UCC GEM

Gandalf The White

I am interested in studying medicine at University College Cork.

Is it a good programme?

Also, how many first year students will there be in 2013? Typically, how many of them are international students?

Thank you in advance!

Dewey collins

i'm staying with a Medicine who is an international student and he says that the majority of the class are international students

Nanorman

Hi everyone!

I'm a 1st year GEM in UCC and I remember this time last year, stressful times! Hope you are all doing well! I thought I would make a post about my school, UCC!

UCC has a great course. Our class gets along really well as we are the smallest GEM class in Ireland so you don't get "lost in the crowd" I suppose.
About 70 of us, half North American (Mainly Canadian) half EU (95% Irish)

Results from the recent GEM/Direct USMLEs (the exam you MUST take to get into the US) are in. UCC has the highest passing rates in Ireland, with a top score of 253 and mean score of 219 (on par with US Med Schools). You usually take it in the summer between 2nd and 3rd year if you want to. (A very important exam as you will find many consultants have trained in the US. Their training is the best)

My rent is cheap (€260). Double bed, between the city and UCC. Although some are paying more, you need to just be prepared for the year ahead!

We join the undergrads in the middle of 2nd year, so only a year and a half until your class grows! They all seem very nice.

The loan is a big problem. I was denied my loan the first time I applied. Make sure you have a good guarantor ready and possibly a back up.

Good luck to everyone.

Agnieszka_88

Nanorman, is the course, more traditional or more modern (PBL)? Any chance of working part-time in fist year? How are the professors, the facilities? Could you maybe write down an example timetable from your first year?
Also, the Student Selected Modules - are there a lot to choose from & are they very competitive to get into?
Thanks for taking the time to answer us!

Nanorman

Hey Agnieszka!

The course is traditional, very similar to UCD or RCSI I assume as we have lectures etc. We do have 2 hours a week of SGL (small group learning) where we read a case and then divide the learning objectives and present them. It is a small part of the course but I found it useful to practice public speaking. Other than that it is didactic. UL is unique in it's approach, every other Irish school is very similar I think.

I like my professors, no real complaints, though maybe other people in my class don't like them as much?! :P

This link is a live link of my friend's timetable he updates which I use. We started back on Tuesday so this week isn't too bad. If you press the arrow at the top left you can see last semester etc. I didn't ask him so let's keep it between me and everyone on the internet haha.

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=ovfq3loidik01gjnnlreiblkfc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=Europe/Dublin

I don't know much about the Student Selected Modules, that must be next year? We are given all the same classes this year. Next year we slowly start going to the hospital more and more, then at Christmas we are always in the hospital.

WoolahUrma

i was looking for some info on ucc. thats very helpful, thanks.

so youre finished most days at 3? and how much study did you require per day?

also, when do your exam results start to count toward your final degree?

Nanorman

Hi!

If we have something on at 2pm usually that means we are finished at 4 as they are labs (Anatomy/Pathology or Physiology)

How much do I need to study? Really hard to say. This semester I am in the library every day after class until it closes. First semester was easier (I have a science background).

I heard after Christmas first year we start being ranked (which is how intern spots are allocated) but I also heard after first year. If I had to guess I think it might be after Christmas 1st year. That is the most important factor. If that differs from your final degree, MAYBE after 2nd year, but yes ranking starts early on.

WoolahUrma

Nanorman wrote: »

Hi!

If we have something on at 2pm usually that means we are finished at 4 as they are labs (Anatomy/Pathology or Physiology)

How much do I need to study? Really hard to say. This semester I am in the library every day after class until it closes. First semester was easier (I have a science background).

I heard after Christmas first year we start being ranked (which is how intern spots are allocated) but I also heard after first year. If I had to guess I think it might be after Christmas 1st year. That is the most important factor. If that differs from your final degree, MAYBE after 2nd year, but yes ranking starts early on.

what time does the library close at?

That is alot but then again my memory of the med students while i was doing my undergrad was just that. study until quite late

Nanorman

There are 3 libraries for you to choose from! :P
The one I use and most people use is the health sciences library, closes at 9:45pm
The Main campus library closes a bit later then a small section opens until 1am I think
There is also a library in the hospital which I think is 24 hours.

