Mature Medicine Applicants Thread 2013

Fiddles44

Traderdc wrote: »

Hi guys - just have a quick question regarding the last section of the UCD application form. The heading is "Your contribution to humanity at personal, community and family level". Maybe its a bad sign but I am having a mental block coming up with something meaningful to put in here that doesn't sound ridiculous. Can anybody give me an idea or example of something they have included?? Not asking for any specifics just in general. Much appreciated.

For this section I talked about some of the volunteering I did.

Traderdc

I am just about to register to sit Chemistry for the leaving cert. as an external student. Have any of you guys done this? Just looking to know of any good tutors anywhere in the country or online? Thanks guys.

dtfo

Traderdc wrote: »

I am just about to register to sit Chemistry for the leaving cert. as an external student. Have any of you guys done this? Just looking to know of any good tutors anywhere in the country or online? Thanks guys.

I did this in 2011 , had a really great tutor , I can pm you his details if you want, hes in Dublin btw

ruthiecahill

Traderdc wrote: »

I am just about to register to sit Chemistry for the leaving cert. as an external student. Have any of you guys done this? Just looking to know of any good tutors anywhere in the country or online? Thanks guys.

I also studied LC Chemistry externally & had a great tutor. Got me a B3 in higher level, with only 5 mths to prepare.
You can PM me for details if you're interested

julie2tubz

Best of luck to anyone doing the HPAT today. I'm so nervous but can't wait to be finished.

Medme

First time posting here so hi everyone!
I've applied as mature and undergrad everywhere in Ireland, my cao mature application was rushed/incomplete and rubbish so I'm realistically not expecting an interview from anywhere. As an undergrad applicant I'm seriously worried that my hpat wasn't good enough and considering options abroad etc. Has anyone applied to Italy/Malta or have an opinion as to the quality of the courses? I do have an undergrad degree but not a 2.1 so not eligible for grad courses anywhere.
Thanks

RAnnaC

Medme wrote: »

First time posting here so hi everyone!
I've applied as mature and undergrad everywhere in Ireland, my cao mature application was rushed/incomplete and rubbish so I'm realistically not expecting an interview from anywhere. As an undergrad applicant I'm seriously worried that my hpat wasn't good enough and considering options abroad etc. Has anyone applied to Italy/Malta or have an opinion as to the quality of the courses? I do have an undergrad degree but not a 2.1 so not eligible for grad courses anywhere.
Thanks

I'm in the exact same boat, have a 2.2 so i'm not eligible for pretty much any UK courses and haven't properly considered going abroad really due to the price. Do you mind me asking what your leaving cert result was? I have 535 so am hoping for a really good hpat but don't know how realistic that all is... hopefully our 'maturity' will set us aside from the undergrads in that regard!

And you still have the opportunity to do a good application to RCSI as they don't call to see people's applications for another few weeks.

This is my first year applying this route, I applied to graduate medicine last year but missed my 2.1 so was no longer eligible. I don't know if I can do this all over again next year though...

Medme

Wow it's almost reassuring to find someone in similar situation!

I have 560 LC points, plus higher Maths bonus, but all up that's only 557 on the med scale. My hpat I'm just not confident about, section 3 was a 'mare for me. I was super bursting for a pee so ran out, but it was ages away, I was really short for time when I got back. I didn't even read the last 10 Qs and just randomly guessed-urgh. If I end up repeating it next yr I'm going to dehydrate myself for 12hrs before, to be on the safe side

I think with a 2.2 you can apply to a few UK places, can't remember exactly where but I investigated last year and there were a few places open to 2.2 applicants with a good GAMSAT score. I graduated on 50% so not even a 2.2 to plead my case with.

Do RCSI not see the CAO mature forms etc before calling for interview? If not ill get cracking on attempting some kind of a sensible application/CV/statement etcetc....undergrad route is still by far the easiest, damn that hpat!

