SABA vs. SMU vs. MUA vs. Poland???

[elementalsix]

Hey,
I'm going to be applying to SABA, St. Matthew's University (SMU), Medical University of the Americas (MUA) and Poznan Medical University in Poland (4 yr English MD program). I am a USA citizen, B.S. Biology, 3.14 GPA overall, 2.7 GPA science and haven't taken the MCAT.

I am curious as to which school does anyone advise if I want to get the best USMLE scores along with a decent residency. My brother went to St. Matthew's, which isn't California approved, neither is Poznan University.

SABA seems like it's rated as one of the best top 4, but am curious as to how the admissions would see my application and how the studying is at SABA. I've heard that getting a good residency would depend on clinical rotations in the USA?? If I ultimately want to return to the states, hopefully CA, OR, or WA state, than I should be going to SABA? What about MUA??

Any thoughts anyone? SABA, SMU, MUA, or Poznan, Poland???:(

[rdecastro]

Hey,
I'm going to be applying to SABA, St. Matthew's University (SMU), Medical University of the Americas (MUA) and Poznan Medical University in Poland (4 yr English MD program). I am a USA citizen, B.S. Biology, 3.14 GPA overall, 2.7 GPA science and haven't taken the MCAT.

I am curious as to which school does anyone advise if I want to get the best USMLE scores along with a decent residency. My brother went to St. Matthew's, which isn't California approved, neither is Poznan University.

SABA seems like it's rated as one of the best top 4, but am curious as to how the admissions would see my application and how the studying is at SABA. I've heard that getting a good residency would depend on clinical rotations in the USA?? If I ultimately want to return to the states, hopefully CA, OR, or WA state, than I should be going to SABA? What about MUA??

Any thoughts anyone? SABA, SMU, MUA, or Poznan, Poland???:(

If you want to practice in California, you only have one choice on your list: Saba. The others are NOT approved by the CA Med Bd. I'd take the MCAT's after spending some time studying for it (both a Kaplan or Princeton course, and ExamKrackers/Audio Osmosis self-study). As far as any other Carib (California approved) school, they all require MCATs anyway.

Another option would be to sign up for MUA's pre-med program (http://www.mua.edu/curri_premedical.php), and do well...then transfer to Saba. You'd have to discuss that option with Gardner, since it's normally a 1 year program. I know of some people with better grades than you (no MCAT though) who are headed there for Sept, with the intention of transfering to Saba for the full program.

Good luck!

[eastern2western]

According to some old posts, cali's law only allows students finish their medical education in one school. If u do the start at a none-calif-approved school first and transfer to a calif-approved school and expect to be able to practice in cali, you are probably better off just say good bye to cali.

[thedirtychemist]

cali approval is a very good thing, don't get me wrong; however, if you're not planning on practicing in cali..... then why bother with it? Just some advice.

[sheikh1]

Flip a coin and make your decision!!!

[ol' man]

Well, for one thing if you want to practice in TN, they follow CA list. A few other states do too. Don't get me wrong - I attend SMU and am very happy with my choice. Except for AUC on St Maarten, there is no other Caribbean island I would even think of moving my family to again. I started out at MUA Nevis, and my family hated every minute there.

But I have limited myself as to where I can practice when I graduate. I'll be 50 by the time I am in practice, and my only wish is to practice in Mississippi, which currently has no disapproved schools, so I am safe for now.