Need some advice

[ronin87]

Hello everyone,

I have a problem that I would like some advice on.

In order to fully understand you must first know some facts about me:

1. I turned 21 last week.
2. I am an American but I have been living outside the US for 9 years and have no residency there.
3. Due to inevitable problems and helping my parents with the business, I was unable to finish my high school diploma and only hold a french "brevet".

My dream is to become a doctor, but given the facts I am having a hard time finding the optimal way of accomplishing this dream. Given my age I would like to find an accelerated university program that would enable me to catch up a year or two, because graduating at 30 is not really an option since with the residency and liscencing I wouldn't be a full physician before 34/35, which doesn't really work with my plan to join the navy as a naval doctor to work one day in Bethesda Naval Hospital. Ofcourse, I can do my residency in the navy so that is not a problem, but I would still like to graduate as early as possible. I am a hard worker and not afraid of a good challenge.

Through research I found some 7 and 6 year programs but not for someone in my condition. What I am looking for is a PreMed joint Med program for students with only a GED. I do not have one, but I can pass one before January 2009 when I would like to start the program.

As for the university location, it is not a problem as long as the classes are in english and it has US and WHO accreditation. Tuition as well is not an issue.

Well if anybody has some suggestions I am all ears,

Thanks
P.S. Is age really a problem in medicine or is it ok to only graduate around 31 and then only start your residency?

[don1]

just wondering: if being a doctor is your dream why is graduating at 30 "not an option"??

regarding 2009, I'm assuming you want to be in a medical school at that time.

first off, do you have any current college or university experience?? If no, you may want to consider getting some and develop relevant knowledge and study skills to prepair you to study medicine. Generally for a caribbean medical school, the hardest part is not getting in, it is getting through the program.

Without really knowing your precise academic background and basing my information on you not having a high school diploma I doubt any US or Caribbean medical school will take you with what you have now. I suggest you call caribbean schools admission departments directly and see what you need to get in. They may just suggest their own premed program and a way into their program. whatever they suggest as a bare minimum will give you an idea of what you need to do to get in.

Originally Posted by ronin87

Hello everyone,

I have a problem that I would like some advice on.

In order to fully understand you must first know some facts about me:

1. I turned 21 last week.
2. I am an American but I have been living outside the US for 9 years and have no residency there.
3. Due to inevitable problems and helping my parents with the business, I was unable to finish my high school diploma and only hold a french "brevet".

My dream is to become a doctor, but given the facts I am having a hard time finding the optimal way of accomplishing this dream. Given my age I would like to find an accelerated university program that would enable me to catch up a year or two, because graduating at 30 is not really an option. I am a hard worker and not afraid of a good challenge.

I am aware that I will most likely have to pass a GED and SAT exam, so given the time frame I would like to be able to start university in or around January 2009. As for the university location, it is not a problem as long as the classes are in english and it has US and WHO accreditation. Tuition as well is not an issue.

Well if anybody has some suggestions I am all ears,

Thanks

[Seneck]

Assuming that you wanna come to the US to take the GED by jan 2009. if so, most pple in here would advise you to do your pre-med in the US but keep in mind that you can also do it at some of the Caribbean Universities which probably would be faster. if you complete your pre-med in the US, (4yrs recommended or 3yrs 90cr), you will be 25/26 then you can go to med school and graduated by 29/30. that is if everything goes as planned. However, remember that you have to do your residency and to be licensed, you are looking at around 32/33 depending on your choice. hope that helps and Gluck!

[TXMD2B]

I wouldn’t worry about my age. Take the steps to get there the right way now and it will save headaches later. I would find a junior college to start taking classes this summer then transfer to finish your undergrad.

You should not have to take the SAT for junior college, but you need to have a diploma or GED. Most Texas junior colleges have GED programs. After completing it you will take a placement test then sign up for college classes. Also some universities do not require the SAT as a transfer student.

[argazul]

You could possibly start medical school in Jan 09 if you do the non-US style MBBS. usually takes 5 years to complete and students start right after high school. You could do residency here in the US, but it would depend on the past success of the school in placing students in residency.

[rokshana]

you are 21, you are a US citizen...get the GED, go to college, get a great GPA and MCAT, get into a US med school and then get the navy to pay for it.

If you want work at bethesda- go the easiest route- GO TO A US MED SCHOOL

21-25 college (you can probably even get the navy to pay for this too!)
25-29 med school (again- navy will pay)
29-30 intern year
30-31 GMO for the navy
31-33military residency
33-53 - your 20 years as career navy

don't try to short cut it!!! Advancement in the miltary will be dependent on a number of things- don't give yourself any disadvantages- being an IMG will be.

the military will not pay for a foreign med school, they will pay for a US one.

[Scott1981]

remember you need 90 college credit hours for a lot of states to license you. i know you want the navy, but i still think you will need a state license.

[DOCplucinski]

i don't think the navy will pay for your education if you go to a Caribbean school. i used to get emails from the military and inquired one time and that was the response i received. not sure if things have changed but you should probably look into that if that's the route you're looking for.