Accredidation Confusion...

[Atrain97]

Ok my understanding from the people I have spoken with is that the issue about this is when it comes to residency. Currently only five states have boards to approve foreign medical schools. That means they must visit the school and like the level of teaching and facilities. If they are approved, graduates from these schools are eligible to apply for residencies in these states. The benefit of this is that the five states are Fl, NY, NJ, CA, and TX and they account for roughly 50% of all residency programs. By not going to a school that is approved in these sates highly limits your chances of a good residency because you are now only choosing from half of the full amount. However, if you do only end up doing your residency in a VA in Kansas once you move back to your home state or marry the girl in California nobody can tell you anything. about where you studied. As long as you pass the board in California which is one of the most difficult in the country.

[Scott1981]

good mcat scores just dont cut it nowadays in us schools. you need super mcat scores. what would have landed you a spot 10 years ago will land you in the caribbean today.

[McGillGrad]

Originally Posted by jjb1980

they take people that would not be able to get in the other med schools (since competition is increasing at the big 3. . .),

Let's be realistic here. If you cannot get into the big 3, then it is time to think long and hard about your ability to complete medical school.

[McGillGrad]

Originally Posted by Scott1981

good mcat scores just dont cut it nowadays in us schools. you need super mcat scores. what would have landed you a spot 10 years ago will land you in the caribbean today.

The reason is that any gook can study for 6 months and get a 30 on the MCAT but the EC's and life experience do more to set you apart. These days, you can have a 4.0 and 35 and still lose out to a 3.5 and 29 because this latter lived life while doing well in school. Physicians have to social creatures, not just memorization machines.

[Miklos]

Originally Posted by Scott1981

good mcat scores just dont cut it nowadays in us schools. you need super mcat scores. what would have landed you a spot 10 years ago will land you in the caribbean today.

Perhaps, but look at the statistics from 5 years ago and they aren't that different.

More important: the total number of applicants for AAMC schools dropped from 45,360 in 1994 to 37,364 last year, while the number of matriculants increased from 16,287 to 17,004.

[Miklos]

Originally Posted by Atrain97

The benefit of this is that the five states are Fl, NY, NJ, CA, and TX and they account for roughly 50% of all residency programs.

NY 13.1% of residency programs
CA 8.7% of residency programs
TX 5.9% of residency programs
FL 3.1% of residency programs
NJ 2.2% of residency programs

Total: 33% of residency programs NOT 50%

(Source: JAMA medical education issue.)