UL GEM 2014

IrishSkyBoxer · 30-08-2014 8:50pm

hope you all know what you are letting yourselves in for!

TGJD · 03-09-2014 7:06am

Hey, anyone know what we need to have with us at orientation tomorrow? I know I saw a list somewhere but can't seem to find it now and I have to drive to limerick later so don't want to forget anything vital. Cheers lads.

RainBow_xo · 03-09-2014 9:10am

TGJD wrote: »

Hey, anyone know what we need to have with us at orientation tomorrow? I know I saw a list somewhere but can't seem to find it now and I have to drive to limerick later so don't want to forget anything vital. Cheers lads.

Passport/Birth Cert
Garda vetting form
Degree parchment
Proof of fee payment
That's all I can think of right now :P

TGJD · 03-09-2014 9:20am

RainBow_xo wrote: »

Passport/Birth Cert
Garda vetting form
Degree parchment
Proof of fee payment
That's all I can think of right now :P

Legend thanks! I had forgotten degree parchment entirely. Seems like an odd request after needing transcripts for the application in the first place.

Lub · 03-09-2014 10:13am

RainBow_xo wrote: »

Proof of fee payment

Do we have to request a receipt from the bank for this?

TGJD · 03-09-2014 6:40pm

Lub wrote: »

Do we have to request a receipt from the bank for this?

You should have gotten it when you paid.

Cymini Sectores · 05-09-2014 3:08pm

Congrats to those who got everything sorted. Hopefully you are happy at UL... As a non-science, the PBL thingy was all too scary for me, anyway, good luck to you all.

GEM2015 · 18-07-2015 3:34pm

I was wondering if anyone who got a score of 53 was offered a place in CAO round 0 for UL GEM 2014?

I scored 53 in March during final year of college and really don't want to have to take a year out to apply for GEM in UL again. The round 0 offers are out on July 30th but the wait is killing me. I have applied for GAMSAT UK in Birmingham come September and if I don't get a round 0 offer I am quitting my job to focus more on study for the month of August rather than just studying after work.

Any information from someone who got offered UL in 2014 with a score of 53 would be greatly appreciated.

dublindoctor · 18-07-2015 3:42pm

GEM2015 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone who got a score of 53 was offered a place in CAO round 0 for UL GEM 2014?

I scored 53 in March during final year of college and really don't want to have to take a year out to apply for GEM in UL again. The round 0 offers are out on July 30th but the wait is killing me. I have applied for GAMSAT UK in Birmingham come September and if I don't get a round 0 offer I am quitting my job to focus more on study for the month of August rather than just studying after work.

Any information from someone who got offered UL in 2014 with a score of 53 would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, yes several people with a score of 53 got offered round 0 places in UL. i took a year out between finishing undergrad and starting med...i wish i had just gone straight through but in the bigger picture it doesn't make a difference, and the years money you will make will definitely stand to you, medicine is expensive as a course!

Hope you get round 0, let us know how it goes!

GEM2015 · 18-07-2015 4:35pm

dublindoctor thank you very much for your reply.

I was just wondering are you currently studying GEM in UL? Just wondering how you know that people with a 53 got offered round 0 places? Is that from talking to classmates??

I am doing my best to come to terms with a year out and having money in my pocket but the financial issue isn't a huge concern for me. I plan to live at home for the course and I have a guarantor lined up for my loan. The issue of being a year older is more of a concern for me.

dublindoctor · 18-07-2015 5:27pm

GEM2015 wrote: »

dublindoctor thank you very much for your reply.

I was just wondering are you currently studying GEM in UL? Just wondering how you know that people with a 53 got offered round 0 places? Is that from talking to classmates??

I am doing my best to come to terms with a year out and having money in my pocket but the financial issue isn't a huge concern for me. I plan to live at home for the course and I have a guarantor lined up for my loan. The issue of being a year older is more of a concern for me.

very few people go straight into it from college, most people take a year out or have already worked for a few years but, you'll be qualified quicker by going straight through!

Yeah I am a UL student so that's how i know several people got in on 53, I think it was 53* for us tho, so not all 53 got in on round 0, but all did by round 1, 2 etc!

