GAMSAT 2014?

HopefulGEM · 09-04-2014 10:04am

Just under four months until offers come out! Whoop!:)

Johnnybriggs · 09-04-2014 11:47am

Word of advise - Make sure you have a Plan B if results don't work out as expected. For every 100 applicants, 20 people get a place in Ireland. Look into other options regarding education/work, even if it's only for a year. You could end up traveling around on daddy's credit card for a year 'finding yourself' in south-east Asia before you know it..

DroghedaTutor · 09-04-2014 11:51am

Johhnyb - out of curiousity, where are you getting the figures of 20 out of 100?

DroghedaTutor · 09-04-2014 12:06pm

meant to add - I understand it's a ratio of number of places : number of gamsat sitters - but if you could explain where the figures of 20 out of 100 comes from, I would appreciate it.

Johnnybriggs · 09-04-2014 12:23pm

I was at an RCSI open day in 2013 and during the talks they reported that stat. I'd presume its holding similar for this years entrants.

DroghedaTutor · 09-04-2014 12:26pm

oh right. i read different figures (more favourable) elsewhere. if i can find, i'll post them.

DroghedaTutor · 09-04-2014 12:36pm

looking at the gamsat percentile curve (available online and given with results) - a score of 61 is in top 20% but a score of 55 is in the top 50% (e.g. what need for UL), so depends really on which uni is your number one choice.

pc11 · 10-04-2014 9:09am

Confused1987 wrote: »

Yeah first time sitting it for me so I can't comment on previous papers, but definitely a completely different league to the sample papers!

I did the purple paper a couple of weeks ago and got 65 or so out of 110 in science and thought that level would see me through but evidently not!

This is something I want to do so even if this time doesn't go according to plan I will definitely try it twice more if required! It was a crap day on Saturday but sure we all could have the points we need for all we know!

GAMSAT scores are not percentages, so 65 out of 110 doesn't mean very much.

That said, I would guess that's not a bad score relative to everyone, but it depends on which questions you got, how everyone else did and so on.

How you feel on the day is irrelevant really. I was ill sitting GAMSAT and wouldn't have been surprised if I had gotten under 50 but I got 67! Hang in there.

pc11 · 10-04-2014 9:19am

One more thing: everyone should plan to sit the UK GAMSAT in September. If you're serious about this, it's a no-brainer.
Of course if you get 60+ in Dublin then don't bother, but everyone else should.

Even if you haven't sat it before, do the UK one as a practice for Dublin next March, and with any luck you won't need Dublin. I strongly feel that the practice is invaluable especially as the pressure is off you to a large extent. This certainly helped me. I planned to sit it twice and was fortunate that it worked out the first time. A huge number of Irish go over, Bristol is particularly convenient.

Cymini Sectores · 10-04-2014 10:54pm

pc11 wrote: »

but it depends on which questions you got, how everyone else did and so on

In other words the marking scheme is not straightforward at least for ss 1 & 3. One should just wait for result day and accept it. I am waiting.

HopefulGEM · 14-04-2014 12:44pm

All this waiting is actually killing me! Hopefully a 60 will get me into ucd?!?

letsdothis · 14-04-2014 12:50pm

pc11 wrote: »

GAMSAT scores are not percentages, so 65 out of 110 doesn't mean very much.

I agree and as an example, I scored the following percentages on the official ACER papers for Section 3 - Blue 36, Red 54, Green 52 - and I ended up with 62 on the day. Although TBF the Blue was taken early in my studies when I was a science neophyte!

letsdothis · 14-04-2014 12:51pm

HopefulGEM wrote: »

All this waiting is actually killing me! Hopefully a 60 will get me into ucd?!?

You should really be at the stage of having it at the back of your mind - at least til May!!

HopefulGEM · 14-04-2014 12:54pm

Haha there isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about it! Worries are that there is a huge points increase and I don't get ucd... Also the loan is freaking me out!!

Cymini Sectores · 15-04-2014 8:53am

Thought the results were out when I saw GAMSAT Ireland on opening my mail this morning, the panic that followed! Apparently it's just to alert us to ensure we've provided the correct CAO number in our GAMSAT account. Well, result day is still far away, circa 19th May between the hours of midnight and 7 am. Just guessing here.

pharmacrunch · 15-04-2014 9:19am

HopefulGEM wrote: »

Also the loan is freaking me out!!

This is also my biggest worry at the moment - I just hope if I take the plunge I wont regret it in years to come when I am swimming in debt. Ive read too many horror story posts on boards

Confused1987 · 15-04-2014 11:40am

Ah if this is what you want to do you definitely have to ignore the horror stories and as you said 'just take the plunge'.

