First, the country's residency training system is poorly built and students become lab rats for the school to test its MD system and present their 'proud' result. Of course they filter away bad things happened in the school, see last year's duke-nus thread and you will know what i said. Of course in every med school there are dropouts, but i havent heard another med school kick out a student because he had issues with some faculty member.
The bond also sucks. Of course the school says the bond helps you to secure a job after graduation. But for international graduates, think about the living expenses. The country charges extra dollars on foreigners in terms of housing, healthcare, etc. If you are thinking about going to somewhere else after the bond period, basically you need to start over again. If you are thinking about becoming a citizen, personally I wouldn't wish my child to grow in a place where there is a gun over the freedom of speech and assembly. The two-year national service should also be a concern.
The school purported its signature teamlead pedagogy. However, you will only get bored very quickly if you are not very very very interested in arguing things with others. You can't choose your teammates at the very beginning. You couldn't change them too, if they are unsupportive free riders.
Surprise that no one has responded to the above comment.
Perhaps,you can give some e.g. of how the country's residency training system is poorly run?
I wouldn't outwardly say that students become lab rats for the school. The school aims to produce clinician scientist to improve the practice of medicine,in which the other medical schools haven't leverage on.It prepares students for the clinician scientist pathway.
5 years bond for international students,is worthy of consideration for any student looking to practise at home soil.Duke NUS medical school is targeted towards the treatment of Singapore patients,so it might require a bit of adjustment when you return home as well.
I think what you mentioned about living expenses is a little too extreme.The main issues of concern are mainly luxury goods,purchasing a permanent accommodation such as flat and transport such as car.
For those looking to stay/migrate here,it is true there is lesser freedom here and mandatory national service,but do take into account the peace and security in the country.I do say,it's a trade-off.
The reason why TeamLead came to place,has relevance to the future working world when everyone become physicians. Do you get to choose who you work with when you work? Do you get to hop around? The answer to this,is a big yes,but that also goes to show how inflexible you are. In life,you don't always get what you want and medical school is supposed to be the training grounds for the working world.There's always going to be politics around and you have to deal with that. It is also through such challenges,that one grow stronger and more tolerant,instead of running away and hiding.
I am a local student,looking towards graduate entry medicine,but I have reservations for the MD programme in Duke NUS.I believe this will be better points of consideration.
1.Curriculum
The curriculum is one-of-a-kind.You have 1 year of clinical science,2 years of clinical practice and 1 year of research.
Do you want to be a clinician scientist?
I ask myself this question a lot.The programme is not for those who abhor research and are going for pure clinical specialties or for those who are 50-50 undecided on clinical specialties.
The curriculum is shaped such that the research yr affects the entire curriculum.
Because of your research yr,you have 1yr less of clinical science,which means you have a face-paced MS1 curriculum. It is a pressurizing first yr in exchange for research.
Another interesting thing to note,is the research yr being in MS3 instead of MS2. You prepare for clinical clerkships in MS2 and move on to research in MS3 and then advanced clinical clerkships in MS4. Usually, clerkships are combined so that one is able to tap onto the knowledge they learnt in the basic clerkship to apply what they learnt in the advanced clerkship.In essence,advanced clerkship is meant to be the pre-housemanship/internship yr. In this case,the clerkships are separate due to the research yr.
2.Culture
I have spoken to a fair share of my seniors,current students in Duke-NUS.
The pressure in Duke-NUS is intense.Medical school is tough,but the late-night studying culture is typical for locals here.We have to work harder for our grades since primary school to university. This applies a lot to MS1,especially since there's a lot of studying involved,due to the multiple quizzes and asssessments.
Every student is competent and there will be many opportunities for you to doubt your capacity during your studies in Duke-NUS.Like I mentioned above,you will come out mentally stronger and more prepared for future challenges.However,this is definitely not for the faint-hearted or those who are looking to chill each night with a bit of breathing space.
3.Community
Where do you want to work?
If you intend to migrate here,medical school is a good pathway towards settling down. If you have second doubts or are looking to keep your options open,I will strictly not recommend you towards this route. The social bonds you foster in your 5 yrs bond might hold you back towards Sg,so might want to bear that in mind.It is also difficult to attain citizenship over here,definitely a lot of red-tape over here.Will spare the details for now.
Doing medical school in the US definitely saves the trouble of the bond and you get to stay at home to pursue your interests.I am basing this on the average GPA of 3.61 and MCAT of 511,that prospective applicants who secured an offer in Duke NUS,will be able to secure medical schools back in the US.
