Urgent advice needed re Caribbean Med Schools

[sylvanfm]

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[sylvanfm]

Post removed

[med etudiant]

Sorry to hear about Nicks misfortune. I know Saint Matthews has some ties to Universities in the UK. Like you said, the financial situation is a bit shaky. Does he have an undergraduate degree? If so: Apply to Saint Georges, and AUC and Saba. If not: 1. Perhaps complete the undergraduate degree or 2. Apply to AUA, MUA, SMU and even UMHS.

[sylvanfm]

Hi
What is an undegraduate degree.

Cheers

[med etudiant]

Hi
What is an undegraduate degree.

Cheers

Does he have a Bachelors degree? Or was he in a 6 year program (in which the Medical Degree is awarded after 6 years?)

[BrendaB_MD]

Most of the carib schools work on the US model: med school is started after four years of university.

Also, you need to determine whether a medical degree from a carib school would be accepted by the UK. And, even if it were, would your son realistically be competitive for postgraduate medical training in the UK.

You need to think carefully before taking this route.

You should also investigate alternatives outside of the carib. For example, there some new for-profit Australian schools that might be a possibility. Perhaps it might be best for your son to prove that he is up to the challenge by completing a university degree in the UK and then applying to med school.

In short, I think you need to gather a lot more information before you sell everything you own to support another attempt at med school.

[diabeticmedic]

Perhaps you should consider a European program? Have you ever heard of Hope Medical Institute in Poland? I was looking at Caribb schools until I heard about Hope. I know, I know, it's Poland and it's cold, but consider the benefits:
-4 OR 6 year English-speaking programs
-Licensure in all 50 states (like SGU, Ross, AUC, Saba)
-Title IV US loans (like SGU, Ross, AUC)
-Rotations (cores and electives) are set up back to back in same hospital
-Hope is NOT FOR PROFIT and run by the Polish gov't...it is part of a like 500 year old university...very well respected and not out to screw students
-Very cheap tuition

If anyone else was unaware of Hope, check it out. US students can apply just like they can in the Caribb...I am not even considering the Caribb until I hear back from Hope.

I see that some of the students here are having trouble with loans...a friend of mine just transferred to Hope from MUA. If you can't pay, check out Hope...title IV loans! After reading some of the threads here, I would def not chance a school with private loans right now. Later!

[AmericanIMG]

the polish programs are both rigorous and NOT geared towards USMLE.

[diabeticmedic]

the polish programs are both rigorous and NOT geared towards USMLE.

That's funny, I've been told just the opposite from people I've spoken to in Hope clinicals...they all said they passed step 1 with no problem and they were prepared well. Since the school is not for profit, I don't see why anyone would be trying to sell me on anything; it is sink or swim there as far as I understand.

The only foreign schools geared towards the USMLE seem to be the Caribb schools but there are 1000's of doctors in the US who are IMG's from countries like China, India, countries in Europe, etc...what's your point? Were you a student in the Polish system, how do you know how well it prepares you for the USMLE exams?

[AmericanIMG]

i know because i have a bunch of friends who went through the system. when you go to school that isn't geared to teach for the USMLE its a much harder way to go about things. not rocket science here.

[diabeticmedic]

i know because i have a bunch of friends who went through the system. when you go to school that isn't geared to teach for the USMLE its a much harder way to go about things. not rocket science here.

And I have a bunch of friends who are in the system and told me the exact opposite of what you said. I also have friends in the Caribb system who told me that Caribb schools are like a "crash course" for the USMLE...and that the semesters are much shorter than traditional semesters. The friend I mentioned that transferred from MUA told me that his pathology professor didn't have time to teach them the last 3 chapters of the semester so they were responsible for it on their own. Doesn't sound like the best way to prepare for one of the hardest exams in the world.

Look, this is a dumb argument for me, especially because I am not even in the system yet, but I am doing my research because I have several friends both in Europe and in the Caribb and I want to make the right choice. If you're happy with your choice, good for you. But I didn't come on here to post some "he said she said" garbage about schools. I posted a list of facts about Hope...nothing people couldn't find on their own by making phone calls or doing internet research. If you can prove that the European system prepares students poorly for the USMLE, then post some facts or stop spreading rumors from your friends. Your statement about Poland is extremly weak in comparison to the list of 100 horrible things I have heard about your school but I won't post any of them. I don't want to dump on the Caribb because there are 1000's of happy Caribb grads and I might be one of them someday.

