szeged, charles, Poznan, or the carribean???

[chav]

I am one of the Kigezi bunch in England who was left high and dry in my 3rd year of a 5 year program when the founders of the school ran off with our money. Since then I have gotten into a few schools and am faced with the difficult decision of choosing a better school that will not screw me over... I have the option of going into year 1 at Szeged, year 2 at Charles, or starting over at a Carribean school. Any suggestions as to which option is the best for a US student trying to get the best education outside the US that he can find.

[chav]

I also have an opportunity to study at Poznan and they will transfer some credits from my time at Kigezi... This is a bit shorter since it is in the 4 year program.... Is it worth the trade off... ie, shorter time vs. better accredidation and more established programs at Charles or Szeged... I have not had the best interactions with the administration of Poznan but did have great conversations with the Poznan students. They are very energetic and really seem to like their program... I have not heard much about their accredidation in the states... Any input???

[Miklos]

Tough choices. Have you taken Step 1?

[chav]

not yet. I had just begun Path, Pharm, Clin Med. when it all hit the fan in Cambridge. I am a bit older (33) so I am not a big fan of getting back to the states at the age of 39 or 40 for my residency.... However, I am happy to do it if I will have a great education. I am also a bit wherry of the stigma associated with Carribean schools within the general public in the US. I know there are some good schools there and they are very practical for getting you back to the states. However, the public perception is a bit worrisome and I think coming from the EU will be much better for me. I also like to take advantage of the low budget airline fares on the weekends.

[Miklos]

not yet. I had just begun Path, Pharm, Clin Med. when it all hit the fan in Cambridge. I am a bit older (33) so I am not a big fan of getting back to the states at the age of 39 or 40 for my residency.... However, I am happy to do it if I will have a great education. I am also a bit wherry of the stigma associated with Carribean schools within the general public in the US. I know there are some good schools there and they are very practical for getting you back to the states. However, the public perception is a bit worrisome and I think coming from the EU will be much better for me. I also like to take advantage of the low budget airline fares on the weekends.

The downside of advanced standing is that you may have possible licensure issues down the road, as you will need to (if you haven't already) disclose(d) that you attended Kigezi to the ECFMG when applying for exams.

Example: You go to Charles starting year 2 and finish. However, as you've gotten advanced standing from Charles, you'll need to disclose that you went to Kigezi. As a result, you will in all likelyhood not be able to be licensed in California, as the requirements state that you need to attend approved programs for all of your education.

The downside of starting a six year program from the beginning is that you might be bored out of your mind, depending on how well you know the material. Also, you might be sitting next to 19 year olds from Scandinavia...

Also, I'd pick Charles over Szeged, due to the city.

I'd recommend SGU/Ross/AUC/Saba over KMU if you can afford them and gain admission.

Why?

They have a very solid track record in delivering graduates US residencies.

That is not to say that KMU is not a good choice for you.

However, at the moment they are not (yet) California approved and the four year degree is not universally accepted in Europe. If this and its consequences (e.g. the possibility of other states adopting the California list) do not concern you, you may wish consider them.

Miklos

[chav]

These are many things I have considered including the 19 year old scandanavians. I do not have my MCAT which is a bit of an obstacle. SGU is working with the Kigezi grads though and perhaps this will be an option. Otherwise, it is looking like KMU may be a better choice to start over with. What is their accredidation. Are they at least NY approved?

[Miklos]

These are many things I have considered including the 19 year old scandanavians. I do not have my MCAT which is a bit of an obstacle. SGU is working with the Kigezi grads though and perhaps this will be an option. Otherwise, it is looking like KMU may be a better choice to start over with. What is their accredidation. Are they at least NY approved?

No. http://www.op.nysed.gov/medforms.htm

But, as their curriculum (I think) is largely in Poland (e.g. only a limited number of electives in the US).

This may or may not impact licensure. (I don't understand NY licensure rules, and haven't received an e-mail from the Office of the Professions regarding my question as to what approval precisely means.)

[chav]

thanks for the information... I especially liked your research on another discussion about the percentages of residencies obtained by IMGs in the US. I will consider all the points that you have made here and keep you posted as to my decision later on... I think after the time at Kigezi it would not be a bad idea to resolidify the fundamentals so starting over somewhere is definately a good option. I don't know much about the Australian schools but I will check them out as well. You are a valuable resource and I appreciate your input.