Agnieszka_88

Nanorman wrote: »

Next year we slowly start going to the hospital more and more, then at Christmas we are always in the hospital.

Are the clinical placements all in Cork, or will you have to travel somewhere?

Nanorman

Not all of the clinical placements are in Cork, I know a few 2nd years who had to go to Kerry so I assume other counties could be included!

Tazzle

Agnieszka_88 wrote: »

Are the clinical placements all in Cork, or will you have to travel somewhere?

Clinical Placements this year for my class, 3rd year at UCC:
Cork: CUH/CUMH, MUH, SIVUH, BSH
Limerick: MWRH
Kerry: Tralee (KGH, BSH)
Tipperary: Clonmel (STGH)

2nd year had the same hospitals, GP attachments were across 3/4 counties also, but mostly in Cork.

If travelling, UCC arranges and pays for your accomdation.

mednod2013

Tazzle wrote: »

If travelling, UCC arranges and pays for your accomdation.

That sounds really promising! Have ucc as my second choice - fantastic info here :P

Nonoperational

Nanorman wrote: »

Hi!

If we have something on at 2pm usually that means we are finished at 4 as they are labs (Anatomy/Pathology or Physiology)

How much do I need to study? Really hard to say. This semester I am in the library every day after class until it closes. First semester was easier (I have a science background).

I heard after Christmas first year we start being ranked (which is how intern spots are allocated) but I also heard after first year. If I had to guess I think it might be after Christmas 1st year. That is the most important factor. If that differs from your final degree, MAYBE after 2nd year, but yes ranking starts early on.

The ranking depends firstly on your finals results.

Biologic

Nanorman wrote: »

Hi everyone!

I'm a 1st year GEM in UCC and I remember this time last year, stressful times! Hope you are all doing well! I thought I would make a post about my school, UCC!

UCC has a great course. Our class gets along really well as we are the smallest GEM class in Ireland so you don't get "lost in the crowd" I suppose.
About 70 of us, half North American (Mainly Canadian) half EU (95% Irish)

Results from the recent GEM/Direct USMLEs (the exam you MUST take to get into the US) are in. UCC has the highest passing rates in Ireland, with a top score of 253 and mean score of 219 (on par with US Med Schools). You usually take it in the summer between 2nd and 3rd year if you want to. (A very important exam as you will find many consultants have trained in the US. Their training is the best)

Hey Nanor,
glad you're enjoying the course. I'm not sure about your figures though. The RCSI GEM class is less than 70 so UCC can't be the smallest. Also, there's no way for UCC to know the RCSI GEM USMLE (acronym overload) pass rates. When you take the test your results are confidential unless you choose to tell the world. I don't know anyone in my class who failed so I think we're at 100%, but I could be wrong. Off the top of my head I can think of 3 classmates who got over 250. I don't know what the average was. I'd be careful about believing such concrete statements as "UCC has the highest pass rates", because each school tends to self inflate, RCSI included.
I'm sure UCC is a great course and there are loads of reasons to pick it, but those figures shouldn't be one of them. UCC GEMs could have done better than RCSI GEMs, but there's no way to tell.

nerrad01

Biologic wrote: »

Hey Nanor,
glad you're enjoying the course. I'm not sure about your figures though. The RCSI GEM class is less than 70 so UCC can't be the smallest. Also, there's no way for UCC to know the RCSI GEM USMLE (acronym overload) pass rates. When you take the test your results are confidential unless you choose to tell the world. I don't know anyone in my class who failed so I think we're at 100%, but I could be wrong. Off the top of my head I can think of 3 classmates who got over 250. I don't know what the average was. I'd be careful about believing such concrete statements as "UCC has the highest pass rates", because each school tends to self inflate, RCSI included.
I'm sure UCC is a great course and there are loads of reasons to pick it, but those figures shouldn't be one of them. UCC GEMs could have done better than RCSI GEMs, but there's no way to tell.

in terms of matching this year RCSI did the best hands down, trinity was bottom of the list....i got figures sent for the matching results from all the schools. in terms of first round applications

