Thread: Please enlighten me!

Hey guys...long time lurker, first time poster here. I first wanna congratulate everyone on the greaat job theyre doing with helping everyone. I'm impressed and makes me want to come to Windsor even more.
Ok heres the deal. Im 26, only have about 30 credits from Univ of Md...none of which are sciences. I was a medic in the military for 5 years and now work at johns hopkins hospital as a registered medical assistant. I want to do the pre med program and want to pursue my dream of becoming an MD. But the problem is I had been out of school so long cuz of the military, that when i got back in college...i was hesitant/rusty to knock out any science classes for fear of low grades, etc. I also suck at math which is why my choices are limited to St. james or windsor cuz i dont think they have math in their pre-med curriculum. I am a fast learner and will totally dedicate every ounce of energy i have to learn but Im just afraid that Ill be stuck on the island w/out any way to be tutored or find help, etc. I dont want to be kicked out of pre med or struggle!
ok so here goes......I just wanted to know what type of grades u have to maintain to progress to the MD program from pre med??? Is there any math??? What are my chances of getting in (3.5+ gpa in only about 30 non sci credits)??? How should I prep for the interview?? What should I start to do here now in the states to help assure success in the pre med that im even nervous about??? What about cell phones there....will mine from the states work or what, how about my laptop from here cuz I use AIM alot??Sorryy for the long post......please help me guys!!

what can you really expect from a 17-18 yr old ?

their epiphyseal plates haven't even fused yet for God sakes.

Some licensing authorities (or if you need to transfer, like Ross) require that you meet the "pre-med" requirements. If you read some state's medical rules and regulations this is generally implied to include the following classes:

2 semesters of biology/zoology with lab
2 semesters of inorganic chemistry with lab
2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab
2 semesters (sometimes 1 with an acceptable substitute) of physics with lab
1 year english
1 year of college algebra, in some cases you can sub with stats or comp science

...to be a part of the bare minimum 60-90 hours that required. I'm sure there is a state that requires a bachelors, if not now - then sooner or later. Besides, the more real academic and professional accomplishments you acquire, the more likely you will be able to pass AND make it easier to obtain residency and job positions.

I'm guessing some states make a general statement like they will review as "case-by-case" for those who might have had access to different courses in the country they grew up in, not to show leniency towards those who take short cuts. The only short cut I would ever take again is an accelerated program, not one that cuts out on the curriculum.

There's no point to think just passing boards will by-pass certain requirements. Trust me, I learned this the hard way - even after passing step one with a 91, I'm forced to go backwards and take organic chemistry in my attempts to just transfer.

where are you trying to transfer ?

especially coming from IAU??

Actually, a few of our students have transferred successfully to other schools, like Ross and AUA. The problem is repeating 5th semester is often required.

Saba, MUA, St. Matts informed me over the phone they were not taking anymore transfers.

yeah i've heard of a few WSOM students transfer to AUA, however the process was very unfavorable..i think students that have made it this far should just tough it out until the end now

they also required a 90+ on the USMLE step 1

hey yall, where can i get information of us states licensure, just incase i get good grades, and able to do residency over dere....?? also do all those crap about credits,(40 -50-60-90hrs....) stuff, premed and all affect we students transfering to windsor from nigerian schools?
Asking these, because we also went thru similar pre-med and other course work before coming just that it's quite a different system.
so anybody got an idea of our such cases are evaluated or are dealt with as residency concerened??

Originally Posted by windsorMD

yeah i've heard of a few WSOM students transfer to AUA, however the process was very unfavorable..i think students that have made it this far should just tough it out until the end now

Originally Posted by windsorMD

they also required a 90+ on the USMLE step 1

I know for sure one girl transferred with less than 90, actually she passed on second try. I know she had to repeat 5th semester though.

I'll keep it posted how my process goes with a 221/91.

Originally Posted by websniff

hey yall, where can i get information of us states licensure, just incase i get good grades, and able to do residency over dere....?? also do all those crap about credits,(40 -50-60-90hrs....) stuff, premed and all affect we students transfering to windsor from nigerian schools?
Asking these, because we also went thru similar pre-med and other course work before coming just that it's quite a different system.
so anybody got an idea of our such cases are evaluated or are dealt with as residency concerened??

You're asking two different questions, residency will have less of a process than licensure which will look at hours, curriculum, etc., depending on the state. Check out this forum... State Medical Licensing Information - ValueMD Medical Schools Forum

do u think transferring after writing Step 1, scoring as high as u did, and possibly having to repeat 5th semester is actually worth it ??......why not stick with IAU?

i've thought about transferring from WSOM as well, but why pay more for clinicals....my friends in clinicals have told me that students from Ross, MUA, SMU have transferred to WSOM clinicals...lets see how i do on Step 1...