There are pros and cons to every international medical school, so far I have found the most pros and least cons with the European system.

[MaxPower311]

But a lot of the pros you listed where he said she said. If you've come to a conclusion why are you still here?

[Shiz77]

Okay firstly I'm not sure HMI is considered a school or an agency, I always thought it was an agency that sets up partnerships w/ polish schools and american hospitals but i might be wrong.

Secondly, yes the carib schools have several flaws. But they also have a vast degree of variability in their success. The Big 4 in my opinion are hands down better than any east european school system. If you are American I would only pick Australia and Ireland over the Big 4. Why? Because they post impressive match rates. To be honest i don't know the match rates for east european schools but i have heard they're not impressive at all. Even schools like SMU, a school w/ disapproval from cali and no loans had a large match last year.

That being said, when you take loans and other factors into account East Europe might be better than non big 4 carib schools. And if you're still young (below 25) you should do a masters or try your hardest to get into DO. The future of residency seats works against you.

To the mom, east europe might be a better option if the school is EU designated which means your son can come back to England with less hassle.

[diabeticmedic]

But a lot of the pros you listed where he said she said. If you've come to a conclusion why are you still here?

I'm not anywhere, I'm just an applicant trying to make informed decisions. Nothing I said was he said she said except that Hope is not out to screw students. Maybe they are, maybe every medical school in the world is. But evreything else I said was a fact, title IV loans, all 50 states, cheap tuition, old and respected university.

I don't want to start some stupid internet fight, I was just trying to offer advice to the mom who posted about her son practicing in UK and anyone else who is looking for good options. My Caribb friends say that they didn't hear about Hope but that it sounds like a good option. I also have Caribb friends who are really happy where they are. Maybe I am making a mistake but who knows right now? I didn't mean to sound like I know everything.

The Caribb has 1000s of grads but I am looking elsewhere at the moment. That's all I'm trying to say.

[AmericanIMG]

And I have a bunch of friends who are in the system and told me the exact opposite of what you said. I also have friends in the Caribb system who told me that Caribb schools are like a "crash course" for the USMLE...and that the semesters are much shorter than traditional semesters. The friend I mentioned that transferred from MUA told me that his pathology professor didn't have time to teach them the last 3 chapters of the semester so they were responsible for it on their own. Doesn't sound like the best way to prepare for one of the hardest exams in the world.

Look, this is a dumb argument for me, especially because I am not even in the system yet, but I am doing my research because I have several friends both in Europe and in the Caribb and I want to make the right choice. If you're happy with your choice, good for you. But I didn't come on here to post some "he said she said" garbage about schools. I posted a list of facts about Hope...nothing people couldn't find on their own by making phone calls or doing internet research. If you can prove that the European system prepares students poorly for the USMLE, then post some facts or stop spreading rumors from your friends. Your statement about Poland is extremly weak in comparison to the list of 100 horrible things I have heard about your school but I won't post any of them. I don't want to dump on the Caribb because there are 1000's of happy Caribb grads and I might be one of them someday.

There are pros and cons to every international medical school, so far I have found the most pros and least cons with the European system.

you aren't in the system yet and you haven't been through it. after a few terms come back and post, because everything you are putting up is just guesswork and opinion.

also, my statement about poland is true: because it is a euro school the style of teaching is not geared towards the USMLE. i was not comparing it to any other school, i stating the obvious truth. not a rumor, truth.

[diabeticmedic]

you aren't in the system yet and you haven't been through it. after a few terms come back and post, because everything you are putting up is just guesswork and opinion.

also, my statement about poland is true: because it is a euro school the style of teaching is not geared towards the USMLE. i was not comparing it to any other school, i stating the obvious truth. not a rumor, truth.

The school is approved in all 50 states, has title IV loans, is part of an old and established university, offers rotations guaranteed back to back in one hospital in the US, has 4 or 6 year English speaking programs, is not for profit, and has cheap tution. These are all facts and not my opinions.

I am officially stepping out of this stupid argument. If you want to hate on the facts, go ahead. I am done.

