GAMSAT 2015

Durf

j.mcdrmd wrote: »

Do you see any basis to support loaning anyone any money here?

Huh, maybe i phrased my question poorly, I'm afraid i dont understand your responding question.

Cymini Sectores

I might be wrong but I can't imagine BOI giving out loans without a guarantor even for UL GEMs. I had no guarantor last year and was refused. No guarantor this year either . The fee is a lot but the course worth it. That some get loans and others are denied is unfortunate!

Durf

Cymini Sectores wrote: »

I might be wrong but I can't imagine BOI giving out loans without a guarantor even for UL GEMs. I had no guarantor last year and was refused. No guarantor this year either . The fee is a lot but the course worth it. That some get loans and others are denied is unfortunate!

Thanks Cymini Sectores. Were u applying for BOI or UB last year? I wont have a guarantor either. This is somewhat conjecture, i understood UB had some arrangement with UL which enabled them to be a tad more liberal in granting loans without guarantors. Perhaps UL underwrites some of the risk ?! It would be nice to have some insight

dublindoctor

Durf wrote: »

Thanks Cymini Sectores. Were u applying for BOI or UB last year? I wont have a guarantor either. This is somewhat conjecture, i understood UB had some arrangement with UL which enabled them to be a tad more liberal in granting loans without guarantors. Perhaps UL underwrites some of the risk ?! It would be nice to have some insight

BOI and AIB both require a guarantor as far as I'm aware! UB, I don't know, seemingly some people needed a guarantor however I did not need one with my loan, so I would look into trying to get the loan with them again despite their branch not being on campus, I don't see this as a reason for them to not give out the grad med loan, as far as I'm aware, UB also offer the best loan rates etc!

Durf

Thanks Dublin Doctor. PAUW said the below:

pauw wrote: »

Hi for those hoping to go to UL we received an email explaining that the Bank of Ireland were recently successful in tendering to become UL’s banker. This means that past students who enrolled under ulster banks graduate loan will now be transferred to Bank of Ireland. Those incoming first years should perhaps look into getting the loan with Bank of Ireland instead.
All the best with the offers.

Despite this change and based on what you said, Dublin Doctor, i would be interested to know if any UL gems tried UB before the weekend?

Cymini Sectores

Durf wrote: »

Thanks Cymini Sectores. Were u applying for BOI or UB last year? I wont have a guarantor either. This is somewhat conjecture, i understood UB had some arrangement with UL which enabled them to be a tad more liberal in granting loans without guarantors. Perhaps UL underwrites some of the risk ?! It would be nice to have some insight

I attend RCSI so my loan had to be from BOI. I am not sure about the loan policy for UL GEMs except that people say a guarantor is not required.

j.mcdrmd

BOI taking over UB role in UL is a major change. UB, in particular, seemed to have a large capacity to loan money for GEM in UL, sometimes based on really low GAMSAT scores (by international standards) and without any guarantor, I often wondered why. Maybe UL can put pressure on BOI to offer unguaranteed loans?

Banks have a particular responsibility to ensure potential guarantors are very well informed regarding GEM loans imo. The Banks know why they now need guarantors, they need to explain why they (the banks) are no longer willing to take the risk.

Many currently working Doctors including GEM are having solvency problems. Often they are propped up financially by partners, family and friends. Rising rents, double renting, cuts in pay, rising costs to keep working (professional fees, exams, childcare etc.), constant moving between hospitals and accommodation, regular battles with the HSE to get paid what is owed on time, all take their toll. For clarity, this paragraph is based on information already available in the public domain.

dublindoctor

Durf wrote: »

Thanks Dublin Doctor. PAUW said the below:



Despite this change and based on what you said, Dublin Doctor, i would be interested to know if any UL gems tried UB before the weekend?

Ok, i don't know where that info came from but i am fairly sure one bank can't just hand over a bunch of loans to another bank just because they have relocated buildings?..Am I missing something, because that seems ridiculous?

My loan has not been transferred to BOI, as im fairly sure thats not possible, they have just moved their branch into limerick city centre...As far as Med loans go, I don't see why this would mean UB no longer give out the loan..?

UL students/UL GEMS recieved the following email regarding BOI medical loan, so I hope this is off some help, but again, I don't see why UB would no longer give out their loan..?