RAnnaC

Had you done any of the hpat courses before? I had bought a distance learning package and found it helped a lot, having said that I still have no idea whether I did well. Because of my leaving cert I'd need to get a super high hpat to get a place so it isn't 100% realistic.
Yeah for the gamsat route there are two colleges in the UK that take a 2.2 but I didn't try that this year, between reapplying for the gamsat, applying through the UCAS and trying to go over there for interviews and the like I'd have spend probably over 500€ and may still not get a place so I decided to stick to Ireland for the time being.
I was at an open evening in RCSI a few months ago and they shortlist people on the basis of their hpat scores (which doesn't necessarily have to be amazing) and ask to see a personal statement and CV etc, if they like the sound of you on that they'll call you for an interview. There's hope yet! But RCSI mature student fees are about 16,000...

Medme

Oh that's great news re RSCI mature, thanks for that. Yep RCSI mature is most expensive but ill take anywhere at all at this stage.

Ironically Italy seems like the cheapest option! Fees are minimal, means tested and AFAIK in the region of €3k max...

Hpat I bought the online prep course too, was really helpful but I'm not a bit convinced ill get better than a very average score.

Have you a preference for where you study? The Italy option requires IMAT which is in April, I'm seriously considering an application...

Fiddles44

I was told that last year RCSI asked to see personal statements etc if you got over 160 in your hpat which is very doable. I would advise you to ring RCSI though and ask about the personal statements because I thought they had to be send in back in February with the rest of the college applications to the CAO. I could be wrong about that though.

Aa far as courses in the UK, there are 4 colleges that accept a 2.2 degree but you need a very high gamsat. I think the cut off last year was 64/65 and even with that there is no guarantee you get a place. I haven't looked into courses in Italy or Malta but I had a quick look earlier in the year about a course in Prague. It looked pretty decent and is fully recognised. There is an entrance exam as well that is along the same lines as A-Level Chem, Bio, Physics and Maths but I'm not sure when you can sit it.

RAnnaC

All the colleges have different systems so it's hard to know. Here is the info on RCSI's website
http://www.rcsi.ie/index.jsp?p=112&n=202&a=745
It seems like they ask you for your CV on the basis of your hpat score, which is what I understood from the open evening back in November.

My preference is RCSI but I'll really go anywhere that will have me. Fiddles44 are you applying both routes too? I think if I don't get it this year I might leave the country never to return...

I'm not considering Italy and Malta for the time being, I'd be worried that the language would be a big problem when it came to clinical work, you can learn a lot in four years but that is a lot to learn! I would love to study abroad, having done an erasmus during my undergrad but career-wise, I want to be as best qualified as I can.

Fiddles44

RAnnaC wrote: »

All the colleges have different systems so it's hard to know. Here is the info on RCSI's website
http://www.rcsi.ie/index.jsp?p=112&n=202&a=745
It seems like they ask you for your CV on the basis of your hpat score, which is what I understood from the open evening back in November.

My preference is RCSI but I'll really go anywhere that will have me. Fiddles44 are you applying both routes too? I think if I don't get it this year I might leave the country never to return...

I'm not considering Italy and Malta for the time being, I'd be worried that the language would be a big problem when it came to clinical work, you can learn a lot in four years but that is a lot to learn! I would love to study abroad, having done an erasmus during my undergrad but career-wise, I want to be as best qualified as I can.

I know the course in Prague offers language classes but like yourself I would rather not have to worry about languages problems.

I'm applying through the mature entry and undergrad too.

Medme

Thanks for the link. Yep I have spoken to RCSI and got a slightly wooly answer, I think the issue is the mature application process (everywhere!) is just such a tough one, and who or how selection happens seems to vary a bit depending on who you ask, what college, and even what year. Here's hoping it will all be worth it when we are baby docs next year!

The language thing is obviously a massive issue. My preference by a mile would be to study in Ireland, or the Uk, at any uni. However I've been out of my first degree a while now, turned 30 and so it's time for me to realistically look at all options. If its a case of giving up a lifelong dream ill maybe rewrite the plan and suck up the language thing if need be. Less than ideal but its a Plan C. (Plan B was used up long ago!)

julie2tubz

I have a few questions I would love if someone would help clear up please. I have applied to UCD and RCSI as a mature student in that order. However now I am getting worried that if I was to receive a chance for an interview with RCSI they will only pick me if I have them as my 1st order. Do they insist they are the 1st order. What is UCD's take on this also?

