Podiatry or SGU Carribean MD?

[piotrkol1]

I have been accepted to SGU and was planning on starting this January. Amazingly, I was given $126,000 in scholarship money (Dean's & Humanitarian Aid Scholarships). I know almost everyone on here hates the Carribean schools but I've pretty much exhausted all other options. My GPA is 2.9 and MCAT 509. I did a DIY post-bacc and with those 35 credits I scored a 3.5 (with DO grade replacement my overall and science GPA would be 3.0 but since they got rid of that it kind of screwed me). I also did the BMS program at RFU, but I got two Cs so obviously I didn't get into CMS. I subsequently interviewed for the UQ-Oschner program but I wasn't accepted there either (looks like the year I finally decided to apply they became more selective).

While I was at RFU they recommended we look into podiatry, but at the time I overlooked it. However, it looks like there's a good variety of surgery and other stuff. I am also surprised by how much easier it appears to get into podiatry programs. For example, the average MCAT score for students going to Temple is 499. It seems like it might be a better university experience compared to the Carribean. I'm not sure if I should give up all of that scholarship money, though. How does the stigma compare for podiatrists and Carribean grads? In addition, is podiatry fading or is the career outlook good?

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[Cranjis McBasketball]

Scholarship money wont mean jack if you fail to match, which about 50% of IMGs do

 

[DexterMorganSK]

I have been accepted to SGU and was planning on starting this January. Amazingly, I was given $126,000 in scholarship money (Dean's & Humanitarian Aid Scholarships). I know almost everyone on here hates the Carribean schools but I've pretty much exhausted all other options. My GPA is 2.9 and MCAT 509. I did a DIY post-bacc and with those 35 credits I scored a 3.5 (with DO grade replacement my overall and science GPA would be 3.0 but since they got rid of that it kind of screwed me). I also did the BMS program at RFU, but I got two Cs so obviously I didn't get into CMS. I subsequently interviewed for the UQ-Oschner program but I wasn't accepted there either (looks like the year I finally decided to apply they became more selective).

While I was at RFU they recommended we look into podiatry, but at the time I overlooked it. However, it looks like there's a good variety of surgery and other stuff. I am also surprised by how much easier it appears to get into podiatry programs. For example, the average MCAT score for students going to Temple is 499. It seems like it might be a better university experience compared to the Carribean. I'm not sure if I should give up all of that scholarship money, though. How does the stigma compare for podiatrists and Carribean grads? In addition, is podiatry fading or is the career outlook good?

Podiatry DPM vs the Carribean MD? Podiatry hands down.

While SGU is the school to attend if its your only option, you will be an IMG when it comes to the match day, you will compete with the US MD/DO students and every other IMG and FMG around the world. That said, even if you make it out of there and pass the Steps, there is no guarantee you will match. That scholarship money seems good right now but if for some reason (any reason) you don't make it out from the island then there goes the medical career for you.

IMO, go with Podiatry if you have exhausted your MD/DO chances here in the US. Take the safer route. I would also suggest shadowing a few Pods to get real-life experience and not go by what other people are saying or what RFU said in an email. If you don't like what Podiatry has to offer, I'd also look into PA schools here rather than going to SGU.

As far as the career outlook for Pods, do a search here and talk to working DPMs outside of SDN. Make your own decision. GL!

 

[piotrkol1]

Scholarship money wont mean jack if you fail to match, which about 50% of IMGs do

That doesn't necessarily mean that SGU has a 50% match rate.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

I want to add this reply from the great @gonnif from 2016 regarding the SGU match:

"There are so many matches because SGU produces (mass produces I should say) some of the largest amount of MDs and thus have a large amount of those placed in residency. They have a class size of about 1600 a year, perhaps more. So 850 residency placements (not matches but all placements including SOAP and off cycle) represent close to half of an original class. So a 90% placement rate really is a 45% "success rate" (started school, earned a degree, got a residency slot). Previous cycles have reported that SGU had a 29% SOAP /off cycle placements. Let say that is 30%. Reducing that for class size attrition means you have about of 30% "success rate" of going to SGU, earning a degree and getting into a matched slot. I am sure it is lower for "desired program slots" but lets go with that.

94% of US MD students graduate in 5 years increasing to 97% in 8 years (dual degrees). in any given year about 94% of senior US med students match into a slot. So at 97% graduating and 94% matching means a 91% "success rate" (which is actually higher with SOAP, etc 99% of graduating senior get a slot). Going further , 78% of seniors get into 1 of their top 3 programs. Not just specialties but specific programs in specific locations that they desired . Using those numbers, about 71% of US students who start MD school, earn a degree, and match into a desired slot. At best, 30% of SGU students do so and the number is likely 15%.

