Difficult Situation...my chances???

[enigma00183]

Okay, here goes...

Undergrad: U of I, BSc Biochem, cGPA 3.11
Grad: PA school, dismissed, cGPA 1.75 :mad:
MCAT: Taking in August, but getting around mid 20s
Work Experiences:
EMT-B <1 yr (will accrue in time)
Working in a doctor's office now
Worked in another doctor's office for 3 yrs
Peds volunteer at hospital
Current schooling: Night classes in community college (getting mostly A's)

I know most will ask why I didn't make it in the PA program. The reason was financial troubles at home and forcing me to work. I tried to stay on top of things, but there was just so much volume from the 8 classes I had in my second semester, I completely burned out.

I'm doing the best to prove myself and that I can handle the course work. I read some posts by cooldreams and I can't really judge the integrity by all his posts...but he was a DO that failed out, and not even Carribean schools would consider him...

Is that true for most of the Carribean schools? What will it take for them to give me an interview or another chance?

Perhaps there are those in my situation and could elaborate on what you're trying to do to get in? Thanks!

EDIT: Mods, could you please move this to the "Main Foreign Medical Schools Forum"?

[Scott1981]

are your financial problems fixed? i would wait until you can put 100% effort into your studies and not a second sooner.

[air]

If you look at all the foreign medical school and you are honest with yourself. They all have one big thing in-common,... they are giving you that opportunity that the US schools didn't. So... No matter what school you pick you still have to pass the USMLE exams. So good luck in your endeavors

[Chemist_11]

So... No matter what school you pick you still have to pass the USMLE exams. So good luck in your endeavors.

That statement is true, however you can increase your chances in the USMLE by going to a 'good' school. e.g. SGU over WINDSOR.

Good luck.

[microphage]

So... No matter what school you pick you still have to pass the USMLE exams. So good luck in your endeavors.

That statement is true, however you can increase your chances in the USMLE by going to a 'good' school. e.g. SGU over WINDSOR.

Good luck.

blah.. u copied my avatar!

[enigma00183]

Currently, the financial situation is in line. My brother just secured a job, so we are now well off, and my parents are employed again. I'm going to apply to several Carib schools for the May 2007 semester.

Here's the list of schools I'm planning to apply to:
1) AUC
2) Ross
3) Saba
4) MUA-Nevis
5) St. Matthews
6) Saint James

Can anyone comment on whether I'll be able to get into any of these schools? I think my chances of getting into the first 3 are pretty slim, but what about the last three??

[cabrillo]

Currently, the financial situation is in line. My brother just secured a job, so we are now well off, and my parents are employed again. I'm going to apply to several Carib schools for the May 2007 semester.

Here's the list of schools I'm planning to apply to:
1) AUC
2) Ross
3) Saba
4) MUA-Nevis
5) St. Matthews
6) Saint James

Can anyone comment on whether I'll be able to get into any of these schools? I think my chances of getting into the first 3 are pretty slim, but what about the last three??

that you are making your situation a bit more difficult by applying to the last 3 of your list:rolleyes: . Remember "limitations" are not equal to better "opportunities":D

[tRmedic21]

Hmmm... although I wouldn't personally advocate dishonesty, if you didn't MENTION your PA school experience, and they didn't ASK, and you didn't send them any transcripts that indicated you had attended PA school....

...how would they know?

[enigma00183]

that you are making your situation a bit more difficult by applying to the last 3 of your list:rolleyes: . Remember "limitations" are not equal to better "opportunities":D

What's wrong w/the last three schools? BTW, I'm in Illinois and plan to stay here if I do get to practice. I thought the last three schools don't have a problem in this state (well, don't know about St. James yet). Could you elaborate a little.

I know the last three aren't as well known, if that's what you're referring to, but from what I've read in their forums, it's not as bad as people make it sound.

To tRNmedic21:
I think most people would disagree on being dishonest, but I'm sure you feel the same way. They could find out if they did a background check, or possibly from financial aid when they get a copy of the loan documents. My previous school will be listed on there.

[brob311]

Your GPA looks solid...but what was your science GPA? If your MCAT turns our to be in the mid 20's that can help your chances of getting into those first 3. If you put your PA experience in your application, try to make a negative event into an event that helped strengthen your character. You won't know what could happen unless you apply. As far as the bottom three schools... yes, you probably could practice in Ill, but if you want a chance at a decent residency, you're better off at AUC, Ross, or SGU. I got into Ross w/ numbers that were a little lower than the average. Good letters of Rec, Good admissions statement, and Good interview help me get in (along w/ a solid science GPA in harder classes).

Viel Glück!