If I was in some huge massive stroke of luck offered at place a both places do I have a choice or does it all boil down to what order I have on CAO? I think it would be incredibly unfair if one was to be overlooked due to the order of CAO.

Thanks for your help.

CAOMAN

You get a single offer in each list in each round.

Offers for Matures are normally sent out in early July and offers for Graduate Medicine are sent out in early August.

So the order of your courses is most important in regard to what offer you will get.

julie2tubz

CAOMAN wrote: »

You get a single offer in each list in each round.

Offers for Matures are normally sent out in early July and offers for Graduate Medicine are sent out in early August.

So the order of your courses is most important in regard to what offer you will get.

Thanks Caoman. Does this mean if I got an interview with one college I won't be called for interview by the other? I really this is not the case

Traderdc

Just checking - I have been away with work since early March and wont return until mid April. Anybody know when interviews are expected to be held or when notifications will be sent out as I won't be able to check the post in the meantime?? that's if I was lucky enough to be offered an interview obviously

Abby19

Traderdc wrote: »

Just checking - I have been away with work since early March and wont return until mid April. Anybody know when interviews are expected to be held or when notifications will be sent out as I won't be able to check the post in the meantime?? that's if I was lucky enough to be offered an interview obviously

julie2tubz wrote: »

Thanks Caoman. Does this mean if I got an interview with one college I won't be called for interview by the other? I really this is not the case

CAOMAN wrote: »

You get a single offer in each list in each round.

Offers for Matures are normally sent out in early July and offers for Graduate Medicine are sent out in early August.

So the order of your courses is most important in regard to what offer you will get.

julie2tubz wrote: »

I have a few questions I would love if someone would help clear up please. I have applied to UCD and RCSI as a mature student in that order. However now I am getting worried that if I was to receive a chance for an interview with RCSI they will only pick me if I have them as my 1st order. Do they insist they are the 1st order. What is UCD's take on this also?

If I was in some huge massive stroke of luck offered at place a both places do I have a choice or does it all boil down to what order I have on CAO? I think it would be incredibly unfair if one was to be overlooked due to the order of CAO.

RAnnaC wrote: »

I was at an open evening in RCSI a few months ago and they shortlist people on the basis of their hpat scores (which doesn't necessarily have to be amazing) and ask to see a personal statement and CV etc, if they like the sound of you on that they'll call you for an interview. There's hope yet! But RCSI mature student fees are about 16,000...

Hopefully this may answer a few of the questions raised above. The year I applied I was called for interview by Trinity and UCD, and invited to submit an application for RCSI. The Trinity interview was the Thursday before the May bank holiday weekend (though I think they are a bit later know - why not contact Admissions or the Mature Students Officer (Clodagh Byrne in Trinity) and ask for possible timeframe?

I received a letter from Trinity the following Thursday offering me a place and I had to contact them to confirm if I wanted the spot. As I understand it if I hadn't accepted it would have been offered along to the next on the waiting list.

The invitation to the UCD interview was a couple of weeks after that. And the RCSI letter was later again. Next communication was in early July when the Round 0 offers came out.

You can only receive a single offer from the CAO for the degree courses - you get the highest ranked course that you are entitled to. I don't know whether the order you have them ranked influences the colleges.

PingO_O

Hi Abby19 I hope you don't mind me asking but how are you getting on with living expenses and paying for the course etc.?

Do you think it's possible to have a part time job and study medicine?

It's just that you're where I hope to be in the next year or so i.e. studying medicine and as I already have a degree the financial side of things is an issue.

Abby19

PingO_O wrote: »

Hi Abby19 I hope you don't mind me asking but how are you getting on with living expenses and paying for the course etc.?

Do you think it's possible to have a part time job and study medicine?

It's just that you're where I hope to be in the next year or so i.e. studying medicine and as I already have a degree the financial side of things is an issue.

PM sent

julie2tubz

Thanks Abby for you're help. I feel like I'm going a little mad waiting for the HPAT results

Can i annoy you again if you dont mind?Was trinity your first choice when you applied? Also you were asked by all your choices it seems? Does this mean if let's say ucd was your 1st choice but you happened to have your interview first with trinity and were offered a place in trinity. Could you have accepted this this even if it wasn't your first choice?