Overall, 96% of US students who start medical school, earn a degree, and get ANY residency slot.
Overall, 45% of SGU students who start medical school, earn a degree, and get ANY residency slot

Another way to look at it,
About 40%-45% of US applicants actually get a medical school seat with 97% graduation rate. The US cuts students BEFORE they start school
About 95% applicants to SGU get a medical school seat and about 50% graduate. SGU cuts students AFTER they start school (and have paid)

as I've said often, before considering any offshore school applicant must go through at least two application cycles for both MD and DO with at least a year break in between (ie skip a cycle) for application repair and/or enhancement. the break is necessary to analyze and understand the weaknesses in an application. Repair may be as simple as reorganizing rewriting application or it may require postbacc, SMP, MCAT, or additional extracurricular such as clinical volunteering and other items. I strongly advise that no student should consider off shore schools until the above has been done"

 

[deleted1001426]

Not going to tell you what to do but if I were in your situation id go podiatry. Then again, I cant think of a single situation where I'd choose the carib route, even if that meant pursuing a different field

 

[ajc009]

I would personally apply to PA school or pursue a career in healthcare administration, informatics, medical physics, perfusion, nursing rather than podiatry. never Caribbean MD.

 

[gonnif]

Some numbers i worked up on SGU just a few weeks ago below. BTW, i am a strong proponent of podiatry. You get to practice medicine, including surgery, lot of sports meds and diabetic work. And despite what premeds perceive, nobody cares if you are an MD, DO, or DPM. They know you by your speciality be it IM, neuro, feet or whatever. In the hospital you are doctor

Just an estimate from the numbers that SGU reports

1) Enrollment and Residency:
Enrollment, MCAT & GPA Statistics | SGU Medical School
SGU SOM reports just under 6300 total enrollment in an MD program. This would mean roughly that 1600 students a year are MS1-MS4 or approximately 800 students a term. (whether students are in a dual degree and/or take more than 4 years to graduate, on average, this number will remain about the same). Of these 75% are US citizens and 17% are US PR, so 87% total US. Additionally 11% of total enrollment are Canadian, though many . It is reasonable to say then that about 90% of entering Students (about 1450) would likely seek medical residency in USA. SGU Reports that 961 have “US Residencies in 2019.“ So what has happened to these 500 others?

2) Attrition:
https://www.aamc.org/system/files/r...tesandattritionratesofu.s.medicalstudents.pdf
From 1993-1994 through 2012-2013, more medical students left medical school for nonacademic than for academic reasons,... The total national attrition rate remained relatively stable at an average of 3.3% over those 20 years.

So US MD schools have a 3.3% attrition rate, meaning 96.7% ultimately earn their degree. For SGU, they report “6.1% attrition rate for the class entering in August of 2017.” Assuming, that this up to date, it would mean of our 1450 Anticipated US Residency bound students, 90 dropped out after the first 2 years, leaving at least 1360 to continue. Also with the way that SGU reports this, we cant tell if any took leaves, needed another year, dropped out later, etc. We can only speculate that fewer additional percent dropped out in years 3-4. For purposes of comparison, lets assume a conservative total attrition of 10% for any entering class. With a weaker overall class (MCAT average of 497, cGPA of 3.3, sGPA of 3.1), and living overseas, 10% would be very conservative. So about 1225 would be left in our US-bound residency cohort

3) Medical Residency:

Graduate Success | St. George's University
SGU proudly states that 961 graduates got placed(not matched) in residencies. Now placement means via NRMP, post-match SOAP, any pre-match positions, openings that occur during the cycle Looking at their data further, 935 were placed in US, with others in Canada, UK, and a few other countries. So of the estimated 1225 graduates who sought US residencies, 935 got a slot, or about 76%. SGU also reports that on average 29% get slots via non-match methods. That would mean 664 graduates matched. So of the estimate 1450 US-residency bound students who start SGU, only 664 or 46% matched into a residency slot. That increases to about 65% who get ANY residency slot.

In sum, assuming 10% class attrition, the “success rate” of SGU is at best is 65%

 

[gonnif]

Just to add

How does the stigma compare for podiatrists and Carribean grads? In addition, is podiatry fading or is the career outlook good

Just to reiterate and expand, the only stigma for podiatrists is from premeds and maybe early med students. As I said before, once you are a doctor, be it MD, DO, DPM, DMD, etc, in the hospital or office you are just that, the doctor. No other doctor, except the occasional orthopedic surgeon who may compete with pods, has issues with the foot specialist. It is a practice where you can see patients in office as well as I have surgery time. With the younger generation expanding exercise, thus increase sports injuries, to the aging population and diabetes, podiatry is growing.
Podiatrists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

[piotrkol1]

Just to reiterate and expand, the only stigma for podiatrists is from premeds and maybe early med students. As I said before, once you are a doctor, be it MD, DO, DPM, DMD, etc, in the hospital or office you are just that, the doctor.

