1) Hospitals, private/public clinics, rehab centres, research labs are all good places to get clinical experiences. I personally like to go to a smaller clinic or rehab centre as you really get to know each staff and patient, get to really build those connections.
2) 4 year programs are only avaliable to those applicants with a finished first degree. So even if you will have a MCAT score by the time you apply, you can only apply to 5/6 year programs. Keep in mind TCD only has 5 year program and does not even take MCAT into consideration. Applying as a 5/6 year applicant, schools will be looking at your 2 years in university as well as IB points. I actually am the same as you, just that I applied for the 2014-2015 cycle. I completed 2 years in U of T and did the IB in high school. As for how much do your IB points weigh against your university GPA, it depends on them. I think what you can do is use the fall semester to really boost your GPA up. Most schools will also wait until your winter semester to finish to make a decision. So not to worry, you have 2 semesters more to build that GPA.
3) I didn't have any research experience when I applied so I do not think it's that important. Of course, with some will give you an advantage but it's not the end of the world. Keep in mind for 5/6 year programs, you will be competing with high school leavers too so i doubt all of them will have research experience.
4) AB doesn't give you GPA cutoff marks as Irish medical schools look at each applicant separately, unlike most canadian/US med schools. This year i think a solid 3.5 or above gets you at a competitive level. But again some had lower GPAs and still got it. Remember you have a personal statement, resume, reference letters also in consideration, so many factors. I'm not sure about MCAT as I did not do it yet.
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2) 4 year programs are only avaliable to those applicants with a finished first degree. So even if you will have a MCAT score by the time you apply, you can only apply to 5/6 year programs. Keep in mind TCD only has 5 year program and does not even take MCAT into consideration. Applying as a 5/6 year applicant, schools will be looking at your 2 years in university as well as IB points. I actually am the same as you, just that I applied for the 2014-2015 cycle. I completed 2 years in U of T and did the IB in high school. As for how much do your IB points weigh against your university GPA, it depends on them. I think what you can do is use the fall semester to really boost your GPA up. Most schools will also wait until your winter semester to finish to make a decision. So not to worry, you have 2 semesters more to build that GPA.
3) I didn't have any research experience when I applied so I do not think it's that important. Of course, with some will give you an advantage but it's not the end of the world. Keep in mind for 5/6 year programs, you will be competing with high school leavers too so i doubt all of them will have research experience.
4) AB doesn't give you GPA cutoff marks as Irish medical schools look at each applicant separately, unlike most canadian/US med schools. This year i think a solid 3.5 or above gets you at a competitive level. But again some had lower GPAs and still got it. Remember you have a personal statement, resume, reference letters also in consideration, so many factors. I'm not sure about MCAT as I did not do it yet.
Feel free to msg me!
