A current opinion

[JFC]

I have just read with interest the posted comments about IUHS. I just thought a brief commentary from a current student may be of interest. I am studying for a block exam. In the past eight weeks, I have attended 100 lectures in biochemistry, anatomy, cellular physiology, immunology, microbiology, and medical ethics. If you google the biochem prof, he has about 300 sited articles in prestigious publications accredited to his name in addition to 6 fiction novels! He is truly outstanding and worth every cent of the tuition. Immunology by a Ph.D, MD, Micro by a Ph.D clinical microbiologist with field experience, ethics by a Ph.D practicing clinical psychologist, anatomy by a tenured anatomy professor with more than 40 years teaching experience. I think you get my drift. The support and adjunctive resources and materials I have been provided overwhelm and each individual associated with the program has impressed me with their commitment to my success.

A colleague of mine recently passed step one USMLE with score of 86 first time with preparation by this program. I'm not sure what else one cold expect in preparation or support in an alternative pathway for medical licensure in the U.S.

While I'm not able to comment on the early years of the IUHS program, I can certainly state with complete honesty that I, for one, am completely satisfied with my education to date, and prospects for my future.

I thank you for this opportunity to express my gratitude to the IUHS faculty and chance to recommend the program to anyone interested in this career path. Remember, any program requires an individual to utilize the available resources and be motivated to succeed. No program can spoon feed positive outcomes. Thanks/JC

[Genossa maximillian]

" I'm not sure what else one cold expect in preparation or support in an alternative pathway for medical licensure in the U.S."

Thats the problem, because the vast majority of Medical Licensing boards are not very sympathetic towards this kind of education and that makes the ultimate goal, licensure, a problem with limited few options. Contrary to what I anticipated 7 years ago, I haven't seen it change to the positive side, on the contrary a few more states added into their licensing language "online or distance education" to their ...not elegible for licensure context. Yes, you may add that as long as you pass your boards and complete your residence get board certified, etc you have proved to be a competent physician. I agree to that, but the establishment thinks otherwise, and that is where the real issue is...how to change a traditionalist mentality, so far the effort has not been quite successful.

Max





I have just read with interest the posted comments about IUHS. I just thought a brief commentary from a current student may be of interest. I am studying for a block exam. In the past eight weeks, I have attended 100 lectures in biochemistry, anatomy, cellular physiology, immunology, microbiology, and medical ethics. If you google the biochem prof, he has about 300 sited articles in prestigious publications accredited to his name in addition to 6 fiction novels! He is truly outstanding and worth every cent of the tuition. Immunology by a Ph.D, MD, Micro by a Ph.D clinical microbiologist with field experience, ethics by a Ph.D practicing clinical psychologist, anatomy by a tenured anatomy professor with more than 40 years teaching experience. I think you get my drift. The support and adjunctive resources and materials I have been provided overwhelm and each individual associated with the program has impressed me with their commitment to my success.

A colleague of mine recently passed step one USMLE with score of 86 first time with preparation by this program. I'm not sure what else one cold expect in preparation or support in an alternative pathway for medical licensure in the U.S.

While I'm not able to comment on the early years of the IUHS program, I can certainly state with complete honesty that I, for one, am completely satisfied with my education to date, and prospects for my future.

I thank you for this opportunity to express my gratitude to the IUHS faculty and chance to recommend the program to anyone interested in this career path. Remember, any program requires an individual to utilize the available resources and be motivated to succeed. No program can spoon feed positive outcomes. Thanks/JC

[Doc2B2007]

Max are you really still trying to sell that line of **! There are more graduates getting licensed in those very states each year so it really is just a mute point that means nothing! Just let it go already!

[diogenes]

I presume that by "those very states" you mean the ones G-Max mentioned as specifically denying online learning as a route to full licensure. If so, it needs to be asked -were the licensed grads. you speak of St. Kitts campus students or onliners? If the latter, have they been totally frank with the Boards about their studies?

[Genossa maximillian]

Max are you really still trying to sell that line of **! There are more graduates getting licensed in those very states each year so it really is just a mute point that means nothing! Just let it go already!

moot point, not mute. And yes I stand by my previous statement.

[Want2BaDR]

Is IUHS an online school?

[Genossa maximillian]

Is IUHS an online school?

For basic sciences only. They also have an on island basic sciences curriculum. The clinical years are in the U.S. (vast majority)

[cdm1106]

I am going to be a new student in jan, I live in Indiana, any advice??