I know for myself that if I was to not give it a try, or to turn it down due to the loan I would just be back on this forum 3-4 years down the line, giving it another go!!

HopefulGEM · 15-04-2014 5:13pm

What are people's preferences?:) I'm ucd, rcsi, ucc, ul

Confused1987 · 15-04-2014 5:44pm

I'm the exact same! Would really like to get into UCD although if it doesn't happen I would definitely be happy taking UCC, was in cork last week and had a quick look at the school and campus and I can defo confirm they are aesthetically pleasing if nothing else!

letsdothis · 17-04-2014 12:20pm

UCD, RCSI, UL and UCC. Although if you looked at CAO it would say differently!

pharmacrunch · 21-04-2014 7:08pm

I have UCD down first - not really sure why tbh, im currently based in Dublin and like it that way so I am hesitant to change.

Where would most UCD gems live? In an around the belfield area or further afield? Id imagine rent is expensive enough in that area? I must start investigating this in the next few weeks.

HopefulGEM · 21-04-2014 8:55pm

pharmacrunch wrote: »

I have UCD down first - not really sure why tbh, im currently based in Dublin and like it that way so I am hesitant to change.

Where would most UCD gems live? In an around the belfield area or further afield? Id imagine rent is expensive enough in that area? I must start investigating this in the next few weeks.

Hey I did my undergrad in ucd and I think if your looking for accommodation in the surrounding areas (Dundrum etc) your looking at roughly €100 per week. Accommodation on campus may be slightly more expensive but I'm not sure... Luckily i don't live too far from the college:D

pharmacrunch · 21-04-2014 9:50pm

HopefulGEM wrote: »

Hey I did my undergrad in ucd and I think if your looking for accommodation in the surrounding areas (Dundrum etc) your looking at roughly €100 per week. Accommodation on campus may be slightly more expensive but I'm not sure... Luckily i don't live too far from the college:D

Thats handy for you

My parents live outside Cork so I suppose if I went to UCC I could live with them - dont know could I face moving back in with the parents tough

Confused1987 · 22-04-2014 10:03am

pharmacrunch wrote: »

Where would most UCD gems live? In an around the belfield area or further afield? Id imagine rent is expensive enough in that area? I must start investigating this in the next few weeks.

There are loads of places that would be grand for getting to and from UCD! I am from Dundrum and although it's not on many direct bus routes, still only a 20 min walk or 7 min cycle!

Any areas like cabinteely, leopardstown, stillorgan, Mount Merrion etc are all along the 46a route so are no more than 15 mins away!

Although if you have a bike or a car there are plenty of places within a few kms of UCD that are quite nice and very accessible!

HopefulGEM · 22-04-2014 7:34pm

Does anyone know when people who have already submitted their transcripts to the cao will hear whether they have been approved or not? It says the institutes meet in April on the cao website but i'm just wondering when people actually heard back last year?

Elsa Hayes · 23-04-2014 10:30am

HopefulGEM wrote: »

Does anyone know when people who have already submitted their transcripts to the cao will hear whether they have been approved or not? It says the institutes meet in April on the cao website but i'm just wondering when people actually heard back last year?

Hi there hopefulGEM,

CAO - will send you a payslip like post in July (got mine on July 20th), to tell you they
"have reviewed your application and based on documentation, you are now deemed eligible to compete for a place in Graduate Medicine based on your Gamsat score will which now be used as the sole instrument to select students for the programme".

They emailed last year on 18/07/'13 @ 5pm - to say the documentation they reviewed was deemed eligible. I think all institutions/Universities meet twice - once in April and a final time in July to review all documentation in CAO HQ.

I vaguely remember that candidates were reminded around now (April 20th) if their documentation was ineligible due to 4 conditions not being met. If this is the case you'll get another one of those CAO payslip like envelopes telling you what you need to do before mid July.

This year was slightly different - CAO emailed you on Feb. 28th to let you know all your documentation had been received, scanned, stored & available for viewing - albeit briefly.

Hope this helps.
Any prediction for release dates?.

Johnnybriggs · 23-04-2014 3:45pm

Suggestions online that the results will be issued Friday 16th May...

http://www.ellipsoid.org/gmi/upcoming-events

HopefulGEM · 23-04-2014 7:49pm

Yeah it was roughly around that time last year, just after the ucd exams!

Cymini Sectores · 01-05-2014 3:19pm

As result day looms, the nightmares worsen.