Tailored Financial Package for Students of the Graduate Medical School

Contact: Liz Horgan at Bank of Ireland, University of Limerick 0766240826 or email Liz.Horgan@boi.com

This proposal is open uniquely to students who qualify and are awarded a place on the 4 year Graduate Medical Course in the University of Limerick, through the CAO application process.
Personal loan up to a max. of €60,000 over the four year course for Graduates entering the Graduate Entry Medical Programme. Candidates can borrow up to €15,000 (plus interest) per year for a maximum of four years.
Preferential interest rate of 6.3% (6.5% APR) applies and is subject to change. Interest will accrue over 4 years.
Full moratorium of capital and interest repayments will apply for the first four years. Thereafter, repayments will be made on a monthly basis for 132 months.
Each year the student must provide proof of acceptance for the following year’s course.
Each year the student is required to apply for the BOI loan required through the Bank of Ireland, University of Limerick Branch only.
On completion of the 4 year course the total loan accumulated including interest accrued will be restructured into a regular repayment pattern. The maximum repayment term is 15 years and each loan will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Should the applicant leave the Graduate Medical Programme at any point during the four years, the preferential rate and repayment moratorium shall no longer apply.

Additional Funds
We are delighted to offer additional funds of up to €10,000 for maintenance purposes subject to standard lending criteria. Each applicant will be assessed individually.

Bank of Ireland Requirements
1. Only open to students who have been awarded a place in the UL 4 year Graduate Entry Medical Programme.
2. Candidates must have an active Bank of Ireland current account.
3. Bank of Ireland may request a parental guarantee at the underwriter’s discretion. Bank of Ireland will work with each individual applicant to negate the need for parental indemnity whenever possible.
4. Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply and applicants will be assessed individually

j.mcdrmd

Banks sell off loan books all the time.

dublindoctor

j.mcdrmd wrote: »

Banks sell off loan books all the time.

ah right. My loan is still with UB anyway, nothing is being changed to BOI for me.

j.mcdrmd

Everyone needs to realise that banks really do sell off loan books and it can happen years after borrowers think. Unless in the small print there is an exclusion.

Banks do not sell off the debt to your local community who will take into account the number of years your extended family 'had a relationship with the bank' or that a Doctor piled up debt because 'they really, really wanted it' or 'they were doing it for the real reasons'.

Banks care not a jot about health care, they cared about Doctors (as customers) when Doctors were earners, now that lots of Doctors cannot pay their bills the banks can and will send in the debt collectors.

gaffer93

How much are the fees for UCD? Slightly over the 15,000 offered by BOI?

Anita Blow

Slightly under €15,000

Blue_Zebra

For anyone headed to UCC there is a Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/814341775315042/

I'm going into 2nd year GEM and there are other 2nd/3rd years in the group who can help out with questions on loans/registration/accommodation etc.

pickmeplease

Hey guys,

So i was talking to my friend in UL GEMs and he said do not let loans deter you. Accept the place and hopefully things will fall into place - apparently a couple of students started last year and had a couple of meeting with the head of school (who is apparently bang on) and they sorted it together. So with the day for acceptance being tomorrow don't let it put you off..

Money shouldn't wreck your dreams. and you may swell try your best to get it sorted this year rather than prolonging it another

Anita Blow

Anyone know when we can expect something from the universities?

Tennisfan1

I'm starting to get a bit panicky about accommodation. I live in the UK at the moment but I've been emailing away on daft.ie and the university accommodation office but all the places are being snapped up so quick.
Maybe living in a tent for the year will help me to save on expenses...

Durf

Tennisfan1 wrote: »

I'm starting to get a bit panicky about accommodation. I live in the UK at the moment but I've been emailing away on daft.ie and the university accommodation office but all the places are being snapped up so quick.
Maybe living in a tent for the year will help me to save on expenses...

Perhaps someone out there knows if there is a UL facebook page for this years entrants? Help might be found there

strangeweather

Durf wrote: »

Perhaps someone out there knows if there is a UL facebook page for this years entrants? Help might be found there

I can't post the link but if you search 'University of Limerick - Medicine - (UL Med) - Class of 2019' you will get the group. Lots of current students there that will be happy to answer any questions.

mick_murphy

Hey. Does anyone know how I approach the UCD BOI for a GEM loan? Should I start now or wait until I get a letter from UCD? Thanks.

pickmeplease

Guys can anyone tell me when second round offers sre out? Did anyone ask?

loopylulu

mick_murphy wrote:

Hey. Does anyone know how I approach the UCD BOI for a GEM loan? Should I start now or wait until I get a letter from UCD? Thanks.

