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Mature entry medicine

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  • 05-02-2018 6:50pm
    #1
    LittleNicky86
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭


    Hi Guys,

    I am looking for some experiences from individuals who have gained entry (and not) to mature entry medicine.

    I am from the UK and everything is a lot different here compared to the UK and i am not quite sure on a lot of comparisons between both countries.

    I am wondering what qualifications and work experience combinations people applied with (non degree holders) and whether you were successful or not? Especially those who fall in the non standard education bracket or are applying to go this year.

    Thank you :)


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    #2
    Ciara33
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭Ciara33


    Hi Nicky,

    as you probably know each medical school in Ireland has differing academic entry requirements so first thing is to get extremely familiar with these, as they are very clear and non negotiable. They usually are able to tell you ( either on their website or by calling them) the UK equivalent of what they are looking for. Also, you need to be aware that some of them eg UCC, insist that your school leaving exam results were obtained in same year sitting. Others such as Trinity allow you to have quals from differing years. So get very clear on what the individual med schools accept - CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK!! You need to have solid volunteering background, not necessarily medical if you have plenty of it but if you are only starting to get voluntary work under your belt then go for Red Cross or Order of Malta type stuff.

    I have a mixture of past work experience from middle & senior management in the public service (health related field), plus for last 6 years have been working directly with families. I have no primary degree, but a significant amount of Level 7 Diplomas and was doing a Post Grad last year during my med school application process. So I had kept my 3rd level education going consistently over the past 10 years - I think its important that they see you have done some recent education so that they have some confidence you hack studying as a mature student. If you haven't got form in the mature education arena, then consider doing a science access course in one of the colleges that has a med school eg Trinity or NUIG. (this could also help your academic eligibilty if its lacking on the A level front- eg I know RCSI consider applicants who have these courses but again you would need to double check this).

    Your personal statement is of course key too, you would need to be aware of gaps/deficiencies in your overall application and address these in your statement. be prepared to try at least twice - they like to see determination and you learn a lot from a failed first application!

    Best of luck!


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    #3
    LittleNicky86
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭LittleNicky86


    Wow Ciara33 thank you for that it is very much appreciated. Your experience and qualifications are amazing. Are you currently studying medicine or an applicant if you dont mind me asking?

    I have already applied for mature entry i am just really worried how my application compares to irish candidates as your qualification system varies and i feel is higher than the UK. I also feel people apply with much higher than the requirements and would like to know what i am missing.

    I am in my 30s so left school a while ago. Since i left school i have continued to study. I have done an access course and several diplomas (all in health related subjects) my most recent was a couple of years ago. I have never really stopped studying? I was told they would look more at my post secondary education now over leaving qualifications. Is that true?

    I have 13 years healthcare work experience (paid jobs) divided between Nursing Homes, NHS Hospitals and Mental Health/Disability service. Should i volunteer to or is volunteering a way to get work experience which i have? This is one thing that has confused me?

    While working in these jobs i have attanded around 10/12 relevant training courses/CPD type courses which i have mentioned in the application.

    I have mentioned in my personal statement the story behind my work experience/career path and how it relates to the course and my plans for after the graduation.

    I am just not sure how that fairs up with other candidates. If my application doesn't seem like it would make the cut, what else could i do?

    Thank you so much and sorry for the long reply.

    Nicky :)


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    #4
    Ciara33
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭Ciara33


    LittleNicky86 wrote: »
    Wow Ciara33 thank you for that it is very much appreciated. Your experience and qualifications are amazing. Are you currently studying medicine or an applicant if you dont mind me asking?

    I have already applied for mature entry i am just really worried how my application compares to irish candidates as your qualification system varies and i feel is higher than the UK. I also feel people apply with much higher than the requirements and would like to know what i am missing.

    I am in my 30s so left school a while ago. Since i left school i have continued to study. I have done an access course and several diplomas (all in health related subjects) my most recent was a couple of years ago. I have never really stopped studying? I was told they would look more at my post secondary education now over leaving qualifications. Is that true?

    I have 13 years healthcare work experience (paid jobs) divided between Nursing Homes, NHS Hospitals and Mental Health/Disability service. Should i volunteer to or is volunteering a way to get work experience which i have? This is one thing that has confused me?

    While working in these jobs i have attanded around 10/12 relevant training courses/CPD type courses which i have mentioned in the application.

    I have mentioned in my personal statement the story behind my work experience/career path and how it relates to the course and my plans for after the graduation.

    I am just not sure how that fairs up with other candidates. If my application doesn't seem like it would make the cut, what else could i do?

    Thank you so much and sorry for the long reply.