Johnnybriggs · 01-05-2014 4:26pm

I know this probably isn't the right thread, but screw it anyway. Has anybody figured out how they're going to pay for GEM if they get a place? I presume most people will be dependent on a bank loan for the fees, but what about maintenance? I've worked for the past two years but unfortunately haven't been in a position to save money due to other commitments. Also, I can't depend on home for support as they've their own things to deal with. I fear that even if I get offered a place, I won't be able to afford to take it up. Terrible realisation, but I'm guessing one that could effect a proportion of applicants.

MathsMedMixed · 01-05-2014 4:44pm

Johnnybriggs wrote: »

I know this probably isn't the right thread, but screw it anyway. Has anybody figured out how they're going to pay for GEM if they get a place? I presume most people will be dependent on a bank loan for the fees, but what about maintenance? I've worked for the past two years but unfortunately haven't been in a position to save money due to other commitments. Also, I can't depend on home for support as they've their own things to deal with. I fear that even if I get offered a place, I won't be able to afford to take it up. Terrible realisation, but I'm guessing one that could effect a proportion of applicants.

I have been working 9 yrs + (immediately after leaving cert). Come August, fees for 2 years should be manageable. Plan to work at least 20 hrs a week during college (if that's possible) to meet living costs. Haven't had a good relationship with banks, hoping to deal with credit union.

just-joe · 02-05-2014 9:56am

Johnnybriggs wrote: »

I know this probably isn't the right thread, but screw it anyway. Has anybody figured out how they're going to pay for GEM if they get a place? I presume most people will be dependent on a bank loan for the fees, but what about maintenance? I've worked for the past two years but unfortunately haven't been in a position to save money due to other commitments. Also, I can't depend on home for support as they've their own things to deal with. I fear that even if I get offered a place, I won't be able to afford to take it up. Terrible realisation, but I'm guessing one that could effect a proportion of applicants.

In this exact situation. very hard to decide about whether to take up a place and study med when I don't have a clue if i can actually afford it.

I guess working part time would be a start. But it would be hard to get by on just a part time job...

Johnnybriggs · 02-05-2014 12:47pm

Unfortunately it still seems that with admission to this course, it's more than advantageous to be from an affluent background. If the right support structures were in place for affordable loans post-graduation, equality of access would exist. However, even the loaning systems in place at the moment are under threat, with most (if not all) banks only offering fee's cover only. How worth is any course of study if its four years consist of nothing but a poor and miserable existence?

pharmacrunch · 03-05-2014 10:29am

I am in the same boat as the rest of ye, as results day looms I think the biggest obstacle will be funding.

I have relatively no savings and the current loan prospects scare me. Its a shame there is not something more solid in place to accommodate those who have achieved the necessary requirements (honours degree, gamsat score etc- which are an achievement in themselves)

RainBow_xo · 04-05-2014 2:01pm

The prospect of funding the course is a very scary one indeed! I am in the same boat! I come from a not-so-fortunate background and my parents live in a council house. This will probably mean I have no guarantor

Do any of the banks offer loans without a guarantor?

Cymini Sectores · 04-05-2014 2:16pm

RainBow_xo wrote: »

The prospect of funding the course is a very scary one indeed! I am in the same boat! I come from a not-so-fortunate background and my parents live in a council house. This will probably mean I have no guarantor Do any of the banks offer loans without a guarantor?

Think someone was saying that UB give without guarantor. But one never knows unless they have offer in hand and walk into UB to know what the story is.

Cymini Sectores · 04-05-2014 2:28pm

The fees no doubt is an obstacle. But my immediate worry now is the results! Looking back at the number of guesses in s 3, the fact that I didn't read three passages in s 1 and ended up guessing AND finally the fact that the quotes in s 2 had no authors which completely threw me off, I'm looking to repeat this exam.

pharmacrunch · 04-05-2014 5:46pm

RainBow_xo wrote: »

The prospect of funding the course is a very scary one indeed! I am in the same boat! I come from a not-so-fortunate background and my parents live in a council house. This will probably mean I have no guarantor Do any of the banks offer loans without a guarantor?

Looking at this realistically, I will not have a guarantor - simply because of my parents age (both retired) and wouldnt dream of inflicting such a notion in their minds.

Ill have to try my luck with the banks based on my financial history alone and hope for the best

RainBow_xo · 05-05-2014 7:41pm

Cymini Sectores wrote: »

Think someone was saying that UB give without guarantor. But one never knows unless they have offer in hand and walk into UB to know what the story is.

Thanks, I will have to call in and see what the story is!

