difficulty w/being a foreign student (vs. US student)

[multigrain23]

Hi there,

I was just wondering something... I'm currently applying to SGU (for Jan '09), as well as US-MD, and US-DO schools (for Aug '09). I've sent out my applications already. My stats are low for US-MD schools (though I may have a bit of a chance at my in-state school), but are quite good for SGU and DO schools. I want to make it clear that my post is not about Caribbean MD versus DO in terms of which is 'better' by people's subjective opinions (as I've already read through those threads). Initially, I thought I wanted the 'MD' degree (because that's what I'm familiar with, as I have many MDs in the family), but lately I find that I care less and less about the initials. So that's not so much of a consideration anymore. However, being that I have a good shot to get accepted to both, here's what I was wondering:

Would life generally be easier staying in the US? Now obviously I understand that living in the US has much more comforts than being in a 3rd world country.... but have any of you at SGU found that the lifestyle in Grenada actually impairs your ability to focus on academics in any way? Do you think you'd have been able to study a lot better if you were living in the US? Or does living near campus and not having to commute to school actually provide you with more study time?

Do any of you feel like your health would have been a lot better if you were living in the US? What I mean by this is that if you had better facilities (gym, more access to grocery/health food stores, medical clinics, outpatient services etc) do you think you'd be healthier?

Do you think that SGU students face more licensing issues than US DO students? I was just wondering if there were more hoops to go through. I know DO students have to take the COMLEX, and then the USMLE if they want to apply for allopathic residencies. Do you feel as a Caribbean student that you have to go through a lot more?

Do you think that DO schools/residency programs are a lot more forgiving towards academic issues coming from a US school versus a Caribbean school? For instance, I have a friend who is a current osteopathic medical student, and I think she actually failed a few courses her first year (I don't know what was going on, as she seems reasonably intelligent). However, she is now a second year student and is doing pretty well. But I do wonder... if she had been a Caribbean student, would her future prospects be MUCH worse having failed a few medical courses as a Caribbean student versus a DO student. My perception is that people see Caribbean students as having a 'second chance' thus it seems like you would have to work even harder being a Caribbean student versus being a DO student.... as I have read SGU students on this forum commenting about how they need to get their Step scores even higher than their US counterparts to get similar residency opportunities. However, I wasn't sure if the DO students had the same concern about trying to get their USMLE scores above their MD student counterparts in order to qualify for similar residencies. I didn't think so. So my assumption was that the academic pressure would be less going to a DO school, as you are already in the US system.

If anyone has opinions on these issues (especially people who have switched from one program to the other, or know closely those who are in DO programs)... I'd really appreciate the input.

Again, I'm not looking for a Caribbean MD versus DO debate.... I've already read a bit between here and SDN. However, I would like to know where I would get the greatest support and services to succeed.

Thanks!!

[CANeh]

Would life generally be easier staying in the US? Now obviously I understand that living in the US has much more comforts than being in a 3rd world country.... but have any of you at SGU found that the lifestyle in Grenada actually impairs your ability to focus on academics in any way? Do you think you'd have been able to study a lot better if you were living in the US? Or does living near campus and not having to commute to school actually provide you with more study time?

Do any of you feel like your health would have been a lot better if you were living in the US? What I mean by this is that if you had better facilities (gym, more access to grocery/health food stores, medical clinics, outpatient services etc) do you think you'd be healthier?


Some of us did 1st year in the UK. That was a great experience and makes it easier since we only have to spend one year in Grenada. So regarding living and adjusting, first year was easy.

2nd year.. so far, is a bit different. We do have to adjust to living in a carrib country. It is a bit different... but I think some of us already adjusted after only 3 weeks here. Grenada is not a bad country.. it is just that our options or things that we are use to are no longer the same. Food, shopping, etc...

Campus wise... WOW. This is an impressive campus. You have all the resources that you would find in a N.American university. Actually this may be better than many US medical schools (and much better than many private DO schools). The lecture halls are good, clean, big, have good audio (so far), have video and audio recording. The gym could be much improved.. but then again the story is they are building one. There is food on campus and since you live on campus (most people) you can eat at home. The options are not like back in the states where you can drive everywhere.. but I don't think its so bad. There is a subway and a KFC. I have not been to KFC nor plan to, but subway is more or less the same.

Studying better in Grenada than back home? Hmmm good question. It depends what you are use to. If you live at home and mommy does all the work for you.. cook, clean, laundry, shopping and all you do is study and go out.. yeah prob easier. However, if you can't stand living at home..