    Nicky :)

    Nicky,
    It sounds like you have everything well covered already - your work experience sounds great. And yes, once you can satisfy the basic academic entry requirements they will be looking at the stuff you've done since, education wise.
    If it's any consolation, everyone panics that they don't have the 'right' work experience or academic background compared to others - but I have found the schools to be quite open minded and was surprised to get interviews for med schools where some other applicants with far better educational quals at third level ( eg people with Masters and even PhD's in science fields ) did not get the call. So go figure ! I really do think they look at the big picture of the person - eg in Trinity they score you on vol work, HPAT, work experience, education and personal statement, so it's the full picture.
    UCD and NUIG are more HPAT focused so a good result is necessary to get through to interview. NUIG are the only med school to use the MMI/ McMaster system of interviewing - a combination of straight interviewing plus tasks and interactions with actors in various scenarios.

    So don't doubt yourself - sounds like you have what it takes to do well in your application. I'm currently in NUIG and loving it 🀓


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    #5
    LittleNicky86
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭LittleNicky86


    Oh thanm you that makes me feel better. Of course i can't relax but i am a bit clearer on where i possibly stand. Med school is different here as well as the UK don't really have a 'mature entry' type route. You either got the leaving grades of you didn't and it's just tought if you didn't. No retaking leaving courses and no life exp consideration. Makes me question everything :(

    I have also noticed on previous threads like you say people having excellent grades and HPAT not even getting interviews and people with ok academics and HPATs getting places due to their vast work exp. It's a mind field.

    Congratulations on getting your place it must feel amazing.

    I just realised i forgot to add Galway to my choices. I want to stay in Dublin but beggers can't be chosers. But im too scared to change my places now incase i 'look bad' argh. What am i like.

    Thank you again :)


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    #6
    ilovesmecounty
    Registered Users Posts: 103 ✭✭ilovesmecounty


    Good morning! I sat the HPAT and got my results today, a score of 172. I have no idea if that's good or bad! I applied for mature entry with RCSI and NUIG. At what point do we hear from them about interviews and stuff? I really didn't pay much attention to that part of the process as I figured the best thing to do would be to get the HPAT over with first!


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    #7
    Ciara33
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭Ciara33


    ilovesmecounty wrote: »
    Good morning! I sat the HPAT and got my results today, a score of 172. I have no idea if that's good or bad! I applied for mature entry with RCSI and NUIG. At what point do we hear from them about interviews and stuff? I really didn't pay much attention to that part of the process as I figured the best thing to do would be to get the HPAT over with first!

    Well done, that's a really good score - and should be enough to get an invite to interview from NUIG. From memory I think I heard from them around 10 days after HPAT results came out.


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    #8
    Fuj8
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭Fuj8


    ilovesmecounty wrote: »
    Good morning! I sat the HPAT and got my results today, a score of 172. I have no idea if that's good or bad! I applied for mature entry with RCSI and NUIG. At what point do we hear from them about interviews and stuff? I really didn't pay much attention to that part of the process as I figured the best thing to do would be to get the HPAT over with first!

    Hey :)

    I got a very similar HPAT score to you this morning! I've also applied to RCSI and NUIG along with UCD and UCC.

    I guess we just have to wait now and see what happens, hopefully it won't take too long!


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    #9
    Fuj8
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭Fuj8


    Ciara33 wrote: »
    Well done, that's a really good score - and should be enough to get an invite to interview from NUIG. From memory I think I heard from them around 10 days after HPAT results came out.

    Hi Ciara,

    I've been reading through the thread thanks so much for all your information, NUIG is my first choice so it's been really helpful! I got my HPAT results this morning so I hope they're good enough to even get an interview ...


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    #10
    Ciara33
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭Ciara33


    Fuj8 wrote: »
    Hi Ciara,

    I've been reading through the thread thanks so much for all your information, NUIG is my first choice so it's been really helpful! I got my HPAT results this morning so I hope they're good enough to even get an interview ...

    No problem- glad to help if I can at all as I was very thankful for the help I got on boards when I started this mad journey!

    Best of luck - NUIG is a really lovely place to study so hopefully you'll be joining us in September.! ..let me know how you get on with interview invites..


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    #11
    Fuj8
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭Fuj8


    Yeah I had read a lot of previous threads before I started my application, they were a great help! :D

    I'll keep you posted.


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    #12
    ilovesmecounty
    Registered Users Posts: 103 ✭✭ilovesmecounty


    That HPAT was a blur. I have no idea how anyone can decipher those shapes! I guessed all bar a few because it was all mayhem to me. I may not get an interview from either place, as my work experience is not health related at all and due to the nature of my job I didn't have any time to pad it out with voluntary stuff.