UCD: 15 applied and 8 matched
RCSI: 35 applied and 20 matched
Trinity: 12 applied and 1 matched
UCC: 15 applied and 5 matched
Galway: 3 applied and 2 matched
UL: 20 applied and 12 matched

Biologic

nerrad01 wrote: »

in terms of matching this year RCSI did the best hands down, trinity was bottom of the list....i got figures sent for the matching results from all the schools. in terms of first round applications

UCD: 15 applied and 8 matched
RCSI: 35 applied and 20 matched
Trinity: 12 applied and 1 matched
UCC: 15 applied and 5 matched
Galway: 3 applied and 2 matched
UL: 20 applied and 12 matched

Yeah they told us those figures a few days ago. The 1st round offers aren't the only thing to look at though. First round offers would only give RCSI a match rate of 57%, whereas our actual final rate was 76%. I'm pretty sure UCC did very well in second round offers too, bringing them well up that list. Also, from a GEM point of view, everyone that applied in the class ahead of me matched, so it's more the undergrad applicants that are dragging down the stats. I'm not saying they're less capable, maybe just that the North American system favo(u)rs graduate applicants who better mirror their domestic applicants).

nerrad01

Biologic wrote: »

Yeah they told us those figures a few days ago. The 1st round offers aren't the only thing to look at though. First round offers would only give RCSI a match rate of 57%, whereas our actual final rate was 76%. I'm pretty sure UCC did very well in second round offers too, bringing them well up that list. Also, from a GEM point of view, everyone that applied in the class ahead of me matched, so it's more the undergrad applicants that are dragging down the stats. I'm not saying they're less capable, maybe just that the North American system favo(u)rs graduate applicants who better mirror their domestic applicants).

yea i think all the schools did pretty well out of the second round offers too, is it true that RCSI has a staff member that sorts all the applications for students in terms of matching?? thats a huge advantage i think

Biologic

nerrad01 wrote: »

yea i think all the schools did pretty well out of the second round offers too, is it true that RCSI has a staff member that sorts all the applications for students in terms of matching?? thats a huge advantage i think

I'm not too sure about the applications process, I'll be doing that next year. We do have a designated person for all things USMLE/matching though. For example, when we ran short on USMLE test dates last year she was able to get them to open more. This year she has been helping with the paperwork we need for electives. Last week she organised for the guy who selects Harvard residents to come over and give us a talk on the dos and don'ts of matching. She also set up a mentoring service to we can contact most of the RCSI grads ahead of us who are residents/attendings in the states for advice on whatever. I actually didn't realise how much she does for us until I started brainstorming for that list...

nerrad01

Biologic wrote: »

I'm not too sure about the applications process, I'll be doing that next year. We do have a designated person for all things USMLE/matching though. For example, when we ran short on USMLE test dates last year she was able to get them to open more. This year she has been helping with the paperwork we need for electives. Last week she organised for the guy who selects Harvard residents to come over and give us a talk on the dos and don'ts of matching. She also set up a mentoring service to we can contact most of the RCSI grads ahead of us who are residents/attendings in the states for advice on whatever. I actually didn't realise how much she does for us until I started brainstorming for that list...

yea from upper years ive talked to this is a huge plus as the applications etc sound like such a headache!

pc11

nerrad01 wrote: »

in terms of matching this year RCSI did the best hands down, trinity was bottom of the list....i got figures sent for the matching results from all the schools. in terms of first round applications

UCD: 15 applied and 8 matched
RCSI: 35 applied and 20 matched
Trinity: 12 applied and 1 matched
UCC: 15 applied and 5 matched
Galway: 3 applied and 2 matched
UL: 20 applied and 12 matched

Sorry, dumb question perhaps, but what are these figures for exactly? What is 'matched' here?

Also, I'm not sure how it is that RCSI did best in these figures. Percentage-wise UL did better, no? And UCD was only slightly worse than RCSI. (I'm ignoring Galway as it's a small number.)

nerrad01

pc11 wrote: »

Sorry, dumb question perhaps, but what are these figures for exactly? What is 'matched' here?

