Thread: Transfering from UAG

Do you know of any successful transfers from UAG into the 3rd year of a US/Canadian medical school?

Do you think it would be possible to transfer with high Step 1 scores?

Do curriculum differences between UAG and US schools preclude such a transfer? I think I read something like this but 3rd and 4th year at UAG are clinical rotations just like at US schools.

My reasons for asking this are purely financial as I am eligible for a few in-state scholarships that I would not be able to use at UAG.

Of course, I know one should never plan to transfer from a foreign school to a US school because it is exceedingly difficult...just wondering if it is possible and has it been done before or regularly from UAG.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Champbean

Thanks, I had read about that student earlier. It's a very bad position he/she is in. I don't understand how someone fails these tests so many times though.

My sister failed the Bar exam 2 times and passed on the 3rd try, but she only failed because she didn't study the first 2 times.

I don't know. I feel bad for the guy. It's also pretty scary that your future hinges on an exam...but then again, why can most people pass this test?

It is very disheartening hearing horror stories about the USMLE, especially when you're about to experience it. But what motivates most of us is hope. A latin proverb once quoted " A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a fool from his own" I like to keep that in mind when thinking about those dreaded tests.

When the whole 5PP drama went down, my significant other at spent the time for me to do research as to this very question. We found in the end it was much more beneficial to stay at UAG.

1. Even if you do have high USMLE, you have to have shown in your undergrad transcripts that you did well in the basic sciences which is not the case for most.
2. UAG will bascially blacklist you for trying to transfer if they find out. Even if you can devise a way to make up a "dean's letter" because you won't get it from anyone at UAG, you still have to transfer your grades and lie about it to the woman in charge of sending transcripts. If you're honest as to why you want the transcripts, they will forbid you from doing any off-campus programs in your fourth year.

3. Out of all the med schools in the US, there were only about 5 we found(and I think that's being generous) who will allow foreigners to apply (that's ONLY if they have open spots) and then you most likely have to repeat the 2nd year.

4.Just like a deans letter, letters of rec from profressors here are often required. Most will not write you one for fear of it getting back to administration. Some require letters from undergrad profs and it's hard to get back in touch with those if you're several years out of undergrad.

5. As much as there is a stigma against foreign grads in the US, there are so many success stories of doctors thriving who graduated from UAG. Be proud to someday be a part of that group.

6. You still get a year of US experience through New York (and possibly other schools in the future) making it easy to get letters of rec. The cost of attending this fifth year probably evens out in the end if you had transferred to a US school.

7. You'll know Spanish-medical Spanish.

Originally Posted by Champbean

Do you know of any successful transfers from UAG into the 3rd year of a US/Canadian medical school?

Do you think it would be possible to transfer with high Step 1 scores?

Do curriculum differences between UAG and US schools preclude such a transfer? I think I read something like this but 3rd and 4th year at UAG are clinical rotations just like at US schools.

My reasons for asking this are purely financial as I am eligible for a few in-state scholarships that I would not be able to use at UAG.

Of course, I know one should never plan to transfer from a foreign school to a US school because it is exceedingly difficult...just wondering if it is possible and has it been done before or regularly from UAG.

Thanks

What you are saying or implying is that once you select a medical school, you must be prepared to complete your education at that school or drop out.

My only question is it like this at most US medical schools.


At most undergraduate programs in the US, transferring typically means losing a large percentage of your classes/credits unless you transfer from one state school to another state school in the same state.

Originally Posted by salto_jorge

What you are saying or implying is that once you select a medical school, you must be prepared to complete your education at that school or drop out.

My only question is it like this at most US medical schools.


At most undergraduate programs in the US, transferring typically means losing a large percentage of your classes/credits unless you transfer from one state school to another state school in the same state.

she meant transferring is not such a viable option unless you have the USMLE 1 taken care off before you transfer. Also, make sure you pass the other tests in the same manner. Caribbean schools have the 3 strike law in place included not only for the USMLEs but also for their pre-USMLE tests such as the comp at Ross. The drop out rate in the US is very small since usually the best get in. PLus, the system is not there to filter or fail students as in international schools.

