irish med schools

[ranjit]

what do you guys think of the Irish med schools, specifically:

University College Dublin
University College Cork
Trinity College Dublin
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

versus SABA and Ross. Besides the fact that the Irish med schools are much more expensive, what is you guys' take on them if you are trying to obtain a residency in the US?

[rgerwin]

look at the atlantic bridge program. Very helpful

[stephew]

Originally Posted by ranjit

what do you guys think of the Irish med schools, specifically:

University College Dublin
University College Cork
Trinity College Dublin
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

versus SABA and Ross. Besides the fact that the Irish med schools are much more expensive, what is you guys' take on them if you are trying to obtain a residency in the US?

UCD and RCS I know of and have excellent residency placement; be advised its a 5-6 year program not four. Also, its not geared for the USMLE so you'll really need to study on your own for that.

[GeorgeMD2B]

Schools in Ireland are definitely a good way to get your medical education. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is rock solid, and its academic reputation is on par with some of the best US schools. The Caribbean route is also good because of the US clinicals. In the end, the best thing is probably to visit these schools and see where you will be most comfortable.

[stephew]

Originally Posted by GeorgeMD2B

Schools in Ireland are definitely a good way to get your medical education. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is rock solid, and its academic reputation is on par with some of the best US schools. The Caribbean route is also good because of the US clinicals. In the end, the best thing is probably to visit these schools and see where you will be most comfortable.

Actually UCD and trinity are probably a bit higher quality but its really slpitting hairs; DOnt forget Cork and Galway too.
steph

[GeorgeMD2B]

Since tuition is in Euros at Irish schools and the fact that the Euro is very strong at the moment it will be very expensive to study in Ireland at the current time. However if the US economy turns around this year or if there is some intervention on the part of the ECB, the Euro could fall and the tuiton for Irish schools could become favorable again. Currently at University College Dublin, tuition for non-EU students is €21,300 which comes out to $26,250US per year. As recently as two years ago it tuition would have costed $18,105 when the dollar was strong. This comes out to a 50 percent increase in tuition in only 2 years!!

[Miklos]

Off-topic, I know, but...

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the dollar to strengthen before November's presidential elections at the very earliest, as the administration is using the dollar devaluation to boost exports and the US economy in general.

Regarding intervention: Unless the ECB, Fed and the Central Bank of Japan coordinate dollar sales, a 'unilateral' action by the ECB would be easily overcome by market forces.

In the current political environment, the Fed is highly unlikely do anything that will drive the dollar down, especially as it was accused of damaging Bush senior's reelection chances 8 years ago.

My take is that the dollar will continue to remain relatively weak for the time being.

[NervNellie]

Miklos,

Have u ever considered being an economist?

[dr_dre]

This is not to mention that you need to eat too. So with an education which weakly prepares you for the USMLE, who cares about school reputation with all the debt you would have incurred by the time you graduate after 5-6 years. Unless your father is someone like Bill Gates, but even then, with his money he can get you in easily into a US school "special quota" (ask me if you are wondering what that is).

It's like borrowing $200K and heading to Vegas with the hope to win!
What’s wrong with the traditional and more guaranteed route, the Caribbean one that is?

[stephew]

Originally Posted by dr_dre

This is not to mention that you need to eat too. So with an education which weakly prepares you for the USMLE, who cares about school reputation with all the debt you would have incurred by the time you graduate after 5-6 years. Unless your father is someone like Bill Gates, but even then, with his money he can get you in easily into a US school "special quota" (ask me if you are wondering what that is).

It's like borrowing $200K and heading to Vegas with the hope to win!
What’s wrong with the traditional and more guaranteed route, the Caribbean one that is?

Its not mor guarenteed. IRish students with US citizenship do very well for residency. but it is more expensive and the training is at least 5 years.