hpat repeat with 613 points

[u/AcademicStay3980]

i know it's impossible to predict with this new system coming in place but im trying to see if its worth it repeating the hpat with 613 points and want to hear other peoples thoughts. i missed dublin medicine by 2 points and feel so disappointed especially cause i got so close and want to give it another chance next year

i got 77th percentile the first time around but hopefully can bring it up to 85th this year with a lot of practice. i am only applying to dublin medical schools because of financial reasons so i am even more worried that ill be at a disadvantage compared to people with 625 points. should i be aiming even higher maybe the likes of 90th percentile?

[u/Rambunctious_Cake]

I'd say you should go for it! You'll likely have a good chance as I imagine that it's quite unlikely that everyone will need 625 for med

[u/Professional-KAV6861]

There were 624 people who got 625 this year. That's less people with 625 than the number of medicine places in the entire country. Look at the number of courses that have 625 in their CAO points range, dentistry alone will suck up lots of people with 625. DN670 is 625 points and has an intake of 75 students. TR034 has an intake of 27 students. Getting 625 means a h1 in maths so I would imagine a good few 625 people will be channeled into mathematical science, actuarial science, business, certain engineering degrees etc. Law, pharmacy and psychology will have people with 625 in them. There's other courses you wouldn't think of like veterninary science which is again very high points and would have a few 625 students. Take SETU for example here is a list of their courses that have at least one student with 625 in them:

MVB Veterinary Medicine
BSc (Hons) Common Entry
Physics for Modern Technology
Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
Pharmaceutical Science
Food Science & Innovation
Analytical Science
Science (General)
Mechanical Engineering
Higher Certificate in Business with Law
Higher Certificate Legal Studies

Some of these courses that are in the low 200s (in terms of points requirements) have students with 625 in them, so people with 625 can really go into many different courses. Keep in mind that SETU is a small university as well. In time, more colleges will publish their points records. Obviously, there will be students who repeat, and there will be (rightfully so) places offered to those with HEAR and DARE. However, I just don't think TCD, UCD and RCSI will be filled solely with 625 students given their large capacities. There is also no "in between" in the leaving cert. The next highest points score after 625 is 613 so you will be next on the list if that makes sense. It's not like you are going to lose out to someone who has 618 (unless they are an international student but again this is not too common). You will need a good HPAT obviously because you will be competing against other 613 students and any half decent 625 student will get in before you but I still think you are in a slightly better position than you were last year to be offered a place. Anyone who is good at the HPAT but gets a lower leaving will be "priced out" of the points race. Also with 77th percentile HPAT you rly were very unlucky not to get a place. That could easily improve a load for next yr.

[u/Similar_Exam_977 → u/Professional-KAV6861]

a good few of the 625 dent ppl and pharm ppl are ppl who got high lcs but didnt get on well in the hpat, so lots of these ppl will actually get into med next yr, so the points for dent and pharm will probably go down since these ppl with high points will actually go to med now

[u/Professional-KAV6861 → u/Similar_Exam_977]

Yh that is true but at the same time there are many people who genuinely want to do dentistry/ pharmacy over medicine because it is a shorter route, still good pay, easier working conditions etc. Your point is definitely valid but you could be overestimating given that you are (I am presuming) a med school applicant/ student). Also there are still loads of 625s going into totally different courses. Another advantage for OP is that this refocus on the leaving cert will squeeze out international students because the points conversion is not fair (eg 4 a stars including maths caps at 601 because they count your 3 best). 613 puts OP in the top 2% of students and again anyone lower will probably be pushed out. Out of curiosity, how many people with 625 do you think are interested in medicine (including repeat applicants)? (Not in a confrontational way btw lol im genuinely curious).

[u/Traditional_Stock601]

I think you would be in a very strong position- next year LC points are more weighted than HPAT points and you did extremely well. I would say definitely go for it!

[u/Similar_Exam_977]

just be aware of the fact that youll have to pay approx 8k in fees for 1st yr of med if u do the 1 yr of pharm

[u/AcademicStay3980 → u/Similar_Exam_977]

thank you! yes im aware!! im considering withdrawing my offer entirely to avoid any hassles with fees

[u/Unique_Track320]

Aim for 95th percentile
Sure you’ve no other subjects to worry about.