GAMSAT 2018

e1994 · 16-07-2018 4:45pm

Just after checking there and the fees for RCSI have also gone up this year

Rainbowdash1 · 16-07-2018 5:00pm

To what?

e1994 · 16-07-2018 5:08pm

Rainbowdash1 wrote: »

To what?

Apologies I might be wrong, the fees I was looking at were actually for 2017/18 - €16940

Hopefulgem2018 · 16-07-2018 5:14pm

e1994 wrote: »

Apologies I might be wrong, the fees I was looking at were actually for 2017/18 - €16940

I emailed RCSI admissions previously and they assured me that the fees for 18/19 were staying the same as they were for 17/18 (they said they were going to update this on the website but mustn’t have gotten around to doing so yet)!

Hopefulgem2018 · 16-07-2018 5:16pm

e1994 wrote: »

Yeah that's a good idea, I'm really hoping/praying it hasn't gone up any more!

Also, does anyone have any idea how long it usually takes to get loan approval from bank of Ireland?

I have emailed so will post here once I get a response! I actually have an appointment with the bank tomorrow to start sorting out my loan so I should be able to give an idea as to how long the whole process should take after that

Rainbowdash1 · 16-07-2018 7:46pm

Will they do the loan without an offer?

brokeasfeck · 17-07-2018 11:12pm

medennial wrote: »

To those applying for the UL BOI loan, they've updated their contact info online and the sheet now specifically says "typically a parental guarantor is required"

It was the same for last year when I applied for the loan. The BOI at UL gave me the loan even though my guarantor was neither a parent nor a relative of mine.

brokeasfeck · 17-07-2018 11:15pm

Rainbowdash1 wrote: »

Will they do the loan without an offer?

They will not give you the loan without an offer. However, they will pre-assess your guarantor before you have an offer. If they approve you guarantor in advance, they will process the application straight away when you get your offer.

Hopefulgem2018 · 19-07-2018 11:16am

I just got a response from UCD to say that they are still awaiting a final decision on the 2018/2019 GEM fees but will contact me once they have an answer...very strange given that the course starts in 6-ish weeks!

futuremedic777 · 19-07-2018 11:31am

Hopefulgem2018 wrote: »

I just got a response from UCD to say that they are still awaiting a final decision on the 2018/2019 GEM fees but will contact me once they have an answer...very strange given that the course starts in 6-ish weeks!

Yeesh, this might discourage me from picking UCD over RCSI, since their fees haven't changed

moss house · 19-07-2018 1:08pm

I suppose it is all outside of our control but it is a bit ridiculous to say that at this stage you cannot get a concrete figure on the likely fees

As I understand it the fees at UL are staying as they were at least I hope so all I need then is to be offered a place Anything over 55 and I’m snookered

e1994 · 19-07-2018 1:39pm

futuremedic777 wrote: »

Yeesh, this might discourage me from picking UCD over RCSI, since their fees haven't changed

Yeah it's a bit worrying alright, I would love to know what the hold up is!
Too late to change my choice now though so will have to wait and see.. and hope for the best!

Hopefulgem2018 · 19-07-2018 2:04pm

e1994 wrote: »

Yeah it's a bit worrying alright, I would love to know what the hold up is!
Too late to change my choice now though so will have to wait and see.. and hope for the best!

I’m in the exact same boat as I have UCD down first! I am beginning to wonder if they got a lot of kick back over the fact that the fees were going to be going up by 10% in one year (much more than the usual 4% they specify) and are they having to now reconsider as a consequence...this could end up working in our favour but we will just have to wait and see.

e1994 · 19-07-2018 2:10pm

Hopefulgem2018 wrote: »

I’m in the exact same boat as I have UCD down first! I am beginning to wonder if they got a lot of kick back over the fact that the fees were going to be going up by 10% in one year (much more than the usual 4% they specify) and are they having to now reconsider as a consequence...this could end up working in our favour but we will just have to wait and see.

Oh yes that makes sense actually because the change in fees would apply to all GEM students not just first years?
Unless they change it now and make it applicable to only incoming students

29lem · 20-07-2018 11:24am

Have people received their confirmation of legibility for GEM application from CAO this morning? I would deduct that the GEM committee have met and determined the cut off scores for each institution this year too.

e1994 · 20-07-2018 11:41am

29lem wrote: »

Have people received their confirmation of legibility for GEM application from CAO this morning? I would deduct that the GEM committee have met and determined the cut off scores for each institution this year too.

Yes just got an email this morning also!

