Hi,

I’m considering the University of Medical Sciences in Poznañ and the American University of the Caribbean. I am having a hard time finding information on the Poznañ school, “ctkmd2003” gave me some great info, but I still have a couple more. Like how many students matriculate into the 4 year English program every year and some idea of the stats they are looking for? Anyone else out there gone to this school?

Thanks...........Gerry

By your posts, it seems to me that you are looking for a four year program. I would like to try dissuade you from considering Eastern Europe as a four-year option, never mind the cost. Reasons for this have been detailed on this forum by NeilC among others in discussing the four year versus the six year programs.

I would like to add my $0.02.

Eastern European schools have a number of issues when it comes to English language programs. I think that I will not discuss them here, as they have been discussed elsewhere on the forum. However, the 'traditional' or 'parallel' six year programs have one great advantage. Their equivalents turn out local doctors that will (and do) practice medicine locally. The school has a vested interest in turning out good practicioners of medicine according to their local traditions.

This is not necessarily the case with 4 year programs in Eastern Europe, as they are strictly designed for the North American market. There is no equivalent 'traditional' or 'parallel' program for the locals. In addition, it is more or less a brand new phenomenon, unlike the well established Carib. schools. The amount of experience these programs have in turning out graduates and preparing them for practice in the U.S. is minimal. (Do you wish to be a guinea pig?) Although some are now pushing towards integrating the USMLE into the curriculum, they have little or no experience in teaching towards it. I believe that this is a major deficit versus the well established Carib. schools. Additionally, there is the problem of accreditation. Six year schools in the region have had _relatively_ little trouble getting accredited in those picky states like California, as all they have had to prove was that their English program parallels their local language program. Four year programs are another matter, and like the Carib. schools will come under a great deal more scrutiny.

I think that you should check out http://www.aaimg.com/list/european.html in general and what is lists about Poznan as well as AUC on its other pages. If I were you, I would think twice about a four year program in Eastern Europe. My ultimate advice if you are still serious, is to visit the place in person and talk to the students unsupervised before you invest a lot of your time and money.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info.........I'll check the discussions that you have indicated. What you have said is pretty much what I have found.

Bye ...... Gerry