I thought Ulster bank did the UL med loan, didn't realise they needed a guarantor?

Ballet17 · 18-07-2015 5:50pm

Hi GEM yes a friend of mine got offered UL in round zero last year on 53, and I think many others on boards did too. On the UL website it says the official cut off was 54.. But very best of luck of luck with it!

Hi dublindoctor do you mind if I ask if you received the Ulster bank loan? Was it just credit scoring that determined being successful and they don't need a guarantor? Just wondering, Thanks

dublindoctor · 18-07-2015 6:21pm

Ballet17 wrote: »

Hi GEM yes a friend of mine got offered UL in round zero last year on 53, and I think many others on boards did too. On the UL website it says the official cut off was 54.. But very best of luck of luck with it!

Hi dublindoctor do you mind if I ask if you received the Ulster bank loan? Was it just credit scoring that determined being successful and they don't need a guarantor? Just wondering, Thanks

I think they way they do it is 54 is the cut off...Then after CAO assign people to their respective 1,2,3,4 choices, then any extra places not filled are given on random selection to people on 53....offers can also be given as late as october!

Yeah I have the ulster bank loan, I don't now to be honest, the person I dealt with was terrible being honest, didn't give me the repayment scale, % interest, nothing...I didn't need a guarantoir and I don't think I had to do anything except open an account with them, they were very laid back about it. I think it might be switching to bank of ireland now tho as the ulster bank on campus in UL that dealt with the loan is now being changed to a bank of ireland...im unsure about the effect of this on the loan though! have you had trouble getting it?

Ballet17 · 18-07-2015 7:47pm

dublindoctor wrote: »

I think they way they do it is 54 is the cut off...Then after CAO assign people to their respective 1,2,3,4 choices, then any extra places not filled are given on random selection to people on 53....offers can also be given as late as october!

Yeah I have the ulster bank loan, I don't now to be honest, the person I dealt with was terrible being honest, didn't give me the repayment scale, % interest, nothing...I didn't need a guarantoir and I don't think I had to do anything except open an account with them, they were very laid back about it. I think it might be switching to bank of ireland now tho as the ulster bank on campus in UL that dealt with the loan is now being changed to a bank of ireland...im unsure about the effect of this on the loan though! have you had trouble getting it?

Thanks for your help! I'm hoping to start in Sept (fingers and toes crossed!) and UL is my first choice, so I haven't the loan secured or anything yet because it states you need to have accepted a place first... Yeah I only stumbled upon that fact, about the banks changing yesterday! There's nothing about it on their website and it still says to direct queries to Ulster Bank. I emailed UL anyway so we'll see what they say. Thanks again for answering and for your help!

andy721986 · 19-07-2015 11:09pm

I'm a UL student who got in last year in the first round offers with a gamsat score of 53. Not everyone with 53 got it in the first round but they were all offered it in the second round offers.

GEM2015 · 20-07-2015 6:33pm

andy721986 wrote: »

I'm a UL student who got in last year in the first round offers with a gamsat score of 53. Not everyone with 53 got it in the first round but they were all offered it in the second round offers.

Do you mean round 0 or first round offers as a matter of interest? Round 0 being the 31st July last year.

goldencrisp62 · 21-07-2015 4:39pm

stay well away from UL gem course lads, or at least do your homework beforehand. mickey mouse course.

Ballet17 · 21-07-2015 5:26pm

It's a lot people's only option goldencrisp62, gamsat score, living situation, personal choice or otherwise. So we'll deal with it, research done and all. And I know many that have done the course, enjoyed it, and are successful doctors now.

Durf · 21-07-2015 7:15pm

goldencrisp62 wrote: »

stay well away from UL gem course lads, or at least do your homework beforehand. mickey mouse course.

Same yard stick for all GEM institutions....

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Education/Career-Stage-Graduate-Entry/Quality-Assurance/

andy721986 · 21-07-2015 11:08pm

GEM2015 wrote: »

Do you mean round 0 or first round offers as a matter of interest? Round 0 being the 31st July last year.