RainBow_xo · 05-05-2014 7:44pm

Cymini Sectores wrote: »

The fees no doubt is an obstacle. But my immediate worry now is the results! Looking back at the number of guesses in s 3, the fact that I didn't read three passages in s 1 and ended up guessing AND finally the fact that the quotes in s 2 had no authors which completely threw me off, I'm looking to repeat this exam.

I think there are many of us in the same boat as you, myself included. Thing is, you don't know your score so you have no idea how it went! The exam is designed in such a way that you feel defeated coming out of it, so do not give up yet! Just think you have already beaten those who didn't even show up on the exam day

RainBow_xo · 05-05-2014 7:47pm

pharmacrunch wrote: »

Looking at this realistically, I will not have a guarantor - simply because of my parents age (both retired) and wouldnt dream of inflicting such a notion in their minds.

Ill have to try my luck with the banks based on my financial history alone and hope for the best

I have been a student my whole life :P I don't even know if I will have any financial history. Have you been working? If not, do you think they will give out loans to students with no 'real' financial history? I guess I shouldn't worry right now, I don't even know my score :P

pharmacrunch · 05-05-2014 9:23pm

RainBow_xo wrote: »

I have been a student my whole life :P I don't even know if I will have any financial history. Have you been working? If not, do you think they will give out loans to students with no 'real' financial history? I guess I shouldn't worry right now, I don't even know my score :P

Ive only been working for two years! But always had a part time job etc through the years.

I am a relatively new customer to bank of Ireland tough - just hoping that if I do get in and do decide to ultimately take the offer then the lack of having a guarantor wont stop me

Johnnybriggs · 06-05-2014 4:21pm

I've heard (on good authority) that the banks won't even entertain an application unless you have a CAO confirming offer of a place on a GEM course. As that doesn't happen until 1st August, leaves it quite tight getting loans pushed through before the start of term in early September. I feel that clearing that hurdle will be nearly as big as getting the offer in the first place!

Lub · 06-05-2014 5:19pm

Is anyone else riddled with the fear of not sending all of the correct documents off to the CAO? I just got an email from them saying I haven't sent them a certified copy of my award. I didn't even know I have to send that!

letsdothis · 06-05-2014 5:24pm

Lub wrote: »

Is anyone else riddled with the fear of not sending all of the correct documents off to the CAO? I just got an email from them saying I haven't sent them a certified copy of my award. I didn't even know I have to send that!

Same here - I thought it was just transcript and GAMSAT result. I'm going to get onto one of the admissions offices tomorrow to see where I stand. Can't believe I missed that...

Ballet17 · 06-05-2014 7:16pm

letsdothis wrote: »

Same here - I thought it was just transcript and GAMSAT result. I'm going to get onto one of the admissions offices tomorrow to see where I stand. Can't believe I missed that...

Hi guys, oh thank god I'm not the only one then! Received the email just after 5 so it was too late to call, needless to say panic ensued! I sat the gamsat for the first time in March so am already a little on the panicky-side awaiting the results..

I just had previously sent them my full transcript (2.1 etc) presuming this was fine. Did your email say that 'inadequate document was supplied? -If you don't mind me asking. I've been going through horrible scenarios imagining why I may not be eligible! Thanks

I emailed admissions as well so will post if/when I hear something back.

Lub · 06-05-2014 10:48pm

Ohhhh fantastic we're all in the same boat! :P

This is what mine said:

The institutions concerned have jointly reviewed your application and based on
the documentation received as of 15th March, 2014, you have been deemed
ineligible for the following reason:

A. inadequate documentation supplied (original transcripts for all years and a
certified copy of evidence of conferring is required);

So I assume (and hope) that everything else is in order. They'll probably want a DNA swab next!

pharmacrunch · 06-05-2014 10:50pm

I was lucky enough that everything I sent in was ok - deemed eligible etc. If it helps anyone exactly what I sent was:

1) Photocopy of my degree parchment ( verified by the University)

2) Copy of transcripts for my undergraduate course

Ballet17 · 07-05-2014 10:35am

Lub wrote: »

Ohhhh fantastic we're all in the same boat! :P

This is what mine said:

So I assume (and hope) that everything else is in order. They'll probably want a DNA swab next!

That's what mine said as well. I got a response from the admissions office in UL this morning and they said it was because I had not submitted proof of conferring along with my transcripts. So I've just to send a certified copy of my certificate to the cao before the deadline and they review again July. Hope that helps people in the same situation!

Now to wait for the results...no idea what to expect! Yikes:) Best of luck to others waiting as well and congrats to those who already have them!

MathsMedMixed · 07-05-2014 6:51pm

Anyone know if there is FREE student car parking in UCD? Website is unclear as regards this. Thanks

GAMSAT 2014?

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