I applied for the loan the day the offers came out. That's for rcsi though. I used the CAO offer letter with the application. Still haven't heard back. Get onto the bank now otherwise you could be another couple of weeks waiting.
I can't resign my job until I get the loan. It's a horrible feeling having got so close and wondering if it could all be pointless

Ballet17

pickmeplease wrote: »

Guys can anyone tell me when second round offers sre out? Did anyone ask?

Hi I think the next round is 17th August, if you check the cao site though it should state it there!

loopylulu

Loan approved!! Sh1t just got real :-O

Ballet17

loopylulu wrote: »

Loan approved!! Sh1t just got real :-O

Well done loppylulu! Were you banking with boi previously? What info did you need for applying, if you don't mind me asking? still waiting for bank to get back to me

loopylulu

I opened an account with them a month ago. Had 6 months bank statements and saving statements. Letter from employer with current salary and my credit card bill! Soooo relieved it was approved!

Ballet17

loopylulu wrote: »

I opened an account with them a month ago. Had 6 months bank statements and saving statements. Letter from employer with current salary and my credit card bill! Soooo relieved it was approved!

Thanks a million and well done again!

Durf

loopylulu wrote: »

I opened an account with them a month ago. Had 6 months bank statements and saving statements. Letter from employer with current salary and my credit card bill! Soooo relieved it was approved!

Congratulations!!

Anita Blow

mick_murphy wrote: »

Hey. Does anyone know how I approach the UCD BOI for a GEM loan? Should I start now or wait until I get a letter from UCD? Thanks.

I rang Pauline who looks after the GEM loans in UCD. She said we don't contact them until we receive the Giro from UCD and then they can process the loan application.

AndrewTheCat

Just finished first year year GEMS UL.

Over 50 students in our class failed the summer exams.

One work of advice for anyone starting.

Proceed with caution. Plenty of horror stories about UL GEMS floating around.

medpad

Got an offer from UCC but decided to wait a year. Should be save enough points wise for next year. Congratulations and Best of Luck to all

j.mcdrmd

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

Just finished first year year GEMS UL.

Over 50 students in our class failed the summer exams.

One work of advice for anyone starting.

Proceed with caution. Plenty of horror stories about UL GEMS floating around.

This is very confusing. This comment does not fit with 466 above.

On the one hand a posters friend says jump in I did so you should too, it all grand, and the poster advises not to let money wreck your dreams?

On the other hand a poster says failure rates are high, proceed with caution?

How many were in the class?

When did the results come out?

Is there a way for potential students to check this out with actual numbers?

magsyc

Just asked a friend of 50 people in ul failed. She said that was a load of crap and didn't happen.

Shoflahe03

If there's any RCSI or UCD GEM1s still looking for accommodation I'm letting a room in South Dublin, was keeping in case I was offered Dublin but heading to Cork instead! PM me for more details if you're interested

Tennisfan1

I thought that message about 50 failing was a load of crap. Somebody clearly scaremongering trying to get somebody to decide against the course in the hope of taking their place.
Is anybody having a hard time finding a place to live in Cork? I thought the GAMSAT and funding would be the biggest obstacle for me but turns out finding a place to stay is proving my biggest hurdle. Grr. Are there any websites out there I don't know about apart from daft.ie and UCC accomodation office?

AndrewTheCat

I just finished first year. It's true. There's close to 200 in the class give or take.

I'm not scaremongering at all.

I don't need to scaremonger as pbl will sort the men from the boys fairly quickly.

If you any further info as to the strength of the course ask about the high step 1 failure rate in usmle in our course, and ask about the high numbers of drop outs in the first six weeks.