[diogenes]

As far as your own state goes IUHS is specifically disapproved; all internet progs. are also disapproved-
http://www.in.gov/pla/bandc/mlbi/List_of_Foreign_Medical_Schools.pdf
For more on various states' position on distance learning see this thread on VMD -
http://www.valuemd.com/state-medical-licensing-information/81270-online-classes-state-licensure.html
it's incomplete and a little old now, but it does demonstrate that it's far from plain sailing for someone with an online degree.
To answer a couple of things from your other two posts -
Yes, there are disgruntled ex-students around. However, sometimes they have had good reason to lose their "gruntle". But what matters is the school now in November 2007 and most importantly will the degree get you to where you want to go.
If there are other states you are willing to practise in contact the state medical boards direct, don't rely on what you read here. Besides, some states say they license on a "case-by-case" basis -so you will have to do some leg-work yourself.

[susanmathew]

sorry......

I don't have idea about it.....

[MartyBlank]

I posted on this forum nearly a year ago, questioning why there was some serious anger being directed at IUHS.

At that time, I also had some serious questions.

Here I am, a year or so later, and ready to bit the bullet so to speak.

I went a little beyond simply contacting state licensing boards because I think I needed to understand the dynamic involved.

I am nearly 40 years old, so I can't afford a "do-over". I also love the idea of completing my basic science component "on-line", and what it will do for me with my family and my financials.

Now, about what I have learned. I begin this process already knowing what residency and career path I want. With that in mind, I contacted nearly every program director that I directed the programs I am interested in.

I asked for their advice, holding nothing back, and the overwhelming advice I had was "enter at your own risk", however, they also didn't foresee unrestricted licensure as unattainable. They reasoned that the "devil is in the details".

Let me explain. The question becomes, "is a student in physical attendance if they attend a lecture online?"

On the surface the answer would be no.

However, when you add up all the supporting documentation....such as,

A US-residency trained physician
Passing scores on all required exams
Support from a US residency program

will a state deny licensure based on a basic science electronic curriculum?

They didn't see how they would or could.

That insight makes sense to me. However, I still acknowledge it is risky. But, and I AM ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, it is a risk I am willing to take.

Best of luck to all of you,

MB

[JMIND]

I posted on this forum nearly a year ago, questioning why there was some serious anger being directed at IUHS.

At that time, I also had some serious questions.

Here I am, a year or so later, and ready to bit the bullet so to speak.

I went a little beyond simply contacting state licensing boards because I think I needed to understand the dynamic involved.

I am nearly 40 years old, so I can't afford a "do-over". I also love the idea of completing my basic science component "on-line", and what it will do for me with my family and my financials.

Now, about what I have learned. I begin this process already knowing what residency and career path I want. With that in mind, I contacted nearly every program director that I directed the programs I am interested in.

I asked for their advice, holding nothing back, and the overwhelming advice I had was "enter at your own risk", however, they also didn't foresee unrestricted licensure as unattainable. They reasoned that the "devil is in the details".

Let me explain. The question becomes, "is a student in physical attendance if they attend a lecture online?"

On the surface the answer would be no.

However, when you add up all the supporting documentation....such as,

A US-residency trained physician
Passing scores on all required exams
Support from a US residency program

will a state deny licensure based on a basic science electronic curriculum?

They didn't see how they would or could.

That insight makes sense to me. However, I still acknowledge it is risky. But, and I AM ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, it is a risk I am willing to take.

Best of luck to all of you,

MB

I wish you the best of luck. What are your next steps?

[Scott1981]

I posted on this forum nearly a year ago, questioning why there was some serious anger being directed at IUHS.

At that time, I also had some serious questions.

Here I am, a year or so later, and ready to bit the bullet so to speak.

I went a little beyond simply contacting state licensing boards because I think I needed to understand the dynamic involved.

I am nearly 40 years old, so I can't afford a "do-over". I also love the idea of completing my basic science component "on-line", and what it will do for me with my family and my financials.

Now, about what I have learned. I begin this process already knowing what residency and career path I want. With that in mind, I contacted nearly every program director that I directed the programs I am interested in.

I asked for their advice, holding nothing back, and the overwhelming advice I had was "enter at your own risk", however, they also didn't foresee unrestricted licensure as unattainable. They reasoned that the "devil is in the details".

Let me explain. The question becomes, "is a student in physical attendance if they attend a lecture online?"

