Gamsat 2012

insanity50 · 11-04-2012 12:24am

I know for 100% genuine fact UL are getting cadavers next year.

Lads half of the people posting on this thread are just trolling and making stuff up just to get a rise out of you all.

The reason no UL students are coming on to defend the course is cause they've been doing it for years and are pretty sick of it now, it's the same argument every year.

The saline point however is, if you have a science background you'll be fine. If you come from a non science background then UL course is not for you. you need an understanding of phsyiology,biology or biochem before you start this course, otherwise the first two years will literally be the worst two years of your entire life. There's no emphasis on biochem, micro. there's minimal emphasis on immuno, pharm and it's up to yourself to correct that once you're aware of the deficiency. it's self directed learning, it's up to yourself what you feel you need to know and that can be enough to simply pass exams or you can go beyond that and teach yourself the elements of a medical degree that aren't part of the UL curriculum. there'll be nobody on the UL faculty to help you with this self directed learning either, so if you are someone who needs something explained to you then don't go to ul. you can't pop up to the biochem lecturers office and ask him to explain glycolysis to you because you've tried learning it yourself and don't understand it.

PeadarGalway · 11-04-2012 2:13am

insanity50 wrote: »

I'm a third year gems student from UL.

Stay well clear is all i'll say!!!!!

Pretty much all UL students will be fit for is becoming a GP, it's a on running joke amongst the staff and students here, it's pretty much a gp training school tbh.

very few will go on to do anything else; basically the handful of students who realise quickly how crap the school is and decide to better themselves in spite of their circumstances.

a lot of the students here want to be gps anyway, very few of them want to learn the in depth medical sciences as they are brainwashed that they don't need to know it, or have chosen ul intentionally because they believe this new form of medicine is the future, and that you genuinely don't need to know it. when any biochem or micro or pharm was mentioned in my pbl groups there was always a chorus of groans and sighs and ''ah we dont need to know that stuff''

i did a kaplan usmle prep course last year and only for doing that id have been an absolute show on the wards this year.

theres only about 30 percent of people i feel sorry for in the school. the canadian students who have been absolutely ripped off and bent over, and the 15ish irish students who have aspirations of being something more than a gp.

You've changed your tune.

ciara84 · 11-04-2012 1:25pm

PeadarGalway wrote: »

You've changed your tune.

smells like another MrsStuffings, bashing UL and then ending up there and then changing what she was posting, honestly, the best way to get to know a college is to visit it, and make up your own mind, people asking for "reviews" of colleges are just being lazy, the amount of times I've ended up sleeping through a movie even though it was 7-8+ rated on IMDB.... and there have been quite a few 4-5 star rated ones that I've enjoyed

, alot of the times it comes down to personal preference, even though I scored pretty high on the GAMSAT and got my first choice (RCSI), I would have been equally as happy going to UCC, I went there for college, or else UCD where I did my masters, or else UL since they've the best sports facilities in the country and no doubt a very good medicine course

ciara84 · 11-04-2012 1:33pm

Nanorman wrote: »

Hey everyone! I know there must be some other people out there that check this site religiously too...... to ease their suffering as we wait for our results! So here are my two cents.
I would really like the opportunity to be involved in research in the future. That is why I decided to attempt the GAMSAT in March. Medical degrees in my eyes were meant to be universally standardised unlike PhDs, but seeing the bashing UL has got over the last week, I have doubted my assumption :P. I am sure UL isn't a bad place, but in saying that it is last on my CAO because of it's apparent obsession with clinical medicine....not very helpful with my aspirations of research! Anyone else want to do research or are you all interested in being "On the front line"?
So here are some links, some of you may have seen but interesting to look at
http://www.atlanticbridge.com/med/faqs/fqindex.htm (The Atlantic Bridge, used by North American students that come to Ireland has some good info about the different schools etc.)

https://careers.nuim.ie/sites/careers.nuim.ie/files/documents/GAMSAT%20MEDICINE2012.pdf (Overview of the Gamsat, the process and the like, anyone notice in the UL is GMP, whilst the rest are GEM? Google'd it and apparently they are the same....but why!? )

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2784445/?tool=pubmed (A research paper on GEM! The 1st paragraph of the discussion: "This study demonstrated that graduate applicants compared to school leaver applicants were significantly more conscientious, more confident, more self controlled, more communitarian in moral orientation and less anxious. Only one of these differences was preserved in the entrants with graduates being less anxious. However, the graduate entrants were significantly less empathetic and conscientious than the school leavers.")

