a question about previous matriculation please?

[justcallmedoc99]

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Hello. I am in the process of applying to osteopathic medical schools and I have a quick question. In May 2004, I was accepted to Ross University School of Medicine in the Carribean and I was only there for two weeks before I decided to leave the University. I left because the quality of education that I was receiving in the Carribean medical school just didn't compare to that that I could receive in a U.S. medical school. I was very disappointed. I am now back in the States and I am going to retake my MCAT and reapply to U.S. medical schools. My question is straightforward. I want to be as honest as I can be on my aacom application and I want to state this information on all of my applications, but I would like to know whether or not other medical schools would look down on my situation? I truly want to be a physician and I feel like I have the determination and passion to become one, but I have to be honest on my application and I am worried that my past bad experience might hurt me in the long run. I just wanted to get a second opinion on this matter as to whether or not you think it would? One last thing....I am a little confused. I know that they ask on the aacomas website application whether or not I have ever "matriculated in any D.O. or M.D. medical school," but are they only referring to U.S. medical schools when they ask this question or any M.D. or D.O. school outside of the U.S. period? Seeing how Ross University School of Medicine is not affliated with neither aacom nor amcas and is not in the U.S., I am not too sure how to respond to this portion of the aacom admissions application or whether or not I need to respond to it at all??? I just wanted a second opinion on this matter. Your help would truly be appreicated....thank you all.
-Rose

 

[anna]

The reason they are asking you is to find out if you have been expelled from medical school or left suddenly for some strange reason (for example, mental illness); if this happened, they would want to know why. No one would have problems with your having left an off shore school -- they have well known negative aspects that many of us who have opportuniites in the U.S. would not/need not put up with.

As long as you can explain why you left (and always in positive way) and that you were in good standing at the time. Make very clear you withdrew early and that you did it voluntarily and were in good standing at the time(eg "I withdrew from the school after two weeks while in good standing as it became clear my personal and professional goals were best met in pursuing a medical education in the United States instead."

Yeah, you could hide it, and I doubt they would find out. I actually think your mentioning it makes you stand out a little and gives you something interesting to talk about during your interview. It's up to you, but remember you will be asked to account for all gaps in the time period from graduating college to med school.

 

[justcallmedoc99]

The reason they are asking you is to find out if you have been expelled from medical school or left suddenly for some strange reason (for example, mental illness); if this happened, they would want to know why. No one would have problems with your having left an off shore school -- they have well known negative aspects that many of us who have opportuniites in the U.S. would not/need not put up with.

As long as you can explain why you left (and always in positive way) and that you were in good standing at the time. Make very clear you withdrew early and that you did it voluntarily and were in good standing at the time(eg "I withdrew from the school after two weeks while in good standing as it became clear my personal and professional goals were best met in pursuing a medical education in the United States instead."

Yeah, you could hide it, and I doubt they would find out. I actually think your mentioning it makes you stand out a little and gives you something interesting to talk about during your interview. It's up to you, but remember you will be asked to account for all gaps in the time period from graduating college to med school.

Thank you for the reply, Anna. I think I'd rather be honest with them ya know because what happens if they found out through like financial aid or something? I mean I had to take out a loan from fafsa and stuff...they returned a little bit to me, but the took some, too.

-Rose