About the Technion program

[ilovescrubs]

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Hi all, I recently came across this post in the ValueMD forums. They are similar to these forums except they have a specific one for Israeli medical schools. Someone posted this concerning the Technion program and I wanted to hear from someone who was either currently in the program, graduated from it, or who knew a great deal about it, as to whether or not this was true. I ask because I have recently applied and wanted to knwo if there was any merit to this statement. The post was as follows:

What ever you do, don't come to the Technion. The program has Lied to it's stutents non stop. They use underhanded methods of revenge against students they don't like. Th atrittion rate for the class of 2010 is now at 22% after 3 semesters, for the class of 2011 it is at 20% after one semester. The school tells the students that tuition is $22,000 but once they come to the school and can not go anywhere else they raise tuition to $25,000. The class hours are insane (they could not decide which classes to gove so they give every possible class including inventing new ones). If you fail one class you have to repeat the whole year and they charge $1,500 per credit hour that you must repeat. They also try to force you to repeat classes that you have passed so that you can pay even higher tuition. When the students balked at the increase in tuition the school sent letters to the lone companies that the students were no longer in school, even thpough there was three months left to the semester. one of the course directors failed 43% of class of 2009 b/c they came late to class as a result of filling out forms the school was supposed to do for them. If you try to speak to any of the administration you can not. you are not allowed to speak to the dean, the vice dean, or even the course director. It is against the rules. The academic advisior has publicly insulted and berated students when he has been approached about the possability of meeting with students when it would be good for him. The vice dean Dr. ****** came into class and actualy said that there are people in the class who he does not think should be Doctors and he will personaly make sure that no matter what they will not graduate. The course matirial is never available on time and often not posted untill after the course final. Please undestand that htis is only the tip of the Iceberg. And I as well as others will be posting more about the program as time goes on.

 

[Grldoc18]

Hey...have you been accepted to the Technion program? I am wondering why they still have not sent any information yet... 😕

 

[Blimp]

I've been accepted. I was told that more information would be sent out at the end of May for those who sent in the deposit.

 

[awnodirp]

The respectable gentleman that previously posted a letter on Valuemd allegedly written to the "program director" by the class president appears to be employing a method of communication known as terminological inexactitude.

The tuition hike is not a surprise. The US dollar is very weak compared to the Israeli shekel now, and the US dollar has lost about 25% of its value since last August compared to the Israeli shekel.

The main point of this thread has not been addressed. I will address it now.

The main issue to me is the following, "The attrition rate for the class of 2010 is now at 22% after 3 semesters, for the class of 2011 it is at 20% after one semester." These numbers have been exaggerated. Even if they were accurate, it sounds to me like one out of five (actually around one out of nine) people admitted to the Technion are either not mentally fit to study and live in Haifa or find out that medicine is not the field for them. Haifa is not Tel Aviv. The social life is highly confined in Haifa and it has a large population of Arabs and Russian immigrants. Integrating with ethnic Israelis is already hard enough, now add to our equation four distinct social/ethnic groups (American, Israeli, Arab, and Russian). I also read a summary from my former pre-med advisor that states the following,

"Experts recommend that you should consider a foreign medical school only if your individual MCAT scores are at least 10 or your total is 30".

These drop-out numbers do not seem so problematic to me. Even if the attrition rate was 20-22%, this is not indicative of an endemic problem. It sounds a bit high to me, but not out of the ordinary for a foreign medical school (the actual attrition rate is around 10-12%. Some Caribbean schools, such as Ross, have attrition rates above 50%. Perhaps this post from a studentdoctor.net forum about a Caribbean medical school will help illuminate my point for you. The psychological issues are basically identical. I want to warn you that this commentary is not mine. My ability to navigate and express myself through the English language is obviously on a higher level.

"1. If you haven't gotten an earfull yet, here it is. Medical school is alot of work. It is not hard and it is not impossible but it requires a great investment on your part. Investment of time, energy, social life, etc. Caribbean schools are no different; at least the reputable ones. American Medical schools accept the cream of the crop; those with at least 3.5GPA and atleast 30 MCAT scors. Those who get in and have these numbers, know what it took to get these numbers. They trained themselves during their undergrad to invest at least 6-7 hours a day to study, and to give up some of their social life. They are, therefore, not shocked by the tremendous aomunt of material and the hard work required to succeed. On the other hand, Caribbean schools do accept students with much lower scores. In a way, it is good to give everyone a chance or a shot at medical school. But, it is harder for those who barely made it through undergrad. I have seen many first semester students give up because the work was too much for them. So many picked up and left, it is not even funny and is very sad. Some of them were not in it because they truly wanted more than anything else to be a doctor. I know of a friend who just wanted to see it it was like and it was not worth the work for him. On the other hand, there are many who are up to the challenge and they are here with me working hard and are determined to do it. So, think hard about what you are up against and that should help. Whether in the states or in the caribbean, you will have to work hard to earn your MD.

2. If you thought living in the caribbean is fun, think again. You are isolated on an island with only your classmates and the locals. Often you will feel down. it is a fact so deal with it. Your classmates are feeling the sameway, if not worse. Feeling that you are not the only one will help. Still, you are thousand of miles away from your family whom you will wish they were around to comfort you. There is nothing fun to do on the island, and even if there was, you won't have the time. After a couple of weeks, you will get sick of the food selection having already tried all five so-called resturants. Back in the united states, you can go out and have a nice meal. You fave a larger selection, nicer atmosphere, shopping centers to buy what you need for school and for everyday's needs. You can have neighbors that are neither local farmers (with nothing in common with you) nor students with the same problems as you. It is way easier living in the states. The result, many students break down and call it a quit. Again, so many of us have survived the semester here. I guess it depends on how strong and determined you are.

3. Relationships. It is hard to maintain a relationship while in medical school and I would like to applaud all who were able to get through medical school and keep a healthy relationship. Here, on the island, I saw those who went home because they couldn't stay away from their significant other. I have seen those who broke up with their boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse. I have seen those who got dumped while in medical school by their significant other back in the states (I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies). I have also seen those who brought their husband and wives and the kids with them and are still struggling. It is not the greatest place to raise kids and it is boring and depressing [for] the spouse who came along. The bottom line, have a clear understanding of what your life will be here on the island. Discuss it with your significant other whether you are leaving them behind or bringing them with you. At all costs avoid the possibility of ending a serious relationship while in medical school. A few have survived the pain without it affecting their performance at school."

Technion is not a Caribbean medical school. It is a world renowned scientific institution. It has incredibly high standards with a Nobel Prize winner directing research in the medical school. It is not problematic to me if some people are just not cut out to be doctors and subsequently fail out or are not up to the challenge. Med school is not a cakewalk. Med school in Israel is not Birthright. Prepare to work and take the initiative.

 

[Grldoc18]

Hey Blimp 🙂 -

Are you definately going to Technion.. if you are I would like to get in touch with you --- BTW did you recieve any info yet?

 

[ave]

*New*
Facebook Group for Technion class of 2012
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14616099367&ref=mf

 

[Grldoc18]

Does anyone know the match residency list for Technion?

 

[jonathani1]

Does anyone know the match residency list for Technion?

Technion sadly does not make it public. You have to go to the interview to see it. It's one of the reasons I decided on Sackler instead.