"A DEGREE of love for your fellow man coupled with a certain degree of intelligence is what is needed to succeed in medical school," Mr Hy Browne, dean of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, (RCSI) told 500 students from schools throughout Ireland who attended the college's open day in Dublin yesterday.
According to Mr Browne, medical school is about self learning and hard work. Many school leavers who apply to enter medical school have no real experience of medical life. Many base their expectations of a doctor's career on images portrayed in films and on television.
"During the course of the open day we try to give them a realistic view of what they can expect if they decide to choose a career in medicine."
Although the points requirements for entry to the college are high 515 to 600 points were required in 1995 Mr Browne said that students who displayed a mature and caring character during interviews fared best in securing places.
Students from 40 countries are now attending the college. Its undergraduate course takes six years. The first year is a pre medical year, which is followed by a two year pre clinical period and then three clinical years.
The college enrols 190 students each year. Forty of the places are allocated to Irish students.
Asked why a significant percentage of college places was allocated to students whose parents were doctors, Mr Browne said that people who came from medical backgrounds had a realistic insight into the medical profession and understood exactly what was expected of them.
Any idea that the college was a private fee paying school was "a preconception which was simply not true." The college had a worldwide reputation, Mr Browne said. He remarked that no RCSI graduate was unemployed.
Ms Lillian Khor, a fourth year student from Malaysia, said that students entering the college needed stamina to complete a long and extended student life.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was founded in 1784.