u/Prestigious_Term_346

I’m a student here and I’m going to answer the questions I wish I had someone answer for me when I was applying! Before I get started, please don’t private message me questions, I prolly won’t respond lol (I don’t check messages), just ask under this thread and maybe I’ll respond or maybe someone else will respond

*IMPORTANT*: I’m speaking from MY experience, please contact RCSI Bahrain for definitive answers to your question’s. Application rules and guidelines change every single year. I also did NOT apply thru Atlantic bridge so I won’t answer anything specific to Atlantic bridge

About me - finishing my first year here, I was accepted into 5 year program upon application, and I applied after completing my undergrad in Ontario (Canadian born and raised). Undergrad was a BSc. Had no research, no MCAT, my avg gpa per semester in my last 2 years of undergrad was pretty good (3.85-4.0 range), also had absurd amount of healthcare related experience working in clinics, hospitals, and volunteer organizations. (Started stacking up these experiences in back in grade 10)

1. How to apply?
   - Atlantic bridge and directly through RCSI Bahrain website
   - I applied directly through the RCSI Bahrain website

2. When to apply?
   - check RCSI Bahrain website for application window dates

3. Things I need when applying?
   - proof of all your volunteer experiences, work experiences + highschool and post secondary diplomas and transcripts (essentially, if u wanna put something in ur application, have proof of it!)

4. I applied, when will they respond?
   - my experience was RCSI responded right away and told me some more things I needed to submit (applied in end of December 2024, final application after adding extra things they needed was submitted early / mid Jan 2025)
   - once everything was set, they reviewed and I got interview notice within following 2 - 4 weeks.

5. When is interview?
   - I got interview confirmation late Jan and had interview in Feb
   - they do interviews in rounds from what I believe, for example, first round interviews early Feb, second round mid Feb, etc
   - Your interview date just depends on when u apply
   - when I applied, I think interviews ran until end April - early may

6. Is applying earlier better?
   - there’s no proof to say yes or no, BUT ill say this, think of it from a institution perspective. Kid applies asap (shows interest) -> gets offered interview in first round -> after interview, if they like u, psychologically they’re only comparing u to the handful of other kids they interview in the first round (rather than comparing you to hundreds of kids who interviewed before you if you apply later and get an interview later)
   - Again, I could be completely wrong, but if there’s the slightest chance my no-proof theory is right, it’s an easy way to up your chances of acceptance
   - This is my mentality with everything from applying to jobs to applying to internships to applying to schools, and it’s always worked out for me!

7. How to prep for the interview?
   - If you’ve put something on your application or personal statement, you better be able to answer questions about it regarding why u did it, what you learnt from it, what it meant to you, etc.
   - be familiar with public health and population health topics in your country. For example, know the prevalent diseases in ur country, what they are, and what you’d personally do to help solve it.
   - Know about RCSI! Standard interview Question in ANY job or school application is “why us?”. Interviewers want to see if you actually care about the school, what they stand for, what they do, etc.
   - staff and interviewers here are lovely and non-intimidating, so don’t be stressed
   - have good questions to ask them at the end of the interview
   - *MY ADVICE*: be confident but NOT cocky - you’re not there to obnoxiously brag about everything you’ve done. You’ve already done that in your application and personal statement, you’re being interviewed because they want to see if your a genuine person who has people skills, communication skills, is able to talk about their experiences in a meaningful manner, etc. Find that balance between being able to present yourself as a nerd who’s obsessed with medicine but also someone who has a life outside of school in terms of gaining healthcare experience, having hobbies, part time jobs, spending time with family, etc!

8. Done my interview, when will they respond?
   - I think they start giving out 6 year acceptances first, then 5 years. They give out acceptances after last interview - I got mine in May

9. Will I get 6 or 5 year program?
   - if u are straight out of highschool, idk u can get either
   - if u have an undergrad, very likely 5 year (i haven’t met someone with an undergrad from North America who was placed in 6 year program)

10. Accepted! Now what?
    - they’ll send u a big checklist of things the school requires and the Bahrain government requires
    - the on-boarding team is amazing here, after being accepted u can ask all the questions u have + even book a call with one of the members to ask questions

11. Accommodation
    - most students live right beside the campus: there’s a bunch of apartment buildings right beside (u can see on Google Maps + on-boarding team will have lots of info regarding those buildings)
    - pros about buildings beside campus: more affordable, walking distance from school, community of students
    - there’s also the other option for those wanting to live a more mature/independant lifestyle which is to live away from the campus. Typically older students, students with significant others, or students who have a bit more money to spend will find accommodation in areas away from campus such as Marassi, Bahrain Bay, Juffair, and Seef
    - if u choose to live away from campus, u don’t absolutely need a car - the uber equivalent here is Careem and careems are 20x cheaper than an uber in North America

12. What’s Bahrain like?
    - best country ever. Moving here was the best decision ever; beautiful weather, amazing people, fun things to do, etc. you’ll get attached to the island trust me

13. Overall experience so far?
    - amazing, wouldn’t change a thing. Best decision ever, I love RCSI, I love Bahrain, I love my life here and I love the future opportunities this school can provide for me. At the end of the day, with good board exam scores, electives, and research: RCSI Bahrain IMGs match in Canada and America. In fact, over the last couple years individuals here have matched to insanely competitive specialties in North America. So you can really do whatever you want post med, just depends on the work you’re willing to put in while you’re in med.

Tired of typing now lol but hope this helps someone