Why do people apply to off shore med schools. I am confused.

[brownsahib]

Hello folks, I was wondering why exactly do people apply to non-US med schools.

Is it due to bad semesters, like failing classes?

Is it the shear amount of good candidates applying to US med schools, which would mean most who have applied to Saba etc have not had failing semesters, instead their GPAs hovered around 2.5-3.3 etc.

Lack of MCAT, true for some schools.

Or any other reasons.

I would like to get some responses, since having visited this site often I have failed to pinpoint exactly why people apply to such schools.

[ol' man]

For me, it was age and sub-par grades. MCAT was average.

[OLDPRO]

Hello folks, I was wondering why exactly do people apply to non-US med schools.

Is it due to bad semesters, like failing classes?

Is it the shear amount of good candidates applying to US med schools, which would mean most who have applied to Saba etc have not had failing semesters, instead their GPAs hovered around 2.5-3.3 etc.

Lack of MCAT, true for some schools.

Or any other reasons.

I would like to get some responses, since having visited this site often I have failed to pinpoint exactly why people apply to such schools.

Several reasons:
In the USA:
1. It can take up to 3 years to get into medschool even with good grades and MCATS.
2. The application process cost from 1000 to 1000's to do and is lengthy.
3. Older students, no matter how much it is said they can't discriminate they do and the older you are (pass 35) the harder it is to be accepted.
4. Cost. Some Carribean Schools cost less than in the US even with living.
5. Clinicals in the US along with the students in the US.
6. MCATS not required by some. Grades 2.5 gpa or higher most.


Those are the ones I can think of quickly, there may be more reasons.

1st choice well, No. I would have liked to have been in the US for med school but I do not have the undergrad grades and MCAT for that so I'm in the Carib. To better my self for the US I would have to spend 3 years more undergrad while working full time, not worth it since I will be a 3rd year Med student in clinicals by then, and I'm over 40 and want to be an FP so this path is fine for me.

[stephew]

didnt get into us school.

[McGillGrad]

didnt get into us school.

Or Canadian school.

[psychMajor]

border line to be accepted...not willing to try again...

[swimguy23]

didnt get into us school.

bc i wanted an international education and thought the caribbean weather would be great for 2 years

oh did i mention i have "contacts" back in the states that are willing to turn away US grads with 270s on their steps so i can get into their program

[dr kevin]

the caribbean gives people a second chance. my grades are too low for a us school. my age(25) is another factor.

[stephew]

your age to be honest, isn't likely a factor. 25 is the median age for med students and going up. Being really just 2 years older isn't likely the problem.

[ol' man]

My age (44) on the other hand, is a factor. Although the DO schools I interviewed with said otherwise.