So much information, so little time. PLEASE HELP

[Starry Night]

Hey Everyone,

I am a high school graduate from the United States. I am very interested in going to medical school abroad to achieve a MBBS degree. I am completely open as to where to study. I searched through the internet and went to quite a few websites but I cant seem to figure out what exactly to do. My problem is that I dont know what to look for. I mean, of course every school claims to have a great program because they want students to apply. And of course they arn't going to mention all the things that they lack. So please tell me, what really matters? What's important? What should I look for.

Well I came down to some Chinese medical schools. From my research, they are far easier to get into. They are also more affordable. So far, I havn't really found anything negative. But Im just afraid there might be a darker side that I havn't seen yet. SO, PLEASE, PLEASE help me. Please tell me the pros and the cons.
Its July now, I was hoping to enroll in the upcomming semester, around september or october so I need help fast.
Thanks,
StarryNight

[dt]

The cons are:
- you cant practice (or it's very hard to) in China after you graduate
- you need to study on your own for USMLE (??)
- you'll need to get some US clinical experience


The pro are:
- you'll learn Chinese (the next great economy in the world) hahaha...
- you'll learn to love Chinese girls
- you'll learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine

[Starry Night]

thanks for the replies.

hmm..

Why cant i pratice in china after i graduate from a chinese university? not that i really want to practice there or anything...just curious about why not.
Is it really difficult to get jobs in the US with a foreign MBBS degree? what kinda problems would i face?

And please...anyone attending or attended Chinese Medical Schools/colleges/universities...Any specific recommendations? How is/was your experience? anything i should look out for in my quest to find the right school?? any cautions? anything...

[dt]

I could be wrong but if anyone else have better info, please post it.

To practice in China, you'll need to get licensed. To get licensed, one of the things you'll need is a residence/immigration permit(?). And that's hard to get for foreigners. I dont think you could even get it (easily) if you married a Chinese citizen.

China has billions of people and many doctors. I dont think they are interested in having people immigrating there.

But what do I really know?

[stillapplying]

If you study in the Chinese language program you can definitely practise there afterwards. I know this because I know people who have done it. I am in China now and will be starting med school but in the Chinese language program. Anyway, that shoots down the no immigration theory but, it doesn't mean you can practice there out of the English anguage program. I think I heard you still need to take the exam in Chinese, which for many would be an effective denial.

[Starry Night]

well i was just curious about practicing in China. i perfer to actually come back to New York, or at least somewhere in the US to practice.

hey "Stillapplying" (any Everyone elso as well)...
would you happen to know anyone who is studying in the english medium in China? if so, where are they originally from and how do they like it?

and how long does the whole application/registration process take..from deciding on a particular school..to applying..to getting addmission?

[Compassion MD]

I could be wrong but if anyone else have better info, please post it.

To practice in China, you'll need to get licensed. To get licensed, one of the things you'll need is a residence/immigration permit(?). And that's hard to get for foreigners. I dont think you could even get it (easily) if you married a Chinese citizen.

China has billions of people and many doctors. I dont think they are interested in having people immigrating there.

But what do I really know?


You are 100% right on what you said...

They have many doctors and a lot of them can get MD after their high school and are considered as doctor.. I have few friends that are in the 30s and they came to USA because of course they want to practice here. The down side for them is that they had to take about about 3-7 years to prepare USMLE 1, 2 by themself because they learned everything in chinese and had to relearned it in English.

Ever wonder why there are so many "CHINESE" postdoc in a university research facility? Because they have MD degree in China, but didn't want to... [find it too hard] to study for USMLE and when you ask them, they tell you because they are not interested in MD in US at all... bunch of lies.. Ever wonder why so many "Chinese" professor has PhD. MD? university? They got their PhD. in USA by attending graduate school and yea., MD in China.. but those MD doesn't, and can't do anythign in USA., and they put it behind their name to look nice so they can say ""I am a scientist and doctor in US.""

Only those "Chinese" people that take out the time 3-7 yaers to study for USMLE in the USA are really top studetns in China...


Save yourself, if you want to practice in USA, go to Caribbean...

[Starry Night]

Ok.i understand what you are all saying.but heres what i dont understand...

What if you go study in china through the english medium...then technically your not learning in chinese..your just learning in china in english..so why should it be so difficult to study for the USMLE? i mean the facts that you learn should be the same everywhere right?

and also, i went to the Medical Board of California website and i found about 50 chinese med schools registered there. And also on the IMED there were about 150 chinese schools listed there. So i just dont understand why people who study in China hav such a hard time getting their degrees recognized in the United States. What information am i MISSING???

[Compassion MD]

Ok.i understand what you are all saying.but heres what i dont understand...

What if you go study in china through the english medium...then technically your not learning in chinese..your just learning in china in english..so why should it be so difficult to study for the USMLE? i mean the facts that you learn should be the same everywhere right?

