Thread: First time applicant needing advise....

I just got my MCAT score and it was lower than what I had expected. I will definitely re-take....but statistically speaking, it probably will not increase to anywhere near competitive for any US allopathic school (but most likely for the Caribbean) by August. This is my first time applying to any medical school (US or Caribbean). I am not interested in osteopathic medicine. Did anybody not even bother applying to the US and applied/admitted to SGU the first time around? Do you have any regrets as to not trying for US medical schools first? Would it be better to wait until I get a competitive enough MCAT score to apply to the US or should the Caribbean be my first choice the first time around? I am a non-traditional applicant and know that it is ultimately my choice, but would just like to get some feedback. Thanks!

I didnt apply to 1 US school because I knew I didnt have the credentials and if I just wanted to burn money id throw it in the woodstove or something. If you really dont think you can get into the US schools, and dont want to do osteopathy (which was my case too), apply to SGU or whichever other school you are considering. Just make sure you look at the schools stats and make sure they can land you (and more importantly you are capable) of where you want to be. I go to SGU and its a great school in my opinion. You could always do a post bacc program before applying to carribean schools, as I wanted to do, but changed my mind after coming the realize its just more time and $, and you have to do superbly to be considered for admission. Slim chance, but you could come to a carribean school and transfer out after taking step 1. So thats about all the possibilities I see but I'm sure others here can add to the list.

I didn't apply to any US schools since I thought I was not competitive to make the cut. I went straight to SGU (after applying to Ross and a couple of the irish schools) after undergrad and have zero regretts whatsoever. Ross' lack of organization with my documents really turned me off to them and I didn't get into any of the irish schools and heard great things about sgu so I went for it. Actually, I couldn't have made a better choice. SGU gave me a solid education, helped me rock my boards, and I just found out a couple of weeks ago I got the transfer to an LCME accredited school. How's that for everything working out smoothly? Thanks SGU! I love you!

Originally Posted by berkeleyboy

I didn't apply to any US schools since I thought I was not competitive to make the cut. I went straight to SGU (after applying to Ross and a couple of the irish schools) after undergrad and have zero regretts whatsoever. Ross' lack of organization with my documents really turned me off to them and I didn't get into any of the irish schools and heard great things about sgu so I went for it. Actually, I couldn't have made a better choice. SGU gave me a solid education, helped me rock my boards, and I just found out a couple of weeks ago I got the transfer to an LCME accredited school. How's that for everything working out smoothly? Thanks SGU! I love you!

Hey berkeleyboy,

Which school were you able to transfer to? Did you transfer after your second year at SGU?

I got into Drexel University for a 3rd year spot. I just finished 2 years of basic sciences at SGU, took my step1, and was about 1 month into my 1st rotation when I found out about Drexel. I'm so stoked since I didn't loose any time whatsoever!
I know for a fact there are 3 of us, including myself that got into Drexel for 3rd year. Just wait and see how many sgu 3rd years get into NEOUCOM this year. NEOUCOM is going to make their decisions soon within a week or two.

While I think it is worth the application process to try and get into a AMCAS school, SGU is a great school with an excellent curriculum. The choice is up to the individual, but I would recommend retaking your MCAT in August and applying to both SGU and AMCAS schools and see where you may end up. You never know what might happen.

I totally agree. It never hurts to throw in an application. I didn't even think about really transferring out because I knew it was going to be hard even with a lucky year with many openings, but...that doesn't mean that I didn't work my a** off at SGU to get the grades and step1 score needed to secure a good residency. Thats really your number one goal at SGU. If you don't work hard at sgu, barely pass classes and slide with mediocre step 1 scores...well your screwed. I went to SGU with the mindset that I was going to be happy with the school I choose to attend medical school at. Transfering to an LCME school is just icing on my cake. To this day, I would be extremely happy and content being a proud graduate of such a fine institution. I always have and never will be ashamed of attending school at St. George's.

Hey Berkleyboy, what other schools did you apply for your transfer? I just want to know how many schools accept transfer students.

Apply with the lower MCAT score, and see what happens.

The feedback you get, and/or potential interview you receive, will help you for future applications. Best case scenario? You're accepted.

Never underestimate the rest of your application,

Good luck

IndianBabu

Originally Posted by Malikha

Hey Berkleyboy, what other schools did you apply for your transfer? I just want to know how many schools accept transfer students.

I applied to NEOUCOM and Drexel. Actually, I was on the NEOUCOM interview when I found out about drexel, so I just quickly withdrew my application from ohio in hopes that some other sgu applicant might get an interview or even possibly the spot.