Opinions Please...

[Groove]

I know these questions have been asked 1000 times, but some opinions would be appreciated regardless.

My situation:

** in Chemistry (finished with 2.9 gpa, 3.1 sciences (Lots of A's and B's, but smattering of failing grades)

MS in Comp Sci (3.6 gpa)

MCAT this August will probably be between 28-32

I'm an older non-trad student at the ripe old age of 29. My dilemna is this:

I'm planning on applying to the big 3 carib schools for entrance into January '05, and at the same time applying to U.S. schools for entrance into fall of '05. I have friends and family encouraging me to wait and hear from the U.S. schools before I make any firm decision. Honestly, I have no sciences since undergrad other than comp sci which I'm pretty sure does not count into your sciences gpa. However, I'm taking some upper div sciences this fall anyway because the admissions faculty member for medical school said that it would be looked upon favorably to have some more upper div sciences. I've heard enough application horror stories and first accounts to formulate a low probability that I would actually get accepted first round to a U.S. school. I therefore am planning (if I get accepted) to enter a carib med school in January with the intention of coming back home in the eventuality that I was actually accepted anywhere for fall '05. I would accept the fact that I would have to essentially repeat much of the education that I would have completed during spring, and would lose out on some money. (Again, I think there would be a low probability of this happening)

To adequately try the U.S. route would entail 2 full application cycles, meaning Fall of 2006. Let's be serious, I'm not getting any younger here, and I think I'd shoot myself if 2006 rolled around and I was still not accepted anywhere. The two specialties that I am most interested in: Emergency Medicine and General Surgery. I would NOT be happy if I had to do FP or IM, but it would be preferable to no career in medicine at all. I've read that these are intermediate specialites in the context of competitiveness, but I feel that I could do well enough on my boards to get a residency "somewhere".

I'm interested in opinions from some of you that have had to make similar decisions, and if you see any flaws in my thinking? Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong forum, but I'm leaning toward SGU as my first school of choice, so I thought I'd post it here. Thanks in advance.

[Covino]

Have you considered applying to a US school early decision? It is competitive, but at least that way you might know by October if you are in somewhere. However, Early decision is suggested only for the best applicants, and could delay your app to other schools if you don't get in. It's just a suggestion...

[stephew]

hi groove. well one big problem here is that it doesnt matter what you'll "probably" get with the mcats- you dont have a result yet and this can influence things considerablly. However youre right in that your GPA is weak and you may not get in the us.

If you do well in upper division sci class you might get in the us...and you might not.

Your plan of trying to reapply to a us school is a viable one; it will kill two birds with one stone- ie have a place in a carib school which youre likely to obtain, and be able to see if those upper level courses paid off for us admissions; the price of this is, as you say, the price of this. but if youre ok with that then its not a bad route. you ca nalso try transfering after two years which while not a likely proposition, could happen.
ER and surgery aren't as competitive now as they were and IF you do VERY well from a school like sgu, you can get into. however remember there are no promises here- they can become quite competitive in the futre (particularly now with the new 80 hour rules).

You seem to know all the if ands or buts involved and given that, youre plan isn't a bad one at all. Id only stress there are no promises with regard to residency, but then there arent any even from a us school. all the best,
steph

[Intrigued]

Steph or anyone else who can help,

I'm very interested in emergency medicine and it seems as though there are a good number of SGU students that get their residencies in this. I know that great residency apps look at many things in a student, but in terms of scores, what is a rough range of good board scores for this particular field?
Also, what hospitals are considered better for doing rotations in the ER and do SGU students rotate there (or where can I find this information bc I've been looking and haven't been able to find any)?

Thanks for your help.

[Groove]

Thanks for the quick responses and advice. Sometimes it helps to just throw out ideas and have others give their 2 cents. I think I'll keep on this road. when it all comes down to it, I just want to practice medicine, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that dream a reality. However, I become quite nervous when I think about the possibility of not being able to get in a surgery or EM residency due to being a caribbean grad. What makes the entire thing so frustrating is the lack of statistical data on residency acceptance rates and program bias against FMG's. It would be nice to see the numbers and be able to extrapolate things like "FMG would require 10-15 pts. higher on Step 1 to attain same level of competitiveness of a U.S. grad...." Sigh.... Unfortunately, that's not the case. At least I wouldn't be losing anything by going ahead and getting started at a Carib school. Anyway, thanks again.

[stephew]

Steph or anyone else who can help,

I'm very interested in emergency medicine and it seems as though there are a good number of SGU students that get their residencies in this. I know that great residency apps look at many things in a student, but in terms of scores, what is a rough range of good board scores for this particular field?
Also, what hospitals are considered better for doing rotations in the ER and do SGU students rotate there (or where can I find this information bc I've been looking and haven't been able to find any)?

Thanks for your help.

Id say a 220 would be what youre aiming for but this doesnt guarentee you will get a spot of course, nor does it mean you wont if you dont get a 220. You want to rotate in an sgu place that has a residency in the field. As for having to get "1- -15 point above a us grad"... these are the silly little things that people make up as rules of thumb; and as a rule of thumb its fine. the trouble is its hardly written anywhere and just like the concept of the "big three" of IMG schools, people hear it and it takes a life of its own. if you want something, go for it; do the best you can, compensate for scores with great letters or rotations. And if you really want to show youre savvy; dont say "big three" imgs schools. Its more complex than that.
steph