Hi,

I am interest in knowing more about the Fifth Pathway. Also, do you have any open house in Miami this year.

Thanks,
Victor

gonzalez:

I'm not sure what your specific questions regarding the Fifth Pathway program are, so I'll just post some general information excerpts obtained directly from UAG. Hope this helps.

Doc


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For graduates of the UAG, there are two paths for certifying eligibility for application to a graduate medical education position in the United States. Both of these methods are accessible by the U.S. citizen and legal resident studying abroad. The main differences between the two processes lie in the time needed to complete certification. ECFMG certification is universally accepted in the United States and qualifies a UAG graduate to apply for residencies and licensure in all 50 states and in U.S. territories. The Fifth Pathway is somewhat more limited, as a small number of states and territories do not recognize this certification.

When students graduate from the UAG School of Medicine, the Médico/Cirujano degree received is not considered a final medical diploma. In order to receive the final diploma, or Título, graduates must first complete one year of “internado” or internship in Mexico, and one additional year of social service. After fulfilling these requirements and completing requisite exams, graduates are awarded the Título and can then apply for ECFMG certification. Students choosing this option will be making a six-year commitment to study and practice in Mexico prior to returning to the United States and applying for a residency. One variation of this option is to complete the Fifth Pathway Program, then return to Mexico and complete the one-year social service requirement. The year in the Fifth Pathway program would count as the “internado".

The Fifth Pathway program was developed, as mentioned before, to help U.S. students studying abroad to circumvent the social service obligations of a foreign institution and facilitate the return home to continue with their professional education. Instead of the six-year commitment abroad, students complete the four-year course of study at the UAG and one additional year under supervision at an American hospital in the New York area.

Fifth Pathway certification grants students eligibility to apply and enter residency programs. It does not confer the degree of M.D. However, the New York Board of Regents will award the M.D. degree to students who have completed the Fifth Pathway program. To receive this degree, Fifth Pathway students, once they have completed the program, should apply for licensure and residency in the State of New York. After the completion of one year of residency in an accredited program, graduates will receive their license to practice in the State of New York. Graduates can then apply to the New York State Education Department for the M.D. degree. Look to the M.D. degree and licensure section for more information on this topic.

As mentioned before, the Fifth Pathway saves students one year in their application for graduate medical education in comparison with ECFMG certification. It also provides students with a year of supervised training in an American hospital, as opposed to working within the health system of a foreign institution, prior to applying for a residency program. Yet the program does have its limitations. The following states and territory will not accept Fifth Pathway certification or only on a per case basis for licensure at the time of this publication, however this can and does change:

Arkansas accepts per case basis
Guam accepts per case basis
Michigan accepts per case basis
U.S. Virgin Islands accepts per case basis
Indiana accepts per case basis
Utah
Vermont

As with ECFMG certification, Fifth Pathway certification does not guarantee acceptance into a residency program. In fact, Fifth Pathway certification may make an applicant ineligible for certain residency programs depending on the program’s location or specific requirements.

There is a website for the Fifthpathway program. The site's address is www.fifthpathway.com. This site should give you a better idea about this program.

Good Luck,

UAGDoc

Enquiry regarding 5th pathway
Dear Colleagues,
I will complete my education in medicine field following year in Tabriz University/Iran.
I have USA green card and would like to complete my education through 5th pathway.
Please kindly note the following:
1- Can I enroll in NY University or any other universities in USA through 5th pathway?
2- Kindly let me know duration of education in fifth pathway program.
3- Please inform me regarding fees and expenses in the case of use 5th pathway?
4- If I use 5th pathway then can I enroll in USA universities residency?

guys, check the other threads, and this website too: http://www.nymc.edu/depthome/fifth.asp

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"Dont try this at home, I'm a professional..."

Would residency eligibility/competitiveness increase or decrease if one were to choose the servicio social in Mexico (2 years) as opposed to the 5th pathway year?

Locutus,

There are two time honored methods of becoming a physician from a foreign medical school.

I would bet over 95% finish their schooling in a foreign medical school and then go through the process as an FMG. MANY MANY MANY doctors practicing in the states have done this as graduates of chinese, indian, western european schools just to name a few components.

A smaller number of doctors are from the US but have gone to school off shore.

An even smaller number have gone through fith pathway. Which gives you the chance of being granted a medical diploma from the NY state board of regents. I have seen these.

NOW TO YOUR ANSWER

I would imagine when you are looking at a graduate of a foreign university who practiced in that country, citizens of that country look better.

I would imagine when you are looking at an Amercian Student who studied overseas, you would wonder if they could have made it in an american school and whether they are up to snuff.

In this second situation, I would imagine that students from a country where the school is providing doctors to the country are better.

Schools who have a long standing program of exchange in the states are even better.

I would doubt that there is much difference between a graduate that graduates from UAG with a full degree and one that goes to fifth pathway is much different. But I would err on the side of 5th pathway as that student has had more experience in the Amercian medical system.

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