Also, I'm not sure how it is that RCSI did best in these figures. Percentage-wise UL did better, no? And UCD was only slightly worse than RCSI. (I'm ignoring Galway as it's a small number.)

matching is basically getting onto a residency programme in the US or Canada (5 year training programme to become fully qualified in your particular speciality[by north american standards]) and it is why you do the usmle as your step 1 score will form a part of your application to get "matched"

these figures are basically for the people who got "matched", but I only listed first round offers, but in terms of matching to some of the more competitive fields RCSI did very well, the other courses did well too, but i just listed them in reply to someone mentioning a college getting the top usmle scores (which i dont think are released so its all hear say) when matching is the only thing that matters at the end of the day. (well in terms of our north american friends)

Nanorman

Biologic wrote: »

Hey Nanor,
glad you're enjoying the course. I'm not sure about your figures though. The RCSI GEM class is less than 70 so UCC can't be the smallest. Also, there's no way for UCC to know the RCSI GEM USMLE (acronym overload) pass rates. When you take the test your results are confidential unless you choose to tell the world. I don't know anyone in my class who failed so I think we're at 100%, but I could be wrong. Off the top of my head I can think of 3 classmates who got over 250. I don't know what the average was. I'd be careful about believing such concrete statements as "UCC has the highest pass rates", because each school tends to self inflate, RCSI included.
I'm sure UCC is a great course and there are loads of reasons to pick it, but those figures shouldn't be one of them. UCC GEMs could have done better than RCSI GEMs, but there's no way to tell.

Hey! No problem, literally going off what a lecturer was telling me that day I posted. When he said we were the smallest class, maybe he meant when we join undergrads, or he was mistaken. I was asking about electives in the US and he said UCC did well, highest passing rate in Ireland but like you said he could have just been mistaken/exaggerating (also no one really wants to just "pass"). Ultimately it's up to the individual so I suppose it doesn't really reflect UCC even if it is true So yes I would definitely agree and expand that nothing to do with matching as a whole should be taken into account! :P
Thanks for your feedback Biologic!

kellogscoffey

Tazzle wrote: »

If travelling, UCC arranges and pays for your accomdation.

Not if they get their way...

Tazzle

Tazzle wrote: »

If travelling, UCC arranges and pays for your accomdation.

kellogscoffey wrote: »

Not if they get their way...

Prof George Shorten, MD, PhD wrote:

To all Medical Students



Currently the School of Medicine provides free accommodation to all its undergraduate student s who are on clinical attachments (both hospital and General Practice) outside Cork City (other than in Mallow). The costs incurred by the School are significant and have increased annually.



Regrettably, we wish to alert you to the fact that this service will be withdrawn on a phased basis, beginning in Term 2 of the academic Year 2013/14. For that Term, students in Yr 3 of the Direct Entry (DE) to Medicine Programme and Yr 2 of the Graduate Entry to Medicine (GEM) Programme will need to make their own arrangements and, if necessary, pay for accommodation during clinical attachments outside Cork City.



From 2014/15, this will also apply to Yr 4 of DE /Yr 3 GEM;

From 2015/16 it will apply to all undergraduate students of Medicine.



The School recognises the financial burden this will place on some students and has taken this decision only after careful consideration. The State grant for UCC State has decreased by almost 50% since 2007; we are determined that the quality of the programmes you are taking be maintained. This is an unfortunate but necessary step to achieve that.



Information on accommodation available in Tralee, Clonmel and other sites will be provided when the attachment schedule for Term 2 (Yr 3 DE; Yr 2 GEM) is circulated in Oct 2013.



Prof George Shorten, MD, PhD

Dean

School of Medicine

In relation the above post, an email from the UCC School of Medicine this week.

Poppy1314

Hi all,

I am hopefully starting GEM in UCC this coming Sept. (pending CAO). I was wondering if anybody could tell me roughly what date the first semester begins?

NCOL

Poppy1314 wrote: »

Hi all,

I am hopefully starting GEM in UCC this coming Sept. (pending CAO). I was wondering if anybody could tell me roughly what date the first semester begins?

Registration/orientation is August 29th with term starting September 1st.