England or Caribbean?

[medgirl7]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

[medgirl7]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Which path better prepares you to write and pass the USMLE's? Anyone know the rates of passing??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

[medgirl7]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Which path better prepares you to write and pass the USMLE's? Anyone know the rates of passing??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

[stateofequilibrium]

Umm, if you can get into an English school (that's not St. Chris), I think England would be a lot safer than most Caribbean schools.

[Silenthunder]

I think you're going to have trouble getting any good replies to this. you need to go and do some searches in appropriate forums for information about England and Caribbean schools.

It also varies greatly depending upon the particular schools you're looking at.

and the best path to practice in USA is not necessarily the best path to practice in Canada. Which of these is most important for you? and how important is it to you for you to practice in Canada? and where do you want to do residence?

many caribbean schools offer clinical rotations in US hospitals - which is undoubtedly a leg up when applying to US resident spots.

that being said - the ability to go to a very well established England school would make a great impression in applications you make anywhere - and it is rumored that canadian resident spots favor people that attend UK/Irish/australian schools - although I myself am skeptical about this - and there's really no way to prove this.

beyond what I just said in the couple paragraphs above - there's not much more of a reply I can give you. Your question is pretty vague as to your exact situation - and what you're looking for.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

[Genossa maximillian]

St. Chris is not an English school and I don't think it will ever be one, especially with a Senegalese charter. A lot of people have been fooled by it.

On a separate but related note, I know a guy who transfered from IUHS into St. Chris after passing his USMLE Step 1 and you should have seen how he bragged about transfering into an English school. Obviously he ignored the charter issues. Denial is a powerful thing in our ego's.

[diogenes]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Which path better prepares you to write and pass the USMLE's? Anyone know the rates of passing??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!
In answer to the question in bold, U.K. schools do not prepare you for USMLE. At least not specifically in the way that American and Caribbean schools do: it's not their job to prep for a foreign exam. They have their own style and content. It is an excellent medical education and in that way will help towards USMLE; but you will have to put in some extra time yourself studying for it.
As for pass rates, you might get some figures for the Caribbean but there won't be any available for U.K. schools - too few people taking USMLE from each school and little interest in collecting the data.

[Beebopash]

It will be very hard for you to get accepted in uk med school, plus with uk be prepared to pay over $30k each year in tuition alone. Living cost will depend on where u live and how u live.

However the quality of education is world recognized. You might not study for usmle per se, but after graduating you should not have much trouble passing usmle.

With Caribbean schools, u get to finish the course quicker, remember in uk, the shortest course is 5 year. You have to have a very high pass rate or a phd to get accepted in graduate programs in uk. Even then the competition is something like 20 odd applicants per seat.

Apply to uk and carib, get accepted and it will be an easier decision to make.

Best of luck.

[diogenes]

It will be very hard for you to get accepted in uk med school, plus with uk be prepared to pay over $30k each year in tuition alone. Living cost will depend on where u live and how u live.

However the quality of education is world recognized. You might not study for usmle per se, but after graduating you should not have much trouble passing usmle.

With Caribbean schools, u get to finish the course quicker, remember in uk, the shortest course is 5 year. You have to have a very high pass rate or a phd to get accepted in graduate programs in uk. Even then the competition is something like 20 odd applicants per seat.

Apply to uk and carib, get accepted and it will be an easier decision to make.

Best of luck.
The new graduate entry courses are 4-year.
Most people will not pass USMLE with a competitive score unless they put in some extra work for it. Coming from a U.K. course they will need to devote even more time beyond and above their finals. Quite apart from question style, drug naming and treatment protocols there are differences in what topics are covered. So if maximising the coaching for USMLE aspect of your education is uppermost on your wish list you should consider the Caribbean.
For some idea of how easy/difficult the transition from U.K. to Nth. America might be I suggest you have a look at the SDN U.K. and Ireland forum -
UK & Ireland - Student Doctor Network Forums (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=142)

For reasons unknown they have a thriving community of American medics studying in the U.K., but mostly in Ireland (Irish courses are pretty close in style and content to the U.K.'s). You will find people there who have been through this.

[gawtti]

UK hands down!!!!! Carribean should be your LAST choice.

[gawtti]

sorry, actually the Caribbean would be better if you want to practice in the US. the process is smooth and less headaches.
bare in mind that if you're considering the caribbean. stick to the established schools, eg. SGU, AUC, Ross, SABA, AUA, & SMU (in that order)

Hi,

Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Which path better prepares you to write and pass the USMLE's? Anyone know the rates of passing??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

[stephew]

Umm, if you can get into an English school (that's not St. Chris), I think England would be a lot safer than most Caribbean schools.
not at all true actualy if you want to practice in the us. and only one thread per topic pelase.

[don1]

I am a canadian student that found myself in a similar situation. I decided to go to a Caribbean school because a UK education would be outside what I could afford; I don't have parents who can pay for my education.

I would go to a UK med school if 1) I had financial backing 2) didn't mind being in a program that was 1-2 years longer.

UK med schools are more respected, although I can not speak to whether the education is actually better that a caribbean school. Caribbean schools use the same text books as Canadian and US schools, so don't think the education is inferior due to location of carb. schools.



Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Which path better prepares you to write and pass the USMLE's? Anyone know the rates of passing??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

[GeorgeMD2B]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

England would be a good choice but it all depends, since you are Canadian, be aware its difficult to return to Canada. US students don't have as many barriers to returning home. Schools that would take North American applicants usually expect a minimum 3.5 GPA(your degree has to be in the sciences for most schools) and a 30 MCAT.

[canadianforlife]

In all honesty, I think if you want to come back to Canada you should first look into US medical schools and D.O schools. This is because US medical schools enable you to compete in first round in matching in most provinces but you do have to complete your mcqee1 and mcqee2 and apply to CARMS matching. D.O schools give you first round matching in British Columbia and Ontario upon completion of entrance examinations. If US schools are not option. Aim at the top 4 caribbean medical schools in particular SABA or SGU because I have heard a lot of students eventually come back and practice in Canada. England / Australian/ Irish Medical schools should be as a same level option with the top 4 because supposedly like someone mentioned before they feels its more " respectable". Apply to all and see where you get in :) good luck but thats my advice

[senz_asian]

Hi,

I am a Canadian student. I want people's opinion whether they think it is a better option to study in England or in the Caribbean? Which path is better if I want to come back to US/Canada??

Please help.

Thank you soo much!

This is not a logical choice ... you are comparing a Lexus and a Kia! England has been know to the medical world as "The Nation of Medicine" North American medicine was first introduced by the Brittish physicians. If you go to England for medschool, you are far off better than Carrib. (AND I AM A CANADIAN STUDENT IN A CARRIB. SCHOOL!)

CANADA LOVES BRITTISH PHYSICIANS, JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND ASK THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF CANADA, and I'm sure they will SCREAM OUT ENGLISH MEDICAL SCHOOL! :eek:

[sukhtinder]

Wide-angle watcher
On lifes ancient tales,
Steeped in the history of london.

Mist in the streets of westminster.
Wistful and weathered,
The pride still prevails,
Alive in the streets of the city.

Are they oblivious
To this quality?
A quality
Of light unique to
Every citys streets.

Pavements may teem with intense energy,
But the city is calm in this violent sea.

-Neil Peart

[devildoc8404]

FWIW, I'd take the UK in a heartbeat. The USMLE is the same exam, no matter where you take it. Your only "advantage" in the islands might be that they teach directly to the board exam, which for some people would be well worth it. However, I would rather be a graduate of a UK school, myself. Like anything else, it's all up to the individual...

[Chemist_11]

If you are a grad of any good medical school, you should theoretically have the knowledge to pass the USMLE. The big advantage of a Carrib school is that they will teach you to pass the USMLE, whereas a UK school will not.

Having said that, I don't think being taught to pass exams is always a good thing.

[you5]

Hi,

I had to make my decisoin between caribean and UK;

Caribean pro's:
preparation for USMLE included in the curriculum
US clinical rotation
AND THAT'S IT!!

Caribean con's:
stock in isolated island
During clinical rotations you will jump from one State to another to ensure they are all greenbook related
Very unstable way of life while the med school is already very demanding
Once graduate doors will be open for the US only, and you never know what the future is, it is better to have graduated from a "recognized med school" meaning US/UK/AUSTRALIAN or even other european for those who speaks another language, than gradauting from the Caribean.

UK Pro's:
internationally well known so no problem to practice in US,EUROPE, or even middle east for those would woul like to make money free of tax to pay back their debt ASAP. (in the UAE, you wil get paid 200 000+ luxurious house for free, travel ticket free+healtcare free etc... it is worth to try)
clinical rotations are part of the curriculum in a moder city, with stable and modern facilities, don't have to jump from one state to another every 6 weeks)
Internationally well known professors
The curriculum usually allows you the full year 4 overseas, so you can do it in the US or Canada
Europe is a nice place to travel, u get to france in 1h20 minutes by train
to Belgium in 2 hours by train, 45 minutes by plane etc....
You will become more open minded as Europe has a different way of thinking than north america
anyway full of learnings here
If you want to go back to Canada, it is well known that graduates from UK are more than welcome eventhough it not official
regarding USMLE: IT'S UP TO YOU TO SET UP YOUR OBJECTIVE AND THEN WORK HARD FOR IT!!!!!!

Con's:
-the curriculum is not USMLE based, however, bear in mind that 25% of doctors in the US are foreign doctors!!!!
again if you want to make it you will! same you wanted to get in medicine!
-curriculum is up to 6 years, however they have standard 5 years, and now 4 year curriculum for graduates, althgouh very competitive.

Just don't think only about the curriculum, think out of the box! the environment will be very important to relaxe from the pressure.....
I ma happy I chose the UK instead of teh Caribean

good luck whatever your decision is.....

You5

[Genossa maximillian]

You just answered the question yourself..."it is better to have graduated from a "recognized med school" meaning US/UK/AUSTRALIAN or even other european "
If I will recommend you something is this....check licensure issues. Most if not all European programs are elegible for licensure in all 50 states (except certain programs designed for US studnets) check the California and Texas list and you will be amazed.

[XLNC]

UK hands down...

Its basically the same as asking U.S or Caribbean?