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06-10-2012 3:10pm#1SO, last year I applied to RCSI, UCD,Trinity and UCC for 2012 entry as a mature student.
Was unsuccessful - (as far as I know because of a crappy HPAT and my lack of Science at A Level)
I have a 2:2 degree in English Literature but thats not enough for Grad Med.
This year I thought Id be all prepared sit the UKCAT, HPAT and GAMSAT and apply to the relevant schools.
The UKCAT deadline was yesterday (you can only sit it once a year) - so thats three of my UK Uni's out the window
I do this alll the time - I always forget how early the application starts for next year!!
ARGH.
Although, Im sitting an Extended Diploma in Health Sciences this year - Hope to finish with all Distinctions (AA) and that will fill my Science entry requirements for the Irish schools! So I guess I'll just get stuck into HPAT revision..
The GAMSAT is in March too - I'll sit that (maybe - it looks AWFUL Scary:eek:) and apply for the two 4year graduate UK courses I'm eligible for with a 2:2.
Anyone have any other tips? I have loads of experience (hospital shadowing/St Johns Ambulance/ Care home work)
I feel like the tide is always against me! I dont have a great academic record and this practically makes me a leper in the UK admission's eyes. (although Id much rather go to an Irish Med school) still feel so disadvantaged against all the 700000 point LC kids!
I fancy the idea of Limerick (shock horror) and the PLB learning system - but they dont take Matures do they? And for all the 'you cant revise for the HPAT' talk, alot of people are spending 100's of Euro on courses - Do they work or what? Not that I could afford to travel to Dublin and stay down AND fork out the cash for the course anyway, but still. Am i at a disadvantage again by not going to one?
Any one have any tips/words of encouragement?:(
Getting fed up!0
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Hi FairytaleGirl I've taken an interest in this forum as I'm considering applying to medicine in the next year or so. First of all I wouldn't be too harsh on myself for missing dates as from your post you've got UKCAT, GAMSAT, HPAT deadlines along with CAO and UCAS deadlines to worry about, and on top of that you're trying to do well in your course! Phew!
If I could offer you advice it would be to prioritize your choices and start eliminating those you don't want / have to do, it'lll stengthen your efforts for those that are most important for you, like the HPAT.
I'm planning on sitting biology and chemistry in the LC in hopes that it will support my application for mature entry, and that's all I'm focusing on for now.
I know applying to schools in both the UK and Ireland is increasing your chances of getting in somewhere but you're probably stretching yourself a bit. Why sit the GAMSAT when you don't need it?
And bear in mind that the LC ( although the 700000 points kids have rightly earned their place) is only a two year programme of full time study (level 6 i think?) and there are other ways of proving you're eligible for medicine, as you are doing now so focus on that and don't compare yourself to other people.
Excuse my ignorance but what's the PLB learning system?
Anyway, I've read some of your posts on this forum and what I'll say is keep trying!! You really seem like you want it so don't give up!!0 -
PBL - Problem based learning!!
A pbl group has about 8 people and a facilitator and in 1st and 2nd year there are two 2 hour sessions a week (I think!). In the first half of the session you are given a scenario and as a group you discuss the key points and basically decide what you don't know and need to go away and learn. The group formulates objectives to go away and study and the facilitator is there to make sure you cover the right things. In the next session you then feedback what you found out and get the next scenario and the whole process starts again. In between pbl sessions you have labs and lectures (or as the med school likes to call them: FRSs and plenaries) that are supposed to supplement the pbl.
Yeah I think I am gonna concentrate on Irish schools exclusively again this year. I was sitting the GAMSAT to apply in the UK as a grad ( 4year).
Have you done the HPAT before? Do you reckon the courses are a big help?
Not giving up yet! Thanks for your reply 0 -
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FairytaleGirl wrote: »PBL - Problem based learning!!
A pbl group has about 8 people and a facilitator and in 1st and 2nd year there are two 2 hour sessions a week (I think!). In the first half of the session you are given a scenario and as a group you discuss the key points and basically decide what you don't know and need to go away and learn. The group formulates objectives to go away and study and the facilitator is there to make sure you cover the right things. In the next session you then feedback what you found out and get the next scenario and the whole process starts again. In between pbl sessions you have labs and lectures (or as the med school likes to call them: FRSs and plenaries) that are supposed to supplement the pbl.
Yeah I think I am gonna concentrate on Irish schools exclusively again this year. I was sitting the GAMSAT to apply in the UK as a grad ( 4year).
Have you done the HPAT before? Do you reckon the courses are a big help?
Not giving up yet! Thanks for your reply
Ah! Thanks for that!:) Sorry I forgot about those UK schools that only ask for a 2.2. I've never done the HPAT so I couldn't comment on any correlation between paying for courses and actual results but I'd love to see hard evidence.
I suppose if you've never done a course though then try one and see does it help your HPAT preparation, the only real way you'll know is when you get the results!
My opinion is that it depends on how you learn. People may give credit to the courses when they do well in HPAT as it probably helped them to focus better than if they were just practicing it at home. I tend to learn better by myself so maybe I'd be more suited to practicing the HPAT by myself.
Anyway, best of luck to everyone going for it I'll be on this forum sharing any info ( and problems) i have over the next while!0 -
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studentforever wrote: »Ah good aul khan academy, that got me through the gamsat. Yea apparently they can ask for your lab books, I think it's just to prove you've actually done them? My little brothers class was chosen to be checked last year...
I'm pretty ok for chem and bio, just need a little refresher ;-) Now I just have to find a school! Doing the LC with aload of teenagers, dreading walking in being 'the aul waaaaannnn' at 25!
Ah, one of the hoops some of us mature med hopefuls have to jump through!
I wouldnt worry about being an ould wan (at 25?!), half of them probably wont see you or else they'll be too preoccupied in getting through the exam!0 -
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On the financial side of things assuming you managed to get a place do you plan on living out of home (with friends, etc) and would a part time job even be possible?
I could have a good three years fees (hopefully) saved by next September and then have something worked out by year 3 but supporting yourself through the course is another mountain to climb as well 0
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