Thanks for your response. What is the GMC? Is it the medical licensing board within Great Britain? The disadvantages of SGU's GSP seem to far outweigh the advantages - very disappointing.

The GMC is the General Medical Council:

General Medical Council

They seem to be a licensing board and a LCME-type organization rolled into one. I'm sure they do much more

I think the conference call may have been for Aug '07 GSP students since their issue would've been more pressing

I'm sure once Term 1 officially begins, they'll focus their attention to January's incoming GSP class. I'd hope you won't wait for this though. If there's a problem or you're not comfortable going with GSP, definitely call, ask some questions and if need be, ask about transferring. Being from Cali, you'll have as strong a case as anyone

The issue with the GMC is that students need to do TWO out of their four years in GND. Not limiting to Basic sciences. So if you did GSP, you could in theory be licensed in the UK if you did all your 4th year electives in GND.

No UK student would find this appealing, and so the school has recommended for them to simply go into the GND stream.

To clarify again, NJ is NOT INELIGIBLE for licensure. Residency was a gray area at best and based on my conversations with SGU admin, it seems that it is extremely close to being resolved.

In fact a board meeting scheduled for later today is when they're expecting the issue to be dealt with

Cali is still reviewing the program, you're right. The school has every expectation, and to be fair its a realistic one based on how they've done things, that the program will be retroactively approved. But that's not a chance, a Cali resident would want to take, especially since the GND program is a readily available guarantee.

Good luck!

Thanks for the valuable information regarding GMC licensing qualifications for SGU grads. All residency and licensing limitations related to the Global Scholar's Program ought to be mentioned both on the SGU website and within any relevant GSP literature mailed to prospective students. As of today, to say that "the year spent in the UK is exactly the same excellent program given in Grenada" is entirely misleading because it implies that everything about the program is the same - which is obviously no longer true when one considers post-graduate accreditation status.

The conference call was indeed only for those students of the Aug '07 GSP entering class. None among the Jan '08 class has yet been notified. I spoke with SGU admin two days ago and asked all the questions that could have been asked with respect to this important matter. I was told, however, to call back next month to learn of any potential CA resolution. Agreed, regardless of whether or not they eventually approve of GSP, the prudent thing to do would be to opt for the GND program. Thanks again for your advice. Much appreciated!

ohh wow so the board meeting was today, i am def gunna give bob ryan a call tomorrow to see if things worked out good!!! thanks for the info!!!

What happened at the meeting.. anyone know.

Hey I'm a newly accepted GSP student for Jan 08 and just wanted to say hello to the few others that are in the class! I also was a bit distraught to discover that CA currently does not license GSP students - I'm from CA so I would like the option of eventually practicing there. From what I've heard and read in other posts, NJ is close to approving licensure and CA is in review, and because the curric is supposed to be identical to the GND first year, hopefully those 2 states will come through.

I also have a question about how to finance that year in Newcastle though. Is it true that the US doesn't give Stafford loans to GSP students? And which private loans should I be applying to? Some posts have said Ed Invest? If anyone could give me some info on that process, it would help, as it seems my admissions counselor has gone MIA on me. Thanks!

Think twice about CA. They have to come over here to evaluate the program before they review it...they haven't accepted SGU's invitation yet. Something about them being too busy. Seriously, as cool as it is here if you want to work in CA at all try for the GND campus first. (I'm hoping that they come this spring to visit, but honestly who knows but California)

And yes, Stafford loans will not work for GSP, I did the Edinvest loans. They interest rate sucks, but they aren't too hard to get and give you i believe 8 months after graduation before you have to start paying back. If you dont have any alternatives, it isn't horrible.

(I'm in the GSP Fall 07 class)

so I am an accepted student and a CA resident. Also quite dissappointed because i was really excited about this living in New Castle for a year thing...really sux! Talked to Bob Ryan a couple of weeks a go and it is my understanding that New Jersey is completely fine now, its just Cali....and for now they will reserve a seat at both schools for people wiht this dilema till about mid-october to see if they will hear anything back from California.....and someone was asking about myspace? i have an account! but no facebook! i stopped after friendster, orkut and myspace!

Wow, that's very reasonable. All the best, I hope Cali comes through for you.

Can Someone Please Sticky This Thread???