some simple questions for you pros

[uknowwhoitis]

Hi all,

I have a few questions (maybe stupid but what the heck)... First off, SGU is a 4 year program right? whats this 5 year stuff i hear???? Furthermore, cost!!!! if you live pretty thrifty its about $50K/year OVERALL right ? i know what the website says but you know how that works, i'd rather have a students perspective. i noticed that a lot of residencies are in NY...what about California? where would i find that info out? These would be so great to have answered so feel free and comment... Thanks

[Dr.X]

Ok here we go....Yes, is SGU is a 4 year program. People who decel or fail classes may end up completing the program in 5 years. Also, people who begin the program in January, will end up starting residency in 4.5 years instead of 4. Here's why.....residency only starts once a year, every july. If you begin the medical program in, say, Jan. 07 you will graduate in Dec. 2010. But you will have to wail until residency starts the next july in 2011. Make sense?
As for the cost, annual tuition is about $35K plus living is about ~$10K-15K, so an overall of $50K is about right (could be slightly more).
California is not very IMG friendly, so its more difficult to obtain residency there. But it is obtainable, specially in primary care specialties (family med. and internal med.) You can check out SGUs residency match list on their website, there's some in california.

[Saora1]

It's 4 calendar years but 5 academic ones which is solely for the purpose of loans. That may be why you hear of 5 years.

[jaywalk81]

it is 4 calendar yrs long as with any SOM, but the 4 calendar yrs are divided into 5 academic years.

the 5 is academic yrs and is used for financial reasons. and not because you will actually graduate in 5 yrs.