Anything else?

[Gooroo]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Does anyone have any more advice on this:

Hey guys. I need a little help. I am strongly considering applying to the
Caribbean medical schools but of coarse i first would like a little advice on whether or not im making the right decision. I graduated from Boston University with a 3.1 and got only a 21 on the MCAT. I have applied to a number of graduate of medical sciences programs and was planning on retaking the MCAT. I am now 23 and I am currently doing clinical work at Children's Hospital in Boston. I have done about 2 years work of volunteer work in College and now have completed my second year of clinical work. My question is, do you guys think that it would be worth it to do the medical masters program, get my GPA up, retake the MCAT and then wait a year to maybe get into medical school or do i just apply to AUC, St. James, St. George and Ross for the september semester? Also, if someone could just advise me on the pro's and con's of practicing medicine in the US with a degree from the caribbean i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks to all.

Oh and one last thing, I want to do Gen. Peds .
Thanks

 

[dogdayafternoon]

Basically I am in the same boat as you. I am on the verge of being rejected in this cycle (my first) but my scores are higher than yours (29Q and 3.72 GPA). So I have sent my apps to Caribbean schools.

CONS
-Less prestigous
-High drop out rate because they accept applicants for $$$$ expecting them to drop out. A lot of your fellow classmates should not be in medical school because they are unprepared academically or emotionally and this may get to you after a while. My counselor at college has visited two Caribbean schools and said that it was sad to find many "bitter and jaded" people because they could not get into U.S. schools. She felt "deeply troubled" that one day they could be someone's doctor.
-School may not prepare for USMLE enough to let you pass. Research the school! Find out where grads have end up. Some schools are fine and respectable but not all.
-More hurdles to jump
-You lose a lot of residencies that are competitive because there are plenty of qualified U.S. grads. Forget competitive specialties. You have a very low chance.
-You may not get the best clinicals.
-High debt because you don't have the in-state tuition breaks or as good loans
-Living in a foreign country can sometimes be frightening... political upheavels, poverty, crime, etc.


PROS
-You get to be a doctor if you are dedicated enough.


My $0.02: You are young. Take the MCAT again and go to a US school. If you cant get your MCAT up over to the high 20s, then the Caribbean will always be there for you. It will be there 2 years from now.