Does it make it to the MD?

[rxinside]

Ok, here's the deal.
I'm doing my Barchelor in Pharmacy in Montreal and I want to do my MD afterwards. However, due to my GPA (3.45), I'm not sure I would do it in Canada...I got a lot of extracurricular, I' really convinced that MD is the job that I would fit the best in and I don't wanna go for another 2-3 years of study before getting to the MD. I'm up for hardwork and no life for the 5 next years if it's necessary :lol: !

The key points here are:
1- I want to get a US/Canadian level education that would be recognized both in Canada/US
2- I want to do my rotation whether in Canada/US
3- I'm ideally looking for a place were the crime rates compare to Canada (i.e. I don't wanna wake up with a M16 pointed at my head...well...I think you get the message)

I know there's a lot of post on similar matters, but up to what I read now, nothing really answers my questions.

[2cents]

Every one will promot their school, so here's the most unbiased account i can give for SMU:

Pro:
1. A lot of our faculty is Canadian, and we seem to be getting more canucks all the time. Our executive dean is canadian(UBC), genetics and micro(Mac), micro(Newf), Embryp/histo(montreal), ICM(alt). That's off the top of my head; so you will get a canadian flavour. in fact a lot of the work force on the island is from canada.

2. We have an expanding canadian student body. Most from ontario

3. Canada does recognize SMU as a WHO school, so you can write the MCCQE1&2

4. Our executive dean is very interested in expanding into canada (clinical sites, etc) hope fully this will pan out in time for the current students.

5. Cayman is a very developed country, with direct flights to toronto, boston, miami, atlanta, north carolina just to name a few. Crime is lower here than any other caribbean island. This island is the 5th largest financial center in the world behind Newyork, london, hong kong, switzerland. Ther are a lot of very rich people on the island.

6. Your Pharm degree is recognized here, maybe you could make a few extra dollars on the weekend? Some students have done it.

Con:

1. we are not Cali approved so if you plan to practice in cali we are not for you.

2. We are not approved in Kansas (15 year rule). And texas is still a question mark.

3. We are a new school so we don't have the track record, or the numbers of the older schools like SGU ROS AUC

4. SABA arguable has the best track record of students returning to canda.

I hope this helps.

[rxinside]

Well, I guess that then I'll have to go south!
Thx for reply!

BTW, does a MD in the caribbean will limit my opportunities on doing a speciality in a Us/Canadian university?

[teratos]

Well, I guess that then I'll have to go south!
Thx for reply!

BTW, does a MD in the caribbean will limit my opportunities on doing a speciality in a Us/Canadian university?

Yes and no. I don't know squat about Canada, but in the US the more competitive fellowships are more difficult for us beach doctors. Things like cardiology, dermatology, ortho...etc. It depends on what you want. Any idea? G

[blueeyes]

If you're serious about being able to return to Canada, I suggest you contact some program directors in the province you want to practice in to hear what they have to say.

I've heard some strongly worded comments from faculty at several Canadian med schools but I don't know if these views are shared by typical PD's.

[2cents]

Canada is tough, but if you can get in it is a better choice than an american residency. The Us will recognise the canadian residency; but canada may not accept the US res. If your post grad training is done in the states canada may reqire an extra year or two depending on the specialty.

As for fellowships the US is a much better option. They have more options and better options. Selection is based mainly on residency preformance. To that end it does not matter if you are an IMG, but keep in mind it is harder to get a good res spot to start wth if you are an IMG.

If you want to practice in canda your best option is to get a res spot in canada. If you want a sub specialty then do a fellow ship in the US. You will be certified in both countries at that point.

IMG's get a bad rep in canada; but they can't fight the future. They need us. If you preform well I think you will find a spot some where in canada.

[rxinside]

Am I wrong or IMG are considered almost like a second class of graduate in North America? I mean, if you've done your MD, your USMLE and you fulfill whatever conditions they ask for, haven't you just proved that you're as god as it's required by the national law to practice, haven't you proved your ability to be as good as others? Is it just because it is not a canadian/american diploma??? Is it a protectionist non-written law?

Anyways, if it's the only way for me to attain a MD diploma, I'll probably go for it anyways, but I really think the only reason why people in Canada have to wait so long before being treated, to suffer from that much complication from a otherwise detected condition and to cost so much to the government is that they are to dumb to realise what a cheap labor we could be for them (they've paid nothing to form us and we would pay about 50% of our annual revenue...)