in Sydney Australia
-Two week long mission trip to the Dominican Republic

I have applied to medical schools this many times: 1

Mainly looking to apply to the 5 years programs (as this is all I am qualified for)

Don't go to Ireland. You have a 3.9 GPA OMSAS and you are thinking of Ireland?? Plus, you are only in your second year, wait an extra year and apply to Ontario medical schools, if you get into McMaster you will graduate in 6 years which would be faster than if you went to Ireland after your 2nd year.

It doesn't matter that you are a citizen of Ireland, practicing in Canada is generally much better than Ireland. Most people will agree that the Canadian system is better funded and physicians are treated better here.

 

[gavin511]

Don't go to Ireland. You have a 3.9 GPA OMSAS and you are thinking of Ireland?? Plus, you are only in your second year, wait an extra year and apply to Ontario medical schools, if you get into McMaster you will graduate in 6 years which would be faster than if you went to Ireland after your 2nd year.

It doesn't matter that you are a citizen of Ireland, practicing in Canada is generally much better than Ireland. Most people will agree that the Canadian system is better funded and physicians are treated better here.

From the impression I have been given it is substantially harder to get into McMaster (or any Ontario Med.School) with a 3.9 after third year. Not trying to be negative or show a lack of confidence. This is just what I have heard.

 

[Medstart108]

From the impression I have been given it is substantially harder to get into McMaster (or any Ontario Med.School) with a 3.9 after third year. Not trying to be negative or show a lack of confidence. This is just what I have heard.

Its definitely not true. For example at Mac a 3.9 already puts you above average their accepted GPA. Mac is actually one of those schools where applying in 4th year doesn't give you any advantages because Mac doesn't actually weight GPAs for 4th years, they look at every course you've ever taken. So, if you get a high score on the verbal you have a very real chance of getting in at Mac.

A 3.9 basically makes you competitive at every Ontario school. So all you need is a good MCAT and good ECs and even if you lack in one of these 2 you still have a good chance at some schools. Ottawa doesn't look at MCAT and Queens and Toronto have low MCAT cutoffs after that they don't matter anymore. Western and McMaster don't look at ECs, so its a very balanced system. I really recommend you apply in Canada, a 3.9 is golden and going to Ireland just is not a smart decision by any stretch of the imagination. Even in Ireland getting specialty spots is much more competitive for the native Irish than in Canada where pretty much everyone gets one.

 

[Khan12]

I'm in RCSI foundation year (six year program), and from Canada.
Dublin: the best time in my life. Nice and modern city. Irish are extremely nice and approachable folks.
RCSI: great school, fantastic facilities, and very interesting curriculum so far. Quite few Canadians around here. I feel rightfully at home.
I hear that UCD and NUIG are mostly Irish there.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer.

Hey
Did u do any IB from high school or was ur admission based on the Canadian curriculum.