GAMSAT 2014?

Durf

kanurocks wrote: »

I wouldn't know... It doesn't usually work like that.. You would look for a guarantor that's a homeowner, because there is tangible asset security. They'd be worried who would pay the loan if you drop out. Your current salary/repayment ability would be a huge factor!

I know UCC is an issue, but I thought the UL & RCSI loans (from their banks of choice) did not require a guarantor?

kanurocks

Durf wrote: »

I kIow UCC is an issue, but I thought the UL & RCSI loans (from their banks of choice) did not require a guarantor?

I'm only speaking with regard to BOI loans

kanurocks

Had a great chat with RSCI admissions officer. She had 15 people on 56 points that weren't offered places. There were 8 non-acceptances, which mean an additional 8 have now been offered places. That leaves 7 people on the waiting list at 56 points.

The order on the waiting list is determined by random selection from the CAO.

Given that there are only 29 places and 8 drop-outs so far, it's unlikely that the final 7 will be offered places. The admissions officers said that no offers will be made at 55 this year.

I'm the very last person on the waiting list, so there is essentially zero chance the six ahead of me will drop out, when/if offered places!

But if you're higher up the order, there is still hope!

kanurocks

And FYI , for those of you hoping for UCD round two offers, the head of admissions in UCD just told me they still have a big waiting list at 57* points. They won't be making any offers at 56 this year...

Hope this helps some of you who are between two stools in terms of decision making.

Remember, what's for you, won't pass you by!

Cymini Sectores

kanurocks wrote: »

Had a great chat with RSCI admissions officer. She had 15 people on 56 points that weren't offered places. There were 8 non-acceptances, which mean an additional 8 have now been offered places. That leaves 7 people on the waiting list at 56 points.

The order on the waiting list is determined by random selection from the CAO.

Given that there are only 29 places and 8 drop-outs so far, it's unlikely that the final 7 will be offered places. The admissions officers said that no offers will be made at 55 this year.

I'm the very last person on the waiting list, so there is essentially zero chance the six ahead of me will drop out, when/if offered places!

But if you're higher up the order, there is still hope!

Just got off the phone with her after reconfirming my desire to accept the offer. Waiting for my registration pack so I can pay the 1000e deposit... Haven't had time to go to BOI to sort out loan... Work resignation handed in since last week... This offer won't pass me by "I hope".

kanurocks

Cymini Sectores wrote: »

Just got off the phone with her after reconfirming my desire to accept the offer. Waiting for my registration pack so I can pay the 1000e deposit... Haven't had time to go to BOI to sort out loan... Work resignation handed in since last week... This offer won't pass me by "I hope".

Delighted for you. I handed in notice in July! 'Twas a ballsy move!!!

Maybe we'll cross paths in the world of medicine!!

Cymini Sectores

kanurocks wrote: »

Delighted for you. I handed in notice in July! 'Twas a ballsy move!!!

Maybe we'll cross paths in the world of medicine!!

Yeah maybe we will, one never knows.

pc11

Cymini Sectores wrote: »

Guarantor?? I am in trouble then.... Say I have a guarantor (which I don't), must it be a family member. Further how much savings do you think will make BOI give me a loan? Is that even considered? I am with them 12 years now, never gotten a loan from them before (not that I haven't tried)

Talk to BOI ASAP. I can tell you for a fact that a guarantor is normally needed but not absolutely always. I had extensive talks with them last year and I can tell you that they look favourably on history with the bank, a science degree and good finances and job prospects already with your personal history in case it doesn't work out.

You must have been living in Ireland for 10 years and so must your guarantor. If your situation is very strong or if you're older and thus independent, they will consider you without a guarantor but it's not often granted.

Get the form in ASAP, they are swamped with applicants now, so move quickly. You can accept RCSI and withdraw later if you don't leave it too late. They will understand, but get moving and communicate with BOI and RCSI.

trendy88

Hi Guys,

Im sitting on 55 points and really hoping for UCC in the next round. I just rang UCC admissions and she told me I have zero chance of an offer as they're not making any more whatsoever. I find this strange given that a few people have already spoken here about not accepting offers in Cork etc.

kanurocks

trendy88 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Im sitting on 55 points and really hoping for UCC in the next round. I just rang UCC admissions and she told me I have zero chance of an offer as they're not making any more whatsoever. I find this strange given that a few people have already spoken here about not accepting offers in Cork etc.

