Coronovirus - Gamsat MARCH 2020

hazelnut11 · 07-09-2020 10:03pm

coopersock wrote: »

And not to mention it’s ridiculous that the Grad Med offers come out in Round 0 (beginning of August) for courses that start in a few weeks’ time, when offers for grad med could easily be made in May following March GAMSAT results. UK and Aus applicants accept their offers approx 1 year before starting so they can like, I dunno, make preparations for a major life change such as going back to full time education and relocating etc!

I’m not even sure why it’s done this way and not earlier in the year, as surely all of this faffing round mid to end of August trying to fill places for courses that start in a few days can be avoided by just offering places earlier?

its crazy. the whole entry process into gradmed needs to be revamped. the numbers are too close together, its a total lotto getting in!!

ma003 · 07-09-2020 10:29pm

Peek1 wrote: »

Am I correct in thinking that a 55, with the random number of 505 for UL is pretty much guaranteed to NOT get an offer?
Im not trying to be pessimistic about it, but its very distracting trying to focus on the September sitting

I have no idea about the random numbers and what is a good one to have but I just started in UL and my roommate said her friend got in on 55 in the last few days so all the 56s have gotten offers now obviously!

aoifanac · 08-09-2020 11:10am

Peek1 wrote: »

Am I correct in thinking that a 55, with the random number of 505 for UL is pretty much guaranteed to NOT get an offer?
Im not trying to be pessimistic about it, but its very distracting trying to focus on the September sitting

I emailed UL to ask could they tell me how many are ahead of me on the waitlist - I knew they couldn't but was hoping for some info. Got the reply this morning and they said there will be no further offers. I called admissions to confirm and she said the info they have is that there won't be anymore offers but to remain hopeful as things can change. I had actually called admissions yday too and then they said there will be more. So even though there may be a glimmer of hope I'm not expecting to hear anything from them. My random allocation number is 664 and I'm on 55 too.

Peek1 · 08-09-2020 11:58am

aoifanac wrote: »

I emailed UL to ask could they tell me how many are ahead of me on the waitlist - I knew they couldn't but was hoping for some info. Got the reply this morning and they said there will be no further offers. I called admissions to confirm and she said the info they have is that there won't be anymore offers but to remain hopeful as things can change. I had actually called admissions yday too and then they said there will be more. So even though there may be a glimmer of hope I'm not expecting to hear anything from them. My random allocation number is 664 and I'm on 55 too.

Thans, I got the pretty much the same email from them also.

Suppose it's best to keep head down for the September gamsat then.

Alexion · 08-09-2020 1:34pm

Anyone get any word from UCD on further offers?

avalon68 · 08-09-2020 5:54pm

coopersock wrote: »

And not to mention it’s ridiculous that the Grad Med offers come out in Round 0 (beginning of August) for courses that start in a few weeks’ time, when offers for grad med could easily be made in May following March GAMSAT results. UK and Aus applicants accept their offers approx 1 year before starting so they can like, I dunno, make preparations for a major life change such as going back to full time education and relocating etc!

I’m not even sure why it’s done this way and not earlier in the year, as surely all of this faffing round mid to end of August trying to fill places for courses that start in a few days can be avoided by just offering places earlier?

UK is definitely not a year before hand. I accepted an offer mid June. Still better than August mind you!

hazelnut11 · 08-09-2020 6:08pm

Its looking like random selection is going to be the cause of me moving across the country....and the cause of other people not getting a place. This has to be abolished for next year, the scores are too close together.

redser1 · 09-09-2020 6:46pm

UCD still saying there could even be offers the first week they start which is the 21st of September....its mad how spread out the start dates of the programmes are, it will have to result in some wasted spaces, for example someone could do nearly 3 weeks in UCC and then get UCD and its too late for the UCC place to be offered...

Luna73 · 09-09-2020 7:06pm

Hi - anyone looking for a room for UCC GEM - please DM me. Owner/occupier DEM student. House 15 mins drive to UCC - bus stop nearby and I have good broad band as well as 2 cats - one of them loves cuddles.

