Hungarian Help for a Newbie please!

[EMR86]

Hi!!

So here I am....about to turn 21...United States born and rasied..and Im about to apply to a Hungarian medical school's 6 year program through a (seeminlgy VERY nice) agent...
and than I really stop and think. Everyone says "noooooo....dont use an agent!"

So I stop.

My agent hasn't promised me anything out of this world...(I havent sent my application or anythnig to them yet..)....they've cleared some things up for me..and said they can make arragements for my Entrance Exam and if im accepted- help me wih my Visa, Transportation, etc.

Well....how hard *IS* it to do this by myself? Has anyone done the entire enrollment/medical education without the help of an agent?

I speak very little Hungarian..just a bit of it that I've taught myself from Books and Programs....not enough obviously to dive into a clinical setting and expect it to be easy.

SO....with only beginning Hungarian experience...extensive research of my school...how hard is the rest of it???

If anyone's done this..from start to finish...I would LOVE to get some details on this. Please please please. Everything you have to say is appreciated <3

Thanks!!!

[Zut Alors!]

Well, they might be nice, but how much are they going to charge you just to do stuff like help you with your visa, travel arrangements, living arrangements, etc? I know it's a hassle, but imagine if you were moving to just another state; you'd have to find an apartment, a job, a car, etc. So you can do it yourself, don't worry.

What school are you applying to? I've heard a couple of them don't even want your app if you don't use an agent, which is ridiculous (and almost certainly a rule that can be gotten around). Is this the policy of the school you want to go to?

[cron0s]

You don't say which university you are applying to or what agent you are using? My experience is with Poland but generally you can either apply direct to the university or through one of their appointed representatives (agents). In the case of my own school I applied directly but people who applied through the official agents were not, as far as I am aware, charged any extra to do so.

If you are talking about an independent individual who is offering to help you with the process for a fee then be very wary. A search on this forum should turn up plenty of horror stories. The received wisdom around here is that agents rate somewhere between necrophiliacs and child molesters.

In most cases I don't believe an agent can do anything that you cannot do for yourself with a little effort, and people certainly do apply successfully to these schools and make all the arrangements for themselves. However they are just charging a fee to provide a service and it is up to you to decide if they are offering good value or not.

[EMR86]

The school has an address to send things to them directly..

and SORRY!! I guess I was so caught up in the moment..I am going to apply to Debrecen.

I don't know how much the agent is going to charge...they just sent outthe information a few days ago and I received it today (just havent had a chance to look it over).
The agent is based in NJ....I will lok up his name but he is lsited as a contact on the school's English program website.


The reason I was so apprehensive about doing it myself in the first place is that sending documents to Hungary seems to scary. Do items often get lost/misplaced..and not processed?

When I first started looking at studying abroad I also was considering Charles University 1st Faculty in Prague. I'm not sure why I chose not to apply there...so..i may send applications to both.

Thank you for such quick (and nice!) replies. I have moved to a different state (cross country actually) and while it was fairly difficult..it wasn't terrible.

I think on the list Im worrieda bout.. is...once acepted..teh Visa process as well as Financial Aid.

For US Students..is Financial Aid to foreign medical schools easy? Im not totally against bank loans..but...I guess ifigured going through an agent would be the easiest way to get information on that...until I realized theres a TON of other peopel that have done such..and who are available to give some information on a forum!!

Thanks again......and if you have any other information...please don't hesitate :)

[EMR86]

The received wisdom around here is that agents rate somewhere between necrophiliacs and child molesters.



Thats what scared me!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

[DeepRoller]

The easiest way to know if a particular school is approved to depense Title IV is to go the Department of Education's FAFSA website and "search for school codes (FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.edu.gov))." I can, however, tell you that Pragues's 1st Faculty, most of the Polish schools, and Pecs, Debrecen, and Semmelweis are approved. Might I also suggest that you visity Student Loan International's website, and have a look at the schools, by country, that are available there. Pay attention to not only the Graduate Stafford Loans, but the Med and Vet School Loan program, as well (http://www.studentloaninternational.com).

Don't worry about the Visa requirement. Once you decide on a school and get accepted there, you merely send your passport, a copy of your acceptance letter, and your visa application to that country's consulate in the U.S. Takes only a few weeks and a little bit of money to get it.

You'll be fine...

Michael

[Zut Alors!]

Well I've looked into Prague, and I don't think there's an agent even if you wanted one. I've talked to a current student there who I believe did it all himself (and straight out of high school, as well). PM me if you'd like his e-mail.

[EMR86]

Deeproller -

Thank you SO much for those links! Reading that made me feel so much better..I've never had to deal with financial aid or loans and really had no idea where to even start!