On the surface the answer would be no.

However, when you add up all the supporting documentation....such as,

A US-residency trained physician
Passing scores on all required exams
Support from a US residency program

will a state deny licensure based on a basic science electronic curriculum?

They didn't see how they would or could.

That insight makes sense to me. However, I still acknowledge it is risky. But, and I AM ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, it is a risk I am willing to take.

Best of luck to all of you,

MB

did you contact the state medical boards? you stated that you went beyond just contacting them and actually got advice from program directors and posted that advice. what have you heard from the licensing boards since they will be the one's issuing or denying your licensure, not the program directors?

[MartyBlank]

Yes I did, and I also know "Neil" did, and as I already addressed in my earlier post, but didn't explain well, I will say this.

The state licensing boards "require attendance", but when those by-laws were written they certainly didn't address the technology that is available today. To date, not a single state expressly denies or even addresses "on-line education", what they require is "attendance".

And that is where the details get interesting.

If IUHS takes regular attendance, either electronically, or by signing in to observe a lecture, that certainly would make that issue open to discussion.

The mistake here is to isolate one issue of the application for unrestricted licensure.

No states do that. The application involves significantly more, and when you add the "sum of the parts", the case for licensure is supported. When you add a passing board score on all three parts, a us residency, a program director's letter of rec, and the issue with the basic science attendence isn't as problemsome.

Again, this venture is not for the weak of spirit. You have to be willing to risk quite a lot. I acknowledge that. Medicine is defined by self-directed learning, and at my age, I would prefer this type of learning, as opposed to sitting in a structured classroom.

[Genossa maximillian]

Now, everything was ok with your post until now. You see, this is the part were you did EXACTLY what everyone else tends to do in these forums but in the opposite direction. YOU SAID..."To date, not a single state expressly denies or even addresses "on-line education", and you are WRONG. There are in fact some states that SPECIFICALLY have included that language in their rules. Check them out again sir or ma'am, because I am willing to bet some cash on it, that sure I am. Try NV and TN for examples.

You can even find them in this website if you dig deep enough. Please, if you are going to post and absolute statement, make sure you have the right gunpowder in your argument, otherwise you will end up looking not so good.

Good luck anyway.




Yes I did, and I also know "Neil" did, and as I already addressed in my earlier post, but didn't explain well, I will say this.

The state licensing boards "require attendance", but when those by-laws were written they certainly didn't address the technology that is available today. To date, not a single state expressly denies or even addresses "on-line education", what they require is "attendance".

And that is where the details get interesting.

If IUHS takes regular attendance, either electronically, or by signing in to observe a lecture, that certainly would make that issue open to discussion.

The mistake here is to isolate one issue of the application for unrestricted licensure.

No states do that. The application involves significantly more, and when you add the "sum of the parts", the case for licensure is supported. When you add a passing board score on all three parts, a us residency, a program director's letter of rec, and the issue with the basic science attendence isn't as problemsome.

Again, this venture is not for the weak of spirit. You have to be willing to risk quite a lot. I acknowledge that. Medicine is defined by self-directed learning, and at my age, I would prefer this type of learning, as opposed to sitting in a structured classroom.

[Genossa maximillian]

Scott, he did not, he could not have, otherwise he would have not said that "To date, not a single state expressly denies or even addresses "on-line education"," he brought down his argument all by himself, because there are some States that have specifically put the language in black and white to close up any loopholes, like TN for example. Not worth arguing anymore.




did you contact the state medical boards? you stated that you went beyond just contacting them and actually got advice from program directors and posted that advice. what have you heard from the licensing boards since they will be the one's issuing or denying your licensure, not the program directors?

[MartyBlank]

I am a mid-atlantic guy.

The states I contacted and spoke to include the following...

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia

Now, if you have a strong interest in say, Tennessee or Nevada, then I apologize. My post was misleading.

I am comforable with the response I got from those states I listed, and let me be the first to say, that I would hope you don't read a post here and make up your mind based on that.

Do you own work, call state licensing boards, read their by-laws, and call program directors. After doing so, you will know if IUHS is for you or if it isn't.

[Scott1981]

I am a mid-atlantic guy.

The states I contacted and spoke to include the following...

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia

Now, if you have a strong interest in say, Tennessee or Nevada, then I apologize. My post was misleading.

I am comforable with the response I got from those states I listed, and let me be the first to say, that I would hope you don't read a post here and make up your mind based on that.