Hope everyone is well!

if you want to get into research, most of the time you have to specialise (in america this is called board certification), this also allows you to become a consultant and practise if you chose to do so, most researchers in say, cardiology, are board certified in internal medicine (they do a residency in it) and then are also board certified in cardiology (they do a fellowship in this) and some are even board certified in interventional cardiology (another fellowship), or take oncology for example, most are board certified in internal medicine and then do a fellowship in haematology/oncology (they're combined these days most of the time), this is because its very hard to get funding if you aren't working for an academic institute, and most of the time, they want value for money, so they will have you teaching other medical students/residents, and they cant have you doing it unless you are board certified, I dont really know how it works in Ireland, but I assume it is similar, you need to have some experience actually practicing in the field you are researching in.

Bella84 · 11-04-2012 7:39pm

ciara84 wrote: »

smells like another MrsStuffings, bashing UL and then ending up there and then changing what she was posting

Genie, I remember her, she was banned about a million times, wasnt she?! The same woman got 68 in the GAMSAT, people, and ended up in UL!!!!!!!!

I suppose we should just take the privilege and shut up about it, I reckon it's a lucky bunch who end up in a course like Medicine.

And despite Insanity completely changing his/her tune I have to say I reckon there is some sense in saying that the UL course is more suited to those with a decent base in Science already...

insanity50 · 11-04-2012 8:06pm

I haven't changed my tune.

I haven't contradicted myself in either statement.

The take home message is:

Don't come here if you don't have a science background.

If you do come here, do so with your eyes open and aware of the fact that you will have to do a lot of self motivated and directed learning in biochem,immuno pharm and micro to make up for the deficiencies in the pbl programme.

Bella84 · 11-04-2012 11:58pm

Hi all,

Found the post below when I was looking for some info on the UL and GEM thread. Some genuine and very interesting information regarding the UL course in particular for anyone thats interested, it's a real eye opener of a thread. Worth a browse. Lotta actual students accounts rather than us just hypothesising!!!! Enjoy....

Current first year GEM @ UL here.

I think that you're spot on in saying that there is a good relationship between the faculty and students. Because the course is taught through PBL, I suspect that we have a faculty and staff who manage the course much differently than others.

For instance, in my previous courses we would have a number of different modules which would be managed by the individual lecturer (who would set the exams). This could give rise to issues during term when there are clashes with other subjects etc. Because our central theme is PBL, our timetable is centrally managed, our lecturers (generally) only lecture and our head teachers set the exams. Therefore the weekly activities are arranged around our PBL and Clinical Skills sessions and the staff are aware of the upcoming schedule. This helps to eliminate possible areas of trouble and makes it seem like everyone is on the same page - students and staff alike.

I'll do a quick personal pros and cons.

Pros:
The self directed learning style is a fantastic way to learn. However stating that it is self directed without elaborating may be a little misleading, in that, a framework is provided on a weekly basis in which a number of learning objectives have to be met. Inevitably you will meet them if you are willing to put in the work.

Having outlined a number of learning outcomes on your first PBL session of the week you must then be prepared to stand and present them in front of your peers (usually eight other students and your tutor). You are therefore constantly being tested on your knowledge and it really pay dividends when it comes to retaining the information.

Another pro in my opinion is that because we are taught through cases we are learning through pathology where possible. This puts clinical relevance on everything we do which makes it so much more interesting and easier to spend time with.

Cons:
I'm biased because I feel that the course really suits my style of learning so personally I don't have any major issues with it. I think my one big thing is that I would love to learn anatomy through cadavers, especially as I'm a non-science graduate. However I must stress that anatomy and clinical skills are taught in an excellent manner here at UL and I suspect that it may actually be one of our strongest points on graduating. The cadavers is more of a personal thing.

I think a lot of it comes down to what image you have of yourself in medical school. If you see yourself putting in the long hours and working hard then UL will be an extremely rewarding place for you to learn. There are definitely a small number who struggle but I think it usually comes down to work ethic rather than personal ability or the quality of the course delivery.

