UL Medicine

foreverandever

It is relatively easy to get onto the SHO surgical scheme in ireland, regardless what college you go. The only advice would be maybe do your surgical jobs the first six months of intern year so you have references from them in time for the interviews. To get onto the surgical SpR scheme is much more difficult but by that stage it won't matter about your college, it'll be about your sho jobs, your publishing, exams, masters etc. Regardless what college you go to there's nothing stopping you organising surgery placements during summers in other hospitals

GOING4BROKE

@foreverandever cheers thats an encouraging post. It is easy to get bogged down with some of the negative comments on this. My understanding is that it is the same degree at the end of the day regardless of how it was taught.

In that case getting into a good surgical scheme is based on building a CV that includes placements and any extra curricular work. Also on a side note there is nothing wrong with becoming a GP, for many people that don't want to study anymore and perhaps earn money sooner it is an ideal path.

Jammyc

Could a doctor/mod clarify this opinion of GPs and the supposed cushiness of their jobs (salaries/time/further learning etc.), rather than the plethora of student perspectives we've had? I'd like to hear what they think.

foreverandever

Jammyc wrote: »

Could a doctor/mod clarify this opinion of GPs and the supposed cushiness of their jobs (salaries/time/further learning etc.), rather than the plethora of student perspectives we've had? I'd like to hear what they think.

While I'm not a GP (yet!) both my parents are and one of my sisters. I used tell them about what consultants and students etc used say about GP and they only laughed. I wouldn't say their job is cushy at all but there is more of a work:life balance and it has plenty of other perks too. Students get worked up about it coz they spend all their time around consultants but if you were to revisit a medicine class 10-20 years down the line you'd be surprised how many are GPs!

ciara84

Jammyc wrote: »

Could a doctor/mod clarify this opinion of GPs and the supposed cushiness of their jobs (salaries/time/further learning etc.), rather than the plethora of student perspectives we've had? I'd like to hear what they think.

there isn't any clarification needed, being a GP is a 9-5 job MOST of the time (there are agencies like south doc, east doc etc etc who have GPs on call so thats a deviation from the norm rather than the norm), if you work privately, you choose your own hours, how many patients you see, if you are a specialist, you cant really do that in most cases especially if you work in a hospital (private vs government doesnt really matter) there is a rota and you stick to it, 1 in 3, 1 in 4, and you're supposed to be accessible when you're on call. There are rare exceptions though with the likes of euro medic and all that they employ dermatologists/pain management specialists etc and basically give them a 9-5 jobs

foreverandever

ciara84 wrote: »

there isn't any clarification needed, being a GP is a 9-5 job MOST of the time (there are agencies like south doc, east doc etc etc who have GPs on call so thats a deviation from the norm rather than the norm), if you work privately, you choose your own hours, how many patients you see, if you are a specialist, you cant really do that in most cases especially if you work in a hospital (private vs government doesnt really matter) there is a rota and you stick to it, 1 in 3, 1 in 4, and you're supposed to be accessible when you're on call. There are rare exceptions though with the likes of euro medic and all that they employ dermatologists/pain management specialists etc and basically give them a 9-5 jobs

I would think it's very very very rarely a 9-5 job. Maybe in theory like hospital work but rarely would you be finished by 5. You see patients all day and have to do phonecalls, housecalls, paper work etc in your time

marmarr

Prospective UL GEMS students 2012
Hi, I'm the first year rep for GEMS students in UL in 2012...basically here to answer any questions UL kids have to ease the transition from life to UL GEMS life... I know it is early to be posting here, but my exams are coming up and then I'm off to SE Asia for the summer, so here is the link to the FB group which is there to provide a forum of contact with UL Med students...http://www.facebook.com/groups/201089616673238/
Best of luck to all of you with your futures in Medicine, be it in UL (daycent) or wherever you end up. Peace.

dmccormack01

Does anyone have any info on the changes to the course/ improvements to come in when the new med building is finished?? if its already been discussed could somebody link me up! thanks!

spotsanddots

I like the whole idea of problem based learning! Even in my undergrad(just finished a week ago) I enjoyed when we were given titles of projects had to go away and prepare a presentation and be grilled by the lecturer. Its a really good way of learning.I have UL as my first choice but I'm fairly sure I won't get it this year (score=54).
I was just looking up qualifax the other day and noticed that UL does not award a BAO. Is there any explanation for this?

arzieparzie

spotsanddots wrote: »

I like the whole idea of problem based learning! Even in my undergrad(just finished a week ago) I enjoyed when we were given titles of projects had to go away and prepare a presentation and be grilled by the lecturer. Its a really good way of learning.I have UL as my first choice but I'm fairly sure I won't get it this year (score=54).
I was just looking up qualifax the other day and noticed that UL does not award a BAO. Is there any explanation for this?

