Well. there is a recent developement that I thought I would share...

It seems the admin/faculty are taking a more active interest in attracting students from the states, or at least providing a bit more information, etc...

So, students and administration have developed a "semi-official" website for Charles, specifically designed to answer questions for Americans that are considering the school. It is a strange combination of input from both Czech and English students, as well as administration. So, be patient with it as it develops. Please feel free to send along any feedback, to me or the site.

Now, I am participating in the development of the website, as well as proctoring/scheduling entrance exams for the school when I am in the states. I am not being paid for this, other than a small fee (a portion of the application fee) when I proctor the exam. I just want to make my participation and compensation transparent, so there is no confusion.

Basically several American students have encouraged the administration to pay more attention to the needs of US students, and potential students. The result of this is the website, an increase in the number of dates and locations for entrance exams, and more information specific to the American students. The hope is to develop better information in the future for such things as USMLE pass rates (we need to be better about accurately calculating these), residency placement and alumni contacts.

So, please check out the new site at www.firstfaculty.com and send any feedback to the emails on the site, or to me if you prefer. We look forward to the feedback, and hopefully this will prove to be a good resource for students looking into medical schools abroad.

It is a very cool website.

I would note that ValueMD is not listed among the internet links.

didn't even notice that! that is very easy to change, it will be on there soon...

does valueMD pay referral fees? lol

Prague has to be one of the coolest cities in Europe not too mention that I kept turning my head all the time because the women were HOT.

could be an explanation for the high attrition rate....well, the beer has to factor in a bit as well, eh?

Looks Great! And, congrats, on pushing your admin through the CA process.

Rick

thanks a lot...it took a while to get the paperwork in, and there was a bit of stress..but, now that it is done, i must say i am pretty stoked. it is also opening the door to getting the school more proactive and interested in getting/retaining us North Americans. about time, eh!

anyhow, how is third faculty? did you get anywhere with the AMSA thing? i would be very interested in that, so keep me in the loop!

good luck!

Quick Question...I was looking at the original website for Charles University and I got the feeling that it was not American friendly. True or not?

I could be completely wrong though. I want to know things like: what does faculty one, two, three mean? Is the curriculum in english? What amenities do the dorms have? Etc.

Thank you so much!

Well, it depends on what you mean by American "freindly"...they are happy to have us here, they do a good job teaching, etc...but, it is not a school designed to best prepare you for the USMLE, etc...

basically, they simply offer the Czech curriculum in English. The english course students have all the same rights as the Czech language students, same profs, facilities, hospitals, patient, libraries, computers, labs, etc...we are treated no differently. And, all the material is covered very well. We simply need to be a bit more proactive, and apply the information we learn to the USMLE. we also need to be informed about what is expected of us if we want to work in the states. so, American "freindly", i think the school is. there just needs to be a high level of drive and independance, and you need to arm yourself with information to make the most out of the opportunity.

as for the dorms, well...they are ok. small rooms, good fast internet, small kitchenette, bathroom. there are doubles and singles. they are cheap. study rooms, a breakfast (it may suck, i have never actually been there), and a room with a weight machine, stationary bike, some free weights...there is also a grass/dirt soccer field/basketball court as a backyard. i live in the dorms, simply because i am only here 8-9 mos a year, and less now with rotations. i dont want to pay rent on a place when i am not here. for first thru third year, get an apartment.

hope this helps, pm me or post if you have more questions.