Do you own work, call state licensing boards, read their by-laws, and call program directors. After doing so, you will know if IUHS is for you or if it isn't.

fair enough.... good luck.

[zarkosy]

G-max is rite. States like CA, NV, IN and TN do clearly say that they will "not accept internet-based" education. However, states like NV will also say, if you press on further with the issue, that they will require the full board to decide on grant of license for IUHS or OUM graduates i.e. will decide on case by case basis.

I agree with the MB that this route is NOT for everyone. First off, you gotta have the maturity and have the self-directed learning skill and committment. You should also enter at your own risk. If you enter this route, my suggestion is to stick with IUHS rather than OUM purely because of financial reasons. Although OUM appears to be doing everything rite and IUHS had a difficult past, grads from both will ultimately face the same kind of licensing boards.

IUHS is quite affordable compared to OUM. So in case, for whatever reason, your license is denied by all 50 states, which is highly unlikely, you can atleast utilize your MD in other ways. Remember that an MD, regardless of where or how you achieved it, is worth a lot if you complete a US residency, because you do not have only the clinical practice option alone anymore. There are many well-paid and "better" lifestyle jobs for MDs outside a clinical setting. Just do some research and you will find them and a majority of them do not require a license or any clinical experience either!

Like MB said, no one should blindly believe anything people write in these forums. These forums exist so that people from different Carib schools and their staff can fight it out and try to attract students to their own schools.

[MartyBlank]

Zark, you compare IUHS to "OUM"?

Is this another program that is trying the same route as IUHS?

Is so, where are they located, and what issues are they having.

I am asking out of curiosity.

[JMIND]

G-max is rite. States like CA, NV, IN and TN do clearly say that they will "not accept internet-based" education. However, states like NV will also say, if you press on further with the issue, that they will require the full board to decide on grant of license for IUHS or OUM graduates i.e. will decide on case by case basis.

I agree with the MB that this route is NOT for everyone. First off, you gotta have the maturity and have the self-directed learning skill and committment. You should also enter at your own risk. If you enter this route, my suggestion is to stick with IUHS rather than OUM purely because of financial reasons. Although OUM appears to be doing everything rite and IUHS had a difficult past, grads from both will ultimately face the same kind of licensing boards.

IUHS is quite affordable compared to OUM. So in case, for whatever reason, your license is denied by all 50 states, which is highly unlikely, you can atleast utilize your MD in other ways. Remember that an MD, regardless of where or how you achieved it, is worth a lot if you complete a US residency, because you do not have only the clinical practice option alone anymore. There are many well-paid and "better" lifestyle jobs for MDs outside a clinical setting. Just do some research and you will find them and a majority of them do not require a license or any clinical experience either!

Like MB said, no one should blindly believe anything people write in these forums. These forums exist so that people from different Carib schools and their staff can fight it out and try to attract students to their own schools.

Zarkosy,

Do you know what the tuition is at IUHS? I don't believe they post it on their website. Thanks!

[MartyBlank]

If nothing else it is on the main page of valuemd.

The cost for the entire program is 68K.

[Genossa maximillian]

My experience with medical boards hearings I have learned the following:

"full board to decide on grant of license for IUHS or OUM graduates i.e. will decide on case by case basis." = "we gave you a hearing, due process and are denying you a license"

NEVER please, NEVER count on that as your bet on getting licensed, it is going to cost you a small fortune in legal fees (an average of $250 per hour for the lawyer) and most likely the results will be detrimental. I have seen it happen so many times I feel sorry.

Of course it is your choice and I wish you good luck.









G-max is rite. States like CA, NV, IN and TN do clearly say that they will "not accept internet-based" education. However, states like NV will also say, if you press on further with the issue, that they will require the full board to decide on grant of license for IUHS or OUM graduates i.e. will decide on case by case basis.

I agree with the MB that this route is NOT for everyone. First off, you gotta have the maturity and have the self-directed learning skill and committment. You should also enter at your own risk. If you enter this route, my suggestion is to stick with IUHS rather than OUM purely because of financial reasons. Although OUM appears to be doing everything rite and IUHS had a difficult past, grads from both will ultimately face the same kind of licensing boards.