When applying to Froeign schools is it ok to apply to a few? For example, if I had wanted to stay in the States I would have applied to about 5 different schools....so...would it be acceptable to apply to both DOTE and 1st Faculty in Prgue??


Thank you all again for all your help....this is the first forum I've joined regarding Medical School and I cant even imagine anywhere else being so helpful!!

[ebba]

As mentioned before, i'm swedish and maybe it´s different in the states but i really like the agent here. He has been very helpful.
I payed 135 USD (application fee) and 300 USD (for taking the test in stockholm). Except helping with the entrance examination I don't know what else he does. I'm really hoping the welcome package is going to be good. I can only speak for my self but having an agent must be so much easier (if he doesn't rip you of completley). Hope it works out for you!









Hi!!

So here I am....about to turn 21...United States born and rasied..and Im about to apply to a Hungarian medical school's 6 year program through a (seeminlgy VERY nice) agent...
and than I really stop and think. Everyone says "noooooo....dont use an agent!"

So I stop.

My agent hasn't promised me anything out of this world...(I havent sent my application or anythnig to them yet..)....they've cleared some things up for me..and said they can make arragements for my Entrance Exam and if im accepted- help me wih my Visa, Transportation, etc.

Well....how hard *IS* it to do this by myself? Has anyone done the entire enrollment/medical education without the help of an agent?

I speak very little Hungarian..just a bit of it that I've taught myself from Books and Programs....not enough obviously to dive into a clinical setting and expect it to be easy.

SO....with only beginning Hungarian experience...extensive research of my school...how hard is the rest of it???

If anyone's done this..from start to finish...I would LOVE to get some details on this. Please please please. Everything you have to say is appreciated <3

Thanks!!!

[Zut Alors!]

As mentioned before, i'm swedish and maybe it´s different in the states but i really like the agent here. He has been very helpful.
I payed 135 USD (application fee) and 300 USD (for taking the test in stockholm). Except helping with the entrance examination I don't know what else he does. I'm really hoping the welcome package is going to be good. I can only speak for my self but having an agent must be so much easier (if he doesn't rip you of completley). Hope it works out for you!

Well, places here like HMI charge you USD $10,000 / year. And according to some, they really don't do anything to deserve that kind of money.

[Zut Alors!]

Deeproller -

Thank you SO much for those links! Reading that made me feel so much better..I've never had to deal with financial aid or loans and really had no idea where to even start!

When applying to Froeign schools is it ok to apply to a few? For example, if I had wanted to stay in the States I would have applied to about 5 different schools....so...would it be acceptable to apply to both DOTE and 1st Faculty in Prgue??


Thank you all again for all your help....this is the first forum I've joined regarding Medical School and I cant even imagine anywhere else being so helpful!!

Of course, that's fine. Apply to as many places as you're interested in (and that your wallet/purse can manage).

[cyprus@szeged]

the whole agent experience was bad for me...and if u have the time u SHOULD try and do it yourself...

not only she still ows me 500dollars, but also I never got any help from her after my acceptance, not to mention that she FORGOT to send my postponement application (I was in the army at the time)...thankfullly my mother was nosy enough to call up the University herself...to find out that i was already enrolled in the Uni. and they were looking for me because of absences!!!!

but I guess, not all of them are bad...

[kristo]

We (me and my girlfriend, we are now both 1st years at DOTE) had some help from an agent when applying for DOTE last spring. They list agents by countries on their home page: countries (http://www.ud-mhsc.org/countries/countries.html)

Here's how it worked:

1. I sent him an e-mail.

2. He responded, gave me a date for an entrance examination in my country, as well as access to a website of his with material for the entrance examinations (the only thing I studied for that exam).

3. We showed up for the exam, took the exam, were accepted on the spot.

4. The agent gave each of us a contract where we agreed to pay a total of $9,975 USD, which included the tuition fee for the first year ($8,800 USD), local examination fee (since they came to Iceland to interview/examine us), admission fee, agent's fee, etc.

5. The agent gave us letters of acceptance, letters to the Icelandic Student Loan Fund (a government student loan fund) which included everything they needed to know to loan us money, a list of textbooks and some instructions on where to show up, what to expect, etc.

After this, we went to Hungary and pretty much did everything ourselves, with help from the local Icelandic student's association, which provided pointers on where to go. We stayed at a hotel for 5 days before moving into an apartment (there are two rental agencies here specialized in housing for foreign students, Inema and R.E.A.). Apartments usually include furniture, kitchen stuff, etc.

The agent also offered three types of packages which some Icelanders took, A, B and C. They all include text books for the first semester, an apartment (for 6-12 months, depending on which contract, if I recall correctly), lab coats, transport to Debrecen, help with registering in the school, getting resident permits, opening local bank accounts and a certain time (up to 18 months, I think) of general assistance in getting on your feet in Hungary (the agent lives in Debrecen).