So then the same would go for Carribean graduates who match successfully? Let's throw chiropractors and physical therapists into the mix while we're at it.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

Cost of attending SGU: https://mycampus.sgu.edu/web/financial-aid/student-budgets

Similar to Dental school budget

 

[DexterMorganSK]

Will you hate yourself if halfway through podiatry school you wished you went to medical school instead? If so, I think it's worth taking the plunge and attending SGU, especially with a 40% reduction in costs through that scholarship. It's gonna take some grit but I say go big and roll the dice because waiting for a US medical program to accept you will result in a 0% chance of becoming a doctor based on what you're working with. Don't settle for lesser programs that you're not truly wanting to do (ie PA school, podiatry, dentistry).

To the guy above talking about 'placements' - AFAIK if a program has any slots in the Match they can't offer pre-match positions from that program (or institution). That's the 'All In' policy instituted circa 2012. Also, getting a spot in the SOAP means you technically matched.

Best of luck!

They'll hate themselves more if they fail a class (and flunk out) because of dengue fever or food poisoning from living on a ship due to a hurricane....like those Ross kids a few years back

But you're right that OP won't know until they try, so good luck to them with whatever decision they make!

 

[hungrydoc710]

You can get into a DO school with a 2.9 / 509 no problem.
Just apply to every single school out there and make sure to bolster your EC's.

Doctor > Doctor of Feet all day. Go for the Gold.
But Pod > Carrib for sure.

I always said if I wasn't going to make it into med school the second year I tried, that I was gonna do Pod instead.

 

[gonnif]

So then the same would go for Carribean graduates who match successfully? Let's throw chiropractors and physical therapists into the mix while we're at it.

MD DO DPM all have a medical degree for licensure as (podiatric) physician, independent prescribing rights and admitting privileges. This would include any MD from any off shore school who has successfully completed residency. None of the other professions you mentioned are considered as such, most certainly not In the context of a functioning hospital team or hierarchy

 

[piotrkol1]

Will you hate yourself if halfway through podiatry school you wished you went to medical school instead?

I doubt I'd be completely miserable, but I'd probably always be envious of MDs/DOs. Interestingly, for students who start in January, SGU offers a tuition refund if you get accepted to a US medical school for the fall. Not sure if this deal also includes podiatry, however.

 

[Bubuddy]

it's a major compromise of your true goal (medicine)

Dont get me wrong, but I feel like you are putting OP into a more stressful situation by having OP go to SGU and apply. There is already a high attrition rate for students focusing on just doing school in the Carrib, now you are advising OP to apply at other schools.

Some words to OP. Although I am just a premed, try shadowing a podiatrist and you may find some surprises yourself. I never heard of podiatric medicine as the model in Canada is not consistent between all provinces, but even shadowing a DPM in my province with limited surgery in PP (due to provincal laws) I was still amazed at the care and the knowledge there is to podiatry.

Podiatry is medicine and this mentality of "trying to compromise" for not making MD/DO is whats hurting the DPM reputation.

 

[de Ribas]

Have you applied to to any DO schools? I am pretty sure you might get interviews at some schools if you have 509 even with 2.9 unless you have some other red flags. Some schools have average GPA as 3.2 and average MCAT as 499. You can't be picky with your stats.

If you don't like podiatry route, do not go. You do not have to. Actually, we will advise you not to go DPM route just because you can't get into US MD/DO.

But for sure do not go to Caribb. Not being able to succeed at RFU BMS and DIY post-bacc shows that you are at high risk for failing at Caribb. Those who succeed at Caribb are excellent students, but with some other red flags. You can't expect yourself to get Cs at US BMS with great structure and support and succeed at Caribb system designed to fail at least 1/3 of incoming students.

 

[HarmonicConvergence]

OP sounds like your heart is not into podiatry. If you've got any doubt I'd look at another route. It can be difficult going through school knowing you're learning and studying and stressing over the same material your MD/DO friends are but at the end of the day you'll just be a DPM and some people will think you spent 4 years looking at toe nails. So for anyone with an EGO, podiatry will probably disappoint you.

I suggest you shadow a few hospital employed DPM's and decide for yourself if podiatry is physician level medicine and surgery or an allied health profession. Good luck with your future career!

 

[DexterMorganSK]

Have you applied to to any DO schools? I am pretty sure you might get interviews at some schools if you have 509 even with 2.9 unless you have some other red flags. Some schools have average GPA as 3.2 and average MCAT as 499. You can't be picky with your stats.

If you don't like podiatry route, do not go. You do not have to. Actually, we will advise you not to go DPM route just because you can't get into US MD/DO.

But for sure do not go to Caribb. Not being able to succeed at RFU BMS and DIY post-bacc shows that you are at high risk for failing at Caribb. Those who succeed at Caribb are excellent students, but with some other red flags. You can't expect yourself to get Cs at US BMS with great structure and support and succeed at Caribb system designed to fail at least 1/3 of incoming students.