There are about 70 non-eu students in the UCC Facebook group, perhaps offers have been made to NON-Eu students to replace some of the Irish ones...???

Really supprised they said no chance at 55 points... That seems very strange to me given that they usually operate randomly assigned waiting lists....

But I don't see any reason for the admissions officer not to be completely honest with you.... Maybe try ringing the grad-med office in Brookfield UCC, get their take on the matter??

Poppy1314

trendy88 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Im sitting on 55 points and really hoping for UCC in the next round. I just rang UCC admissions and she told me I have zero chance of an offer as they're not making any more whatsoever. I find this strange given that a few people have already spoken here about not accepting offers in Cork etc.

Yeah I agree with Kanurocks, it seems very strange given that as mentioned above, people with 56 in UCC are now being offered RCSI, and so surely there will be spaces freeing up for UCC? Would it be that UCC arent aware of those being offered and accepting RCSI yet and so they think they have a full take?

kanurocks

Poppy1314 wrote: »

Yeah I agree with Kanurocks, it seems very strange given that as mentioned above, people with 56 in UCC are now being offered RCSI, and so surely there will be spaces freeing up for UCC? Would it be that UCC arent aware of those being offered and accepting RCSI yet and so they think they have a full take?

That's a logical assumption ....

trendy88

Cheers for the reassurance Guys. My momentary panic has subsided, received an offer from UCC admissions this morning. Official offer to follow from the CAO monday. Absolutely thrilled. See all you UCC guys in a few weeks.

kanurocks

trendy88 wrote: »

Cheers for the reassurance Guys. My momentary panic has subsided, received an offer from UCC admissions this morning. Official offer to follow from the CAO monday. Absolutely thrilled. See all you UCC guys in a few weeks.

See you there pal. Only got my Garda vetting forms this morning, so we're not that far ahead of you.

JC

Poppy1314

Got my Garda vetting and vaccine info this morning too! Very exciting!

Cymini Sectores

Hello people, eventually made time to visit BOI this morning , didn't know what to expect. Well, the loan officer was very nice, perhaps tactful is the right word. I have no guarantor, I replied when asked... She flipped through a couple of pages, (going through the motion, I'd say) and looked up to me and said a guarantor is a requirement i.e. a family member living in Ireland for at least 10 years. Anyway, she gave me a couple of forms to fill out and said I will get a call in the next two days notifying me 'if my request has been successful to be put through for consideration' - essentially a 2 stage process for my loan application.

I am a realist, I have taken my mind off the bank and looking at other options. Anyone considering GEM should have a backup plan in case loan application fails. What keeps popping up in my head is UL UB, no guarantor needed, it's late now. Those who have decided to reapply next year, while working and saving now have surely made a wise decision, but it has to be this year for me. I wish everyone luck in their applications and RCSI peeps, I'll see you on September the 8th.

kanurocks

Anyone know how I can get my student number for UCC?

The Garda vetting letter quoted my CAO number which I tried in the student portal but it didn't work In DCU my student number was my CAO with '55' in front of it.

I got an email from UCC today with my password for the student portal, which said that my student number had been sent to me previously.... ��

Anyone have any ideas?

JC

kanurocks

kanurocks wrote: »

Anyone know how I can get my student number for UCC?

The Garda vetting letter quoted my CAO number which I tried in the student portal but it didn't work In DCU my student number was my CAO with '55' in front of it.

I got an email from UCC today with my password for the student portal, which said that my student number had been sent to me previously.... ��

Anyone have any ideas?