The Caribbean schools are viewed higher than ul by Canadian and us residency programmes I gather

I spoke with a graduate medicine intern and loan repayments are crippling her, circa 1000 a month. Take home pay is 450 a week post tax. Working 80 hours a week and only paid for 40. Once car food bills rent is covered she has about 100 quid a week in her pocket. If I could turn back now I'd probably just do law or accounting. Luckily my cousin is doing an im residency in the us so I should be able to get over there and make the big wages if I nail my steps.

Ballet17

Andrew the Cat ..."If I could turn back now.."

By your own admission you've just finished first year of the college COURSE!! years away from even becoming a working doctor! If you feel that way maybe you should cut your loses and go do accountancy or whatever, you might feel a lot happier. Oh and anyone who has or knows anyone who is an accountant and has gone through those accountancy exams will know they are no walk in the park either and have a pass rate of about 50 percent. Many have compared their difficulty to medicine. Just some food for thought for you

medpad

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

I just finished first year. It's true. There's close to 200 in the class give or take.

I'm not scaremongering at all.

I don't need to scaremonger as pbl will sort the men from the boys fairly quickly.

If you any further info as to the strength of the course ask about the high step 1 failure rate in usmle in our course, and ask about the high numbers of drop outs in the first six weeks.

The Caribbean schools are viewed higher than ul by Canadian and us residency programmes I gather

I spoke with a graduate medicine intern and loan repayments are crippling her, circa 1000 a month. Take home pay is 450 a week post tax. Working 80 hours a week and only paid for 40. Once car food bills rent is covered she has about 100 quid a week in her pocket. If I could turn back now I'd probably just do law or accounting. Luckily my cousin is doing an im residency in the us so I should be able to get over there and make the big wages if I nail my steps.

Troll alert

strangeweather

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

Over 50 students in our class failed the summer exams.

Totally untrue.

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

If you any further info as to the strength of the course ask about the high step 1 failure rate in usmle in our course

Total troll! Totally untrue. UL has a fantastic record for USMLE and students match to highly competitive residencies every year. The stats are released and VERY few people fail - pass rate is over 90%.

sReq | uTeK

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

I just finished first year. It's true. There's close to 200 in the class give or take.

I'm not scaremongering at all.

I don't need to scaremonger as pbl will sort the men from the boys fairly quickly.

If you any further info as to the strength of the course ask about the high step 1 failure rate in usmle in our course, and ask about the high numbers of drop outs in the first six weeks.

The Caribbean schools are viewed higher than ul by Canadian and us residency programmes I gather

I spoke with a graduate medicine intern and loan repayments are crippling her, circa 1000 a month. Take home pay is 450 a week post tax. Working 80 hours a week and only paid for 40. Once car food bills rent is covered she has about 100 quid a week in her pocket. If I could turn back now I'd probably just do law or accounting. Luckily my cousin is doing an im residency in the us so I should be able to get over there and make the big wages if I nail my steps.

Lol, are you sitting on 53 with the hope of getting some people to drop out

j.mcdrmd

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Lol, are you sitting on 53 with the hope of getting some people to drop out

And you know that?

What does a 53 mean exactly?.

AndrewTheCat

strangeweather wrote: »

Totally untrue.



Total troll! Totally untrue. UL has a fantastic record for USMLE and students match to highly competitive residencies every year. The stats are released and VERY few people fail - pass rate is over 90%.

How many people break the average...which is 230 now btw.

Pass scores aren't worth a jot. 194 will see your application tossed in bin as will most scores less than 220.

All stats aren't released as students don't have to release scores to college.stats certainly aren't released to students, unless you believe billy's hobunk where he tells us it's actually better to fail step 1 than get a low score

There is lecture we were given which shows scores of student who released results to college. Very very few people break 210 and a large portion fail. A few superstars with bg in medical sciences will do better than the rest, mainly cause ul pre science programme is worthless

sReq | uTeK

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

How many people break the average...which is 230 now btw.

Pass scores aren't worth a jot. 194 will see your application tossed in bin as will most scores less than 220.

All stats aren't released as students don't have to release scores to college.stats certainly aren't released to students, unless you believe billy's hobunk where he tells us it's actually better to fail step 1 than get a low score

There is lecture we were given which shows scores of student who released results to college. Very very few people break 210 and a large portion fail. A few superstars with bg in medical sciences will do better than the rest, mainly cause ul pre science programme is worthless

I take of you'll be dropping out soon then such is your distain for the course

AndrewTheCat

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

I take of you'll be dropping out soon then such is your distain for the course

No aiming to nail my usmle and leave for brighter shores then.what part of training are you in?