I don't remember the exact prices for the A, B or C packages, but they were reasonable. I know some people who took those and are quite happy with them. The agent is extremely helpful for them, if they get sick, he'll bring them medicine (he's a medical doctor), if their lights go out he has even (on at least one occasion that I know of) come by himself with a new light bulb and replaced the old one. You can, however, do it yourself and save some money.

I've heard bad stories of various agents, beware, read before you sign and try to talk to people who have experience from your agent beforehand, and you'll be fine.

[Miklos]

I'm glad things worked out for you. However, in my experience, not visiting the medical school in person before making a commitment is a very risky proposition at best.

I've seen lots of well meaning people (of all nationalities) misled by agents. These folks usually end up being very miserable because their experiences do not match their oversold expectations.

I noticed, with some dismay at least one other person posting on this forum recently is liable to make the same mistake.

I just cannot emphasize this enough, so I'll repeat it here once more.

It never ceases to amaze me as to how many medical students choose to attend their medical school abroad sight unseen, relying entirely on secondary sources for information. You wouldn't buy a house without having stepped inside it, would you? How about a car, without having test driven it? Well, why are you buying a medical education without having checked out the school in person?

[whattupdog6969]

agents are nothing but headaches and trouble, just read the above sticky on Ray ********, I would say that the majority are exactly like him or even much worse. Do not go that route.

[ebba]

Well, Miklos, I'll take your advice and I'll go and visit Pécs in a couple of weeks. Do you have any futher advice what to look after when I'm there?

Of course I'll report back here if anyone is interested. :)

[Miklos]

Well, Miklos, I'll take your advice and I'll go and visit Pécs in a couple of weeks. Do you have any futher advice what to look after when I'm there?

Of course I'll report back here if anyone is interested. :)

First of all, check out the town. Is this the place where you want to spend a good part of the next six years of your life? Apart from the bars, check out the remainder of the town. Does it have the kinds of things you are looking for to help you make it through medical school?

Second, find Swedes or Scandinavians in the first two years of the program and get them to open up to you about how their experiences have been (upperclassmen are less useful to you, because they've already found a way to navigate past the barriers of the first couple years). How many people are admitted to first year? How many pass/fail the major exams in first and second semester? What do they like about the academics? What do they not like about the academics? How helpful is the administration when it comes to getting paperwork done for them (loans and so on)?

Then go attend at least a full day (more if can) of first year lectures and practices. Find a way to sneak into as many practices, especially anatomy with them, to see how things really are.

After all that, go back home and think things through. Does this program make sense for you?

[cools]

Of course I know the thread is old, but am replying... so that anyone, who read can save some $$.
I had applied to both Debrecen and Szeged directly through their websites and email. I sent the application by DHL/..... and yeah ... so far.. in my four years of experince... my post has never got lost.. in Hungary.
So forth I am wiritng about Debrecen here.
Well, most of the US agents i know, charge you ... for the first 5-6 months accomodation at the hostel , books( which are photocopied and not original), and some help in the first few months when you don't know anyone.
But basically.... I mean .. you can book your own room thru the student hostel website, books you can either get it photocopied urself from the other students.. or you can buy them in original at the book shop. As far as applying for the visa ... you can do it all urself. Besides if you are an US citizen then you dont need a visa. You only need to go to the immigration office to get a permit. Which you can figure out how to go about doing, by help of seniors, and form the education office.

And I have heard some .. stories.. about agents promising first year spot at the university ..but rather forcing.. you to get into BMC ( premed). So aren't you better off... applying... directly....? saving money...? And yes one more thing... Miklos always..mantions in his post.... better to visit the place, talk to foreign students there, and find out if you can actually adjust or not etc.

Hope it helps...
Regards from Debrecen
Good day

[Sage75]

ok i am replying for better clarification from my own experience. I am just finishing my first year in Szeged..and here is what i learned... I went through an agency out of california..very nice people and helped me as much as they could with the application and questions i had. Honestly you can do it all on your own..i was lucky and was not charged for the help..just application fee. When i was accepted i had to stay at a hotel and was not sure where i would stay because i was told i would have a place when i got there...well the case was the school will help you once you get there find a flat to rent and provide an interpreter for you when u go to look at them. You can also look at websites and the newspapers if you know hungarian or have a friends that speak the language. Now there are two types of rental contracts: declared which means a set amount of time in which you agree to rent the flat for and undeclared which means you can move anytime with the agreement of 30 day notice.
Also a visa is required if you plan on staying longer then 90 days...and if you are student well thats a given. Yes you do have to go to the immigration office and apply for a resident permit but you need to have your visa for hungary. also needed for resident permit is rental contract, statement of financial aide in USD at a hungarian bank (MKB is used mostly by students), original letter of acceptance from the university, and 7000ft in residence stamps.
Sorry for rambling on but this is just the start of what you will have to get set up when you first get here. If anyone has any questions i would be happy to try and help.

