University 'did not act unreasonably' in refusing to offer a place in medical faculty. Appeal on student selection rejected

him for a place as a medical student.

Conor O'Reilly alleged the university acted unreasonably and in breach

of the rules of natural justice by failing to inform him that candidates

must have had work experience in a hospital, surgery, or a caring

environment.

However, Lord Coulsfield accepted the university's case that while it

regards work experience as desirable, it is not an essential

precondition for entry to the medical faculty.

Immediately after the legal ruling at the Court of Session, Mr

O'Reilly, of Newlands Road, Glasgow, expressed his disappointment.

He added: ''I am not sure what I am going to do now. I need time to

think about my future and whether it is in medicine.''

Mr O'Reilly, who attended St Aloysius College and has Highers in

biology, chemistry, English, Latin, maths and physics, had unconditional

offers for four other universities, but has turned them down.

His father -- ear, nose and throat surgeon Mr Brian O'Reilly -- said

that, despite the ruling, he thought the case was worthwhile because it

showed other parents the university was open to challenge.

He denied that his son had been pushed towards a medical career, and

added: ''I can't even get him to cut the grass, never mind getting him

to do anything he does not want to.''

A Glasgow University spokesman commented: ''The university is

delighted that the court has confirmed the selection process it uses is

reasonable and fair.

''We note Lord Coulsfield has said that he was clearly of the view the

university had not acted illegally in its selection process.

''The university receives a large number of applications from talented

people for admission to the faculty of medicine. Every year, we

interview some 800 applicants for the 217 places available.

''The university does not believe that a record of academic

achievement at school is a sufficient measure of the suitability of an

applicant to be a doctor. The selection process looks at evidence of

both academic ability and commitment to medicine.''

Earlier, Lord Coulsfield heard claims that, despite his outstanding

academic qualifications, Mr O'Reilly was one of the poorest of 800

candidates who were interviewed for a place in the forthcoming academic

year at Glasgow University's Medical School.

The university alleged he was rejected because he failed to

communicate any enthusiasm for or commitment to a medical career.

Mr O'Reilly went for an interview last December and a week later

received a letter informing him he had been rejected.

Giving evidence in court yesterday, he said that although at the time

of his university interview he did not have any work experience in a

surgery or hospital, he was well aware what a medical career entailed.

Both his parents and a number of relatives were doctors. His sister is

also studying medicine at Glasgow.

''I believe I had both the academic requirements and the sense of

service they were looking for,'' he said.

He agreed with Mr Neil Davidson, QC for the the university, that he

had rejected offers from four other Scottish universities and if he

didn't get into Glasgow he would not be able to study medicine anywhere

else in the forthcoming academic year.

Mr Stuart Macpherson, the Associate Dean of Admissions at Glasgow's

Faculty of Medicine, told the court that, while he would recommend work

experience, it was not a requirement for entry to the faculty.

The view taken on Mr O'Reilly during his interview was that he had

been: ''Entirely unconvincing, has done nothing outwith family or

friends to research medical career. Poor communicator.''

Mr Davidson asked: ''Does the faculty of medicine of the University of

Glasgow require applicants to to do work experience before accepting

them?'' ''No,'' replied Mr Macpherson.

What was mandatory was enthusiasm and commitment to a career in

medicine, and Mr O'Reilly had failed to demonstrate that.

Ms Ruth Stewart, an administrative assistant with the faculty of

medicine who, along with Mr Macpherson, interviewed Mr O'Reilly, said

that, of the Scottish students offered places to study medicine at

Glasgow, 17 had no work experience.

Mr O'Reilly had been rejected because he showed no commitment or

enthusiasm to a medical career.

She added: ''I have seen over 800 applicants this year in Conor

O'Reilly's situation and I would have to say that Conor O'Reilly is one

of the poorest we have seen.''

Lord Coulsfield said that after weighing the evidence he had reached

the clear view there had been no requirement by the university that a

candidate must have work experience to be considered for admission to

the medical faculty.

He dismissed Mr O'Reilly's petition for judicial review of the

university's decision to reject him.