IUHS is quite affordable compared to OUM. So in case, for whatever reason, your license is denied by all 50 states, which is highly unlikely, you can atleast utilize your MD in other ways. Remember that an MD, regardless of where or how you achieved it, is worth a lot if you complete a US residency, because you do not have only the clinical practice option alone anymore. There are many well-paid and "better" lifestyle jobs for MDs outside a clinical setting. Just do some research and you will find them and a majority of them do not require a license or any clinical experience either!

Like MB said, no one should blindly believe anything people write in these forums. These forums exist so that people from different Carib schools and their staff can fight it out and try to attract students to their own schools.

[lswiltshire]

G MAX
Re
Don't count on that...
My experience with medical boards hearings I have learned the following:

"full board to decide on grant of license for IUHS or OUM graduates i.e. will decide on case by case basis." = "we gave you a hearing, due process and are denying you a license"

NEVER please, NEVER count on that as your bet on getting licensed, it is going to cost you a small fortune in legal fees (an average of $250 per hour for the lawyer) and most likely the results will be detrimental. I have seen it happen so many times I feel sorry.

Of course it is your choice and I wish you good luck.

Of course I am absolutely sure that you know exactly what you are talking about, but are they cases that you can cite (if this is ethical in your profession) that can prove to prospective students that it might not be worth it doing the online IUHS deal according to thie issues you have raised above?

I know that Little Miss Muffett & Georgie Porgie wrote every state in 2002, and posted the responses therefrom, and that they were not so happy about IUHS. We did a similar thing for UHSA in 2003 with a similar result.

[UHSADOC]

My advice, do the B.S courses on the island, then the final 2 years, at ACGME hospitals.
Forget the whole online B.S, (B.S) !
NOT accepted in many states............

Also, better to know all the B.S "really B.S" for step 1 B.S if you want to pass it, better do the traditional route.

UHSA had a similar program, but switched back to the traditional route, due to licensure issues........also According to ECFMG no longer transfer credits or advance standing !!

Regards,

[zarkosy]

My advice, do the B.S courses on the island, then the final 2 years, at ACGME hospitals.
Forget the whole online B.S, (B.S) !
NOT accepted in many states............

Also, better to know all the B.S "really B.S" for step 1 B.S if you want to pass it, better do the traditional route.

UHSA had a similar program, but switched back to the traditional route, due to licensure issues........also According to ECFMG no longer transfer credits or advance standing !!

Regards,

If you dont know the facts, please DONT post here to mislead people. Everyone knows that this forum is full of staff from all the Carib schools trying to get their own marketshare of the MD education business.

IUHS does NOT give transfer credits or advanced standing. They have a PBL system which makes it impossible to give you advance standing anyway.

There are more than 35 states that will license IUHS students who complete their MD via the independent pathway program. There are only VERY few people doing their MD this way and those very few are mature students who are either PAs, RNs, etc with health industry experience.

UHSA is on CA disapproved list while IUHS is not on that list. UHSADOC please DONT post garbage here to mislead people. If you check properly you will find that more than 35 states will license IUHS graduates. If you do their on-campus program that number goes up above 40 states.

DONT post garbage to mislead people. UHSA has its own enormous problems so you better deal with them before you venture out to trash other schools. You have been in business for 25+ years but are still considered as the most crappy school while the rest like Ross and SGU are at the top in the Carib.

[Genossa maximillian]

What are you talking about? The fact that IUHS is not in the CA dissaproved list doesn't mean it's grads are elegible for licensure, they WILL BE DENIED regardless. Have you checked the whole rules of CA? Not being in the list of approved schools is essentially almost the same as being in the dissaproved list, read it carefully.

Besides, you fail to mention, and now that you insist in naming dissaproved lists, that IUHS is CATEGORICALLY AND EMPHATICALLY dissaproved in INDIANA. Play a fair game Zark. You can't criticize UHSADOC that much because IUHS is essentially not as good or on the same category of UHSA, don't fool yourself, pardon my bluntness. There is someone in this forum that worked at both schools, as faculty, and I trust his testimony about both schools, as much as I clash heads with him due to philosophical differences, and what he reports from both places is less than desirable, he is a local and knows better when it comes to tell epople in these forums if any of these 2 "schools" are any better than each other or the rest. In my hometown we call what you just did...un muerto hablando mal de un ahorcado...a deadman talking bad about a hangedman.

No offense intended, just trying to make it a fair game.

Max


If you dont know the facts, please DONT post here to mislead people. Everyone knows that this forum is full of staff from all the Carib schools trying to get their own marketshare of the MD education business.