I'm so confused by the whole thing.

Abby19

julie2tubz wrote: »

Thanks Abby for you're help. I feel like I'm going a little mad waiting for the HPAT results

Can i annoy you again if you dont mind?Was trinity your first choice when you applied? Also you were asked by all your choices it seems? Does this mean if let's say ucd was your 1st choice but you happened to have your interview first with trinity and were offered a place in trinity. Could you have accepted this this even if it wasn't your first choice?

I'm so confused by the whole thing.

My order was Trinity, UCD, RCSI, UCG and UCC. I wasn't eligible for UCG and I never heard from UCC.

I was very fortunate to get Trinity (5 years - cheapest fees - training hospitals closest to where I live). And they were first to interview then so I had a bit of time to make plans, but tbh part of me didn't really believe it till I got the offer from the CAO in July.

You get offered the highest course you are eligible for. In my case I had accepted Trinity so I rang UCD and declined the interview so the spot could be offered on. I didn't pursue RCSI.

If you get accepted by more than one course I think you are asked by all colleges will you be accepting their offer, and if you say no they offer it on to the people on the waiting list. They don't want the mature spots lying empty and let's face it, I'd say nearly all matures in medicine will have a previous degree and will have to make plans/arrangements to pay fees. I do know that in the past spots have been accepted, and then the person gets an offer of GEM place and it's too late to fill the mature spot and it goes to waste.

Had UCD been my first choice, then I would have pursued that, and if successful accepted their offer (no guarantee that that would have happened of course), and then contact Trinity and let them know I'd changed my mind, but give them as much notice as possible so the spot could be offered on.

Basically it is difficult to get a mature spot in medicine, it is competitive, but possible. Accept any offer (if you can afford the fees and location, etc.) and if you are fortunate enough to get a second offer, figure out which course you want then

I think there is also the option to reorder your CAO courses as well. I know Medicine is a restricted course, but once it is on your form I think you can switch the order, but maybe someone else can confirm that.

Hope that answers your questions?

julie2tubz

Yes thanks a mill Abby. That's brilliant. You've helped put my mind at ease. Now to play the waiting game.

paperclip2

Yes, you can switch the order of the existing courses on your application. There may be an issue with introducing new ones.

Medme

Did anyone else get an email from RCSI today? Whoop!
Does that mean hpat results are out or do they ask everyone to send in the paperwork?..

studentforever

Bad news for me so that's me out. I must have done an absolutely sh1te hpat. Bummer :-(
Atleast this year was only a trial run for me and still going to do my masters. Every cloud and all that jazz. Best of luck to everyone!

Medme

student forever I wouldn't be thinking that yet. Fairly convinced my hpat was terrible, haven't got any kind of email from hpat so that's why I was wondering bout it all...

Fiddles44

I got an email too . Our hpat results would have been sent to the colleges by now. I looked at my cao application and there is no sign of a hpat result so i think we may still have to wait until June to get the results. I was told that RCSI have a cut off point of around 160 tho

ruthiecahill

I've heard the same, that once you get over 160 in HPAT RCSI will contact you to submit further docs.
HPAT results for mature students sent out end of April apparently!

Fiddles44

At least we have most of the work done for the application already. So glad I don't have to start writing from the beginning again for the RCSI application. Any day now for the hpat results then so (and so starts the constant emailing checking ha).

ruthiecahill

Isn't it strange that they ask you to send in everything in again, that would've been sent to CAO and I assume they should have already?

Fiddles44

Maybe CAO doesn't actually send them to RCSI since they have this cut off with the hpat results and thats why you're asked to send them in yourself. I didn't send a CV to cao either. Not exactly sure what to put in that tbh. Are you just sending in exactly what you sent to the CAO before?

julie2tubz

ruthiecahill wrote: »

Isn't it strange that they ask you to send in everything in again, that would've been sent to CAO and I assume they should have already?

I got an email too

I was thinking the same Ruthie. I have to get my references to resend me them again now to ensure I send originals on headed paper. Surely the CAO can forward everything to them?