[munkymedic]

If you want to work in America go to the Big 4 or SMU, if you want to work in Europe and are an EU citizen go to poland, simple as.

I know people who are at a top 5 UK med school and are totally unprepared for the USMLE as the UK curriculum doesn't cater for it.

[MaxPower311]

Sounds like an advertisement.

[munkymedic]

It does, not sure how I could have worded it to not sound like one. Maybe add a few anecdotes here and there but there isn't really much choice after a US or UK school, you're only left with a few schools in europe and the big 4.

[MaxPower311]

haha no not yours the one above..i was too lazy to quote

[munkymedic]

haha, no worries (reflex value md defensiveness)

[rokshana]

The school is approved in all 50 states, has title IV loans, is part of an old and established university, offers rotations guaranteed back to back in one hospital in the US, has 4 or 6 year English speaking programs, is not for profit, and has cheap tution. These are all facts and not my opinions.

I am officially stepping out of this stupid argument. If you want to hate on the facts, go ahead. I am done.

however, the old established schools and their respective english language programs ARE seen as different entities..its like comparing a university based program and an affliated one...not the same inthe eyes of people that know the difference...

and while the eastern european programs may be good, frankly you don't come across their grads in residency spots...maybe their aren't that many of them, or they aren't looking to come to the US, but as a resident i have yet to come across any eastern european grads either during my turn on the interview trail, or as classmates, or as prospective applicants to my program...but have seen ross, auc, as well as of course sgu and the irish and indian schools...something to think about...

[AmericanIMG]

who was arguing? i was pointing out facts. def sounds like an advertisement...

[MaxPower311]

Oh god I'm agreeing with AmericanIMG...what has the world come to? Just kidding buddy:wink:

[MedMan87]

anybody know what the original thread said.

[enigma00183]

anybody know what the original thread said.

OP said she had a kid named Nick, who was unable to get through UK medical school 3 or 4 times, and was finally dismissed. Now she wants to send the kid to Carib schools, but wants to make sure he can come back to UK. She wants to know this before she sells everything she owns. Crazy story if you asked me.

[MedMan87]

OP said she had a kid named Nick, who was unable to get through UK medical school 3 or 4 times, and was finally dismissed. Now she wants to send the kid to Carib schools, but wants to make sure he can come back to UK. She wants to know this before she sells everything she owns. Crazy story if you asked me.

yep sort of crazy, schools in the UK are pretty easy to get into and the "weeding" process happens during the school itself. In the US/Canada the weeding process happens before hand i suppose..

[MaxPower311]

anybody know what the original thread said.

Believe it or not, theres a quick easy way to find out. See those little numbers by the thread?

Oh wait that's not why you wrote that

[AmericanIMG]

Oh god I'm agreeing with AmericanIMG...what has the world come to? Just kidding buddy:wink:

hey i try to help out w/ correct info. and it's not my fault you don't realize i'm always right...

;)

[sylvanfm]

I love how things sprout arms and legs. Removed post originally as I realised he might read and would be mortified. Was looking for advice, Son succesfully gained entry to a Uk Med School, straight from school. ( I suggest you check out how difficult it is to gain entry to a a UK medical school).
He has not failed three or four times but repeated 1st year after a marginal fail (1 question), then achived 90%. (You have to achieve 75% in exams to pass). He has now screwed second year by a very small margin and has been dismissed. Not making excuses (but Mum's will) Brother who is in the military has served two tours of Afghanistan in Helmand during this period. 4 Days prior to his exams this year he had a knee operation under a General Anaesthetic and was on strong painkillers and just before his resit, was told that he is likely to develop early onset arthritis and was unlikely to ever play competative rugby again. (Was a possible contender for playing under 21 International Rugby) continued below

[sylvanfm]

Boy can I ramble. The final blow was that he has a had a girlfriend since school who went to Australia for her third year at Uni, that certainly did not help.
Was looking for advice whether sending him to Carribean Uni was an option and if anyone one else had been in a similar position. Regarding selling everything, not quite but fairly close. He is desperate to continue with medicine. (By the way he turned 21 in August).
Thanks for any help

[munkymedic]

Go to a European University or Ireland. It'll save on all the hastle later about coming from a foreign university.

The UK is like the States, the US citizens get first dibs on jobs just like the uk and eu resisdents (who went to an EU school)