Medical Schools in Latin America and Other Options for 2.8 GPA

[ultramarv]

Hey all,

I need some help with the toughest decision I've ever made.

I'm graduating soon from undergrad with a GPA of 2.8, and I haven't taken the MCAT (would prefer not to, if possible, but I would if necessary). I'm looking into medical schools that I could attend starting Fall 2007, and I'm not interested in going to the Caribbean. I'm well aware of the hurdles that IMGs face; I've lurked here and at SDN since 2003 (my freshman year), but I have harbored a strong case of wanderlust since elementary school and am confident in my ability to prepare for the USMLE regardless of my location.

I only have three absolutely essential requirements for potential medical schools:

1. After graduating, I need to be able to practice in all 50 states
2. I have to be able to afford the school (tuition needs to be under $12,000 USD, and I need to be able to get federal loans)
3. I need to be relatively safe

Additionally, I consider it a bonus to learn a language that is useful to me after graduation in travel, film, and literature. I'm only fluent in English, but I'm working hard on my Spanish and imagine that I could be fluent after spending a month or two in a Spanish speaking country. I've also got a dog that I would prefer to take with me (extra push towards Mexico), but I can leave her with my family if necessary.

At the moment, I believe my best option is Charles University, First Faculty, along with the Hungarian schools. The information I have found regarding the Czech education and lifestyle is quite appealing, and I will send my application shortly. Guadalajara would be a very viable option if only the school didn't cost so much.

Lately I've been researching (attempting to, at least) medical schools in Latin America that teach in Spanish, but are open to international students. Xochicalco in Mexico has come up a few times, but information is lacking and I am unsure of its reputation (friends from Mexico have never heard of it). Looking at the CA list of approved schools and following links from iime.org has led me to a number of schools in Latin America that I know nothing about, and my interest as far as less followed options for medical school has been piqued, to say the least.

Is anyone at all familiar with Latin American schools other than UAG for a student coming from the United States? Any info at all regarding possible options in Latin America (particularly Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Chile, and Argentina) or other obscure but viable options (Sri Lanka?) will be appreciated, or just general advice. Thanks so much for your time.

[Cosmonautdoc]

Hi ultramary

I am from down south, and I ws thinking going up north, to study medicine, but I don´t have the pre med course, or the MCAT, or wherever it takes to study in north america. So I am thinking on the possibility to go to Argentina
Well, let´s get to the point, as your first choice in south america, you should consider Argentina, they are very open to foreign students, and the pre requisites are just the school trascripts translated in english and visa stuff. I have many friends also in Peru and Colombia, they also have good medical schools and te reqs for foerigners are loose comparable to locals. here is my list of options
1. Argentina
2. Chile
3. Colombia
4. Cuba (if you are as old as 25 don´t consider)
5. Venezuela
6. Costa Rica
7. Peru
8. Ecuador
9. Guatemala
10. Panama

Remembering that classes are taught in spanish
Good luck.
Any other questions about south america, just let me know.

Cosmo

[Locutusofborg]

Hi,

I am in a similar predicament as you are. My GPA is a 3.0, but my science one is much lower. I also have about 6 Fs and 10 Ws on my transcript. Although I did OK on the MCATs (32R) and I am applying in the US, I am not holding my breath.

Like yourself, I refuse to pay into the carribean/UAG rip-off diploma mill system. For the exorbitant cost, they deliver quite little in terms of teacher to student ratio, and they achieve high standing through attrition, rather than education.

Although I am nearly fluent in Spanish (which is not my native language), i choose not to study medicine in that language. It's a tough enough subject without things being lost in translation. I also don't want to relearn all the terminology when I get back to the US, nor do I want to appear incompetent or be misunderstood when in a critical situation I request a surgical tool or a medication in Spanish.

In my opinion, India and the Philippines fit the requirements of 1) Open enough to accept a person with a near-B average 2) Under $12K annually, 3) An exotic and fun adventure, and 4) They teach in English and have many schools recognized by all 50 US states.

As an IMG you are going to face hurdles. Being from the top-marketed Carribean school won't open more doors for you. Being educated by a system that has government oversight that is not driven by strict economics might provide a greater advantage in the long run.

I also heard, but didn't research, of affordable English-language Medical schools in China. As an immigrant from a former communist country, I don't want to be educated in one. However, as an American, you might decide you want to explore living under an exceptionally oppressive regime.

I also would not recommend any schools in Eastern Europe because your chances of graduating as an American without being asked to pay exorbitant bribes to everyone from your prof to the registrar are slim.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have more personal questons regarding my stats, etc.

[Billa001]

are there any english schools in any of the latin american countries mentioned above?

[Cosmonautdoc]

unfortunatelly there is not english programs in LA.
but you might consider the fact that Argenitna, Cuba, and Brazil, has one the best medical schools recognized all over the world.
And it is not expensive as it is in the US and Caribs.
Another point is that, most medical terminologies became from either greek or latin, so it would be better larning in a spanish speaking country because you may learn it the right way to say it and there´s no difference with the english, since the terms are the same independently where you study.
Good luck

Cosmo

[oshka55]

hey guys!
Another option for you to consider might be Europe, Poland especially. Something to look into. I'll recommend doing some research and feel free to ask any questions.

[foco]

Hi, regarding Argentina’s medical schools the first thing you should know is that the system is different. There is no college, you enter med school when you graduate from high school, and then spend 6 to 7 years until you become MD. So all you need is your high school diploma and you don’t have to worry about you GPA or MCAT.
About international students, most schools are open to them; I use to have a lot of classmates from different countries (mostly other south American countries, but some from Europe too). My younger brother is an US citizen and he graduated here too.
About your requirements:

• For that you will have to pass USMLE steps, you can apply for ECFMG certification whit a south American degree, a lot of people that I know had, including myself. But getting a residency spot in USA is pretty hard for IMG, even if you have high scores.
• Publics schools are free, and better than privates ones.
• Relative safe, well, depend on the city you live in, and the area.

An other thing is you will have to learn Spanish, and fast, most schools are already open for the admission test, classes starts in February or march.
Just to name a few schools:
Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina - UBA
Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas
Universidad Nacional de Cordoba Facultad de Ciencias Médicas
Universidad Nacional de Rosario Documento sin título
Univesidad Nacional de Cuyo Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

You can serch the rest here: IMED - FAIMER International Medical Education Directory

[DC2BMD]

With these foreign schools, can you take your USMLEs right after your basic sciences, i.e. 16-20 months or do you have to wait until you have graduated completely...If you have to wait, this might add on a few more years for you to complete your exams and matching and thus the money saved on your tuition becomes fruitless as you won't be working and losing way more money....