US Atlantic Bridge Program 2014

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
MikeGir said:
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.
Click to expand...


Hi I was wondering what is a good average percent to get into the 6 year undergrad medical program? I'm from British Columbia, Canada so the G.P.A system is different, if you have an A >86% that is automatically a 4, the GPA system is out of 4. I have all As in all my required academic courses but the average for my top four courses are around 92%. Will this suffice?
 
Will the admission committees give preference to applicants who have submitted all their supporting documents first? I was wondering if the application process is based on "first come first serve". My required documents, e.g transcript and reference letters, will be submitted before the end of next week. Will this be too late?
 
Russell320 said:
Do you think the first round of emails from RCSI will continue today and tomorrow?
Click to expand...

Yah, from what I understood is that they are letting ppl know yesterday, today, and early friday if they have first round interview invites.
 
Thanks for getting back to me, do you know of a timeline for potential second round interviews? Or anything regarding UL?
 
Last year, the email notifications to the east coast/Toronto were sent out a week earlier than the notifications to the Vancouver interviews.
 
Russell320 said:
Thanks for getting back to me, do you know of a timeline for potential second round interviews? Or anything regarding UL?
Click to expand...

UL interview invites go out in March once first round offers are out (and largely responded to) for all of the GEM programmes.

RCSI's second round of interviews, if they have one at all, tend to be later in the cycle. April or May would be an appropriate time to expect an interview invite.
 
Anybody hear any news today? Hopefully there is still luck for tomorrow... Already 8:50 pm... Doubt anything is coming in later tonight.
 
Hey guys! I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also awaiting to see if I will get an interview offer. Based on what I know, central and western Canada get offers a bit late, but I'm still worried. Anyone from central or western Canada heard yet?
 
I got an interview invitation but I am no longer interested in RCSI (for financial reasons) how do I turn down the interview without the ABP accidentally pulling all my applications because I'm still interested in UCC, UCD, UL, NUIG, and TCD,
 
Probably call ABP and tell them your decision – while you're at it, let them know you have a person waiting for an interview email and we can swap! Good luck with the other schools!
 
MedDreams1991 said:
I got an interview invitation but I am no longer interested in RCSI (for financial reasons) how do I turn down the interview without the ABP accidentally pulling all my applications because I'm still interested in UCC, UCD, UL, NUIG, and TCD,
Click to expand...
Just email them! They definitely will not withdraw your application for the other schools. Then someone else will be given an interview chance!🙂
 
MedDreams1991 said:
I got an interview invitation but I am no longer interested in RCSI (for financial reasons) how do I turn down the interview without the ABP accidentally pulling all my applications because I'm still interested in UCC, UCD, UL, NUIG, and TCD,
Click to expand...

Please do not do that. You are limiting your chances drastically if you exclude RCSI from the list as RCSI admits the largest Canadian and US student population in medical schools in Ireland.
Also, if you were invited to RCSI interview, that means that your chances in getting admitted is quite high.

For financials, try to be creative in managing it, get government student loans + you can apply for bank loans + you can apply for a loan though md service in Canada+ you can work in the summer.

Also, all the tuition in Ireland is considered tax deductible in Canada and you can carry it over. Meaning, if you incur CAD $300K in tuition, that can result in a total tax saving of about $90K if you carry them forward and apply them to your income in the future.

As for RCSI, it is the most school in Ireland that is conscious about helping North American students over other schools. They arrange for North American electives, they accommodate usmle and mccee exam times as well as residency interviews during your last year. Other schools would not do that.
 
Last edited:
So does anyone know when the 5 and 6 year acceptance invitations are sent out, it sounds like all the interview or acceptances sent out so far are for the graduate entry program ? has anyone heard news for the 5 year and 6 year programs ?
 
MedDreams1991 said:
I got an interview invitation but I am no longer interested in RCSI (for financial reasons) how do I turn down the interview without the ABP accidentally pulling all my applications because I'm still interested in UCC, UCD, UL, NUIG, and TCD,
Click to expand...
It is not impossible, but rare, for someone to get more than one offer from ABP. The fact that RCSI has given you a 1st round interview means that more than likely you will get it. However, if you drop out of RCSI there is no guarantee you will get any offers from the other schools as they have probably already lined up offers. I suggest you look into other ways of financing RCSI.
 
Dejay said:
So does anyone know when the 5 and 6 year acceptance invitations are sent out, it sounds like all the interview or acceptances sent out so far are for the graduate entry program ? has anyone heard news for the 5 year and 6 year programs ?
Click to expand...

A friend of mine just got his email for a Vancouver interview today. He applied for the 6 year program.

Good luck everyone
 
Do any of you know stats on how many people get interviewed out of how many people apply, and then from there how many people who get interviewed get offered a spot? Also, are we told if we have a spot through email again or by a letter? Thanks!
 
What are the chances of me still getting an email for an interview?

On the WestCoast btw.
 
Charlotte Haley said:
Do any of you know stats on how many people get interviewed out of how many people apply, and then from there how many people who get interviewed get offered a spot? Also, are we told if we have a spot through email again or by a letter? Thanks!
Click to expand...