[whattupdog6969]

the whole agent experience was bad for me...and if u have the time u SHOULD try and do it yourself...

not only she still ows me 500dollars, but also I never got any help from her after my acceptance, not to mention that she FORGOT to send my postponement application (I was in the army at the time)...thankfullly my mother was nosy enough to call up the University herself...to find out that i was already enrolled in the Uni. and they were looking for me because of absences!!!!

but I guess, not all of them are bad...

you're lucky actually, USD $500 is nothing at all as compared to what others have lost through agents. I have never heard of a female agent. That is interesting.
They will steal the shirt off your back.
You are lucky that you were enrolled in the University also, most agents would just take your money and go away.

[Stranger Stel]

hey, well heres my situation. I applied to the schools in hungary myself. i had the luxury of actually going and checking them out, but for application sake this wasnt really necessary. On each schools website you can print off the application page as well as read everything you need to send. It wasnt difficult at all, no more than following instructions and sending a letter. I did this for debrecen semmelweis and szeged and got into all three of them. I chose semmelweis cuz i like the way the name sounds. Now as far as using an agent goes, there are benefits to them.

The secretaries in hungary, to put it nicely........seem like they have their hands full. They dont really have time, or the will to answer questions from across the country, so trying to get specific information may seem difficult at time and frustrating, especially if you are on a tight timeline. An agent has "ins" with these people and can answer any questions you may have, and even for someone like me, who applied on their own, i had a rediculous amount of questions. Also details that are easily overlooked when applying, such as banking information and things of the sort, can be dealt with by an agent.

so in closing, i guess what i wanted to say is, yes, it is possible to apply on your own, and surprisingly few students do it apparently (as i hear, schools mildly respect that), but an agent can be a very helpful tool when doing so. I mean the canadian representative for hungary offers to help students with the application fee free of charge, i assume because she collects some form of commision through the school, but you have to be careful, dont pay any amount of money that you dont deem fair.......you can always do it yourself.


i like to ramble as you can tell, so peace and good luck

[paulja]

Does anybody have any insight on Pecs? From what I gather they have an English program, and the city itself looks absolutely stunning. All the the travel guidebooks that I have read have called Pecs one of the most beautiful cities in Hungary, yet nobody ever discusses this university.

[whatthe]

dont hink u need agent
as long as you pay tuition, they will accept ya

[powrwomn]

As mentioned before, i'm swedish and maybe it´s different in the states but i really like the agent here. He has been very helpful.
I payed 135 USD (application fee) and 300 USD (for taking the test in stockholm). Except helping with the entrance examination I don't know what else he does. I'm really hoping the welcome package is going to be good. I can only speak for my self but having an agent must be so much easier (if he doesn't rip you of completley). Hope it works out for you!


Hi! I am in a similar situation. can i please have more info on the agent in Sweden? thank you!

[powrwomn]

hey, well heres my situation. I applied to the schools in hungary myself. i had the luxury of actually going and checking them out, but for application sake this wasnt really necessary. On each schools website you can print off the application page as well as read everything you need to send. It wasnt difficult at all, no more than following instructions and sending a letter. I did this for debrecen semmelweis and szeged and got into all three of them. I chose semmelweis cuz i like the way the name sounds. Now as far as using an agent goes, there are benefits to them.

The secretaries in hungary, to put it nicely........seem like they have their hands full. They dont really have time, or the will to answer questions from across the country, so trying to get specific information may seem difficult at time and frustrating, especially if you are on a tight timeline. An agent has "ins" with these people and can answer any questions you may have, and even for someone like me, who applied on their own, i had a rediculous amount of questions. Also details that are easily overlooked when applying, such as banking information and things of the sort, can be dealt with by an agent.

so in closing, i guess what i wanted to say is, yes, it is possible to apply on your own, and surprisingly few students do it apparently (as i hear, schools mildly respect that), but an agent can be a very helpful tool when doing so. I mean the canadian representative for hungary offers to help students with the application fee free of charge, i assume because she collects some form of commision through the school, but you have to be careful, dont pay any amount of money that you dont deem fair.......you can always do it yourself.


i like to ramble as you can tell, so peace and good luck


Hey! I was wondering if you are from the States...and your general academic background? Does any of the 3 schools offer spring admission? Any additional information would help! Thank you!