Alexion · 10-09-2020 5:00pm

Any hope for round 1 offers tomorrow?

ULgem · 14-09-2020 10:11am

Hey! I got accepted to UL on friday but have heard nothing from the school and I am stressed out as I know the programme is already full on.

Anyone there atm who can tell me about whats happening? Eg. about the course, Covid-19 situation and measures?

Thank you!

hazelnut11 · 14-09-2020 2:27pm

ULgem wrote: »

Hey! I got accepted to UL on friday but have heard nothing from the school and I am stressed out as I know the programme is already full on.

Anyone there atm who can tell me about whats happening? Eg. about the course, Covid-19 situation and measures?

Thank you!

I would just contact admissions there immediately....they should have sent you instructions... did they phone you with an offer?

Alexion · 14-09-2020 2:56pm

No Dublin colleges put out round 1 offers... looks like Dublin is going into lockdown so maybe a few may pull out of UCD? ðŸ˜…

ma003 · 14-09-2020 5:12pm

ULgem wrote: »

Hey! I got accepted to UL on friday but have heard nothing from the school and I am stressed out as I know the programme is already full on.

Anyone there atm who can tell me about whats happening? Eg. about the course, Covid-19 situation and measures?

Thank you!

If you want to know anything specific send me a message ! I just started 1st year in UL !

ma003 · 14-09-2020 5:14pm

Alexion wrote: »

No Dublin colleges put out round 1 offers... looks like Dublin is going into lockdown so maybe a few may pull out of UCD? &#55357;&#56837;

Maybe though if it was me I'd be more likely to stick with it if there was a lockdown to have something to do...could be just me though

hazelnut11 · 14-09-2020 5:34pm

ma003 wrote: »

Maybe though if it was me I'd be more likely to stick with it if there was a lockdown to have something to do...could be just me though

maybe... it will most likely all be online though..

ma003 · 14-09-2020 6:42pm

hazelnut11 wrote: »

maybe... it will most likely all be online though..

Yeh exactly, have some thing to do rather than sitting at home doing nothing! Sure mine is mostly online now anyway! I think less people will leave the courses in case the points rise next year with the looming recession and lack of job prospects! I'd say the only reason people will leave will be if they can't afford it. That's just what people I've talked to have said anyway...that they are prepared to put up with online learning and no social life because they don't have any other options so better to get a year out of the way. Maybe a few will hate online learning I guess.

Alexion · 14-09-2020 9:51pm

Yeah I guess nobody knows what next year is going to be like either...... paying thousands to do it all at home is tough going too though!

ma003 · 14-09-2020 10:30pm

Yeh totally agree but theres no guarantee next year is going to be any different unfortunately. I've been telling myself that things are going to get better all year and have yet to be proven right! But yeh the money is sickening either way !

Alexion · 15-09-2020 11:29am

ma003 wrote: »

Yeh totally agree but theres no guarantee next year is going to be any different unfortunately. I've been telling myself that things are going to get better all year and have yet to be proven right! But yeh the money is sickening either way !

It’s just such an intense course it’s very difficult to do it in an isolated way! I for one will be prioritizing my mental health either way - moving to a new city to learn in an isolated way is not good for mental health... for me anyways!

ma003 · 15-09-2020 1:33pm

Alexion wrote: »

It’s just such an intense course it’s very difficult to do it in an isolated way! I for one will be prioritizing my mental health either way - moving to a new city to learn in an isolated way is not good for mental health... for me anyways!

Yeh I agree! I did think that though and then I moved and am really enjoying living with new people from my course so it did work out! The fear was worse than the reality !

Alexion · 15-09-2020 3:14pm

ma003 wrote: »

Yeh I agree! I did think that though and then I moved and am really enjoying living with new people from my course so it did work out! The fear was worse than the reality !

Yeah people can be lucky I guess! UCD have said theres still a possibility of an offer so still hopeful!

ma003 · 15-09-2020 3:42pm

Alexion wrote: »

Yeah people can be lucky I guess! UCD have said theres still a possibility of an offer so still hopeful!

