Jagiellonian Medical English Univ Q/A Thread

[Rotten]

FYI Re: USMLE Step 1/Rotations Abroad.

Starting with this year's entering class (c/o 2011), it is mandatory that all students at JU based in North America (at least those in the 4-year program) take Step 1 following year 2. I have not read anything about requirements regarding Step 2; I assume that it is taken during year 4, as any medical student studying in the US would do so.

Also, I would like to reiterate what plunderisly said with respect to rotations abroad: it is largely up to the student. Of students in the 4 year program, many opt to do the bulk of their fourth year back home in the states. It is up to the student to arrange this, however, and the school office really does not assist you.

One caveat worth mentioning: New York state (and several others, I think) has a rule stating that one cannot spend more than 12 weeks rotating in a country outside the country of their medical school (in this case, Poland). Doing so would preclude you from licensure in NY. Since I am interested in residency there, you can bet I won't be spending most of my fourth year rotating in the US; I will probably do one or two rotations and be on my way back to Poland.

Just a few thoughts. Apologies for the semi-intelligible presentation. They work us (4 year students) hard over here.

[Mister]

wow thanks for the info rotten where did you hear this?...

[MDPWR]

Originally Posted by Rotten

FYI Re: USMLE Step 1/Rotations Abroad.

Starting with this year's entering class (c/o 2011), it is mandatory that all students at JU based in North America (at least those in the 4-year program) take Step 1 following year 2. I have not read anything about requirements regarding Step 2; I assume that it is taken during year 4, as any medical student studying in the US would do so.

Also, I would like to reiterate what plunderisly said with respect to rotations abroad: it is largely up to the student. Of students in the 4 year program, many opt to do the bulk of their fourth year back home in the states. It is up to the student to arrange this, however, and the school office really does not assist you.

One caveat worth mentioning: New York state (and several others, I think) has a rule stating that one cannot spend more than 12 weeks rotating in a country outside the country of their medical school (in this case, Poland). Doing so would preclude you from licensure in NY. Since I am interested in residency there, you can bet I won't be spending most of my fourth year rotating in the US; I will probably do one or two rotations and be on my way back to Poland.

Just a few thoughts. Apologies for the semi-intelligible presentation. They work us (4 year students) hard over here.

Thanks man,

How safe JU is for foreign medical students. Are there any housing close to the university and hospital like walking distance. How much commute do you guys have to do outside of the medical school campus daily? Are the hospitals where the med students do their clinical on the University campus.

Thanks.

[EDUCATION]

CAUTION !!!
Be an EDUCATED student and check with the U.S. Department of Education for a list of complaints filed against the school, including Jagiellonia.

CAUTION !!!
Medical School staff posts on this web site pretending to be students to mislead students into attending their school.

CAUTION !!!
Foreign medical schools often act criminally against American students. This is a matter of published fact, check with authorities such as the U.S. Department of Education. As with any school you wish to attend, you must check for a criminal or complaint record with authorites.

CAUTION !!!
If you graduate from a foreign medical school, you will be required to take a cummulative foreign medical school graduate exam BEFORE you are allowed to take the USMLE !

CAUTION !!!
Many foreign medical schools require you to attend all 4 years in a 4 year program, that includes the 2 year clinical.

CAUTION !!!
The best advice is to get the best score on your MCAT, even if you have to retake it, and attend an American medical school. Your local American school is the most economical and easiest way to your MD !!!

[Rotten]

Concerning safety: I have yet to feel "unsafe" while in Krakow. It's been said before, act in city like you would act in any other westernized city ... just use your head, try not to walk alone down dark streets at night, etc. The only instance I've heard of violence against students was an instance in which a couple of 6 year students got mugged. Also, a couple years ago there were some apartment break-ins, but these are things that are typical of any city ... I know there is much, much worse than this going on where I lived in the US ... just something to bear in mind.

As far as "EDUCATION" is concerned, I will say that the school has yet to defraud me personally, nor has it criminally wronged any of my classmates. That's not to say it doesn't happen at foreign med schools; I'm just saying it seems not to occur here.

Holy ****!! A medical school that requires you to attend ALL 4 years of a 4 year program?? Get right outta town!!! It's cool, EDUCATION; don't worry. I'm on to the WHO ... we must get JU delisted for such maleficences!

As far as a comprehensive exam for foreign medical school graduates, I think what he's referring to is your ECFMG certificate, which is mostly submitting paperwork such as transcripts and your diploma. While it IS true that you must be ECFMG certified to sit for Step 3, you must have passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS to even apply for your EGFMG certificate. Therefore, I have no idea which comprehensive exam Education is referring to.