No, China medical school does nno prepare you for USMLE... in fact, only the ones in USA, Canada, and Caribbean, I think Philippiness does...

and also, i went to the Medical Board of California website and i found about 50 chinese med schools registered there. And also on the IMED there were about 150 chinese schools listed there. So i just dont understand why people who study in China hav such a hard time getting their degrees recognized in the United States. What information am i MISSING???

To get recognized, they need to pass USMLE, and of course, medical school outside of USA, Canada, Caribbeans,, do not prepare you for that.. not even UK. Its not having """hard time getting their degree recognized""" but that they have to pass the USMLE

[Starry Night]

Dont mind if my questions seem amature..im still new at researching med schools.
Im speculating med schools overseas to achieve an MBBS. I figured its like a short cut, not having to do premed and all...who wouldn't be enticed to check it out and speculate? I knew the picture wasn't going to be as pretty and straight forward as it seemed.
Im not close to making any decisions and so caribbeans just as well may be in my future. You seem like u might know plenty about carribean schools. So hears a quick question: From what i'v found so far, no carribean med schools offer mbbs. They require premed. Is that correct?

[Compassion MD]

Dont mind if my questions seem amature..im still new at researching med schools.
Im speculating med schools overseas to achieve an MBBS. I figured its like a short cut, not having to do premed and all...who wouldn't be enticed to check it out and speculate? I knew the picture wasn't going to be as pretty and straight forward as it seemed.
Im not close to making any decisions and so caribbeans just as well may be in my future. You seem like u might know plenty about carribean schools. So hears a quick question: From what i'v found so far, no carribean med schools offer mbbs. They require premed. Is that correct?

Hey, I remember I was reading some form and they mentioned about MBBS... which is recognized in India?

Yes, I am 99% sure that no Caribbean offers MBBS. They offer MD degree, some have Animal Doctor like at Saint Matthew's and I think some has PhD.

Not all require premed...

Some Caribbean have premed programs where if you do well, you are automaticlly in for their medical program. You need to check on that... I know Ross, Saba, MUA-N, AUA, and Sint Eustatius have those, not sure about others.

[Starry Night]

Thanks...Ill check on those schools in the carribeans..

as for the MBBS...yes its recognized in India...as well as most other countries in the world EXCEPT USA, Canada and the Carribeans...

Its practically unheard-of here in the United States but its (i believe) much more common than an MD in the rest of the world.

If anyone has more information on the Chinese schools...please post.

[dt]

Thanks...Ill check on those schools in the carribeans..

as for the MBBS...yes its recognized in India...as well as most other countries in the world EXCEPT USA, Canada and the Carribeans...

Its practically unheard-of here in the United States but its (i believe) much more common than an MD in the rest of the world.

If anyone has more information on the Chinese schools...please post.


MBBS (and Bachelor of Medicine) is recognized in USA and Canada for medical licensure.

US and Canada do not grant the MBBS/Bachelor of Medicine degree, if that's what you mean?

[dt]

Dont mind if my questions seem amature..im still new at researching med schools.
Im speculating med schools overseas to achieve an MBBS. I figured its like a short cut, not having to do premed and all...who wouldn't be enticed to check it out and speculate? I knew the picture wasn't going to be as pretty and straight forward as it seemed.
Im not close to making any decisions and so caribbeans just as well may be in my future. You seem like u might know plenty about carribean schools. So hears a quick question: From what i'v found so far, no carribean med schools offer mbbs. They require premed. Is that correct?


Essentially the valid medical schools are listed in IMED -- search here: http://imed.ecfmg.org/search.asp

Go to any of these schools and graduate and you'll get a medical degree. Most of the schools in the world include 'premed' in their medical program. The programs are 5 to 6 years long.

[dt]

Ok.i understand what you are all saying.but heres what i dont understand...

What if you go study in china through the english medium...then technically your not learning in chinese..your just learning in china in english..so why should it be so difficult to study for the USMLE? i mean the facts that you learn should be the same everywhere right?

and also, i went to the Medical Board of California website and i found about 50 chinese med schools registered there. And also on the IMED there were about 150 chinese schools listed there. So i just dont understand why people who study in China hav such a hard time getting their degrees recognized in the United States. What information am i MISSING???

California requires you to be taught in the country's native language. So, in China, the english medium programs are most likely not recognized by California.

If your goal is to practice medicine in US, and you want to study outside US (besides the Caribbean) to get your medical degree, you will need to:
- study USMLE on your own (or with other students?)
- get some US clinical experience during your summer breaks (after year 4 and 5?) -- you'll probably have no need to do this if you go to a 'white' country like UK/Ireland/Australia.
- while in US, get good reference letters
- disclaimer: personal opinion, no first hand experience


To practice in US, you will need to pass the USMLE exams as the first step.