Yes - I got in round zero with a score of 53. It was random selection and then everyone on 53 was offered a place in later rounds.

goldencrisp62 · 22-07-2015 7:44am

Durf wrote: »

Same yard stick for all GEM institutions....

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Education/Career-Stage-Graduate-Entry/Quality-Assurance/

Not the same course material delivered to you in each college. Some colleges don't deliver anything to you, leaving you to do everything yourself....

Ballet17 · 23-07-2015 5:21pm

Guys does anyone know if it's Ulster Bank that are running the UL tailored loan for graduate medicine for this current year? I've emailed both UL and Ulster Bank but have received no response. With the offers a week away I'm starting to panic a little! Any info would be brilliant, thanks!

RainBow_xo · 24-07-2015 6:40pm

Ballet17 wrote: »

Guys does anyone know if it's Ulster Bank that are running the UL tailored loan for graduate medicine for this current year? I've emailed both UL and Ulster Bank but have received no response. With the offers a week away I'm starting to panic a little! Any info would be brilliant, thanks!

Maybe call the UL Ulster bank branch or head down to them. There are some people who do not know about the loan and also from what I rem last year, they did not speak to people until you had confirmed your offer.

Ballet17 · 24-07-2015 6:56pm

RainBow_xo wrote: »

Maybe call the UL Ulster bank branch or head down to them. There are some people who do not know about the loan and also from what I rem last year, they did not speak to people until you had confirmed your offer.

Thanks for your response Rainbow_xo I really appreciate it. I knew there wasn't much one could do until you had an offer and accepted it but I'd heard that the loan was being taken over by another bank and just wondering if if it was true or not (apparently it's still Ulster bank anyway

) thanks again!

RainBow_xo · 24-07-2015 6:59pm

Ballet17 wrote: »

Thanks for your response Rainbow_xo I really appreciate it. I knew there wasn't much one could do until you had an offer and accepted it but I'd heard that the loan was being taken over by another bank and just wondering if if it was true or not (apparently it's still Ulster bank anyway ) thanks again!

Oh lols!! My bad, I have no idea!

Ballet17 · 24-07-2015 7:22pm

RainBow_xo wrote: »

Oh lols!! My bad, I have no idea!

No worries at all! I mightn't have been very clear

Thanks for replying though all the same, I appreciate it!

dublindoctor · 28-07-2015 6:51pm

Ballet17 wrote: »

No worries at all! I mightn't have been very clear Thanks for replying though all the same, I appreciate it!

You don't need to get the loan straight away, you can go through all of first year without actually paying the fees so I wouldn't worry about it, there is plenty of time for the loan application once you accept your place and start etc

GEM2015 · 01-08-2015 1:21pm

andy721986 wrote: »

Yes - I got in round zero with a score of 53. It was random selection and then everyone on 53 was offered a place in later rounds.

Do you mean every single person with a 53?

Ballet17 · 05-08-2015 5:42pm

Hi all, thanks for all the help and info so far it's been brilliant. Not sure if anyone will be able to answer this but said I'd ask anyway

I've applied for the scholarship at UL, no idea what the outcome will be but is it possible to delay applying for the loan until I hear the result of this? Or should I just get the ball rolling and apply anyway.. Is there a time period when you should be applying for the (tailored gem fees) loan or can you do it anytime? Sorry if any of these questions sound silly, not really sure how it all works, thanks

dublindoctor · 05-08-2015 6:36pm

Ballet17 wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for all the help and info so far it's been brilliant. Not sure if anyone will be able to answer this but said I'd ask anyway I've applied for the scholarship at UL, no idea what the outcome will be but is it possible to delay applying for the loan until I hear the result of this? Or should I just get the ball rolling and apply anyway.. Is there a time period when you should be applying for the (tailored gem fees) loan or can you do it anytime? Sorry if any of these questions sound silly, not really sure how it all works, thanks

Several people accepted the course with the hopes of getting the scholarship without the loan, and some were successful in doing that!

you can take out the loan whenever you want, even if you need the loan from 2-4th year year for example, you can start the 3 year loan in 2nd year! The people dealing with the loan are generally very approachable as they deal alot with students so if you have queries it might be best to give them a call as you can get mixed info/opinions on here based on different peoples experiences! The banks generally are happy to give anyone money at any time, college dates don't matter a huge pile to them!

