Advanced Standing

[Trader56]

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I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but can anyone tell me about applying for advanced standing?

I formally withdrew from a U.S. MD program last Spring, taking an incomplete in the last few weeks of Pathophys (all other 1st and 2nd year classes have been completed) due to some serious family issues.

My former med school Dean is happy to write me a letter of recommendation, but to go back to my original school, I would have to re-apply as an incoming student and start over. I'd like to see if I can avoid having to repeat all of the first two years, though I'd be willing to repeat second year (Path, Pharm Pathophys, etc.). I'd also like to stay with U.S. schools if possible, though I'm fairly sure some of the foreign schools would allow me advanced standing. I'm just concerned about the hurdles IMG's can face.

Has anyone done this, or known someone who has?

Thanks for any comments!

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
You are going to have to re-apply to any medical school in the United States especially since your originial school has required you to reapply as an incoming student. Your best option is to go back to your original school. As a former member of an admissions committee, you would have to present a very convincing arguement to me as to why you did NOT return to your original school for me to consider you for admission.
njbmd 🙂

 

[Trader56]

Thanks njb, for your reply.

I CAN re-apply at my original school, but what they are telling me is that I'd need to go through the entire applcation/interview process, and then start over from the beginning. Obviously, having already pretty much completed my first two years, the idea of repeating all these classes for another two years is less than appealing.

This is why I wondered about the feasibility of applying for advanced standing elsewhere.

 

[ntmed]

Why did you have to formally withdraw instead of take a leave-of-absence? And what reason did your Dean give for requiring you to start over? Assuming there is a valid reason, if your current school won't accept you back as a second-year student, I would guess that no other school would either.

 

[sgopal2]

It just doesn't make sense. Why would they make you repeat the same classes you already passed, even if you were to re-apply?

Were you on academic or other types of probation?

I really doubt any other med school would take you unless you were able to clear this up.