[jameslynton]

What's wrong w/the last three schools? BTW, I'm in Illinois and plan to stay here if I do get to practice. I thought the last three schools don't have a problem in this state (well, don't know about St. James yet). Could you elaborate a little.
Hey Enigma,
I am accepted into St James. They have alumni in Illinois so it is not an issue for practice. Stuff happens in school, happened to me long time ago. US schools want perfect young grads with perfect records. Also understand why you want to be honest with transcripts. I would say why wait for next year - apply now. The big three on your list, they are also getting so many applications like US schools - so they are cutting off those who are less than perfect as time goes by. If you have till August to do the MCAT, you could easy take Kaplan and get into the 30's with some hard work, lots of practice and study and maybe try for a US school later. MCAT is a testwise - test - not a purely knowledge based test(uses time and question stress to trip you). So improvements in reading and science basics knowledge help lots - also comfort with question types help - opinion Kaplan books are ok, found the Barron's MCAT book to be the better. Dd not do the Kaplan review, but saw the others who did - they had flash cards of organic molecules that did not jive with what I saw on the test. Basic principles are the key to MCAT not picky little details. I took it last August. So I am not too out of date.

The big name Island schools are going to be better than the small named one due to staff, amount of money, time in business and California factor. They all will get you where you want to be if you work hard. Some have other factors that will help you on your way. So do some of the little new ones. Be lery of any school without grads and also not posting the grads and matches on website.

[tRmedic21]

I would probably either take some undergrad classes, or, better, start a post-bacc program, something like an MPH or something. Do VERY well in this. Work your tail off to prove this is worth it to you. If you are truly dedicated, this is one way to prove you are worthy of another shot. If you're not able to get in at all, and you're not willing to do what it takes to get in... well... then you're just not willing.

Just my $0.02. But I personally think you can get in somewhere as you are. There ARE schools out there who will just let you in to get your money, but I don't think I'd recommend attending such places, either.

[cabrillo]

What's wrong w/the last three schools? BTW, I'm in Illinois and plan to stay here if I do get to practice. I thought the last three schools don't have a problem in this state (well, don't know about St. James yet). Could you elaborate a little.

I know the last three aren't as well known, if that's what you're referring to, but from what I've read in their forums, it's not as bad as people make it sound.

To tRNmedic21:
I think most people would disagree on being dishonest, but I'm sure you feel the same way. They could find out if they did a background check, or possibly from financial aid when they get a copy of the loan documents. My previous school will be listed on there.
is not about well known is about limitations on where you can practice. Just like I said, the opportunity to become a doctors will be given to you but at the same time they will limit your options of where to practice. A lot of people say "well, I am not going to practice in california anyways"; actually you never know and you cannot predict the future so why limit your horizon with schools that are not giving you 100% alternatives. just my opinion and I am not saying that the schools are not good but the facts are the facts. You will see a lot people here trying to make you think that people like me that post stuff like this are jealous or some infantile s**t to deviate your attention from the real facts. California have not approved any of the last 3 in this person's list. I personally wouldnt go to any of those 3.:D

[enigma00183]

is not about well known is about limitations on where you can practice. Just like I said, the opportunity to become a doctors will be given to you but at the same time they will limit your options of where to practice. A lot of people say "well, I am not going to practice in california anyways"; actually you never know and you cannot predict the future so why limit your horizon with schools that are not giving you 100% alternatives. just my opinion and I am not saying that the schools are not good but the facts are the facts. You will see a lot people here trying to make you think that people like me that post stuff like this are jealous or some infantile s**t to deviate your attention from the real facts. California have not approved any of the last 3 in this person's list. I personally wouldnt go to any of those 3.:D
From what I understand in reading thru the forums, I thought the only schools approved for all 50 states were SGU, Ross, AUC, and SABA. The rest of the other schools who are alphabet-soup certified (ECFMG, WHO, etc) are only limited by NY, CA, IN, and TX (could be more, but not sure).

However, that's not to say that I don't understand what you're preaching (and no...I don't you're some infantile s**t). Of course I'll probably apply to the Big 4, and hope one of them will give me the chance to at least interview.

Edited to reflect that MUA-Nevis isn't 50 states approved. Thanks Cabrillo!

[cabrillo]

From what I understand in reading thru the forums, I thought the only schools approved for all 50 states were SGU, Ross, AUC, SABA, and MUA-Nevis. The rest of the other schools who are alphabet-soup certified (ECFMG, WHO, etc) are only limited by NY, CA, IN, and TX (could be more, but not sure).

However, that's not to say that I don't understand what you're preaching (and no...I don't you're some infantile s**t). Of course I'll probably apply to the Big 4, and hope one of them will give me the chance to at least interview.
research more information if I was you. MUA nevis is not approved by all the states in the US:rolleyes: . Like I said, I wouldnt go to any of the other schools that are not SABA, AUC, Ross and SGU in the caribbean. Personal opinion only:D

[enigma00183]

So for the Big 4 schools, when do you guys suggest is the best term for me to apply to? Does the rank of competitiveness (sp?) go from the most being Fall, to the least being Summer, with Winter being in the middle? Is it also true that these schools don't offer as many seats in the winter/summer terms as opposed to the fall term?

[enigma00183]

Anyone suggestions?