Some people study better here since they are isolated from their family and home friends.. so they can concentrate better.

We have a clinic on campus. Actually its right across from residence. It is free for students and I did not have trouble getting Px antibiotics. They where actually cheaper in Grenada.

[multigrain23]

Hi Caneh,

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I wasn't aware that there was a clinic on campus....I thought students had to bring any medications etc from home (which always sounded strange to me, considering that it is a medical school after all). Thanks for letting me know.

I guess it also makes sense that there would be many resources available, especially as there are so many students on campus....

[ecela7]

that's funny. I have been at SGU for a year and I still don't know where the clinic is. Near where now?

[multigrain23]

Does anyone have a response to this portion of my question? The aspect of 'second chances' is very important to me.


Do you think that DO schools/residency programs are a lot more forgiving towards academic issues coming from a US school versus a Caribbean school? For instance, I have a friend who is a current osteopathic medical student, and I think she actually failed a few courses her first year (I don't know what was going on, as she seems reasonably intelligent). However, she is now a second year student and is doing pretty well. But I do wonder... if she had been a Caribbean student, would her future prospects be MUCH worse having failed a few medical courses as a Caribbean student versus a DO student. My perception is that people see Caribbean students as having a 'second chance' thus it seems like you would have to work even harder being a Caribbean student versus being a DO student.... as I have read SGU students on this forum commenting about how they need to get their Step scores even higher than their US counterparts to get similar residency opportunities. However, I wasn't sure if the DO students had the same concern about trying to get their USMLE scores above their MD student counterparts in order to qualify for similar residencies. I didn't think so. So my assumption was that the academic pressure would be less going to a DO school, as you are already in the US system.

[Reilly]

that's funny. I have been at SGU for a year and I still don't know where the clinic is. Near where now?

It's in the back of the building that is up the hill and to the left of Charter (i'm still new here so I have no clue what the building is named). Though I'm pretty sure they are remodeling another part of the building for the clinic to move to. I only know because I had an acute inner ear problem that left me sick and was worried it might linger and prevent me from taking an exam. The nurses and doctor were all very nice. Not as archaic as I was expecting. Though they gave me a "strept test", which I thought would have been a throat culture (like i've done in the states), but they just swabbed the back of my throat, threw it in a little tube and waited like 10 mins. Kinda weird.

Doc gave me a Rx for antibiotics. They say that a Dr is always on duty too, just have to call the security booth if it is after hours. It's not the greatest, but better than I expected so far.

[lamarconcini]

If you are in danger of failing at SGU, they let you drop that class then stay an extra semester to finish.

For residencies, you gotta do well on the USMLEs, so the pressure is on. It is what it is...

[RussianJoo]

Does anyone have a response to this portion of my question? The aspect of 'second chances' is very important to me.


Each school has their own policy on failing classes and repeating classes and being kicked out for failing classes. Failing classes will hurt everyone when it comes to applying for residencies, no matter if you went to a DO school, SGU or a Harvard Med school so no one wants to fail. As to what impact failing will have on getting a residency when comparing a DO student that failed a class and an SGU student that failed a class no one knows, and will depend solely on the Program director. if the program director likes DO's over foreign MDs or vis versa then they'll pick them over the others. If the program director likes you and feels that you'll make a good fit with the rest of the team and will work hard then it might not matter if you failed or if you're a DO or MD. from what I hear matching into a residency is a lot like getting a bid to join a fraternity. If the people like you and feel that you'll make a good match with the rest of them then they'll pick you as long as you have the minimum grades and scores required. Program directors are the ones that make the decision who they pick for their residency, no one can really tell them who to pick and they don't have to answer to anyone as to why they picked one person over another.

Lastly I believe that both DO's and SGU grads are at an equal disadvantage when it comes to matching into Allopathic residency programs. Both will have to out preform their US counterparts in order to match into equally competitive programs. On the other hand being a DO you can apply to DO residencies, which MD's can't and that might be an advantage.

so in the end good grades and scores is what gets you through the doors for residency programs after that it's up to you and your personality and hard work to get you the residency. And if you're a DO applying to MD programs or an IMG applying both are considered at a disadvantage and both have to impress the program directors in one way or another.

[elite.medicine]

Russian: Thank you for your insight. Things make a lot more sense now.

[multigrain23]

Thanks RJ for your thoughts.. I appreciate it.