Oh thats great! Hope you get it! Will you only accept a Dublin offer or do you have one somewhere else?

Alexion · 15-09-2020 4:02pm

ma003 wrote: »

Oh thats great! Hope you get it! Will you only accept a Dublin offer or do you have one somewhere else?

No only Dublin- mainly due to health reasons and being near my family! If it doesn’t work out I’ll wait another year! I’m not going to rush into it for the sake of it this year- hoping UCD let me know by the end of the week

ma003 · 15-09-2020 6:37pm

Alexion wrote: »

No only Dublin- mainly due to health reasons and being near my family! If it doesn’t work out I’ll wait another year! I’m not going to rush into it for the sake of it this year- hoping UCD let me know by the end of the week

Thats totally fair! Fingers crossed for UCD so!

DetectiveBread · 16-09-2020 12:25pm

Hey there, just wondering if any incoming UCD GEM students have heard from BOI in regards to the GEM Loan? I sent in the application about 3 weeks ago now and getting slightly worried..

hazelnut11 · 17-09-2020 7:04pm

does anyone anticipate a higher drop out rate with GEM this year? with the fact its predominantly online?

ma003 · 17-09-2020 7:10pm

hazelnut11 wrote: »

does anyone anticipate a higher drop out rate with GEM this year? with the fact its predominantly online?

I guess it could happen if people really hated it! Most people I've talked to are still enjoying it as a lot of the sessions are live and interactive!

hazelnut11 · 17-09-2020 7:16pm

ma003 wrote: »

I guess it could happen if people really hated it! Most people I've talked to are still enjoying it as a lot of the sessions are live and interactive!

I guess, its not the best though,,,but it is what it is

hazelnut11 · 17-09-2020 7:26pm

ma003 wrote: »

I guess it could happen if people really hated it! Most people I've talked to are still enjoying it as a lot of the sessions are live and interactive!

are there still offers going in UL/ new people starting?

ma003 · 17-09-2020 10:45pm

hazelnut11 wrote: »

are there still offers going in UL/ new people starting?

Yeh I've heard about people joining this week/next which I don't think is unusual a couple of weeks into term. We're just finishing up week 2 now though and I did hear that that might be the last people they'll let in so they aren't too far behind. Yeh its not ideal tbh but we don't know if its going to be different next year with the way things are going. I keep thinking things are gonna be better and then they go backwards. Did you accept a place or are you still holding out for UCD?

hazelnut11 · 19-09-2020 2:34pm

ma003 wrote: »

Yeh I've heard about people joining this week/next which I don't think is unusual a couple of weeks into term. We're just finishing up week 2 now though and I did hear that that might be the last people they'll let in so they aren't too far behind. Yeh its not ideal tbh but we don't know if its going to be different next year with the way things are going. I keep thinking things are gonna be better and then they go backwards. Did you accept a place or are you still holding out for UCD?

No, didn't accept a place! Checking in with UCD but sure at this stage its hard to know...looks like Dublin could definitely all be online till December. Perhaps all the colleges will be by next month....it is what it is I guess!

hopefulsucess · 23-09-2020 6:22pm

anyone heard from ucd?

hazelnut11 · 23-09-2020 9:19pm

hopefulsucess wrote: »

anyone heard from ucd?

No, no word from UCD!

Alexion · 01-10-2020 2:49pm

Have people seen many people dropping out yet?

ma003 · 01-10-2020 5:00pm

Alexion wrote: »

Have people seen many people dropping out yet?

Nope not so far and with a lot of people already gotten their loans/getting them now I don't think people will. Its gone even more online now and people are just going home more/giving up their accommodation but no anyone I've talked to thinks its better to just do the year and get it over with !

hazelnut11 · 02-10-2020 12:05am

ma003 wrote: »

Nope not so far and with a lot of people already gotten their loans/getting them now I don't think people will. Its gone even more online now and people are just going home more/giving up their accommodation but no anyone I've talked to thinks its better to just do the year and get it over with !