Tka1 · 20-07-2018 11:54am

Contacted the CAO and unis yesterday regarding possible cut-offs...given pretty definitive notice that I’d have to wait until August 2nd

29lem · 20-07-2018 12:05pm

Tka1 wrote: »

Contacted the CAO and unis yesterday regarding possible cut-offs...given pretty definitive notice that I’d have to wait until August 2nd

Wouldn't expect anything less from them, its simply a matter of a waiting game now...

e1994 · 23-07-2018 9:07am

I think this question has been asked already however I can't see the answer! Does anyone know with the BoI loan do you have to draw down the full amount of €15,000 each year or can you choose to draw down less?

moss house · 23-07-2018 11:33am

To be honest I haven’t even given a thought as to how I will finance this if I am offered a place don’t want to be counting the chickens too early.
To offer myself some encouragement I went through the cut-off points in the various universities yesterday and it appears that they have been very consistent over the years so I think it will be a bit of a miracle if they do drop as there is little concrete evidence to suggest otherwise.
No harm in wishful thinking I suppose .

Hopefulgem2018 · 23-07-2018 12:16pm

e1994 wrote: »

I think this question has been asked already however I can't see the answer! Does anyone know with the BoI loan do you have to draw down the full amount of €15,000 each year or can you choose to draw down less?

I have a friend who drew down less each year because she had some money saved, so unless this has changed since she was doing GEM I’m pretty sure you can draw down whatever amount you want per annum (obviously as long as it’s within the 15,000 range).

Limk88 · 23-07-2018 2:28pm

moss house wrote: »

To be honest I haven’t even given a thought as to how I will finance this if I am offered a place don’t want to be counting the chickens too early.
To offer myself some encouragement I went through the cut-off points in the various universities yesterday and it appears that they have been very consistent over the years so I think it will be a bit of a miracle if they do drop as there is little concrete evidence to suggest otherwise.
No harm in wishful thinking I suppose .

What do you put the cut-off scores to be for each college?

moss house · 23-07-2018 2:37pm

If I could answer that question I’d be a very wise man I just looked at the scores in recent years the only one I’m really interested in is UL because with a score. have a 55 I don’t think I will be in the running for anywhere else. In an ideal world I’d love UCD but can’t see that happenIng based on the cut offs in the previous years. If I was to have a bet I would think that the cut offs in August will remain as they were last year I’m sure there are plenty who would disagree with this prediction.

Limk88 · 23-07-2018 2:52pm

moss house wrote: »

If I could answer that question I’d be a very wise man I just looked at the scores in recent years the only one I’m really interested in is UL because with a score. have a 55 I don’t think I will be in the running for anywhere else. In an ideal world I’d love UCD but can’t see that happenIng based on the cut offs in the previous years. If I was to have a bet I would think that the cut offs in August will remain as they were last year I’m sure there are plenty who would disagree with this prediction.

I'm on 55 also and have UL down first. I get worried every now and then that it will increase but I just keep saying that 55 would get you in the last 8 years!

moss house · 23-07-2018 3:04pm

Yes here’s hoping 55 does it
54 was sufficient on most occasions and it also appears that the increase or D crease was minimal when it did happen

ChromosomeT · 23-07-2018 3:55pm

what would people think are the chances of a 53 getting a place in UL, possibly on round 1 or round 2? I have booked the Gamsat for September nonetheless

moss house · 23-07-2018 4:29pm

If there is any truth that the number of applicants was down this year and the subsequent required scores lower there is every chance that the 53 would get you into UL however other than that it is only speculation. Despite searching around extensively I could not find any real concrete evidence that the number of applicants was lower

brendanwalsh · 23-07-2018 10:32pm

People got into UL on 50 and 49 before on round 3 offers and offers made after round 3 outside of the ceo. This was in 2012 and 2013 when demand was all time low. Don't give up hope yet.

Celestial12 · 24-07-2018 8:47am

If people are getting in on those scores you’d wonder why they even bother with the GAMSAT. They should lower the requirement to a 2.2, perhaps make them require a slightly higher GAMSAT score like they do in Nottingham.

The other issue is cost - not possible to even consider accepting a place for a lot of people, so that lowers demand.

ChromosomeT · 24-07-2018 9:30am

if it was the case of being accepted on round 3 offers, is there the chance to defer entry until the following academic year, seeing as this offer comes from the college as opposed to the CAO? Obviously, the course would have started and it would be a lot of pressure organising a move to Limerick so suddenly :eek:

moss house · 24-07-2018 1:00pm

I just spoke to some people in UL and the information they gave me might be part of the reason why applications not as robust
Fees for year 1 almost fifteen and campus accommodation 7 so 22 thousand before you even walk in the gate. A lot of money when you don’t have it so in reality this will deter many people like myself and others who don’t have it. Anyway we will cross that bridge on August 2 if things work out

futuremedic777 · 24-07-2018 3:24pm

Less than 10 days to go guyysss

Kirby2k07 · 27-07-2018 1:25pm

So the fees for UCD look set for 16,500 per year just gave it a check there

e1994 · 27-07-2018 1:29pm

Kirby2k07 wrote: »

So the fees for UCD look set for 16,500 per year just gave it a check there

Annoying but at least we know I suppose!

moss house · 27-07-2018 1:33pm

Just as a matter of interest does anybody know what time the offers will be available to view online

indiep · 27-07-2018 1:47pm

6am!

