Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could give me any information pertaining to the Medical University of Lodz. I have really no idea what they're about considering all their sites seem to be in polish

Anyhow, I suppose I should just take that as a hint but I'm still a bit curious as to how the school is overall. Would anyone reccommend going to it or is it a total waste of time? Chances are I'll probably pass and go to the Caribbean or elsewhere but it's good to know and consider schools from everywhere.

Hopefully a few people can post their response.

Thanks,

pdawgcentral

Medical University of Lodz is a great school, if you can stand the admin.
My wife is a grad. of Medical University of Lodz. She came to the US and took USMLE 1 and 2 and CSA in less than 6 months, and scored very high. Her score is no thanks the Medical University of Lodz, but to her own prep.

As far as Medical University of Lodz teaching in English, they have not opted to go that route yet. There is talks of making a 4 year Eng. prog.

Let me know if you need more info.

Regards,
MDF

I explicitly recommend against attending English language med school programs in Poland or applying through third parties (e.g agents). (See posts elsewhere on this forum for background.)

However, in the interest of information, here is the agent's website for Lodz. (also accessible by www.gotomedschool.com)

http://www.alliancemedicalinstitute.com/campuses.html

Miklos,

You don't feel Poznan is legit?

Gerry

Miklos,
English Med schools in Poland are fine, if you do not go through agents.

Gerry,

I am sorry, but I have my doubts about 4 year programs in Eastern Europe and Polish schools in particular. Why?

I've mentioned it on this forum before, see

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=10880

Essentially, there are a number of agents that have oversold Polish med schools to North Americans for sometime, especially the 4 year programs.

See http://www.network54.com/Forum/183613?it=0 for the kind of complaints that they generate. (See also the Poland threads on this forum.)

Specific problems:

-Price. For whatever reason, the Polish schools charge significantly more for their 4 year programs (per year) than the Hungarian, Czech and Slovak programs.
-They (usually agents, but often schools as well) promise the moon and the stars. Things like: "You'll be able to transfer back to the US", "The school prepares you for the USMLE","Learning Polish is not necessary", etc...
-These are all far more false than true.
-Foolish, well meaning foreign students believe these lies and come to these schools with the wrong expectations, as they have not done their homework on the country, culture, type of education, language, customs, etc...

(Not physically checking the school out before enrolling is mistake number 1!)

It is a recipe for disaster.

Keep in mind, please that there is no equivalent to 4 year programs locally; No tradition teaching in that manner, etc...

Also, so far, no Polish English language med school has been approved by California...anyone going to a Polish med school aware of this is taking a very significant risk.

Please see above. My criticism is not of Polish language programs, but English language programs. They have very poor reputations for the reasons mentioned above.

Should one or more of them get California approval, I would be more than willing to reconsider my position.

Until then, I will continue to caution people and recommend that they check programs out IN PERSON!

BTW, this is not meant as a criticism of Poland or Poles. I have visited Poland on more than one occassion and have found the Poles among the most friendly and welcoming people I have ever come across. I wholeheartedly (without reservation) recommend travel/tourism to Poland.

Poznan is NOT affiliated with any outside recruiting agencies and offers US Stafford Loans. I've checked and found a number of graduates are currently in US residency programs. I have an interview in a month so maybe I can ask them a few questions.

Bye ..... Gerry

Thought I would intervene for a sec' here Miklos:

I'd definitely agree that in going to schools for example in Lublin & Katowice, you are bound by the school to go through an agent. This being said, there are many people I know that have graduated from these schools. Most of them have transferred from Hungary, and are now doing their rotations either in NY or IL. Some are in residency, and others are doing their clinicals in the U.S. only after passing step 1.

The downside of the whole thing is the price you would have to pay to the agent. There are quite a bit hidden fees to pay here and there. That is a fact. The sole reason as to why many people left from Hungary to Poland, is because Hungary does not allow you to directly transfer to the US... unless via the 5th pathway, but that's a whole different story. Now with the birth of recent caribbean schools, a new option is set on the table. In the end... it becomes a minor hurdle when trying to achieve a MD degree.

I'll agree that prospective students seeking the transfer option in whatever school, get their facts straight before signing the papers. About learning the language, it's necessary if you actually want to get around in the city, and be able to communicate with the staff n' patients... but I know people that have graduated from poland and hungary that didnt know a spit of the language. It all depends on you... but if you're in a country you should learn something... about a couple hundred words will get you through fine.

So, everyone that has studied in those two above mentioned schools are in the US, and this is a TRUE FACT.

Prepin' up for the USMLE as in most of the european schools, is more on what you do on your own. Not a single school that I have heard, at least for poland & hungary... prepare you in a "USMLE style" manner. The basic sciences in poland may be a bit weaker when compared to hungary, but can be compensated on the amount of work you put in. That was one good thing about the euro schools, b/c they overstressed many concepts that you probably will never use again... but it aids in understanding, and it's better to know more than the bare minimum... at least for the basic sciences.

Regarding the California issue. Most schools in europe are just starting to get that approval... In all true honesty, one state be it large or small does not make a difference, nor does hinder you from becoming a doctor elsewhere. Friends of mine that have graduated from the newer schools such as Sint Eustatius, and soon from Saint James are getting competitive residency spots... and not just in primary care. In due time,CA/NY approvals may change to favor the students... but you still have 40 some other states at least to deal with.

I myself am in the 4th year in debrecen. I'm planning to take off to the caribbean program real soon... so that I can finish up my remaining clinics in the US. No regrets... I've spent some time here, and I'd rather get involved into the US standards and protocols. Not that anything is bad with this school, it's just I can see with my own eyes on how my friends are moving on quite nicely back home via other programs.

If expenses are a thing to look at, hungary by far is the cheapest... then poland, and then the caribbeans. Regarding the latter, you'll be spending quite a bit more on the cost of living n' education... but in the long run... everyone planning to work in the US, will fall into the same US cost of living bracket.... it's just a matter of now or later... and if you're able to deal with it.

I can vouch that everyone I know in whatever program, whether it be poland, hungary, the caribbeans... are all working back home, and they are happy.

Whichever route you take, it will all lead to the same road. It all depends on how you want to get there. You will get that degree and find a job. Definitely follow up n' hear what people that are there have to say. Got any questions... hit me up. Alright then n' keep it real. 8)

Gerry,

All Central European med schools have the possibility of offering Stafford loans, as their education systems are accredited by the Department of Education (this, however does not solve the state licensing issues).

I recommend you find out:

-their status re: California
-their USMLE pass rate (full statistics)
-their attrition rate

Good luck.