Transferring to US Schools from SGU?

[wildream]

I heard that SGU students have a better chance, from all the other off-shore students, of transferring to US schools. How likely and how easy is it? What factors does it depend on? Have there been many SGU students that transferred to US schools lately?

[stephew]

I heard that SGU students have a better chance, from all the other off-shore students, of transferring to US schools. How likely and how easy is it? What factors does it depend on? Have there been many SGU students that transferred to US schools lately?

Its not likely or easy. The % is usually reported as about 7% but its probably less. HOwever the school is happy to help you try. Sucessful candidates usually were at least interviewed or waitlisted on their inital try for med school, and tend to have 4.0 GPA or close from sgu. USMLE is usually not in befor the offer is made so its typically not dependant upon the usmle in spite of this being a common misconception.

[Nimitt]

I know one classmate that transferred after 1st term but she had to start the entire year over again. Also there were 2 classmates that i know of that transferred after 2nd year after they took step 1. So it can be done but to come to sgu with the idea that you will transfer is not a good idea. If it happens good for you but like steph said its rare.

Nimitt
3rd year
SGU SOM

[AmitK425]

From what I understand, transferring is a VERY difficult process but do-able with the right grades and applications. I have been told it is best and easiest to transfer after completion of the basic sciences after the 2nd year of medical school.

[rsgillmd]

When I was at Vinnie's I saw a posting up of statistics indicating where some students had transferred, their average GPA, and some other things.
So it does happen, but it's rare.

If anyone is a resident of Wisconsin, they have a good chance of being able to transfer to a Wisconsin school. At least that's what a friend of fine who transferred there said. So Wisconsin residents might want to contact the state or the state's medical school about the details. Although I don't think he had a 4.0, he was probably very close. That guy was very smart. He had a Masters in mechanical engineering before going into medicine.

But I'm getting off topic. Other than possibly the Wisconsin thing, as others have already posted, it's going to be very hard.

If you're concerned about the education, don't be. I have to admit I really didn't like the way Micro was taught and wasn't a big fan of Neuro either. But that's probably improved by now. Neuro has always been a weak area for me anyway. Other than those two classes, I thought the education I received at SGU was excellent.

I especially love the fact that we have specialists come in and teach at Vinnie's and during Path. Vinnie's is great also because you actually begin to feel a little like a doctor, when on a lot of the rotations you'll be sent to see a patient either alone or in a small group.

Getting ready to take the OSCE at Vinnie's is nerve-wracking, but when you actually do it, it's not bad at all. You quickly realize that you know more than you think you do. The evaluators and patients also give good feedback.

When you get through the OSCE you have more confidence in yourself about seeing patients on your own during your core rotations.

After getting through the OSCE and your core rotations, the CSA is a breeze, although I was still a little nervous before each new station. We were the guinea pigs for the new CSE. Instead of seeing 10 patients, we had to see 12. I only ran out of time on two -- the first case and one towards the end where I fiddled around too long trying to get the otoscope to work in the room. Usually I had a diagnosis or a small differential with 1 or 2 minutes to spare.

Finally, where I did my core rotations, I was mainly with NYCOM students but also some from Mt. Sinai. I felt that overall our group (we did our cores in groups of 6) was better prepared than the others.

So in short, if you're worried about the education, don't be. In the end you'll be a well qualified physician.

Ravpreet

[stephew]

When I was at Vinnie's I saw a posting up of statistics indicating where some students had transferred, their average GPA, and some other things.
So it does happen, but it's rare.

If anyone is a resident of Wisconsin, they have a good chance of being able to transfer to a Wisconsin school. At least that's what a friend of fine who transferred there said. So Wisconsin residents might want to contact the state or the state's medical school about the details. Although I don't think he had a 4.0, he was probably very close. That guy was very smart. He had a Masters in mechanical engineering before going into medicine.

But I'm getting off topic. Other than possibly the Wisconsin thing, as others have already posted, it's going to be very hard.

If you're concerned about the education, don't be. I have to admit I really didn't like the way Micro was taught and wasn't a big fan of Neuro either. But that's probably improved by now. Neuro has always been a weak area for me anyway. Other than those two classes, I thought the education I received at SGU was excellent.

I especially love the fact that we have specialists come in and teach at Vinnie's and during Path. Vinnie's is great also because you actually begin to feel a little like a doctor, when on a lot of the rotations you'll be sent to see a patient either alone or in a small group.

Getting ready to take the <a target=new href=http://www.valuemd.com/amazon/example2_content.php?ASIN=0071350128>OSCE</a> at Vinnie's is nerve-wracking, but when you actually do it, it's not bad at all. You quickly realize that you know more than you think you do. The evaluators and patients also give good feedback.

When you get through the <a target=new href=http://www.valuemd.com/amazon/example2_content.php?ASIN=0071350128>OSCE</a> you have more confidence in yourself about seeing patients on your own during your core rotations.