100% agreed! OP should also post in the Pre-med forum for their WAMC for DO schools.

 

[LordofWaffles]

OP **** or get off the pot. Either reapply DO or do podiatry. SGU is for rich people. If you want to fit as much of your belongings into a backpack and suitcase, go to a third world country to accomplish your dream have fun. Have fun also being in 500k worth of debt. i've heard people coming out of that school with almost 600k in. That is how much it costs to go to that school. You have to buy a new life for yourself practically all on loans with high interest. What happens when you run out of spending money o well I guess you'll either starve or have to take out another loan. No parents helping you out with food, supplies, none of that, do i dare say no amazon two day shipping lol. I was in your shoes a year ago thinking about the whole SGU thing. I applied, cause they make it easy, just send your aacomas app, so i said what the hell and once I did they never stopped calling me. Reeked like a scam. My happiest moment was telling them I got accepted to a podiatry school so they never could call me again. I went with podiatry and haven't regretted my decision.

You will be a doctor. What the hell is with the stigma in podiatry anyway. You're a doctor who helps people with pain in their feet so they can walk for christ sakes. Ask how many people have pain in their feet in your life and you'll see what a huge field it is. And that aspect is only one part of the field. You get to see a wide variety of patients, athletes, old people, fat people, diabetics, disabled, young people with bad genetics.. its like a Dr. Suess book. Look up disorders like charcot foot thats the stuff we learn and have to catch in patients when we see them. If you're an Em doc and have no idea what the early symptoms mean, redness, swelling, pain, in a diabetic you could potentially screw someone's life up. I use that example because that scenario is true. EM doc sent the patient home thinking it was an infection, by the time the patient went to the pod, the foot was destroyed. That is why you have podiatrists. In the real world the only people who care about the MD DO DPM stuff are people on this stupid forum. If you go to SGU kiss your social life goodbye, that girl or guy you were talking to or dating cya. No chance of meeting that art or law student and going out to a normal bar for a date. Nope you're stuck on that island with your classmates all alone. Everything that's available here in america you will not have access to in Grenada.

You prob search up and down these forums looking to see how many people in podiatry rake in the 300k if they all said it you would already be enrolled. All I'm saying is its time to grow up and deal with what you got. At least you arent lifting lumber the rest of your life o wait I mean until you're 40 that's when you drop something on your foot break it and go see the foot specialist. A 65 year old man who is married, has kids in college and has been raking in minimum 150k a year working for someone on a low stress 40 hr a week schedule for the last 30 years. Good luck.

 

[Weirdy]

OP **** or get off the pot. Either reapply DO or do podiatry. SGU is for rich people. If you want to fit as much of your belongings into a backpack and suitcase, go to a third world country to accomplish your dream have fun. Have fun also being in 500k worth of debt. i've heard people coming out of that school with almost 600k in. That is how much it costs to go to that school. You have to buy a new life for yourself practically all on loans with high interest. What happens when you run out of spending money o well I guess you'll either starve or have to take out another loan. No parents helping you out with food, supplies, none of that, do i dare say no amazon two day shipping lol. I was in your shoes a year ago thinking about the whole SGU thing. I applied, cause they make it easy, just send your aacomas app, so i said what the hell and once I did they never stopped calling me. Reeked like a scam. My happiest moment was telling them I got accepted to a podiatry school so they never could call me again. I went with podiatry and haven't regretted my decision.

You will be a doctor. What the hell is with the stigma in podiatry anyway. You're a doctor who helps people with pain in their feet so they can walk for christ sakes. Ask how many people have pain in their feet in your life and you'll see what a huge field it is. And that aspect is only one part of the field. You get to see a wide variety of patients, athletes, old people, fat people, diabetics, disabled, young people with bad genetics.. its like a Dr. Suess book. Look up disorders like charcot foot thats the stuff we learn and have to catch in patients when we see them. If you're an Em doc and have no idea what the early symptoms mean, redness, swelling, pain, in a diabetic you could potentially screw someone's life up. I use that example because that scenario is true. EM doc sent the patient home thinking it was an infection, by the time the patient went to the pod, the foot was destroyed. That is why you have podiatrists. In the real world the only people who care about the MD DO DPM stuff are people on this stupid forum. If you go to SGU kiss your social life goodbye, that girl or guy you were talking to or dating cya. No chance of meeting that art or law student and going out to a normal bar for a date. Nope you're stuck on that island with your classmates all alone. Everything that's available here in america you will not have access to in Grenada.

You prob search up and down these forums looking to see how many people in podiatry rake in the 300k if they all said it you would already be enrolled. All I'm saying is its time to grow up and deal with what you got. At least you arent lifting lumber the rest of your life o wait I mean until you're 40 that's when you drop something on your foot break it and go see the foot specialist. A 65 year old man who is married, has kids in college and has been raking in minimum 150k a year working for someone on a low stress 40 hr a week schedule for the last 30 years. Good luck.

