is this true?

[pk]

Hey everyone,

I previously asked a question about the difference between AUC and St. George's on this forum as well as on the St. George's forum. I got this response from someone there and I was just wondering if it was true? It could be a valid statement, but I wanted to hear if anyone knew anything about this.......


sgu student says:

"I am generally very wary about anyone offering serious opinions on schools they haven't been to- myself included. Having said that, I do want to share something that some AUC students I've met have shared with me: take this info to current AUC students and admin, do not take my word for it. This is the issue: AUC places many of their students in IReland for the bulk of their rotations. THis is felt to be a disadvantqage by some who don't get to rotate-and get letters of rec- in the US. AUC also accepts students into the third year..and offers them US spots (as opposed to Ireland). The implication if correct is that their own students are disadvantaged to those who transfer in for clinicals with regard to obtaining a US spot. A couple of caveats here; the issue many of these students going to ireland object to may not be so big a deal; you can obviously rotate on an elective in the US. Also, my information is anecdotal. I would be very open to the notion that this is not correct. But it is something for you to ask about as a potential AUC student. "

[tRmedic21]

This issue has truly been covered ad nauseum. Check out any of the many threads about clinicals and you will see.

Most of those who choose to go to England or Ireland do so for their own reasons, namely a quicker timeline, or their own inability to pass Step I in a reasonable timeframe. Also included are the ability to travel Europe on the cheap, live in another country, experience another (socialized) medicine system, etc.

If there were problems with enough US clinicals spots (and many US spots go unfilled each year, FACT), AUC has in the last couple of months picked up 3 more US sites to do ALL clinical rotations, and more are on the way. The accredidation by the State of NY has already opened many doors and more clinical sites are being investigated all the time.

Most of those who go to England or Ireland are not 'forced' by the school to do so, but choose to take advantage of the opportunity. I am glad our school allows us to go there for a year, and my wife and I plan to do exactly that if we have the chance!

Search the old posts. Maybe we need to make a sticky about this.

[pk]

Hey,
I have read previous posts--especially those concerning clinical spots in the US. The reason I sent this message from the SGU student is to see why she would think that AUC students go to Europe against their will. I'm interested in going to Europe for clinicals, but I certainly don't wanted to unwillingly be coerced. It's great that students are granted the opportunities and in fact, they student from SGU that interviewed me told me that his experience in Europe during clinical was amazing! Whatever the case is, I was just curious why this person had explained in such a way. That's all :) Thanks for your help trmedic!

[tRmedic21]

If you want to do all your clinicals in the US, that is absolutely possible. However, some students might have to take a few weeks off here and there, between clinical rotations, or a spot may not be available when they want to go, or they may have to move to another place to do some rotations. In the UK, you do all of your clinicals back-to-back in the same hospital for 3rd year. Thus, you can finish quicker in the UK.

For those students who are trying like mad to make the match one year, spending a few weeks kicking around and relaxing or visiting family or traveling while waiting on a clinical spot doesn't sound like such a good idea, thus the perception of being 'forced' to go to the UK. This doesn't hold water with me. These people are victims of circumstance more than victims of AUC. When you start 3 semesters a year, some people are going to be rushing to try to make the match... and some won't make it.

So these people are under alot of pressure, yes but it isn't necessarily AUC pressuring them so much as time pressuring them. If it's that big of a deal, then pick your start date to give you plenty of time for the match, and you shouldn't feel the pinch.

Not saying your friend at SGU is part of this, but there are certain people who have latched on to this situation over the years and blown it way out of proportion, spreading the rumors that AUC 'forces' students to go to the UK. NOTE: I have not once, in 2 years of researching AUC, ever found a student who came forward and said, "AUC told me I couldn't do my clinicals in the US, because my grades were too low, or they didn't like my hair color, or whatever. If I didn't go to England they wouldn't let me do clinicals at all!!!!" Not once. It's all hearsay and rumors and yadda yadda yadda. Lots of ppl choose to go there to expedite things. I mean, heck, if you work your tail off, you can graduate in as little as 38 months from beginning to end. Who wouldn't want to do that? But is it worth the hurry in the long run? I dunno, I haven't gotten there yet, so we'll see. :)

[family doc]

I went to Waterford Ireland for 2 years and it was the best experience of my life (AUC Grad 1999). My residency went smoothly and now my practice is going well too. Don't worry about all of this CRAP. Just do your best and do what you have to do.

good luck!

[teratos]

The reason the person expalined it that way is that they don't/didn't go to AUC. There are rumors that people are forced to go to Europe, there are also rumors that nobody ever does their clinicals in the US, and if they ever do, their clinical instructor is Elvis. That is a rumor and is NOT true. People who are in Europe are there for one of two reasons. 1. They want to go. 2. They failed Step 1 and as a result cannot start clinicals in the US. So they go to Europe to avoid any delay. Either way they are there as a result of something they did. G

[Art Vandelay]

AUC places many of their students in IReland for the bulk of their rotations. THis is felt to be a disadvantqage by some who don't get to rotate-and get letters of rec- in the US. AUC also accepts students into the third year..and offers them US spots (as opposed to Ireland). The implication if correct is that their own students are disadvantaged to those who transfer in for clinicals with regard to obtaining a US spot.

Other people have covered this topic beautifully, but I just want to add one thing: AFAIK, AUC does not accept student transferring into 3rd year for clerkships.

[akp]

My understandig is that it is harder to get residency and licensure in some states if you do clinicals in england or Ireland, ie not doing all clinicals in US hospitals.

[teratos]

It is actually easier to get licensure coming from clinicals in the UK/Ireland. There are a few reasons for this:

1. AUC is chartered on Montserrat, a British Colony.
2. All rotations from the UK/Ireland are considered equivalent to rotations done at Greenbook hospitals.

So, no, what you heard is NOT true. G