JC

Of course 10 secs later an email arrives with my student number!

sof__

Loan approved today by BOI, huge relief. Has anyone else heard back from their respective banks? From what I could decipher, the guarantor is the deal breaker and the most important aspect of your application. I have no previous banking history in my family with BOI and certainly don't have a lot of money in my account.

markitzero

Is anybody having second thoughts? I have been accepted for UCD (after already deferring for a year) and waiting on approval for loan from BoI, I have a guarantor. I have been working up budgets based on working as a locum pharmacist and it seems I could be coming out with debts of between 48k to 63k by the end of it. Plus I'm likely going to miss the first week of college and will need to find and pay exorbitant rents in Dublin. I am seriously considering repeating the gamsat and going for next year when I'll have more money saved but I'll be 31 by then.
Has anyone else considered this? I have never been more paralysed by indecision

DroghedaTutor

Hi Markitzero,

I think 50k is a bargain for a career change and a whole education if it's what you really want. You also have the benefit of being able to do weekend/summer locums while at college, so you have some control over your debt, rather than the majority who will just borrow the max, then repay after graduation.

Any reason why you decided not to study at UL?

I'm starting there myself in two weeks and it was the only college I really considered because of the PBL learning (couldn't sit in all day lectures now, I'm 38 and on degree number 3). The lower cost of living in Limerick is also a big bonus e.g. e250 rent per month.

markitzero

I considered Limerick but I think I fell into the old trap of 'their points are lower therefore the standard must be lower', which is not based on any facts whatsoever. I was also not sure of the locum situation in Limerick. It has a lot going for it and if I were to defer I would have to give it a serious reappraisal. Are you worried about age being an issue or have you been reasonably reassured from speaking to others in a similar situation?

DroghedaTutor

I had the same thoughts and briefly considered putting UCC first but really the PBL was the winner for me. We will have 20 contact hours per week and the rest of the time is for researching answers to tutorial questions (in the library, at home at 4am, whatever you like). For me this is ideal. I would not enjoy the course if it was a didactic style.

Re age ... of course I was curious to know if there would be others my own age. To be honest the way the course is marketed I thought there would be quite a few mid-30s career changers. I had a phone call with the UL course Director over the summer though and she advised that it's mostly fresh graduates (23 - 25) with a bundle aged 27, then maybe 4 - 5 in their thirties and perhaps one 40+ housewife jumping in via last chance saloon.

I was disappointed but then I thought, oh to hell with that, I'm here to do the course and I can't change my age. I'm going to turn 39 in January whether I do the course or not and I really, really wanted to do the course, so all thougths about age were promptly banished. I can be the honorary class granny. In fairness too, I have no plans to interupt my later training with child rearing and won't feel the need to choose a family friendly specialism to fit around part-time working and childcare, a reality which will affect many of my (female) classmates, so it's swings and roundabouts. I also have a heck of a lot of life experience and amn't phased by much. I don't know if I'd feel have as comfortable in patient situations if I was turning up aged 23, remembering who I was at 23.

I'm starting in 2 weeks and that's my decision made. Zero regrets only excitement.

Am also happy to continue the conversation if it helps.

Durf

DroghedaTutor wrote: »

I had the same thoughts and briefly considered putting UCC first but really the PBL was the winner for me. We will have 20 contact hours per week and the rest of the time is for researching answers to tutorial questions (in the library, at home at 4am, whatever you like). For me this is ideal. I would not enjoy the course if it was a didactic style.

Re age ... of course I was curious to know if there would be others my own age. To be honest the way the course is marketed I thought there would be quite a few mid-30s career changers. I had a phone call with the UL course Director over the summer though and she advised that it's mostly fresh graduates (23 - 25) with a bundle aged 27, then maybe 4 - 5 in their thirties and perhaps one 40+ housewife jumping in via last chance saloon.

I was disappointed but then I thought, oh to hell with that, I'm here to do the course and I can't change my age. I'm going to turn 39 in January whether I do the course or not and I really, really wanted to do the course, so all thougths about age were promptly banished. I can be the honorary class granny. In fairness too, I have no plans to interupt my later training with child rearing and won't feel the need to choose a family friendly specialism to fit around part-time working and childcare, a reality which will affect many of my (female) classmates, so it's swings and roundabouts. I also have a heck of a lot of life experience and amn't phased by much. I don't know if I'd feel have as comfortable in patient situations if I was turning up aged 23, remembering who I was at 23.

