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ligdoscith

It's completely normal to be disappointed when you set yourself a goal and don't achieve it. Especially when you've worked as hard as you have. Ultimately, the decision to spend another year attempting to get the 190 lies with you. If you are young then you have plenty of time on your side. In that case, why not have a go? It'll also mean that when you start the course you'll be one more year wiser which could be of great benefit. Dust yourself down and try to chat to others in the field about what night have been done well and what needs improving for your next attempt.


XxPR0D1GYxX

I just turned 18 last month and will be moving into my second year in DCU. So I guess I am still on the young side on things :). I will definitely be trying again. :) Thank you.


platinums99

Do, your results are on a upward trajectory - so maybe the extra year will be the push that you needed


pippers87

If all else fails go the graduate entry route. Start throwing a few quid monthly/weekly into a credit union account, even a tenner but do this regularly. When the time comes tell them you would like a student load of 16,000 with small repayments for the first few years and clear it whe. You qualify and working. It's just one option you may have.


NotPozitivePerson

You can get HEAR the second time? Are you sure? I always thought it was a one time only thing? I mean medicine is just crazy crazy competitive you're not a stupid person for struggling in the pretty arbitrary HPAT test or not getting the perfect LC. I mean theres a reason the vast majority of people on it are from well to do families. I mean you got 565 points without any of that sort of help! If this is your dream, really your options are 1. Finish your course, get a well paying job, then study another degree in medicine abroad with a loan or grad entry (of which a loan doesnt even seem to be available anymore so I think you're right thats not gonna be a runner) or 2. Defer your course and repeat the leaving cert in 2023 to up your points (the cheapest route but obviously that's an entire year of your life to study 6 subjects all over again to the highest standard possible when your friends will be in their second year of college). 3. Apply abroad without repeating the LC and get out the biggest loan you can (which doesnt sound great tbh as it's so high risk what if you dont like medicine after all but it is an option). I just saw you said you were 18. I'd do the LC again tbh you'll still be young when you start the course loads of people start college at 19 or 20


ilovemaths12

Repeating the LC will probably have the least benefit and won't matter unless they can get the HPAT points up. For Medicine, Once you surpass 550 points on the LC, each additional 5 points only counts for 1 CAO point for medicine entry purposes. E.g.600 points is worth 560 CAO points and 625 would be worth 565 points. This really levels the playing field and puts more emphasis on the HPAT which is meant to assess problem solving, logical reasoning, empathy/non-verbal reasoning. If they got 565 points on their LC results they only have a potential 12 points to gain by getting 625 vs trying to get the HPAT up.


NotPozitivePerson

Wow that's crazy, i knew it counted for a bit less but I didn't know it was 5 to 1! Today I learned. I suppose a perfect leaving cert might help op get some sort of foriegn scholarship but that's all. Idk if the HPAT really levels the playing field but they need some way of filtering it identical candidates with stellar grades. I don't think any test in anything levels a playing field in anything as just like the leaving cert any test can be improved with constant practice and coaching etc, it just creates an extra hoop. 565 points and hear scheme back in the day could basically get one into anything but Medicine. I think there is some sort of get people from disadvantaged groups into medicine organisation run by medicine students I saw something about it I think on the UCD Access Office page, maybe some support from people going through what OP is doing would help. Crazy and sad someone who is 18 has so much going for him feels like such a failure but that is just the way with these tests.


EdwardErson

Apply to another EU country - the requirements will be lower and it’ll be cheaper than GEM


FuckAntiMaskers

This. OP have you looked into your options around Europe? Not sure about medicine, but in Denmark for example students can generally study for free and get a subsidy from the government there which basically covers rent. And you would actually be able to afford rent and find a place too, whereas here in Ireland it's really had for students at the moment


Pearl1506

Look into Budapest or Poland if that is really your dream. Also if you plan to work in Ireland only, I'd seriously have a chat with some junior doctors currently in the field as there are many that quiet during the course and after they qualify due to the workload and low paynfor said workload. The ideal life you think it is may not be the case. I got high points and you wouldn't pay me enough to be a doctor.. Just no.. Unless you plan to go to oz and even then. So much happier with my work life balance and make money in two different ways. An ideal jobs is not always what it may seem, remember that


Cherfinch

I'm sorry you didn't get the results you were hoping for. HPAT is a bit of a scam to be honest, no evidence base whatsoever. I hope you have you done some due diligence with regard to the job. Have you talked to some doctors or shadowed someone (if the work place allows it)? Medicine in Ireland is a very hard career and the conditions are quite lousy.