Easy on the edge bro....might cut yourself...

OP. You've heard all you want. If you're set on SGU, come back after your 1st year and give us an unadultered version of what you saw and experienced.

If you graduate and match, comeback and tell us "I told you so".

Either way we'd be happy you learned your lesson for better or worse.

 

[LordofWaffles]

I would say if you are confident that you can do it then do it. I will tell you in podiatry or a DO school you can be bottom of the class and get a residency. As long as you make it through you'll be fine and practice in the US somewhere. That is a good chunk of change you are getting so it is definitely wise to consider this option, because the school is probably confident that you can make it. Just know this, Caribbean school is a different animal, it is all pretty much self learning. In SGU the class size is 1200-1500 people. I'm quoting that number from an SGU grad on this forum. You are just a number, you are barely if ever going to get to talk to the teacher if you are struggling, especially right before a test. My school has 100 people in the class and teacher's get swarmed so I cant even imagine what its like with that many students. There are a few kids in my school who are very bright, can look over notes a few times and get in the 90s on tests. Those few actually chose podiatry over MD and they definitely had the stats to get into an MD school. Then theres me some things come easy to me and some things don't.. I'm probably the norm in most schools. To be honest except for those few outlier bright kids, I haven't met one person in my school that is good in every single class. Just know when it comes time where you have that weak class you probably will receive minimal help and remember if you score below a 70 for the class you are done. I dont think they even listen to many appeals, which would be begging to repeat the year and I don't even think they allow a retest for the class, which is an extra attempt to pass the class, I could be wrong. In podiatry school no one really competes against each other, we all know if we make it through we're gunna get a residency and we're all in the same specialty. We all tend to be very helpful towards each other. It would really not surprise me if in SGU students do compete, this does happen. I've heard stories of it happening even in the states. Keep your notes on you and never leave them out.

If I was going to do this I would say it's a must to stay in the top quarter of the class. That is probably consistently scoring mid 80s to low 90s on every test. It is much easier said than done and I cant imagine all the extra stress of living on that island to go with it. If after that first semester you are middle of the pack you are literally playing with fire and need a reality check fast. The classes only get harder. Just remember, just because it's in the Caribbean doesn't mean it's any easier, and it could potentially even be harder due to the class size. You will still be taking all the same classes that I and every other med student in the US is taking. Being top quarter in the class is not an easy thing to do. IT IS WORK. I think SGU loses a large chunk of their class maybe even 1/3 through out the whole thing. They say their match numbers are like 900 or something and that includes people that have been waiting each year for a match if i'm not mistaken. So when you take that all into account you'll see why I say being top quarter is an absolute must. That way you know you're learning the material well enough to score what you need on the USMLE to get back into the states. Also just remember some of these teachers probably don't give a rat's ass about the patients you'll be treating in america. Probably don't care how you perform on the USMLE and it most probably doesn't come back to haunt them like it does here. That's right here in America if you have a crappy anatomy teacher in a school and those students all bomb anatomy on the USMLE that teacher is gunna get investigated, so they have to teach you well.

Just know what you are getting yourself into. If you can take advantage and do well then hell yeah man good for you. You ****ing did it. All I'm doing is offering you a very real picture of what you would need to do to succeed. My previous post was a little harsh, but you really need to snap out of the fairy tale sometimes and take in reality, because you won't have to worry about the stigma of podiatry vs. Caribbean if you dont make it. I honestly can understand why many people on here do try to scare people out of the Caribbean. Once you go through the schooling and see how much work it is, you will understand too.

I wish you the best of luck. If you do go through with it just do what I said, stay near the top and you should be fine. Do not pay attention to the people partying or skipping class, because odds are you won't even see them long anyway.

 

[piotrkol1]

When they ask me "Why DO?" or "Why podiatry?", I'm afraid I dont have a super authentic answer. Let's face it, it's not like it's been my lifelong dream but it's the next best alternative since I couldn't get into regular medical school. There would be a bit of spin coming from my end when it comes to interviews/essays.

I say go to SGU this January and, if you have the energy and resources (time & money), throw your hat in the ring one more time with DO schools.

Isn't it kind of late to apply this cycle? Especially considering my GPA is low?

Have you applied to to any DO schools? I am pretty sure you might get interviews at some schools if you have 509 even with 2.9 unless you have some other red flags.

I applied to a couple schools during the BMS program. It was somewhat pointless because my advisor sent out a LOR with grades over winter break but only 3 classes had finished at that point (two Bs & one A). The two Cs I ended up getting kind of ruined the upward trend I had at the end of undergrad. I'd say my ECs are solid so the main thing holding me back is GPA. Like I said, when they did away with the grade replacement that really hurt me.