Edit: just spotted you are a pre med who is a little older.
Do you happen to know what usmle even is?
Please don't pass comment when you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

pickmeplease

magsyc wrote: »

Just asked a friend of 50 people in ul failed. She said that was a load of crap and didn't happen.

Just finished first year myself. Dont even know an andrew in the class..granted my name is not on display but if anyone would like to hear more about ul and the course contact me. 50 failingn is absolute bull.

Outrageous statement. Dont rise to them.

AndrewTheCat

pickmeplease wrote: »

Just finished first year myself. Dont even know an andrew in the class..granted my name is not on display but if anyone would like to hear more about ul and the course contact me. 50 failingn is absolute bull.

Outrageous statement. Dont rise to them.

Would you care to tell the forum about the biochemistry module at UL? And the microbiology module? And the immunology module?

AndrewTheCat

Not one offering anything against my arguments except abuse. Says it all really. The hse will love ye. Mind numbing servitude awaits ye, don't ever dream of thinking outside the box or the norm guys, wouldn't want to deprive the hse of a few zombies willing to serve in the slaughterhouses, sorry hospitals, for a few years

j.mcdrmd

pickmeplease wrote: »

Just finished first year myself. Dont even know an andrew in the class..granted my name is not on display but if anyone would like to hear more about ul and the course contact me. 50 failingn is absolute bull.

Outrageous statement. Dont rise to them.

pickmeplease wrote: »

Hey guys,

So i was talking to my friend in UL GEMs and he said do not let loans deter you. Accept the place and hopefully things will fall into place - apparently a couple of students started last year and had a couple of meeting with the head of school (who is apparently bang on) and they sorted it together. So with the day for acceptance being tomorrow don't let it put you off..

Money shouldn't wreck your dreams. and you may swell try your best to get it sorted this year rather than prolonging it another

So which is it?

If you are going to economical with the truth you better have a very good memory.

j.mcdrmd

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

Not one offering anything against my arguments except abuse. Says it all really. The hse will love ye. Mind numbing servitude awaits ye, don't ever dream of thinking outside the box or the norm guys, wouldn't want to deprive the hse of a few zombies willing to serve in the slaughterhouses, sorry hospitals, for a few years

What worries me most is who will care for the Patients?

We are all potential Patients.

Doctors are quitting medicine altogether or leaving the country in alarming numbers now.

People don't seem to want to pay Doctors but are happy to pay cash for complementary/pseudo/para "medical care"

"If you pay peanuts you get monkeys" James Goldsmith

"My dear,
It astounds me that businesses can continue to pay their best and most hardworking employees little to nothing and still expect genius-scale work from them day-after-day.
Hiring a large quantity of cheap labor is far less effective than properly hiring and paying for the best. 1,000 monkeys get far less done than three people. And if you barely pay people and they leave, just to find someone else who’s willing to work for such a cheap cost, realize you’re not getting the better deal. What you just did is replace a hardworking person with a monkey – you expecting them to think on the same intellectual capacity is absurd.
Pay people right."

Ballet17

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

Not one offering anything against my arguments except abuse. Says it all really. The hse will love ye. Mind numbing servitude awaits ye, don't ever dream of thinking outside the box or the norm guys, wouldn't want to deprive the hse of a few zombies willing to serve in the slaughterhouses, sorry hospitals, for a few years

'Offering anything against your arguments?' You offered your opinion in the first place!!
'Getting nothing but abuse?' Andrew the cat going on what you've posted here and the other thread you may want to look in the mirror, especially that post directed towards someone who was older really indicated that you seem to lack decorum and sensitively, whether you're aware of it or not;be it due to naivety or arrogance. And just going on that point you don't have to be a doctor (or a first year medical student ;-) ) to know that bedside manner is a huge element of the doctor patient relationship, maybe you should go work on that, if you're not to be a fellow zombie in the 'slaughterhouse' ?!!
You can rationalise your words and how they are the truth all you want, but your tone speaks volumes.
Rant over. I honestly and sincerely hope that you are just an internet troll, because it's unsettling to think of someone who views hospitals as slaughterhouses treating anyone.