This question has been asked many times and unfortunately ABP did not offer such stats.
Being in the same spot last year, everyone that I know and who got an interview and acted "normal and respectable" during the interview was offered a spot. Acting respectable including wearing a formal conservative attire and the choice of your words.
I was amazed that when I walked into the interview that the interviewer knew everything about me, my school, the organizations that I volunteered at and even the sports team that I was part of. I had a friend who applied to the GEP program and the interviewers discussed her research in detail. In other words, anything in your application or personal statement, you have to be able to speak to it.
 
MikeGir said:
This question has been asked many times and unfortunately ABP did not offer such stats.
Being in the same spot last year, everyone that I know and who got an interview and acted "normal and respectable" during the interview was offered a spot. Acting respectable including wearing a formal conservative attire and the choice of your words.
I was amazed that when I walked into the interview that the interviewer knew everything about me, my school, the organizations that I volunteered at and even the sports team that I was part of. I had a friend who applied to the GEP program and the interviewers discussed her research in detail. In other words, anything in your application or personal statement, you have to be able to speak to it.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot! Are you going to RCSI now?
 
oh my god you guys, I am freaking out. I applied to RCSI, NUIG, UCD,TCD,UCC, & University of Limerick
I didn't get any interview offers yet.
Do I still have a chance?!
""seriously freaking out""
 
i think it's still pretty early to be freaking out just yet. to my knowledge, only rcsi has offered interview invites as of right now and they might still be in the process of sending out invites. nuig, ucd, tcd, and ucc do not hold interviews, and it seems they send acceptances/rejections starting in march. finally, ul does hold interviews, but it looks like they send their interview invites in march. it's also possible that rcsi will have a second round of interviews, in which case they'll probably send a second batch of interviews later on in the cycle. all in all, i feel that there's still a lot up in the air! hang in there!
 
Thanks Zeit, I really appreciate it.

What do you guys think of my application?
Have a chance? Or no chance at all?!


I'm from: USA
My country of citizenship is: Saudi Arabia
Currently studying: ( pre-health undergraduate)

Qualifications:
- Nursing diploma from the Middle East.
- 88/100 in High school
- currently 2 years in pre-health ( not very good scores on the last year. My GPA is: 2.5/4 )

My MCAT : Didn't take it

I applied to: Trinity, UCD, RCSI, Limerick, UCC, NUIG

I was accepted at: not yet
I was waitlisted at: not yet
I was rejected from: not yet

My first choice school is: any medical school at this point :'(

I have applied to medical schools this many times: 1
 
Don't worry so soon! RCSI and University of Limerick are the only schools that hold interviews, and UL doesn't until april or may. The other schools will just let you know starting mid march whether you were accepted or rejected.
 
surgeon14 said:
Thanks Zeit, I really appreciate it.

What do you guys think of my application?
Have a chance? Or no chance at all?!


I'm from: USA
My country of citizenship is: Saudi Arabia
Currently studying: ( pre-health undergraduate)

Qualifications:
- Nursing diploma from the Middle East.
- 88/100 in High school
- currently 2 years in pre-health ( not very good scores on the last year. My GPA is: 2.5/4 )

My MCAT : Didn't take it

I applied to: Trinity, UCD, RCSI, Limerick, UCC, NUIG

I was accepted at: not yet
I was waitlisted at: not yet
I was rejected from: not yet

My first choice school is: any medical school at this point :'(

I have applied to medical schools this many times: 1
Click to expand...


Are you applying for the 6 year programs or the 4 year? 2.5 for a GPA is too low for the 4 year programs, if you are applying GEP I would strongly recommend taking the MCAT and getting a 33+ for a shot.
 
MedDreams1991 said:
Are you applying for the 6 year programs or the 4 year? 2.5 for a GPA is too low for the 4 year programs, if you are applying GEP I would strongly recommend taking the MCAT and getting a 33+ for a shot.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response everyone.

I am applying for the 5/6 year program. I don't think I can take the MCAT because I am still taking the pre-requsites for it.
 
surgeon14 said:
Thanks for your response everyone.

I am applying for the 5/6 year program. I don't think I can take the MCAT because I am still taking the pre-requsites for it.
Click to expand...

I dont know a whole lot so take what I say with a grain of salt, I think that you have a decent shot at any program as long as they dont look at your university marks.
 
I wish,
Thank you so much. I really wanted to hear that.

I am hoping that they look at my Nursing school outstanding GPA.
Also, my high school Scores is not that bad.

I really appreciate your note, you just made my day. Thanks.
 
Does anyone know whether the interviews for the 4 and 5/6 year programs take place at the same time?
 
Charlotte Haley said:
Does anyone know whether the interviews for the 4 and 5/6 year programs take place at the same time?
Click to expand...

I asked ABP about this, no answer.

Did anybody got interview offer today?
Just checking to see if RCSI is still sending imterview offers for the first round.

P.S Happy Valentines Day everyone
 
surgeon14 said:
I asked ABP about this, no answer.

Did anybody got interview offer today?
Just checking to see if RCSI is still sending imterview offers for the first round.

