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Thinking about Studying Medicine Abroad? Read This First!!
Check out this report put out by the National Association of Advisors for Health Professions (NAAHP) on how to advise their students who wish to obtain a medical degree abroad:
NAAHP: International Medical Schools
I thought that this article would give anyone who is seriously considering an education at an overseas medical school (In my case, I am attending AUC this May) a realistic look at the weight of their decision.
Some good quotes from the text:
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Extra Challenges
One of the biggest issues that students should consider is that many of the U.S. citizens who go to international medical schools drop out before completing their medical education. Given the extra pressures on students at international medical schools, many of whom are admitted with marginal academic abilities and test-taking skills, this is not surprising. It is impossible to get accurate, independent measures for attrition rates, and the rates surely differ from school to school, but the possibility of failure is something prospective students should seriously consider. Even if they pass their classes, many are still not able to pass the USMLE. To provide some balance, it is also important to note that many students do complete their educations at international medical schools, meet the extra Fifth Pathway or ECFMG certification conditions required for graduates of international medical schools, successfully match with residency programs, and eventually become practicing physicians.
Wherever a student goes, medical education will be expensive! Together with travel, housing, food and other living expenses, and without the tuition discount that a student at an in-state, public medical school would receive, the costs of attending an international medical school, even one with a modest tuition, quickly escalate. U.S. citizens at many international medical schools are eligible for U.S. Government Guaranteed Student Loans, which may be interest subsidized or unsubsidized, and there are other possibilities for borrowing money. If they are not independently or dependently wealthy, medical students will, however, have to go deeply in debt.
All medical students are confronted by academic, and financial pressures, but those who attend international medical schools must contend with additional difficulties. Students will be isolated from their social support network of friends and family. Even at well-established international medical schools, students often find more difficult living conditions, less extensive learning resources, more limited teaching and clinical facilities, and fewer permanent faculty members. At some schools, a substantial part of the curriculum is taught in a language other than English. On rare occasions, international medical students have felt threatened by political unrest, hurricanes, earthquakes, and even a volcano.
As if the challenges of completing their medical education in another country were not enough, the candidates who do successfully complete their medical educations at international medical schools must take extra steps to be eligible for accredited residency programs in the U.S., board specialty certification, and state licensure.
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Important Personal Qualities
To successfully contend with all the extra demands placed on students and graduates of international medical schools, candidates who take this path must be extraordinarily determined, motivated and resilient. To handle the basic science curriculum and pass all of the steps of the USMLE, they must be capable students and competent test-takers. They should have the adaptability and independence needed to thrive in another country, ideally already developed through a significant study or service abroad experience. If a substantial part of the curriculum is taught in a language other than English, they should gain at least a basic proficiency in the language before attending the medical school. They should take initiative, especially when planning their clinical rotations, and be flexible, especially when applying for residency programs. And, they should be prepared to graciously explain their decision to attend an international medical school.
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Some Questions Students Should Ask
1. How long has the International Medical School (IMS) been in existence?
2. How can I contact the IMS – telephone, fax, e-mail, WWW?
3. Who is the Dean of Admissions?
4. What are the entrance/admissions requirements?
5. Is an undergraduate degree required in order to start school (matriculate)?
6. Are there specific residency or foreign language requirements?
7. Is the MCAT required or optional?
8. If interviews are required, where are they held?
9. What are mean Science and Overall GPAs for the previous entering class?
10. How many classes of students enter each year, and when are the application deadlines?
11. What are estimated annual expenses, including tuition and fees, books, supplies, study materials, housing, food, travel and other living costs?
12. How do students fund their education? What loan programs and scholarships are students eligible for?
13. How many students are enrolled in each class? What is the attrition rate for matriculated students, i.e., how many typically dropout before finishing? What are common reasons for dropping out?
14. What is the length and structure of the entire curriculum?
15. What are the academic credentials of the faculty teaching basic science courses? Where were they educated?
16. Where do students do their clinical training?
17. How do students perform on USMLE I and II? In recent years, what are the 1st time and total pass rates for students from this school?
18. How many students graduate each year?
19. Where did students in the most recent graduating class match for residency? In what specialties?
20. How can I contact some former IMS graduates who are practicing in the U.S. in my area? |