SGU is for rich people. If you want to fit as much of your belongings into a backpack and suitcase, go to a third world country to accomplish your dream have fun.

If you go to SGU kiss your social life goodbye, that girl or guy you were talking to or dating cya. No chance of meeting that art or law student and going out to a normal bar for a date. Nope you're stuck on that island with your classmates all alone. Everything that's available here in america you will not have access to in Grenada.

SGU gives you the choice of doing year one at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Of course year two would then be in Grenada and that's not great but I would be prepared to suck it up for a year.

My previous post was a little harsh, but you really need to snap out of the fairy tale sometimes and take in reality, because you won't have to worry about the stigma of podiatry vs. Caribbean if you dont make it. I honestly can understand why many people on here do try to scare people out of the Caribbean.

Thank you for regaining your composure and providing a clear perspective.

 

[deleted859689]

When they ask me "Why DO?" or "Why podiatry?", I'm afraid I dont have a super authentic answer. Let's face it, it's not like it's been my lifelong dream but it's the next best alternative since I couldn't get into regular medical school. There would be a bit of spin coming from my end when it comes to interviews/essays.


Isn't it kind of late to apply this cycle? Especially considering my GPA is low?


I applied to a couple schools during the BMS program. It was somewhat pointless because my advisor sent out a LOR with grades over winter break but only 3 classes had finished at that point (two Bs & one A). The two Cs I ended up getting kind of ruined the upward trend I had at the end of undergrad. I'd say my ECs are solid so the main thing holding me back is GPA. Like I said, when they did away with the grade replacement that really hurt me.



SGU gives you the choice of doing year one at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Of course year two would then be in Grenada and that's not great but I would be prepared to suck it up for a year.


Thank you for regaining your composure and providing a clear perspective.

Sounds like you're almost set on going. You’ve heard the advise and pretty much all of the different perspectives from everyone. If you do go to the carib, don’t leave us hanging. Keep us updated!

edit: your -> you're (lol)

 

[Ryomagoku]

SGU gives you the choice of doing year one at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Of course year two would then be in Grenada and that's not great but I would be prepared to suck it up for a year.


Thank you for regaining your composure and providing a clear perspective.

Just to inform you, you can’t get federal loans if you choose Northumbria program. You would have to take out private loans or out of your pocket!

 

[de Ribas]

I wouldn't go to UK for a year and then Grenad for a year. So much stress, hassle and money. Especially moving from UK to granda and being able to be ready for second year. You want more stability and less stress.

 

[Prehealth1011]

SGU gives you the choice of doing year one at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Of course year two would then be in Grenada and that's not great but I would be prepared to suck it up for a year.

The first part isn't great either.
You're set on not going to Podiatry school. If you insist on foreign medical schools, I would suggest reapplying to UQ-O or at least applying to foreign medical schools in countries where you can actually practice in. You won't care about the scholarship money when you fail the BCSE at SGU (exam you're required to pass before taking step 1 at SGU) and if your rotations are delayed (common in Caribbean schools) while the interest on your loan accumulates. They'll find a way to squeeze it out of you.

And if that was the first time you heard about BCSE, then don't go to SGU. You haven't done your research. You're not ready.

 

[DPMStudent159]

I was in the same boat last year. I am now a first year at Scholl at RFUMS, and I can't stress this enough, I am so happy I did not decide to go the Caribbean route. Some may say that Podiatry was my "backup," but I did do a LOT of research before I committed to the field. I shadowed multiple podiatrists, worked with 1 for almost a year during my gap year. It is an awesome field with a lot of potential. Everyone here is right, at the end of the day, even if you attended SGU for free, at the end of the day, if you don't match into residency, you just wasted 4 years of your life, 4 years of SALARY as an attending, that's potentially a million dollars you just lost. Scholl is an awesome school btw at RFUMS, and I recommend it if you are thinking about it. It is true, it is definitely easier to get into than their CMS program, but that's just how it is for all podiatry programs. Even though it is easier to get into Scholl than CMS, it is not "easier" during the school year. We take just as many credits/classes as CMS, maybe even more, AND our exams are graded while CMS's exams are pass/fail for the exact same class we are taking together (Anatomy for example). Just do more research about SGU before you choose it. SGU may be the "Harvard" of the Caribbean, but at the end of the day, you got to make sure you can still come back to America, obtain a residency, and get a job! Podiatry residency match rates are above 99%. The attached link is the residency stats for 2019. It is pretty much 100%, but because they took into account people that did not match from previous years, it brought it down to 99.2%. Obviously, if you are the only 1 out of the 621 residency applicants that did NOT match, you probably did something wrong.
http://www.casprcrip.org/html/casprcrip/pdf/PlacementUpdate.pdf

 

[Emerald2020]

I have been accepted to SGU and was planning on starting this January. Amazingly, I was given $126,000 in scholarship money (Dean's & Humanitarian Aid Scholarships). I know almost everyone on here hates the Carribean schools but I've pretty much exhausted all other options. My GPA is 2.9 and MCAT 509. I did a DIY post-bacc and with those 35 credits I scored a 3.5 (with DO grade replacement my overall and science GPA would be 3.0 but since they got rid of that it kind of screwed me). I also did the BMS program at RFU, but I got two Cs so obviously I didn't get into CMS. I subsequently interviewed for the UQ-Oschner program but I wasn't accepted there either (looks like the year I finally decided to apply they became more selective).