P.S Happy Valentines Day everyone
Click to expand...


First things first, relax.

Don't stress it there's nothing you can do at this point but wait. Calling ABP repeatedly probably won't help either.

1st round interview offers have all gone out as of Monday and Tuesday for North America West, per my observations. North America East had their interview offers sent out the week before North America West. Now for people like you and me, who didn't receive 1st round interview offers, well we'll just have to wait for the 2nd round of interviews (if there are any).

Like you said it's Valentines Day, so spend time with loved ones and relax.
 
Waiting is kinda hard sometimes.
Good luck everyone.
 
Charlotte Haley said:
Does anyone know whether the interviews for the 4 and 5/6 year programs take place at the same time?
Click to expand...

In the last few years, the interviews were held at the same times/locations, but with different interviewers of course.
Usually they rent a descent size meeting room at one of the hotels, use dividers to create small rooms from within, then they have a fellow from ABP to receive and direct the candidates.
The ABP folks were always awesome. They will always try to help you and calm you down.
 
So If anyone does get a reply from either UCD, UCC, or NUIG with an acceptance letter, What would be the next steps ? for anyone who has experience with that...?
And would anyone know exactly when these schools send out acceptances in the west coast (California)
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Dejay said:
So If anyone does get a reply from either UCD, UCC, or NUIG with an acceptance letter, What would be the next steps ? for anyone who has experience with that...?
And would anyone know exactly when these schools send out acceptances in the west coast (California)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Can Anyone answer this question please....thank you
 
Dejay said:
Can Anyone answer this question please....thank you
Click to expand...

First round of offers: end of March for RCSI, UCD and NUIG. Not sure about UCC.
What to do: depending on the school, you would need to follow the instructions in the letter. The instructi0ns typically include 2 parts:
- Part one: to send the deposit by wire to the school bank account in Ireland. The deposit is usually €4K to €6K depending on the school.
- Part two: to sign the offer acceptance and send it by email in addition to the deposit wire receipt to ABP. The letter would have an expiry date on it, and ABP would need to receive the wire receipt and the acceptance before the expiry date or the offer would be rescinded and considered null & void.
 
MikeGir said:
First round of offers: end of March for RCSI, UCD and NUIG. Not sure about UCC.
What to do: depending on the school, you would need to follow the instructions in the letter. The instructi0ns typically include 2 parts:
- Part one: to send the deposit by wire to the school bank account in Ireland. The deposit is usually €4K to €6K depending on the school.
- Part two: to sign the offer acceptance and send it by email in addition to the deposit wire receipt to ABP. The letter would have an expiry date on it, and ABP would need to receive the wire receipt and the acceptance before the expiry date or the offer would be rescinded and considered null & void.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info MikeGir...

I didn't know there was a deposit. Whats that for?? :/
 
surgeon14 said:
Thank you for the info MikeGir...

I didn't know there was a deposit. Whats that for?? :/
Click to expand...
It is a non-refundable deposit to hold and guarantee the spot. Like anything else in life 🙂
If you do not accept the offer and pay the deposit in time, your spot gets offered to candidates in the wait-list.
 
Whole point of the "deposit" is so they can get some money from people waiting for Canadian and US medical school decisions.
 
Thats a lot of money, what if I don't have €4k? Is there any way to avoid paying that? 🙁
 
surgeon14 said:
Thats a lot of money, what if I don't have €4k? Is there any way to avoid paying that? 🙁
Click to expand...
It is a large deposit, yes. That said, if you are truly considering investing >150,000 euros on tuition alone, with 31,000 due this fall...you should be able to show that you can provide this small percentage up front. If your banker isn't speaking with you yet, she certainly will be once you have your acceptance letter in hand.
Good luck.
 
surgeon14 said:
Thats a lot of money, what if I don't have €4k? Is there any way to avoid paying that? 🙁
Click to expand...

Your situation is different. You are government-sponsored as far as I understand. I believe that you'd be able to make arrangement and the school will just talk directly to your government.
 
I turns out that I have to pay it out of pocket first, then get it back once school start.
Thanks everyone 🙂
 
I'm applying to the 5 year program which doesn't require the MCAT, but I am studying for the MCAT now with intentions to take it in mid-May if I don't get into an Irish school.

March the 16th to the 23rd is my spring break, and I would rather spend that time studying for the two classes I'm currently taking than studying for the MCAT. Do you think it would be a bad idea to ask Atlantic Bridge just before spring break if it would be possible to receive my acceptance/rejections letters via email so I could focus my studies during break in the most productive way possible as I will not be taking the MCAT if accepted to an Irish school?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Atlantic Bridge - What do I really need?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
S
Need advice! Looking into applying in Ireland next year from the US
as a non traditional applicant
Replies
0
Views
2K
siorcacaillte
S
L
Atlantic Bridge: 4 year vs 5 years program
Replies
0
Views
3K
Lily4900
L
P
Atlantic Bridge 2022
4 5 6 7 8
Replies
398
Views
87K
djseabas
D
S
Atlantic Bridge GPA calculation
Replies
0
Views
4K
secret kk
S
Top