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View Full Version : Which semester (Sept, Jan, or May) is best to get admitted to?

TorontoSMH
08-14-2009, 11:36 PM
Hi there,

I am applying to SABA and I was wondering which semester would be the best to apply to: Sept, Jan, or May with regards to preparing for the USMLE exams and doing residency later on. Is there an advantage as to which semester you get admitted in?

I got an offer letter to University of Queensland in Australia for their MBBS program starting in Jan 2010, but I was looking at the expenses and the long term goal of practicing in the US, and SABA seems like a better option (with low tuition, high USMLE pass rates, clinical rotations in the US, and the small sizes, and of course closer to home than Australia which is literally half a world away)

If anyone can offer tips on which semester would be the best to apply to SABA, thinking long term when applying for residencies and what not, I would really appreciate it.

I've browsed these forums in the past, but just made myself the newest member of the forum today. hehe :)
mario345
08-15-2009, 12:35 AM
in my opionion, the september semester is the best...bit if you are a cdn, then you have to take into account that some (or all) U.S. residency programs require you to write usmle step 3 before starting residency - for H1B visa, so you might have to take extra time out.

on average, you should have 2-3 months secured for each step 1, step2 CK...and couple of weeks for step 2 CS...

clinical rotations plus saba is about 40 months...so in all it makes 44-46 months of SABA plus exams from the time you start to start residency, IF you get most of your rotations back to back and if you dont fail anything...otherwise it should not be a problem to match.
TorontoSMH
08-15-2009, 11:06 AM
thanks mario. i just sent in my apps to SABA for Jan 2010 first preference and May 2010 as second. fingers crossed now. :)
EM_D
08-23-2009, 12:50 PM
Applied for Jan 2010 as well. I have my interview coming up next week. Wish me luck all!
Dr.30564
08-23-2009, 02:46 PM
good luck! what were your stats if you dont mind me asking?
EM_D
08-23-2009, 03:52 PM
3.42/3.41 Sci and overall GPAs, respectively, but a 3.88 GPA for the last 2 years of uni. H.B.Sc in Biomedical Sciences. Tons of volunteer and research experience with publications in cancer and microbiology journals. Minimal clinical exposure and patient interaction. NO MCAT. I'm kind of worried they may ask me to sit for it, but if they do i'll most likely attend Windsor for this September.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

EM_D
mario345
08-23-2009, 04:00 PM
3.42/3.41 Sci and overall GPAs, respectively, but a 3.88 GPA for the last 2 years of uni. H.B.Sc in Biomedical Sciences. Tons of volunteer and research experience with publications in cancer and microbiology journals. Minimal clinical exposure and patient interaction. NO MCAT. I'm kind of worried they may ask me to sit for it, but if they do i'll most likely attend Windsor for this September.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

EM_D
horrible idea.

do you know anything about Windsor?


your numbers are good enough to get into a top 4 carib school. do it. because in the future, it will be impossible to get a residency if you are not from a well established school