I wouldn't be so sure about not getting into UL this year with 54.. I spoke to the UL admissions office and they told me that last year they actually accepted 53 so I wouldn't lose thope yet... also 54 is in a higher percentile than last year and I hear there are less applicants.... stay positive!

spotsanddots

arzieparzie wrote: »

I wouldn't be so sure about not getting into UL this year with 54.. I spoke to the UL admissions office and they told me that last year they actually accepted 53 so I wouldn't lose thope yet... also 54 is in a higher percentile than last year and I hear there are less applicants.... stay positive!

I was thinking that alright..There is a very slight increase in percentile scores alright. But the unfortunate thing is I am planning on studying for the GAMSAT in sept just incase!

cliona88

This question has probably already been answered here but i can't seem to find it. I'm wondering about how you're assessed for first and second year. Do you get marked on your contribution to pbl?

51533823

cliona88 wrote: »

This question has probably already been answered here but i can't seem to find it. I'm wondering about how you're assessed for first and second year. Do you get marked on your contribution to pbl?

The assessment for the first two years are the same as most other uni's with Christmas/Summer written exams and an OSCE.

spotsanddots

Any idea if the new medical building will be opening this year? Had my first gawk around the campus today and it doesn't look like it will be ready
Also where abouts do current students have PBL classes and lectures?

nats89

According to someone who was there last week it's meant to be ready by October. Not sure what the story is with lectures and PBL until then though. https://www.facebook.com/groups/201089616673238/ theres a bit more info on this FB page for the incoming students

spotsanddots

I hope we hear from UL soon

nats89

spotsanddots wrote: »

I hope we hear from UL soon

yeah.. kinda ridiculous that they haven't even sent out something to say when fees will be due. Cutting it pretty short

lelouchan

nats89 wrote: »

spotsanddots wrote: »

I hope we hear from UL soon

yeah.. kinda ridiculous that they haven't even sent out something to say when fees will be due. Cutting it pretty short

They are probably waiting for other students to get their offers (Monday I believe)

spotsanddots

I emailed them last week and they said we would receive an email early this week, and stuff in the post after the 20th of Aug (Round 1 offers)

cliona88

Hey guys, I got a round 1 offer and I'm thrilled. I'm just wondering, have you gotten any information from UL yet? How do people manage with finding accommodation? I know there is a facebook page, I'm just waiting to be accepted to the group!

spotsanddots

cliona88 wrote: »

Hey guys, I got a round 1 offer and I'm thrilled. I'm just wondering, have you gotten any information from UL yet? How do people manage with finding accommodation? I know there is a facebook page, I'm just waiting to be accepted to the group!

spotsanddots wrote: »

I emailed them last week and they said we would receive an email early this week, and stuff in the post after the 20th of Aug (Round 1 offers)

Hope to hear from them this week!

cliona88

Great thanks, I just wanted to be sure I hadn't missed anything. Can't wait to start

raftni

anyone who got in on 53 and 54.....you better have a phenomenal work ethic about you is all I'm going to say.

eire_245

raftni wrote: »

anyone who got in on 53 and 54.....you better have a phenomenal work ethic about you is all I'm going to say.

What about 55,56,57 and 58?? they should be good?

BarnhallBull

raftni wrote: »

anyone who got in on 53 and 54.....you better have a phenomenal work ethic about you is all I'm going to say.

Good, no need to bother with you so.

eire_245

BarnhallBull wrote: »

Good, no need to bother with you so.

hahaha

chanste

raftni wrote: »

anyone who got in on 53 and 54.....you better have a phenomenal work ethic about you is all I'm going to say.

