u/Mountain-Bet-8806

Hi everyone, I just wanted to give a final update from my previous posts here and here.

Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who commented, messaged me, shared my story, donated so generously to my GFM or offered support and advice over the last few weeks. I honestly did not expect the response my posts received, and I’m incredibly grateful.

After a very stressful few months, I'm so delighted and grateful, and relieved to say that I was thankfully able to secure additional funding which means my outstanding university fees have now been paid and I will be able to graduate and begin work as an Intern doctor this summer. This would not have been possible without the extremely generous donations I received on my fundraiser, and without some extra help from some very selfless people who went above and beyond to help me.

This is actually the first year of medical school that I was able to access my exam results on time. Every previous year, my results had been withheld while I desperately tried to clear outstanding balances before deadlines. I don’t think people realise how stressful and isolating that cycle can become, and how relieved I feel to finally be out of that cycle!

I also just want to say that this experience has given me so much faith in people. I’m someone who finds it very difficult to ask for help, but the kindness shown to me by strangers over the last while has honestly been overwhelming. There are some extremely good people out there, and I hope to be able to pay forward this kindness when my situation allows it.

I’m really happy with my exam results and I’m looking forward to graduating and starting intern year, I’ll be finding out my job next week!

Thank you all again for the support, kindness and encouragement. I will never forget this.

Hi everyone,

I’m a final year Graduate Entry Medicine student in Ireland who has recently completed final exams and is due to begin intern year this summer.

Unfortunately, due to significant outstanding university fees, I am now facing the possibility that my results could be withheld and that I may not be able to graduate or start work on time despite finishing medical school.

Throughout all four years of my degree, I worked continuously alongside placements, exams and study to support myself and contribute towards fees and living costs. I relied on some loans throughout the course, and planned as best I could to afford the four years of fees, but with the rising cost of living and the financial pressure associated with studying medicine in Ireland, things have become unmanageable in final year.

I know ultimately the responsibility is mine, but I also feel this reflects a much wider issue with Graduate Entry Medicine in Ireland: fees are approximately €16k+ per year, there is very limited government support, GEM students are not eligible for SUSI, and the dedicated GEM loan has been discontinued. Unless you come from a wealthy background or have strong financial support, it can feel almost impossible to get through the course without taking on major debt.

I’ve already contacted:

• my university
• my Student Union
• the Dean
• Minister James Lawless who has been speaking on this issue
• multiple lenders/credit unions
• and doctors/graduates for advice, who have been very kind over at r/JuniorDoctorsIreland

At this stage, I’m wondering who else I should be contacting to highlight this issue or get my story out there. Are there any local media, journalists, radio stations, TDs, medical organisations or student advocacy groups people know of who would be worth approaching?

I genuinely want to stay in Ireland, graduate, and work as a doctor here. Right now finances are the only thing standing in the way.

Any advice would really mean a lot. Thank you!

Update from my previous post. Firstly, thank you all so much for the kindness, advice, DMs and support. I honestly didn’t expect such a response and I’ve spent most of the weekend overwhelmed reading through everything. 13k people viewed my last post, which is crazy. I am so grateful for the donations I've already received to my fundraiser.

I wanted to give an update to outline where things currently stand.

Since my original post, I have:

• contacted the university regarding my fees
• reached out to my Student Union
• contacted the Dean
• contacted Minister James Lawless regarding the wider GEM funding issue
• applied for further loans
• contacted my local and health service staff credit unions
• spoken with other doctors/graduates for advice
• and set up a GoFundMe as an absolute last resort

At the moment I’m waiting to hear back from a lot of people. Because it’s the weekend, I know realistically this will take some time, but I am at a really critical point and I’m terrified that I won’t secure funding in time for graduation and intern year. Really I think I need to sort this by the end of the week.

I was very reluctant to set up a fundraiser, but after encouragement from people here and from people I know personally, I decided I had to at least try everything possible before giving up on graduating this summer and starting work.

If anyone would be willing to support and/or share my fundraiser in any groups/chats/social media spaces where people might see it, I would genuinely be so grateful. I don’t have a large platform or social media following, so even sharing my story could make a huge difference.

Thank you all again for the kindness people have shown me already. It has genuinely meant more than I can explain. Also, if anybody has any further advice, anyone I can contact for help, please let me know. I appreciate everything.

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/help-me-pay-my-final-fees-so-i-can-graduate-medical-school