I'm starting in 2 weeks and that's my decision made. Zero regrets only excitement.

Am also happy to continue the conversation if it helps.

I like the "moxie"!! All the best starting in two weeks... keep this motivation up thats one part of the battle dealt with!

DroghedaTutor

hey durf - are you in my class? pm my your true identity if you are!

DroghedaTutor

oh and thanks for the moxie praise. i have bags of it!!! yee haw!

letsdothis

markitzero wrote: »

Is anybody having second thoughts? I have been accepted for UCD (after already deferring for a year) and waiting on approval for loan from BoI, I have a guarantor. I have been working up budgets based on working as a locum pharmacist and it seems I could be coming out with debts of between 48k to 63k by the end of it. Plus I'm likely going to miss the first week of college and will need to find and pay exorbitant rents in Dublin. I am seriously considering repeating the gamsat and going for next year when I'll have more money saved but I'll be 31 by then.
Has anyone else considered this? I have never been more paralysed by indecision

In a similar position (well into another career), and I've thought about deferring to save a bit more too. I've decided that the amount I would save in a year isn't really enough reason to defer. It's something I would probably consider more strongly if I was 5 years younger. I think anyone taking on this commitment (debt, career change, work involved) will have doubts but I think inevitably it's either do it or don't do it and regret later...so that's why I'm UCD bound in a couple of weeks, along with my worries and reservations!

DroghedaTutor

letsdothis wrote: »

In a similar position (well into another career), and I've thought about deferring to save a bit more too. I've decided that the amount I would save in a year isn't really enough reason to defer. It's something I would probably consider more strongly if I was 5 years younger. I think anyone taking on this commitment (debt, career change, work involved) will have doubts but I think inevitably it's either do it or don't do it and regret later...so that's why I'm UCD bound in a couple of weeks, along with my worries and reservations!

Totally agree with you Letsdothis.

Assuming someone has gotten their course of choice, I think there's no benefit to deferring if you're not a fresh graduate. Stay working for another year and you're taxed on that and still paying living costs. Start the course now and you graduate a year earlier, are earning again sooner and might even get a bit of a tax refund on your earnings this year as you're not working the full year and will get tax relief on tuition fees this year.

For anyone that bit older (me too!), if you've an offer, I'd say take it. You could be sitting in a classroom in three weeks (the first week is freshers, so you won't miss too much if can't attend all of that).

DroghedaTutor

DroghedaTutor wrote: »

Totally agree with you Letsdothis.

Assuming someone has gotten their course of choice, I think there's no benefit to deferring if you're not a fresh graduate. Stay working for another year and you're taxed on that and still paying living costs. Start the course now and you graduate a year earlier, are earning again sooner and might even get a bit of a tax refund on your earnings this year as you're not working the full year and will get tax relief on tuition fees this year.

For anyone that bit older (me too!), if you've an offer, I'd say take it. You could be sitting in a classroom in three weeks (the first week is freshers, so you won't miss too much if can't attend all of that).

oh and for anyone wondering how it all turns out ... I've started a blog.

limerickmedstudent (dot) wordpress (dot) com

click on the top right hand corner black thing if you want to subscribe.

good luck everyone!

golgi

DroghedaTutor wrote: »

oh and for anyone wondering how it all turns out ... I've started a blog.

limerickmedstudent (dot) wordpress (dot) com

click on the top right hand corner black thing if you want to subscribe.

good luck everyone!

Just had a look at your blog and can't wait to read more!

I'm also a mature medical student (late 20's).

I'm on a 5yr course and was really hesitant about starting. It's so worth it though (except the 2 week exam period, that is hell).

By far the best decision I ever made.

Good Luck and keep up with the work from day 1. I had completely underestimated the volume.

If you have been out of education for a while, it does take some adjustment to get back into the swing of study. By second semester, it will all feel completely normal. It did for me anyway.

If you feel like you have lost the plot 2 months in, just battle through those first set of exams and it does get better. (If you have Jan exams, if not then happy days)