IUHS does NOT give transfer credits or advanced standing. They have a PBL system which makes it impossible to give you advance standing anyway.

There are more than 35 states that will license IUHS students who complete their MD via the independent pathway program. There are only VERY few people doing their MD this way and those very few are mature students who are either PAs, RNs, etc with health industry experience.

UHSA is on CA disapproved list while IUHS is not on that list. UHSADOC please DONT post garbage here to mislead people. If you check properly you will find that more than 35 states will license IUHS graduates. If you do their on-campus program that number goes up above 40 states.

DONT post garbage to mislead people. UHSA has its own enormous problems so you better deal with them before you venture out to trash other schools. You have been in business for 25+ years but are still considered as the most crappy school while the rest like Ross and SGU are at the top in the Carib.

[Scott1981]

guys, dont let the thread deteriorate. please stay within TOS. this thread may be at a flash point. any future insults and flames will result in automatic infractions. no courtesy pms.

[zarkosy]

Gmax, yes i know all about the CA approved and disapproved list. I was trying to tell UHSADOC to look at their own school before trashing others in the same boat. I am fully aware of the reputations of IUHS, OUM and UHSA.

The fact is that if at the end of the day you complete all USMLE exams, residency and board exams, there will be some states that will license you even if you do your basic science component via distance.

People like UHSADOC are simply posting without actually knowing the facts. Most of the Carib schools except perhaps the top 3 (SGU, Ross, AUC) or 4 if you include SABA are in the same boat. You enter at your own risk and that risk is perhaps higher at UHSA, IUHS, OUM.

[Genossa maximillian]

There will be states that will license you, no doubt about that. Now that you mention that, I got news of an acquaintance, look at this, he attended 2 different medical schools, one in Mexico, one in the Caribbean, failed USMLE 1 several times, failed USMLE 2 several times too, managed to get into a residency program not via the match IM, and got licensed in Wisconsin, and what surprised him was that his license took a couple of weeks literally speaking to arrive in the mail. No digging into anything about his record or nothing, almost a no questions asked kind of thing. Everything is possible.


Gmax, yes i know all about the CA approved and disapproved list. I was trying to tell UHSADOC to look at their own school before trashing others in the same boat. I am fully aware of the reputations of IUHS, OUM and UHSA.

The fact is that if at the end of the day you complete all USMLE exams, residency and board exams, there will be some states that will license you even if you do your basic science component via distance.

People like UHSADOC are simply posting without actually knowing the facts. Most of the Carib schools except perhaps the top 3 (SGU, Ross, AUC) or 4 if you include SABA are in the same boat. You enter at your own risk and that risk is perhaps higher at UHSA, IUHS, OUM.

[zarkosy]

There will be states that will license you, no doubt about that. Now that you mention that, I got news of an acquaintance, look at this, he attended 2 different medical schools, one in Mexico, one in the Caribbean, failed USMLE 1 several times, failed USMLE 2 several times too, managed to get into a residency program not via the match IM, and got licensed in Wisconsin, and what surprised him was that his license took a couple of weeks literally speaking to arrive in the mail. No digging into anything about his record or nothing, almost a no questions asked kind of thing. Everything is possible.


That is unbelievable!! I thought failing both parts so many times probably would ban a Carib grad from any state. But hey, looks like its not a problem in some states.

But I think the problem states have is with programs like IUHS and OUM, which offer the distance program basic sciences. It does not make sense to deny a license based on the mode of basic sciences education to someone who has good USMLE scores in the 1st attempt itself while granting a license to someone who fails USMLE many times but attended an on-campus program. I think anyone who is able to go through a program like IUHS or OUM successfully and passes USMLE exams is very independent and perhaps well suited for life as a doctor in the real world because they have the self directed learning ability and are independent. This is not to say that traditional schools dont produce such grads, but perhaps people should not try to put down any Carib program without actually going through the program themselves or checking the facts.

I know one IUHS grad myself who got above 92 in all 3 USMLE exams (part 3 incl) and is licensed in 2 states. Yet he says that people who just hear that he did his basic sciences via such a program dont take him seriously at first until they actually look at his clinical work and medical knowledge. According to him, people who haven't done the program will ridicule it because they dont understand that this program is for real and it is sometimes more difficult to study in this format than a traditional one. But the fact that he has the medical knowledge and thus got top scores in USMLE, completed a residency and gained great clinical skills is proof that he is on par with any other Carib graduate.