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    #13
    Thorn Bird
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭Thorn Bird


    Hi folks,

    I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we are having at the moment :-)

    I'm hoping that some kind person might be able to advise/guide me in relation to some of the questions I have in relation to mature / graduate entry into medicine please.

    Here is a little bit of info on myself first of all.
    I am a mature student (late 30's) and I have come to a point in my life where I would like to change my career. I have a bachelors honours degree 2.2 and a post grad 2.1 grade in the field of education. I have been working in the area of education for the last 7 years, and although I thoroughly enjoy teaching, I would like to do something else. I have always had a great love and interest in medicine, and i suppose to be totally honest, I just never felt that I was academic enough to pursue a career in that field. Now however, I feel that perhaps the time is right for me to give it a shot and hope for the best.

    So, my questions are:
    1) I have absolutely no background in science apart from having done science in my junior cert and continuing with honours Biology in my leaving cert - so, should I consider taking Chemistry and Biology in the leaving cert this year as a mature applicant, or what advise could anyone give me please?

    2) I have no experience in working in a clinical environment, nor do I have any voluntry experience - so, should I seek places that might give me a few hours (while I'm still holding down a full time teaching postition in a very busy, large and academic school) ??

    Any advise would be ever so welcome and certainly appreciated.

    Many thanks in advance :-)


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    #14
    Notahappybunny
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Notahappybunny


    I am a little late to the game but just wondering if anyone has applied to entry in to year 2 of the undergrad med degree before..... probably limited to those with suitable previous degrees... mine is old.... 22 years ago 2.2 and a post grade as an allied health professional and (a more recent MSc in a clinical specialism with MERIT) and now have 20 years clinical work experience... almost cried today with someone I know got a GEM place. Made me realise better late than never... so I have chanced my arm for entry in to year 2 Med with no HPAT...... all it has cost is a CAO application fee as I know that would take a miracle. I do have a reference from one of the college tutors who is a consultant I work with. I was offered GEM in UK a few years ago but due to family issues couldn't take it and life plodded on. I just cannot see myself in my job much longer working alongside those who are doing what I want to do. Has anyone ever done this??? And better still done it with out a HPAT.... I have a very old GAMSAT score.... Thanks. I think its a gin and tonic weekend.... Undergrad would suit me better than GEM as I could continue to work part time.....


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    #15
    Ciara33
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭Ciara33


    Thorn Bird wrote: »
    Hi folks,

    I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we are having at the moment :-)

    I'm hoping that some kind person might be able to advise/guide me in relation to some of the questions I have in relation to mature / graduate entry into medicine please.

    Here is a little bit of info on myself first of all.
    I am a mature student (late 30's) and I have come to a point in my life where I would like to change my career. I have a bachelors honours degree 2.2 and a post grad 2.1 grade in the field of education. I have been working in the area of education for the last 7 years, and although I thoroughly enjoy teaching, I would like to do something else. I have always had a great love and interest in medicine, and i suppose to be totally honest, I just never felt that I was academic enough to pursue a career in that field. Now however, I feel that perhaps the time is right for me to give it a shot and hope for the best.

    So, my questions are:
    1) I have absolutely no background in science apart from having done science in my junior cert and continuing with honours Biology in my leaving cert - so, should I consider taking Chemistry and Biology in the leaving cert this year as a mature applicant, or what advise could anyone give me please?

    2) I have no experience in working in a clinical environment, nor do I have any voluntry experience - so, should I seek places that might give me a few hours (while I'm still holding down a full time teaching postition in a very busy, large and academic school) ??

    Any advise would be ever so welcome and certainly appreciated.

    Many thanks in advance :-)


    hi,
    I can only tell you from my own experience which is
    1. Like you I only had honors Biology from the LC. Even though 1 science subject is sufficient for entry requirement eg for 6 year programme in NUIG and RCSI, you need 2 for Trinity etc. I sat Leaving Cert chemistry last year to a) satisfy Trinity entry requirement and b) show commitment and determination . Best thing I ever did - doing LC chem is greatest prep you can do for pre-med and subsequently the biochemistry aspect of studying medicine. I had no other science background.

    2. For NUIG, it’s all about the Hpat. If you get high enough marks in that you get an interview. It’s not so much about personal statements and vol work So in that respect voluntary work is less highlighted than for the other med school applications.

    3. If you are going to apply to several med colleges, plus prepare for HPAT then the reality is that it’s going to be a very busy year. I thought I would lose my mind last year during the application process as I was also working, doing a postgrad, studying chemistry and fitting in voluntary work. That’s not to mention family commitments etc. . The applications themselves are time consuming especially Trinity and RCSI. So expect a mad year if you are going to do this.

    But totally worth the effort if you do get in!!!

    Best of luck


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