After getting through the <a target=new href=http://www.valuemd.com/amazon/example2_content.php?ASIN=0071350128>OSCE</a> and your core rotations, the CSA is a breeze, although I was still a little nervous before each new station. We were the guinea pigs for the new CSE. Instead of seeing 10 patients, we had to see 12. I only ran out of time on two -- the first case and one towards the end where I fiddled around too long trying to get the otoscope to work in the room. Usually I had a diagnosis or a small differential with 1 or 2 minutes to spare.

Finally, where I did my core rotations, I was mainly with NYCOM students but also some from Mt. Sinai. I felt that overall our group (we did our cores in groups of 6) was better prepared than the others.

So in short, if you're worried about the education, don't be. In the end you'll be a well qualified physician.

Ravpreet
where were you rotating with sinai studfents?

[rsgillmd]

Mainly at Newark Beth, although my contact with them was limited.

There was one doing an ICU rotation when I was doing some medicine rotation -- I don't remember which one. I was on call that night and went down to the ICU with my assigned resident for a code. I ran into him a couple more times.

The bulk I met were during my Peds rotation when I was doing my week in the clinic. For the most part they kept to themselves. In Peds they had their own lectures, and I never saw them on the floor, in the nursery, ER, or NICU (i.e. the other places where we rotate).

I ran into one at St. Barnabas. I think he was doing a surgery elective, but I can't be definite.

Ravpreet

[sak]

I am on the island now and this past term, I heard, that the dean of students office sent out 120 letters of recommendations to Medical Schools in the US. This means that atleast that many tried to apply out. I also that some of the more popular schools are tulane and drexel and GWU. Now i dont know if this was for transfer into the second year or transfer into the third year. In any case, it was a whole of SGU students! Almost anyone that is holding a 4.0 GPA after their first term is thinking about getting into a US school. Whether you like it or not, they are thinking about it. Especially if they came really close to getting in the first time around.

Now some of the truth is, that in previous years ( now i am not talking about this year of last) I mean a while back, schools like southern ill, and univ or wisc, and Northeastern in Ohio, and Drexel, and Tulane, GWU, Mt. Sinai, were all accepting students for transfer into the second year. But in the last year alone, and this is based on my personal research, GWU, Southern Ill, Northeastern, Mt. Sinai have just stopped taking applications and/or interviews for transfer into second year. These are schools who took atleast 1 and as many as 3 or 4 students in past years into their second year. What this tells me is that their own programs are accepting excellent students and now they dont have spaces for others, which is good for the school and bad for us, at SGU.

Now the saddest part is that this year, Drexel Med, which has taken as many as 5 and 7 students respectively, for 2nd and 3rd years transfers, refused to accept applications for ANY transfers! If you look around, that school has been the best chance for any foreign med student, and this year it didnt even open its doors for applications. If you dont believe me, its posted on their website. SO that leaves tulane, which never does interviews. They claim that all they need is your application and your money $90.

There is hope, as usual. But to be honest with you, i havent heard too much about it from the 4th termers. I am sure all 120 students will try to reapply again next year for 3rd year transfer, and maybe a couple of them will get in, too.

It has been said before and I will repeat it. Dont come here thinking that you will get all A's and transfer out as soon as possible. BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS, the students here are ALL very determined!!!

I am a member of what is believed to be one of the smartest SGU classes, ever. At the end of our first term (Aug 2003) there were over 70 people with 4.0, over twice as many as the previous AND subsequent 1st term. I dont think that 2nd and 3rd term is really phasing many of them. The statistics that go up after every exam have been pretty outrageous, especially in some of the harder courses.

You will be well trained and well taught at SGU, please stay focused on your ultimate goal: become a good doctor!

Anyway, i will stop blabbering. Hope this helps.

good luck!

[stephew]

Almost anyone that is holding a 4.0 GPA after their first term is thinking about getting into a US school. Whether you like it or not, they are thinking about it. Especially if they came really close to getting in the first time around.

I am a member of what is believed to be one of the smartest SGU classes, ever.

Ah yes, how well i remember; every term is told they are the smartest class yet! More "A's" than last year! Etc etc etc. People actually fought over this. at this rate I expect sgu to truely be the harvard of the caribbean.

You should know that the schools that seem to be accepting transfers change over the years. They "likely" ones now are different from 5 years ago and 5 years before that.

Yes everyone with a strong early GPA thinks about transfering but few will succeed. the school is generally supportive however of your trying. and youre most likely to be successful if you at least interviewed or were waitlisted on previous applications. SUNY Syracuse used to be a common transfer for the better NY state resident's but i haven't heard much about them lately.

[andrew]

Said it once, and will say it again: it is remotely possible, but will not happen to YOU.

-A

[ribosome]

Actually, three SGUers were accepted into MS3 last year at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), as I was back in 2001. This year they seem to be taking transfers into MS2 but not MS3, but they may have some openings in the spring 2005 for the third year.

The openings depend on how many drop out or are held back. The school has been very friendly to folks from SGU transferring in and provides an excellent training atmosphere as far as I am concerned.

For more info click on:
http://www.neoucom.edu/Students/ADMI/AdminTransferFrameset.htm

I have written on transferring in the past in this forum and I will try to find a link for these previous posts....

Matt

[ribosome]

Hope this works...

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?p=9076&highlight=#9076