Transferring

[student-2]

Hello all-
This is a question directed mainly to med students: do any of you know of med students that transferred to american schools, say in the NYC region, after second year?

[cubsfan27]

I was thinking the same thing. Since I am on the verge of total collapse both emotionally and physically from applying into US schools, I thought about taking an easy ride into the Caribbean for 2 years and transferring in without falling behind my class and my peers.

So I went and called about a dozen schools around the nation and about 50% said they do NOT accept any foreign medical transfers (be it Israeli or Caribbean) and all 100% of the schools said that it was easier to be accepted as a first year than transfer in. One school literally said they had 150 transfer applicants for 1 spot. Another school said they had around 75 applicants for 0 spots that opened up. Another school said they want nothing to do with foreign medical students because of licensing problems.

Then I called my premedical advisor - she said to not count on transferring. On an average year in ALL U.S. medical schools, less than 50 students were able to successfully transfer in from foreign schools.

As hard as that sounds, every year thousands of foreign medical students try to transfer into the US system and only about 50 succeed but they spend tens of thousands of dollars flying all around the country (while being enrolled in medical school!!!!) and on applications.

[student-2]

Sackler it is!!!! Thanks for the heads up! I just felt that it would be cool to already do some medicine in the states already!

[ytg]

from all your other posts it seems like you love Sackler, all of a sudden trying to get away from there, huh?

[cubsfan27]

I didn't mean to break your bubble student-2. I thought about transferring in and getting a degree from a US allopathic school after doing my first two years in a Caribbean school ...but that wasn't going to fly.

My counselor said that FMG (foreign medical grads) will face some discrimination up until they get accepted into residency. Once you enter a US residency and pass, you are as good as a US educated doctor. But US medical schools hate FMG when it comes to transferring in. One lady at a medical school said, "We look at other U.S. allopathic transfers first, then U.S. DO students, and last and leastly foreign medical students."

[student-2]

There is a huge distance between actually planning to transfer after completing 2 years of med school (and having 2 years left), and just asking a question. True- if it was as easy as snapping my fingers I might consider it- mainly for the feel of something new, but seeing as it is not as simple I am going to remain here. I guess NYC will have to wait for residency (g-d willing).
No broken bubbles cubs. BTW- what are your next moves?

[cubsfan27]

student-2,

I am happy that you are in Israel. I would do anything to get into Technion at this point. I applied about two weeks ago and just made it at the deadline. We'll see what happens....

Currently my application has been rejected from all 9 medical schools that I have applied to so my best bets are SGU, Ross, and AUC in the Caribbean. I'll have to wait and see what happens here. To be honest, I really don't want to go there. In my heart, I desire to study in Israel. It is so strong that I would turn down acceptances to U.S. schools to go to Technion had I been accepted to both. It should come as no surprise then that I don't very highly value going to the Caribbean. The schools are great and would enable me to become an MD in America making the same money as a U.S. graduate but Caribbean schools are for people rejected from U.S. schools. I have no religious, cultural, historic, or personal interest in the islands down there. I don't want to go to a school that I have no feeling about just because the U.S. rejected me.

This is what I am thinking: see what happens with the three schools in the Caribbean. If I get accepted, I would defer my entrance from Fall 2006 to Fall 2007. My order of preference is AUC, SGU and then Ross. Deferring my acceptance would allow me to re-apply to the three schools in Israel and this time with earlier application and more experience writting personal statements tailored to Israeli medical schools, I might have a better shot. If I get rejected, then I would enter the Caribbean schools. I am done with U.S. schools. If I apply, I'd only apply early decision to my state school and that is it. I would turn them down to go to any school in Israel.

What do you guys think? I know I'd fall a year behind my class and this is an utter sense of embarrassment for me with my family and friends but I'd put up with that than spend years in the Caribbean just to graduate with my class. Currently I work in a pharmaceutical company making some serious money and working with some people that I have grown to love. I honestly believe HaShem got me a job there with people who care about me so much that I would cry if I have to leave them to comfort me should I have to take a year off before entering medical school.

[student-2]

A few questions-
How old are you? I ask this because if you are 22 years old then maybe taking one year off and improving your stats is the way to go. I started a bit later so I am a bit more reluctant to take off the time, but if it is really your DREAM to study in Israel I would definitely give it another shot. Try to beef up your application with ECs' LORs' and maybe some classes in college (if you still can). I am sure you will be fine. I also had a simillar dillema. I gave myself up to 2 years to get into med school- I was lucky and got in after one.
If you need help with your personal statement PM me. I will even let you read mine and will be willing to go over yours.
Good luck

[cubsfan27]

Problem is that my stats are fine, both MCAT and GPA. My letters are good and my ECs are varied and deep. So why did I get rejected? I called around and asked admissions directors and they said, "Nothing. Your application is fine. Solid MCAT, great GPA, good letters, and tons of ECs. There just aren't enough seats for everybody."