While I was at RFU they recommended we look into podiatry, but at the time I overlooked it. However, it looks like there's a good variety of surgery and other stuff. I am also surprised by how much easier it appears to get into podiatry programs. For example, the average MCAT score for students going to Temple is 499. It seems like it might be a better university experience compared to the Carribean. I'm not sure if I should give up all of that scholarship money, though. How does the stigma compare for podiatrists and Carribean grads? In addition, is podiatry fading or is the career outlook good?

I'm a current SGU student and I would definitely say go to SGU! But before I give you more about why SGU, let me preface with the question: while there is nothing wrong with Podiatry school (sure it may be easier to get into and all but that doesn't diminish the work that you have to put in to finish), would you be happy as a Podiatrist/Could you see yourself in podiatry? If the answer is No/Not really/Ehhh, then go to SGU.

There's a ton of stigma about Carribean schools online but let me tell you my experience with that. As a pre-med student I ended up on this website and was scared away from Caribbean schools based on everyone negative ideas of it (even though none of them had ever been, it was based on superiority complexes). Eventually when I didn't get into my med school of choice the second time around (I had a good GPA, average MCAT, lots of comm service etc) but got into SGU, I was extremely disappointed. I considered getting a masters and trying again but after a lot of self reflection I came back around to the SGU idea and decided to go. I'm glad I did. I studied hard, I did well and had 2 years on the island that were overall, stressful but incredible. I went on to clinical rotations and let me tell you, I've only gotten the "oh you went to a Carribean school" disrespect from a few people and it was quite insignificant. The overwhelming responses I've gotten are either 1- no one really cares or 2- praise for how well I was doing on my rotations not praise for where I went to medical school. I've also come across many great physicians & residents who graduated from SGU at great hospitals and programs. While on the interview trail (internal medicine) I've been at some interviews where 100% of the applicants that day were SGU to being the only one in the room from SGU. Maybe I didn't interview at Harvard or UCSF but even going to an American school doesn't guarantee you that. I have interviewed at both community programs as well as well known university programs in the regions that I specifically wanted to be in. I'm going to be a doctor in less than 2 months and SGU helped me get there.

If you've gotten that much money from scholarships from SGU and you really want to be an MD to pursue your specialty of choice and not just go to Podiatry just for the sake of becoming a doctor then go to SGU. If you put the hard work in, there's nothing standing in the way of you becoming a successful doctor. If you truly have an interest in Podiatry then there's nothing wrong with choosing that route and don't let anyone let you think you're settling by choosing either of these options.

Hope this helps!

 

[deleted859689]

I'm a current SGU student and I would definitely say go to SGU! But before I give you more about why SGU, let me preface with the question: while there is nothing wrong with Podiatry school (sure it may be easier to get into and all but that doesn't diminish the work that you have to put in to finish), would you be happy as a Podiatrist/Could you see yourself in podiatry? If the answer is No/Not really/Ehhh, then go to SGU.

There's a ton of stigma about Carribean schools online but let me tell you my experience with that. As a pre-med student I ended up on this website and was scared away from Caribbean schools based on everyone negative ideas of it (even though none of them had ever been, it was based on superiority complexes). Eventually when I didn't get into my med school of choice the second time around (I had a good GPA, average MCAT, lots of comm service etc) but got into SGU, I was extremely disappointed. I considered getting a masters and trying again but after a lot of self reflection I came back around to the SGU idea and decided to go. I'm glad I did. I studied hard, I did well and had 2 years on the island that were overall, stressful but incredible. I went on to clinical rotations and let me tell you, I've only gotten the "oh you went to a Carribean school" disrespect from a few people and it was quite insignificant. The overwhelming responses I've gotten are either 1- no one really cares or 2- praise for how well I was doing on my rotations not praise for where I went to medical school. I've also come across many great physicians & residents who graduated from SGU at great hospitals and programs. While on the interview trail (internal medicine) I've been at some interviews where 100% of the applicants that day were SGU to being the only one in the room from SGU. Maybe I didn't interview at Harvard or UCSF but even going to an American school doesn't guarantee you that. I have interviewed at both community programs as well as well known university programs in the regions that I specifically wanted to be in. I'm going to be a doctor in less than 2 months and SGU helped me get there.