Ballet17 · 05-08-2015 6:59pm

dublindoctor wrote: »

Several people accepted the course with the hopes of getting the scholarship without the loan, and some were successful in doing that!

you can take out the loan whenever you want, even if you need the loan from 2-4th year year for example, you can start the 3 year loan in 2nd year! The people dealing with the loan are generally very approachable as they deal alot with students so if you have queries it might be best to give them a call as you can get mixed info/opinions on here based on different peoples experiences! The banks generally are happy to give anyone money at any time, college dates don't matter a huge pile to them!

Thanks so much Dublindoctor for all the information, I really appreciate it! Yeah I might do that and give them a call. All of this is good to know though, thanks again!

AndrewTheCat · 06-08-2015 9:58pm

Over 50 students failed the first year summer exams, please be careful guys and make sure you know what you are getting yourself in for.

dublindoctor · 12-08-2015 2:29pm

AndrewTheCat wrote: »

Over 50 students failed the first year summer exams, please be careful guys and make sure you know what you are getting yourself in for.

in UL?

supraspinaswim · 10-09-2015 4:35pm

Not sure where you got the 50 people failed figure, since Im in 2nd yr in UL and no where near as many people failed. All did the repeats and apparently passed with success.

That to me is someone who hasnt got a clue of UL and is trying to denigrate it with crap.

tommy_flag · 17-09-2015 9:57pm

Jebus bricking it now. The courses seems a bit scant on lecture material. 50 people possibly failed last year? I study basically 5 hours a day minimum.

supraspinaswim · 21-09-2015 11:10pm

tommy_flag wrote: »

Jebus bricking it now. The courses seems a bit scant on lecture material. 50 people possibly failed last year? I study basically 5 hours a day minimum.

Read what I said above, there was not 50 people who failed the year for 2014-2015. Its bull. Im a second year in GEMS.

As for lecture material, either take the lecture approach like UCD and do a 9-5 monday to friday or do the self directed learning with UL. Its a tough slog but not impossible.

vladcount · 15-05-2016 2:27am

Tell us guys, did any one hear of anyone getting in on 49/50 Gamsat score ? thanks to scholarship or less people applying.
i believe not a lot of people applied this yr talking toa friend of mine who is a invigilator for last yrs gamsat exam.

greentoast · 24-05-2016 1:18am

vladcount wrote: »

Tell us guys, did any one hear of anyone getting in on 49/50 Gamsat score ? thanks to scholarship or less people applying.
i believe not a lot of people applied this yr talking toa friend of mine who is a invigilator for last yrs gamsat exam.

No, from what I gather 53 was the lowest score, because not everyone who scored 53 ended up getting in. But GEMS tends to increase their classes each year and if overall there are less applicants...you never know...

FutureMedicA · 15-06-2016 6:09pm

Hi does anyone know if Limerick use both the average score of the three sections of the Gamsat, as well as the official Gamsat score, when giving out places?

tom2016 · 22-07-2016 7:05pm

Hi, FutureMedicA
As far as I know all courses in Ireland choose their applicants by the gamsat score solely, and do not break down individual sections.

Esophagus · 23-07-2016 2:35pm

FutureMedicA wrote: »

Hi does anyone know if Limerick use both the average score of the three sections of the Gamsat, as well as the official Gamsat score, when giving out places?

No, they only go by the official Gamsat score. The 2 UK unis that also use the 'alternative method' are phasing that practice out.

eagle_&_bear · 05-12-2016 11:07pm

UL GEMS- Limerick Graduate Medicine

Total intake is 160- of which 90 are Canadian, and remainder are Irish/European

Currently the present year are down to 143

RainBow_xo · 06-12-2016 9:55am

eagle_&_bear wrote: »

UL GEMS- Limerick Graduate Medicine

Total intake is 160- of which 90 are Canadian, and remainder are Irish/European

Currently the present year are down to 143

Did you mean for it to be the other way around? There are not 90 North American students.....