On a final note, I should also point out that while the school may be new, the system is tried and tested at this stage. The exact same learning style has been used for many years in McMaster University, Canada (who we benchmark ourselves against twice a year with both sets of students taking the same exam); St George's University of London, where our current anatomy professor taught the same course; and Flinder's University, Australia where the current head of the medical school, Professor Paul Finucane, first observed this style of learning while he worked there from 1994-2001.

By no means do I wish elect myself as a representative for the opinions of the rest of my class (all 124 of them) and the above is simply my experience so far.

I hope this helps and please feel free to ask any further questions.

Stephan Grundy · 13-04-2012 12:16am

Went to the UC Dublin open day today, and was well impressed - I can see why so many people have it down as their first choice. The facilities are very good, and the staff members who talked to us made an excellent impression on me. I'll wait until I've had a chance to look at the other universities before I decide on my first choice, but I think I could be very happy there - assuming I get the GAMSAT score for it (argh, a bit more than a month yet to hold my breath!).

Jammyc · 13-04-2012 9:20am

Anyone have any idea when results will be out? I assume ~18th May?

Nanorman · 13-04-2012 12:23pm

Jammyc wrote: »

Anyone have any idea when results will be out? I assume ~18th May?

The University of Limerick have a list of particular dates, the 18th is the latest but the most probable! :P

http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Faculties/Education_%26_Health_Sciences/Departments/Graduate_Entry_Medical_School/LATEST/News_and_Events/2012?did=229427972&pageUrl=/WWW/Faculties/Education_%26_Health_Sciences/Departments/Graduate_Entry_Medical_School/LATEST/News_and_Events/2012

PaddyA · 13-04-2012 5:52pm

My daughter is thinking of doing GEM next year. She has a second class honours degree from Trinity in Dental Science. The trouble is Trinity don't discriminate between a 2H1 and a 2H2. Her final year mark was 62% (pass mark being 50%). Will she be eligible?

Jammyc · 13-04-2012 8:04pm

PaddyA wrote: »

My daughter is thinking of doing GEM next year. She has a second class honours degree from Trinity in Dental Science. The trouble is Trinity don't discriminate between a 2H1 and a 2H2. Her final year mark was 62% (pass mark being 50%). Will she be eligible?

Thats the first I've heard of Trinity not distinguishing between 2.1 and 2.2. Could she get a copy of her transcript and that might differentiate?

PaddyA · 13-04-2012 10:47pm

Jammyc wrote: »

Thats the first I've heard of Trinity not distinguishing between 2.1 and 2.2. Could she get a copy of her transcript and that might differentiate?

This must be specific to dentistry. She has a copy, but it just says Second class Honours, rather than a 2H1, although, by general standards, 62% is a 2H1.

ciara84 · 14-04-2012 2:41am

PaddyA wrote: »

This must be specific to dentistry. She has a copy, but it just says Second class Honours, rather than a 2H1, although, by general standards, 62% is a 2H1.

if she has graduated from dentistry, im pretty sure she can apply to undergraduate trinity medicine and they will give her a "fast track" route to medicine (comes out to doing the final two years, or final two years and a few extra modules), she will be given a boat load of exemptions as she would have done all the classes before, I think this also applies to UCC, im not a 100% on that one though

ericm84 · 14-04-2012 7:07pm

PaddyA wrote: »

My daughter is thinking of doing GEM next year. She has a second class honours degree from Trinity in Dental Science. The trouble is Trinity don't discriminate between a 2H1 and a 2H2. Her final year mark was 62% (pass mark being 50%). Will she be eligible?

As Ciara mentioned as a dental grad your daughter can apply to undergrad med in trininty and if succesful in her application would go straight into 3rd year.

I think you also have to have passed your MFDS exams (which you can't get until your at least 2 years out of college). If she has this then she can apply, think its via the CAO so may be too late for this september, but best check with Trinners to be sure!

emmetdoyle · 29-04-2012 4:23pm

I'm doing a Law degree in NUI Maynooth (LL.B) and I want to sit the GAMSAT. Obviously I haven't done science in a while but I did all chemistry, physics and biology for the Leaving Cert. Would that and some revision be ok to sit the exam?