You seem to be implying a large gap in intelligence between people who are separated by only a few points. I've seen people on my course that got scores in their 60s who are struggling every bit as much as I did with my 56 back in the day. GAMSAT is a single exam and a tough one at that. Scoring a 53 is a good score in my opinion and its unfortunate that so many people seem to talk about these entrants as if they are somehow retarded.

Remember in many cases the people getting near 53 would have been the people to get near 65 when they try the GAMSAT again.

For those who got in on a 53 congratulations, and don't pay attention to this kinda thing because in a few years (if you work as hard as anyone else on the course) no one will remember or care what score you got to get in.

raftni

chanste wrote: »

You seem to be implying a large gap in intelligence between people who are separated by only a few points. I've seen people on my course that got scores in their 60s who are struggling every bit as much as I did with my 56 back in the day. GAMSAT is a single exam and a tough one at that. Scoring a 53 is a good score in my opinion and its unfortunate that so many people seem to talk about these entrants as if they are somehow retarded.

Remember in many cases the people getting near 53 would have been the people to get near 65 when they try the GAMSAT again.

For those who got in on a 53 congratulations, and don't pay attention to this kinda thing because in a few years (if you work as hard as anyone else on the course) no one will remember or care what score you got to get in.

the falsehoods coming out of your mouth are mind-boggling.
The people who do badly in the year are, for the most part, people who got crap gamsat scores (yes 53 is crap, to purport otherwise is just downright lies) and have weak science backgrounds.

a few fail because of a poor work ethic and the fact that the exams are not entirely fair to the students (we get questioned on stuff most of us didn't even know we had to know)

26 people failed our year and will sit repeats next week. About ten of those will not pass the repeats.

you can mock me all you like, unfortunately i'm posting warnings for the sake of those coming into the course.

As someone who has consistently struggled with passing exams chanste, I would have thought you'd offer a more honest assessment of the course rather than misleading would be students.

yes people with poor gamsat scores can excel in the course. those students are the exception rather than the rule.

the course is tough. but if you got a crap score (sub 57 for arguments sake), the course is going to be ten times tougher and you will have to work ten times harder.

there has been enough warnings posted here about this and would be students have their heads buried in the sand. I can't warn you again. The truth will eventually find you.

lelouchan

raftni wrote: »

the falsehoods coming out of your mouth are mind-boggling.
The people who do badly in the year are, for the most part, people who got crap gamsat scores (yes 53 is crap, to purport otherwise is just downright lies) and have weak science backgrounds.

a few fail because of a poor work ethic and the fact that the exams are not entirely fair to the students (we get questioned on stuff most of us didn't even know we had to know)

26 people failed our year and will sit repeats next week. About ten of those will not pass the repeats.

you can mock me all you like, unfortunately i'm posting warnings for the sake of those coming into the course.

As someone who has consistently struggled with passing exams chanste, I would have thought you'd offer a more honest assessment of the course rather than misleading would be students.

yes people with poor gamsat scores can excel in the course. those students are the exception rather than the rule.

the course is tough. but if you got a crap score (sub 57 for arguments sake), the course is going to be ten times tougher and you will have to work ten times harder.

there has been enough warnings posted here about this and would be students have their heads buried in the sand. I can't warn you again. The truth will eventually find you.

I personally think you place too much emphasis on the GAMSAT. You could be right I suppose a low Gamsat score could have meant a low section III score but you also need to consider that high scores could similarly mean a good Section II score.
In my opinion, although not a fun exam, I don't think it's a particularly good measuring tool and you are not being helpful although im sure you think you are. I Would never assume someone with a 65 smarter or more hard working than someone with a 53 because a lot of other factors need to be taken into account.

BarnhallBull

[QUOTE=raftni;80409859
you can mock me all you like, unfortunately i'm posting warnings for the sake of those coming into the course.
[/QUOTE]

I haven't seen anybody mock you, the only thing I would consider mocking has been your insistence that people are getting into UL with "crap" GAMSAT scores.

Your point about people with lower GAMSAT scores needing a very high work ethic is certainly true, but so do the people with higher GAMSAT scores. We're all going to need to work hard. Will people on lower scores have to work harder? Maybe, or they may excel when they get on the course. Either way, there are far better ways to "warn" prospective students than the way you put your point across. I'm sure people would have been much happier to listen to you and take your advice on board had you not been so condescending.