Oh well at least it's a step in the right direction. I hope that it means I've done ok in HPAT?!

ruthiecahill

You may be right.
Pretty much the same as I sent to CAO. I did send in my cv and the few references I had to them already, so just copies of everything basically.
Don't know what to advise on CV front....I feel that's my weakest part of my application, but it's the best I can make it for now, I think

ruthiecahill

julie2tubz wrote: »

I got an email too

I was thinking the same Ruthie. I have to get my references to resend me them again now to ensure I send originals on headed paper. Surely the CAO can forward everything to them?

Oh well at least it's a step in the right direction. I hope that it means I've done ok in HPAT?!

I wasn't sure if the references were to be originals. I only sent copies to CAO!

Fiddles44

ruthiecahill wrote: »

I wasn't sure if the references were to be originals. I only sent copies to CAO!

I don't think you need to send originals. I'm going to be sending copies anyway. They'll see its on headed paper when its photocopied

julie2tubz

ruthiecahill wrote: »

I wasn't sure if the references were to be originals. I only sent copies to CAO!

I assumed you sent the originals to the CAO and they certified them and sent them on to your choices. I guess I was wrong. I've just added a slight bit of work for myself. I'll get there in the end I hope.

FairytaleGirl

I didnt repeat my hpat this year, could'nt make the exam. I got asked to submit docs from rcsi last year - but not this year so standard must have been higher!


boo

Fiddles44

Really sorry to hear that ! Do you mind me asking what your hpat score was from last year? Might give an idea of the cut off score. I wouldn't give up hope yet either. You could still get an email

Alt.End

I got an email from rcsi
I got one last year but I think my hpat result was only about 150.... hope I did better this year..
I was wondering whether they ask people to submit who put them on first place? Do the colleges know which one you put first?

Medme

I put RCSI 4th and got the email so thinking they don't know (or care?) what order choices are in at this stage...

EternalGeek

Just saw this thread. I got an email from RCSI. Is it true that they don't send the emails out to everyone? This is so nerve wracking?

Also the phrase 'relevant supporting documents' always makes me paranoid that I should add some more stuff but what?!

Fiddles44

EternalGeek wrote: »

Just saw this thread. I got an email from RCSI. Is it true that they don't send the emails out to everyone? This is so nerve wracking?

Also the phrase 'relevant supporting documents' always makes me paranoid that I should add some more stuff but what?!

They only send emails to people who have got over their hpat cut off score supposedly. What the cut off score is for this year, who knows!

When they say 'relevant supporting documents' I thought they meant things like Leaving cert and degree results

EternalGeek

Thank you so much Fiddles44, Please God, this is a positive!!

Ah, glad I got a few copies of my transcript off TCD, it took ages to get them last time!!

Actually, anyone have any idea if I should send a copy of my registration with An Bord Altranais?

Fiddles44

EternalGeek wrote: »

Thank you so much Fiddles44, Please God, this is a positive!!

Ah, glad I got a few copies of my transcript off TCD, it took ages to get them last time!!

Actually, anyone have any idea if I should send a copy of my registration with An Bord Altranais?

No probably! I'm sure sending in your registration would do no harm.

I hope you don't think this is a little weird but I think I saw you mentioning in another thread that you're doing you're repeating your leaving. How you getting on? I was in the same position as you last year

EternalGeek

I think its going well, times like now when I have the orals coming up, I question my own sanity but for the most part I think it was the right decision.

How did you get on with repeating?

A lot of people have told me they really like to see that you are repeating as it shows dedication.

Fiddles44

PM sent

RAnnaC

I also got an email from rcsi so am going to have to start working on my personal statement right away. I am in a small bit of a predicament though; rcsi is currently top on my cao, followed by TCD and UCD. I really want to get into rcsi, but the mature student fees scare me a bit. If possible, I'm going to get in on leaving cert points if I did a good enough hpat, but does anyone know when we will know our hpat results? If i didn't do well enough I think I'll take rcsi off no. 1 in case I get offered a mature place and have to pay those huge fees, even though it is the place i really want to go to.

ruthiecahill

Hpat results out the end of this month as far as I know