Limk88 · 27-07-2018 1:48pm

Do you get an email if you don't get an offer also?

indiep · 27-07-2018 1:52pm

Oooooof something i'd rather not think about but yes I think you get an empty offer list ;(

Limk88 · 27-07-2018 1:55pm

Sorry, I know it's not something that we want to think about but I think knowing is better than not knowing! Hopefully it all goes well for you - less than 6 full days left

Kirby2k07 · 27-07-2018 2:32pm

Any random current current GEMs here know how much tax relief we can get on fees? Read this from 2015

"If you paid tax this year then you can claim tax relief. You can claim up to a max of 7000 per course per year. This first 3000 is disregarded. So you get 20% of 4000 tax relief i.e 800euro tax back. That's if you have earned enough and paid 800 tax though.

If you haven't paid tax this year then get a parent to submit the receipt in their name so they can get tax relief."

I presume the max is set at 7000 because thats generally the full fees cost of a normal undergrad course. And the first 3000 surely wouldn't be disregarded because we've already out of the free fees scheme? Just me dreaming we can get 1400 instead of 800 yaro in tax relief....

Hopefulgem2018 · 27-07-2018 2:54pm

Good news, I just followed up with UCD and apparently those fees were incorrect - they’ve now been updated to the correct figure at 15,350

a little bit more money in our pockets at least!

e1994 · 27-07-2018 3:33pm

Hopefulgem2018 wrote: »

Good news, I just followed up with UCD and apparently those fees were incorrect - they’ve now been updated to the correct figure at 15,350 a little bit more money in our pockets at least!

Oh fantastic!!! That would probably be more in or around the 4% figure they give?

Rainbowdash1 · 27-07-2018 3:36pm

Kirby2k07 wrote: »

Any random current current GEMs here know how much tax relief we can get on fees? Read this from 2015

"If you paid tax this year then you can claim tax relief. You can claim up to a max of 7000 per course per year. This first 3000 is disregarded. So you get 20% of 4000 tax relief i.e 800euro tax back. That's if you have earned enough and paid 800 tax though.

If you haven't paid tax this year then get a parent to submit the receipt in their name so they can get tax relief."

I presume the max is set at 7000 because thats generally the full fees cost of a normal undergrad course. And the first 3000 surely wouldn't be disregarded because we've already out of the free fees scheme? Just me dreaming we can get 1400 instead of 800 yaro in tax relief....

I'm fairly certain it's 800 per year. If you pay in two lots in final year you can get the 800 twice.

moss house · 01-08-2018 12:09pm

The whole revenue thing is a joke really. My parent who are both PAYE applied to get a refund on college fees for my sister and I, revenue did a review and they end up with less than a hundred euro.
If my 55 gets me in to UL I most likely will not be able to accept with the high fees, I think the astronomical fees is most likely the reason why the cut offs may be lower this year. Anyway all will be revealed shortly.

futuremedic777 · 01-08-2018 1:44pm

The downside to getting into UL is that you're guaranteed the BOI loan only if you get the scholarship, the other Medical schools guarantee the loan to every applicant admitted a place.

debbysoap · 01-08-2018 1:59pm

futuremedic777 wrote: »

The downside to getting into UL is that you're guaranteed the BOI loan only if you get the scholarship, the other Medical schools guarantee the loan to every applicant admitted a place.

Sorry to be forward but what’s your source on this?
UL Scholarship students don’t have to worry about getting a loan: their tuition is paid for. And as far as I know, other medical school students must go through the same loan approval process: nothing is guaranteed anywhere in the country.

moss house · 01-08-2018 2:28pm

I didn’t know that anyway I will worry about that tomorrow if UL offer me a place on 55 I may start to crowd fund. Some weeks back I was reasonably confident that I had enough with my score however as the day approaches I am starting to have doubts.

Limk88 · 01-08-2018 2:57pm

It's funny that you say that moss house - the closer it is getting the more nervous I am also. I am also on 55 with UL as my first choice. Have you applied for any of the UL loans? Or even gone into citizens information to see if you can apply for any financial assistance? I imagine there is some support out there for adult students returning to college and paying full fees...

moss house · 01-08-2018 3:12pm

I’ll see what tomorrow brings first and take it from there

Rainbowdash1 · 01-08-2018 4:03pm

Limk88 wrote: »

It's funny that you say that moss house - the closer it is getting the more nervous I am also. I am also on 55 with UL as my first choice. Have you applied for any of the UL loans? Or even gone into citizens information to see if you can apply for any financial assistance? I imagine there is some support out there for adult students returning to college and paying full fees...

There is literally nothing. If you're on the dole and you're moving up the qualification scale you get back to education allowance. However, GEM requires a level 8 degree and you come out with a level 8 degree. No progression so no back to ed allowance. Ditto with grants available. Check if your credit union does a bursary. You might be lucky and win that. On a low income you might qualify for a medical card, which in turn gives discounts on childcare. There's not even help for university students for childcare. Help for other levels of education, but not uni. It's frustrating trying to do this with a family and to see what's available to others in similar situations but not to us.
Literally all that I've found is the tax refund.

GAMSAT 2018

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