Originally Posted by Lucy May

When the whole 5PP drama went down, my significant other at spent the time for me to do research as to this very question. We found in the end it was much more beneficial to stay at UAG.

1. Even if you do have high USMLE, you have to have shown in your undergrad transcripts that you did well in the basic sciences which is not the case for most.
2. UAG will bascially blacklist you for trying to transfer if they find out. Even if you can devise a way to make up a "dean's letter" because you won't get it from anyone at UAG, you still have to transfer your grades and lie about it to the woman in charge of sending transcripts. If you're honest as to why you want the transcripts, they will forbid you from doing any off-campus programs in your fourth year.

3. Out of all the med schools in the US, there were only about 5 we found(and I think that's being generous) who will allow foreigners to apply (that's ONLY if they have open spots) and then you most likely have to repeat the 2nd year.

4.Just like a deans letter, letters of rec from profressors here are often required. Most will not write you one for fear of it getting back to administration. Some require letters from undergrad profs and it's hard to get back in touch with those if you're several years out of undergrad.

5. As much as there is a stigma against foreign grads in the US, there are so many success stories of doctors thriving who graduated from UAG. Be proud to someday be a part of that group.

6. You still get a year of US experience through New York (and possibly other schools in the future) making it easy to get letters of rec. The cost of attending this fifth year probably evens out in the end if you had transferred to a US school.

7. You'll know Spanish-medical Spanish.

Thanks for the information. I didn't realize that UAG would make it so hard to transfer.

Yes Champbean, it is unlike any school in the US, where the administration could care less, or perhaps be happy for you for trying to better yourself.

No one really talks about it for fear that they will be labeled. Quite a taboo topic.

Originally Posted by Champbean

Thanks, I had read about that student earlier. It's a very bad position he/she is in. I don't understand how someone fails these tests so many times though.

My sister failed the Bar exam 2 times and passed on the 3rd try, but she only failed because she didn't study the first 2 times.

I don't know. I feel bad for the guy. It's also pretty scary that your future hinges on an exam...but then again, why can most people pass this test?

lets wait and see how you do it. untill then keep studying and concentrate in your books.......and plz dont cheat or study from old exams........be honest

Originally Posted by rasputindoc

When transferring can go really bad!
I have been searching for students that have been able to transfer to any caribbean school specially Ross since it is the one that takes most of the transfers from UAG after 4th semester. I found this particular student where things havent gone as expected. Look at former posts by just doing a search under the original poster's (OP) name. This is proof that the grass is not greener on the other side. It all depends on the individual so that no school guarantees success at any level, not even Ross with their 90%+ passing rate.

http://www.valuemd.com/american-univ...nt-school.html

thanks and keep studying, you might be next.......study hard and stop brousing internet.....you must spend a lot of time online than school huh..

Thanks for the heads up but I dont really consider any advice from somebody in your circumstances. You have absolutely no educational substance/moral power to advice people on what to do when it comes to school. You are the perfect example of WHAT NOT TO DO! My posts was in no way an attack on you or anything related but it seems you take comments personal. Sometimes when we have so much negativity inside, we tend to project it and at the same time attract it. I am starting to feel sorry for you which is something that I dont really like doing.

I am not sure what the point of any of this is. I remember about 4 years ago when I was looking on this board for any helpful information. I remember reading Maa's posts, like this one http://www.valuemd.com/universidad-a...tml#post219005
She was 3 years ahead of me at that time, and now actually behind me. I do not know her/his situation, background, first language, etc., but do know that this person must have unlimited cash sources to be in medical school for what is now about 7 years.

It is easy to say what was a better choice after the fact. We often take chances (coming to the UAG, transferring, etc) and simply do not know how the end will be.

I am not a member of the UAG fan club mostly because of the financial aid dept keeping holds on funds, lack of communication, and general mierda. However, when there was the option to transfer, I saw it as objectively trading UAG mierda for XYZ School mierda. Some things would be better, other things worse. All things considered, it was the best option for me to stay (not necesarily for everyone else, however). In hind sight, it does not seem to have been the best move for maa. However, some have transferred and done well.

I welcome all views; that is how we can make realistic informed decisions. However, solid facts are more useful -good or bad - than whatever the subject of this thread has become.