Killergreene · 07-12-2016 9:04pm

eagle_&_bear wrote: »

UL GEMS- Limerick Graduate Medicine

Total intake is 160- of which 90 are Canadian, and remainder are Irish/European

Currently the present year are down to 143

So 17 dropped out. Very high attrition rate which confirms the rumours we have heard about this course over the years. Brutal programme with difficult administration and non existent teaching in the basic sciences. Medicine by breadcrumbs is how I heard it described. The problem is the lower gamsat scores means anyone who swings a boot at the test can get in but they may not have the capabilities to complete the programme

eagle_&_bear · 09-12-2016 2:31am

RainBow_xo wrote: »

Did you mean for it to be the other way around? There are not 90 North American students.....

In the present year if there's not 90-there's not far off it!!!!

eagle_&_bear · 09-12-2016 2:37am

Killergreene wrote: »

So 17 dropped out. Very high attrition rate which confirms the rumours we have heard about this course over the years. Brutal programme with difficult administration and non existent teaching in the basic sciences. Medicine by breadcrumbs is how I heard it described. The problem is the lower gamsat scores means anyone who swings a boot at the test can get in but they may not have the capabilities to complete the programme

Your criticism isn't well founded. The administration is fairly top notch, and the teaching hours have been increased year on year. There are tons of lectures per week in a rake of topics linked to the "case of the week" but the real issue is they aren't mandatory and are, very poorly attended.

The gamsat standard has raised in the past 2years and a change in the exam-gone are the normal expected questions, instead much more extrapolated questions.

Any for some who dropped out the course just wasn't for them, some had family issues and some dropped out because the bank maðe getting the loan extremely difficult this year. A good few were outright refused the loan (it's NOT automatic or guaranteed just because you get a college offer) and some people left because they were refused after review.

In the round, UL grads, when in intern year are streets ahead of other college because of the teaching method and having to present every day in class

It's definitely the case that Medicine is not for everyone- I think this is true for every college

eagle_&_bear · 09-12-2016 2:39am

tom2016 wrote: »

Hi, FutureMedicA
As far as I know all courses in Ireland choose their applicants by the gamsat score solely, and do not break down individual sections.

This is correct. Gamsat is the sole discerning exam for eligibility of a college offer

Killergreene · 09-12-2016 10:28am

My understanding is usmle scores have been very poor at step 1 level coming from UL, so much so that US students arent entitled to government loans to study at the college. If the average step 1 score is too low the us government will not provide loans to students to attend. The problem there I imagine is over confident students who apply and try to swing a boot at the exam like they did for the gamsat and hope they will get a decent score and then instead they fail.

What are the microbiology and biochemistry curriculums like? My understand is they were almost non-existent the last number of years, that students were able to state there was gram negative and gram positive organisms but not much else beyond that.

eagle_&_bear · 16-12-2016 10:56pm

Killergreene wrote: »

My understanding is usmle scores have been very poor at step 1 level coming from UL, so much so that US students arent entitled to government loans to study at the college. If the average step 1 score is too low the us government will not provide loans to students to attend. The problem there I imagine is over confident students who apply and try to swing a boot at the exam like they did for the gamsat and hope they will get a decent score and then instead they fail.

What are the microbiology and biochemistry curriculums like? My understand is they were almost non-existent the last number of years, that students were able to state there was gram negative and gram positive organisms but not much else beyond that.

Micro is quite good this year so far, it pops up every week

Biochem for 1st years is really only starting on that our cases of the week have been lobar pneumonia, but we understand the rest of resp
Is majorly explored in semester 2, as for biochem on its own- it's been reviewed in physiology lectures by Prof O'Connor in his 12 recorded lecturers which are very poorly attended by students and as such, is not learned either properly, or at all, by some students so it's a little hard to blame a college for what is really a student failing.

As for USMLE that's really reserved for end of
2nd year so it's something I know little about but from the 3rd years- a good portion achieved decent scores (I can't quantify that further without speaking to people in better details) but the usmle exam is extremely tough, I don't think the results are wonderful anywhere in this country. But a decent amount get grades needed for placement.

I can investigate this more, but as usmle is totally seperate from any college, I don't think it's right to blame a college if a student fails an exam which has nothing to do with the college

IMO

UL GEM 2014

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