PeadarGalway · 30-04-2012 1:55pm

Sooo, my plan B hpat entry has bottomed out (only got 70th percentile, apparently 80th at least is needed)... Fingers crossed for GAMSAT!

jtsuited · 30-04-2012 6:38pm

emmetdoyle wrote: »

I'm doing a Law degree in NUI Maynooth (LL.B) and I want to sit the GAMSAT. Obviously I haven't done science in a while but I did all chemistry, physics and biology for the Leaving Cert. Would that and some revision be ok to sit the exam?

more or less. get the griffiths gamsat review e-book and then go from there.

strangeweather · 02-05-2012 2:44pm

Just curious if anyone applied for the scholarship scheme at UL or if anyone has heard anything from it?

declanmoffit · 04-05-2012 6:01pm

tick tock tick tock.......................

insanity50 · 04-05-2012 10:11pm

i'm so worried i'll do shit and end up in UL

all those horror stories! don't think I could cope!

praying I get over 58!

Nanorman · 05-05-2012 12:38am

insanity50 wrote: »

I'm a third year gems student from UL.

Stay well clear is all i'll say!!!!!

And

insanity50 wrote: »

i'm so worried i'll do shit and end up in UL all those horror stories! don't think I could cope!

praying I get over 58!

I am confused, are you a 3rd year med student or a potential med student? Ultimately it is a standardised medical degree and your rank in the class is more important than the school when applying to Irish internships. Let's stop the slander.

ciara84 · 05-05-2012 1:41am

Nanorman wrote: »

And

I am confused, are you a 3rd year med student or a potential med student? Ultimately it is a standardised medical degree and your rank in the class is more important than the school when applying to Irish internships. Let's stop the slander.

was just about to post this, worst attempt at trolling ever, I'll let it be though since im a nice person, him being a 5'6 154lbs guy must be hard enough (his gem of a geniune post in health and fitness :P).

insanity50 · 05-05-2012 11:56am

Satire lost on you both it seems; I wasn't trolling you numpties, it was a sarcastic post stereotyping the type of posts the forum will be flooded with over the next few weeks.

#BrainlessGradMedAndGamsatVirgins

Nanorman · 05-05-2012 12:02pm

insanity50 wrote: »

Satire lost on you both it seems; I wasn't trolling you numpties, it was a sarcastic post stereotyping the type of posts the forum will be flooded with over the next few weeks.

#BrainlessGradMedAndGamsatVirgins

Nice story, why don't you say something constructive? "Brainless"? I am pretty sure the terms and conditions of this forum require you to be over 13 or something. Are we silly and dumb and mean too? Forgive me, *pats on head*

Jammyc · 05-05-2012 12:03pm

So...how about those results? I've heard the 18th thrown around but nothing yet from the GAMSAT office. Anyone have any idea?

creatinine · 05-05-2012 12:26pm

ciara84 wrote: »

though since im a nice person, him being a 5'6 154lbs guy must be hard enough).

Just wondering If you think you think having such an obviously conceited and sneering outlook coupled with a general nasty attitude is acceptable (assuming you actually qualify as a doctor) for dealing with patients with achondroplasia or endocrine disorders for short stature?

insanity50 · 05-05-2012 12:28pm

I can assure you Ronan with an attitude like yours you will struggle in whatever college you go to.

I hope for the sake of patients everywhere that you fail your Gamsat miserably.

Nanorman · 05-05-2012 12:42pm

insanity50 wrote: »

I can assure you Ronan with an attitude like yours you will struggle in whatever college you go to.

I hope for the sake of patients everywhere that you fail your Gamsat miserably.

You are a very aggressive person. Last time I heard someone saying "I hope you fail your exams" as a counter to an argument I was 10. Once again, just say things that are constructive.

The3Musketeers · 05-05-2012 2:58pm

insanity50 wrote: »

I can assure you Ronan with an attitude like yours you will struggle in whatever college you go to.

I hope for the sake of patients everywhere that you fail your Gamsat miserably.

Wow, what a ray of sunshine you are.

Sorry there, an attitude like what exactly? And you can assure someone they will struggle? Really? What are you, a fricking oracle?

GEM is meant to be about getting more rounded, mature, worldly people into the field. It's meant to weed out the conceited, prestige-hunting types that can sometimes be found in undergrad medicine. You sir, are wishing ill on others "for the sake of patients everywhere". What a kind heart you do have - concern for patient welfare. Bravo.

I did undergrad medicine. The people in my class who struggled and failed were mostly those who alienated themselves and had no friends to support them. Sometimes this was due to mental health stuff, but often it was sadly their own doing. Ultimately it's all about working with others in a team. I really hope you're not so unpleasant in person.

Gamsat 2012

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