If you've gotten that much money from scholarships from SGU and you really want to be an MD to pursue your specialty of choice and not just go to Podiatry just for the sake of becoming a doctor then go to SGU. If you put the hard work in, there's nothing standing in the way of you becoming a successful doctor. If you truly have an interest in Podiatry then there's nothing wrong with choosing that route and don't let anyone let you think you're settling by choosing either of these options.

Hope this helps!

This post is predatory. I personally know people who are in their last year at SGU and are currently going on interviews. I’ve talked to them and they 10000% DO NOT RECOMMEND SGU OVER US MD, DO, or POD.

this is this user’s first post and are trying to get you to go to SGU. Literally predatory.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

If you put the hard work in, there's nothing standing in the way of you becoming a successful doctor.

That's not true going to SGU or any other Carribean meds school. In fact, any mess up and it's all over with a huge debt and nothing to show for.

Any premed aiming for medical school should go for one of the following: US MD schools, US DO schools, US 'anything' else (be it Pod or any other field).

 

[sad1980s]

This post is predatory. I personally know people who are in their last year at SGU and are currently going on interviews. I’ve talked to them and they 10000% DO NOT RECOMMEND SGU OVER US MD, DO, or POD.

this is this user’s first post and are trying to get you to go to SGU. Literally predatory.

Yeah this is a blatant advertisement. Although OP was pretty much looking for any excuse to go Carrib over Pod, I don't think he needed an extra push.

 

[Emerald2020]

This post is predatory. I personally know people who are in their last year at SGU and are currently going on interviews. I’ve talked to them and they 10000% DO NOT RECOMMEND SGU OVER US MD, DO, or POD.

this is this user’s first post and are trying to get you to go to SGU. Literally predatory.

If you can get into a US school then by all means go! I'm not saying pick SGU over a US Med school but if you want to go to medical school and go into a specialty and not be a Podiatrist and you didn't get into a US MD program then I don't see why not. I have nothing to gain by you attending any school, I'm just giving my opinion. There's definitely students who will not recommend SGU and that's there prerogative but in the end they're a doctor and SGU helped them get there.

 

[deleted859689]

If you can get into a US school then by all means go! I'm not saying pick SGU over a US Med school but if you want to go to medical school and go into a specialty and not be a Podiatrist and you didn't get into a US MD program then I don't see why not. I have nothing to gain by you attending any school, I'm just giving my opinion. There's definitely students who will not recommend SGU and that's there prerogative but in the end they're a doctor and SGU helped them get there.

I do agree with this. Carib can be a last ditch option once you have exhausted everything else. It is a chance to become a doctor, but KNOW what you are getting into. Buyer beware.

 

[de Ribas]

I do agree with this. Carib can be a last ditch option once you have exhausted everything else. It is a chance to become a doctor, but KNOW what you are getting into. Buyer beware.

Probably opposite is true. If you exhausted everything else, if you took post-bacc or did SMP and still didnt even get 3.5+, if you retook MCAT and still want score well enough. if you exhausted all options and still couldn't get into at least 1 DO school, then that is great sign that you shouldn't go to Carib. If you can't handle US SMP or post-bacc curriculum with so much support and systems in place for your success, then what makes one think they will succeed in Caribbean schools?

There are many DO schools with 3.2-3.4 GPA averages and 500 MCAT averages, and if you couldn't get in after several tries, don't even think about Carib.

These popping stories about successful Carib students prove nothing. Nobody says that people can't succeed, but numbers don't lie, less than 50% are able to find a residency.

 

[deleted859689]

Probably opposite is true. If you exhausted everything else, if you took post-bacc or did SMP and still didnt even get 3.5+, if you retook MCAT and still want score well enough. if you exhausted all options and still couldn't get into at least 1 DO school, then that is great sign that you shouldn't go to Carib. If you can't handle US SMP or post-bacc curriculum with so much support and systems in place for your success, then what makes one think they will succeed in Caribbean schools?

There are many DO schools with 3.2-3.4 GPA averages and 500 MCAT averages, and if you couldn't get in after several tries, don't even think about Carib.

These popping stories about successful Carib students prove nothing. Nobody says that people can't succeed, but numbers don't lie, less than 50% are able to find a residency.

This is a valid point, but I would argue if a person went through all the steps you outline and still could not get into a US school, they should at least know where they are academically and understand the risk they are taking if they go to the Carib. At that point, they should know the pros/cons of the carib and can decide for themselves if they want to take the risk e.g. make an informed decision. And if they don't make it, sucks to be you.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

There's definitely students who will not recommend SGU and that's there prerogative but in the end they're a doctor and SGU helped them get there.

Theres also a high percentage with a load of debt who wont ever become doctors. SGU also helped them get there.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

OP was last seen in November of 2019 and I think they have enough info here to make a decision if they are still debating. There are other threads in the premed forum regarding SGU.

Closing!