The school housing is very close to the main hospital complex, and about a 10 minute walk from most lectures/labs. The first year genetics class, as well as some rotations (peds, I think) are held in Prokocim which is about 20 minutes via tram from here (not too big a deal, at least for me). Most of the students who move out live in either in the area surrounding school, or in the immediate vicinity of the Rynek. Once in a while, someone will live really far away (i.e. south of the Wisla) ... but they get mercilessly ridiculed till they move.

I know that was all over the place, but hope it helped somebody out.

Rotten (M1 @JU ... not a school officer incognito ... I swear!)

[plunderisley]

Yeah, distance wise, everything is close (well its not a typical campus like USA) but everything is well connected. Now I got peds on Prokocim which for me is about 35min to get there via tram.

[MDPWR]

Originally Posted by Rotten

Concerning safety: I have yet to feel "unsafe" while in Krakow. It's been said before, act in city like you would act in any other westernized city ... just use your head, try not to walk alone down dark streets at night, etc. The only instance I've heard of violence against students was an instance in which a couple of 6 year students got mugged. Also, a couple years ago there were some apartment break-ins, but these are things that are typical of any city ... I know there is much, much worse than this going on where I lived in the US ... just something to bear in mind.

As far as "EDUCATION" is concerned, I will say that the school has yet to defraud me personally, nor has it criminally wronged any of my classmates. That's not to say it doesn't happen at foreign med schools; I'm just saying it seems not to occur here.

Holy ****!! A medical school that requires you to attend ALL 4 years of a 4 year program?? Get right outta town!!! It's cool, EDUCATION; don't worry. I'm on to the WHO ... we must get JU delisted for such maleficences!

As far as a comprehensive exam for foreign medical school graduates, I think what he's referring to is your ECFMG certificate, which is mostly submitting paperwork such as transcripts and your diploma. While it IS true that you must be ECFMG certified to sit for Step 3, you must have passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS to even apply for your EGFMG certificate. Therefore, I have no idea which comprehensive exam Education is referring to.

The school housing is very close to the main hospital complex, and about a 10 minute walk from most lectures/labs. The first year genetics class, as well as some rotations (peds, I think) are held in Prokocim which is about 20 minutes via tram from here (not too big a deal, at least for me). Most of the students who move out live in either in the area surrounding school, or in the immediate vicinity of the Rynek. Once in a while, someone will live really far away (i.e. south of the Wisla) ... but they get mercilessly ridiculed till they move.

I know that was all over the place, but hope it helped somebody out.

Rotten (M1 @JU ... not a school officer incognito ... I swear!)

Thanks for your reply dude,

This EDUCATION guy is truly a waste of time. I mean what is he talking about JU being bad when dozen other people who are actually going to school there talking all nice about it. We all know US med schools are good and are equal to the standards of any good foreign school. Don't lie it's not the right thing to do.

He stated the same thing about Hungarian schools, and I was like may be he is right, but same neg about Jag oh come on! You gotta be kidding me! Stop wasting your time with this nonsense.

Rotten & Plunderisley appreciate your inside stuff from JU!!!!

[AniaL]

It seems pretty difficult to get into JU. I mean they only accept 35 students and Poznan accepts way more. I got accepted to Poznan but my entire family lives in Krakow and they all have degrees from JU, so all I ever hear is about how excellent that school is. I do hear that about Poznan too though. What is the MCAT cut off avg. ? I know 28 and above is grounds for pre-acceptance. I'll admit, the MCAT didn't go so well for me, but my grades are pretty high. Anyone have any solid or reliable info? thanks !

[Rotten]

Yes, I remember reading about the MCAT>28 thing for "early acceptance" when I applied, but I still don't have any idea what "early acceptance" even means.

As far as MCAT scores are concerned, there is a considerable range among those of the first year class (from what I've heard). There are a few under this mark, and some considerably over 28, but most people seem to be pretty consistent with what would be in the "acceptable" range for MCAT scores in NA.

Don't be discouraged, just throw your hat in the ring, apply early, get your interview and make your interest in the school clear. You really cannot go wrong with this approach.

Good luck!

[AniaL]

Thanks a lot for the advice and information. Now, in NA your grades and MCAT usually determine whether you get an interview or not. In Poznan it seems that whether or not, you meet w/e standards they have in terms of marks, the interview is also included and you so everyone really gets an interview (not just students with great marks. How is the interview determined for JU?
again, thanks very much !