GAMSAT 2018

1direction wrote: »

Did you get yours sorted in the end?

As far as I can tell, yes. They just needed another transcript from me and I sent it in.

The CAO will inform us if the appeal is successful before offers come out next Thursday, so fingers crossed.

I don't think I will be able to relax until Aug 1 at 6 am. Luckily it is just around the corner.

Kagana wrote: »

Are there any current GEM students, preferably from UCC, who could tell what textbooks have been used most recently for First Year students? I was hoping to get them beforehand, although I could be behind the times in thinking that they still use textbooks instead of electronic resources.

I was talking to a person going into 2nd year GEM in UCC and she said that they tend to pass down PDFs of the required books from year to year so no need to buy hard copies I think 🙂

Adreidphysio wrote: »

I know this is going to drive me crazy but...any predictions for the Round 0 cutoffs?

UCD:60*
RCSI 60*
UCC:58*
UL 56*

UCD - 58*
RCSI - 59
UCC- 58
UL - 56

I don't think points will go up drastically because the economy was still booming when people started preparing for this admission cycle in 2017-2018.

Also the CAO and Irish Times released data a few months ago saying that medicine applications have stayed the same.

I would imagine gradmed is more influenced by the economy though as a considerably higher bill has to be footed by those most likely independent with full time jobs and their own bills to pay. As opposed to undergrads who are most likely still being supported by their parents with a smaller bill to pay.

However what I found is the most significant indicator of points change is the change in format of the gamsat. Maybe people from previous years can shed light on this. But I felt this year section 3 was completely "reasoning based" as opposed to questions you could rote learn for. To me this would actually cause a points decrease. Anybody care to comment on this?

I get the impression that for every reason for a points increase, there's also a reason for them to decrease/stagnate. Therefore I think it's most likely they'll be quite similar to last year.

DANCER97 wrote: »

UCD:60*
RCSI 60*
UCC:58*
UL 56*

As someone with a score of 56 hoping for UL, this is a somewhat chilling prediction lol.

seller285 wrote: »

If there was a choice between two applicants on the same score (an asterisk-marked cut-off score), would the person with the master's degree (a master's degree in bio med with distinction as opposed to a 2:1 bachelor's degree) be given an offer instead of the one with a bachelor's degree? I'm wondering if maybe none of that is taken into consideration as long as applicants meet the minimum 2:1 bachelor's degree requirement. I'm not liking the thought of being entered into a lottery.

The SOP is that it is a lottery because that is what the CAO does for all of the courses it runs. If schools make an offer to you personally over the phone in round 3 or later, I imagine some subjectivity could come into play.

As you have a 56, the past 10 years of data shows you are highly likely to get an offer.

I mean to be fair guys, no one can actually predict what’s going to happen. I guess we’re going to wait out the next few days unfortunately but best to keep positive that scores don’t shift too much (unless they want to go down lol)

arainagusime wrote: »

Eligibility emails are out and to say I am delighted with the result is an understatement. I hope everyone else who submitted their appeal is happy.

Exact same here, some pressure lifted anyway.

Without tempting fate, do people know if successful applicants get emails from CAO on thursday morning or must we log into their website to check? Touch wood etc

Miike wrote: »

You log in to check, emails do come but are often later.

Thanks Miike

Got UCC on 59, my first choice was UCD though!

UCD with 60! After all this work!! Delighted guys. Well done to all!

UCD with 61.

Congrats everyone. Any ideas when the cut offs are usually released?

So I've got a score of 55 and really hoping to get UL. This morning my CAO profile says "no offers/acceptance to view at this time" so I assume this means I don't have enough points. Do we know when 2nd round offers for GEM will be? Is it Round One n 15th Aug...?? Do people think I stand a chance?? Would love to know cut off scores...

I won't hold my breath for UL's cut-off to drop to 53 lol.

Eartha Braveheart wrote: »

Is there a link to that on the CAO; I can't find the page? Thanks

I cant post links since I'm a new user but look for 'CAO ROUND ZERO 2018' pdf on google then change the 2018 in the url bar to 2019, that worked for me since I also couldn't find the page.

RCSI being 60* is a bit of a surprise but considering their EU intake is 30 compared to UCD's 77 means it makes sense I guess.

WorthlessPeon wrote: »

Wonder what has caused RCSI to take over UCD in top spot?

I mentioned it up there, I think its because their intake is a fraction of the size of other Irish unis for EU students + they market better, they do have a tendency to drop down a full point though every year round 2 whereas UCD occasionally doesn't so they go back to being roughly equal for points every time.

Amongst an abundance of other things their building is incredibly impressive could easily sway anyone who is 50/50 between the Dublin colleges.

Anyone got any plans accommodation wise for UL?
Also is the whole iPad thing mandatory? Like I have an old iPad so obv don’t want to spend like 600 on another one!