Got a round 3 offer today...UCD here I come!

ma003 · 02-10-2020 10:43am

hazelnut11 wrote: »

Got a round 3 offer today...UCD here I come!

I stand corrected ! Congrats! Hope you get on okay !

hcoben111 · 02-10-2020 6:23pm

hazelnut11 wrote: »

Got a round 3 offer today...UCD here I come!

congrats
what score did you get?

hazelnut11 · 02-10-2020 11:40pm

hcoben111 wrote: »

congrats
what score did you get?

58!

Alexion · 15-10-2020 9:37am

Hows everyone finding the programmes so far? What’s the verdict on UCD vs rcsi? Mixed reviews!

redser1 · 15-10-2020 10:27am

Alexion wrote: »

Hows everyone finding the programmes so far? What’s the verdict on UCD vs rcsi? Mixed reviews!

don't know about those two but love cork...!

ma003 · 15-10-2020 6:32pm

Alexion wrote: »

Hows everyone finding the programmes so far? What’s the verdict on UCD vs rcsi? Mixed reviews!

Probably controversial to many but loving limerick hahaha!!

redser1 · 15-10-2020 9:25pm

ma003 wrote: »

Probably controversial to many but loving limerick hahaha!!

ah no its not controversial, loads of people love Limerick - its all dependent on what suits peoples learning style...

Woodcotter · 16-10-2020 10:18am

I don't know anyone in UCD so I can't comment on their experience but I have been very impressed so far by what I have seen in RCSI and have really been enjoying the course.

Pros
Managing Covid - The faculty seem to have gotten a pretty good handle on managing the programme alongside Covid which is a big stress reliever. We are still getting a good amount of in person teaching vs. online so it doesn't feel like your just sat at your laptop at home all the time. It blows my mind how much organisation must have gone into managing 90 odd students in view of all the restrictions while still keeping everybody safe so kudos to them for that!

Lecturer Quality - I am really impressed by the quality of the lecturers and tutors, they all seem genuinely interested in getting you to where you need to be and all have very impressive academic and clinical backgrounds. Everyone seems to be very approachable and there is a strong RCSI "culture" which can seem a bit strange on your first few days but I think that over time it will be amazing to be a part of that. The 2nd year GEMs have been hugely helpful in helping us to find our bearings and the peer mentor system whereby you are assigned a 2nd year buddy is great!

Cons
Intensity - This is more on me than anything, but the course is intense! We have had 2 quizzes so far both on 3/4 weeks worth of content. For our most recent quiz we had >40 lectures on which the questions were based so you need to be able to hit the ground running and really be willing to put the hours in. I guess that is always going to be the case on a GEM course though...

Any other cons are really Covid/Social distancing related which I imagine are relevant to all schools e.g. we have less time with cadavers etc. Having said that, I am massively appreciative that we get any time at all!

It is early days yet so maybe I am seeing things through rose-tinted glasses but I would recommend RCSI to anyone based on the first 2 months.

ma003 · 16-10-2020 6:30pm

redser1 wrote: »

ah no its not controversial, loads of people love Limerick - its all dependent on what suits peoples learning style...

haha yeh thats fair! To be honest though its not that different to normal courses, just have 2 pbl sessions plus lectures and other stuff !

Dan_brod · 09-11-2020 1:03pm

If you do poorly this time round, give me a message. I'm offering Gamsat grinds over Zoom, running through Des O Neill papers and more. Got an overall 69 in June 2020

Zomoradi · 23-12-2020 2:07pm

Anyone here updated on the new rqeuirements for gamsat

Zomoradi · 23-12-2020 2:08pm

I wonder if your still around

CopperTone1 · 07-01-2021 1:31pm

Just a heads up that RCSI are hosting their virtual open day for GEM and Mature entry, on the 16th of January

GEM registration https://www.rcsi.com/d...ry-medicine-open-day

Mature entry registration
https://www.rcsi.com/d...ry-medicine-open-day

Would definitely recommend this. Really insight on how to prepare for the application process.

Coronovirus - Gamsat MARCH 2020

Comments