Approval for schools outside the Big 3?

[LadyK]

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Hi everyone, I've been reading these threads and they've been really helpful. About me: overall GPA 3.2, science GPA 2.8, have yet to take the MCAT. I considered applying to a special master's programs or a post-bac, but I've been out of school for a while and just want to start already. I don't worry about getting into a Carribean med school as much as I worry about whether or not I'll be able to practice where I want to once I graduate.

Anyways, I was searching for a definitive list of which school's residents can practice in certain states. I understand the Big 3 are approved in all 50 states, but what about the others? Is there a list somewhere? Is it worth it to apply to any non-Big 3 schools?

 

[oldpro]

Hi everyone, I've been reading these threads and they've been really helpful. About me: overall GPA 3.2, science GPA 2.8, have yet to take the MCAT. I considered applying to a special master's programs or a post-bac, but I've been out of school for a while and just want to start already. I don't worry about getting into a Carribean med school as much as I worry about whether or not I'll be able to practice where I want to once I graduate.

Anyways, I was searching for a definitive list of which school's residents can practice in certain states. I understand the Big 3 are approved in all 50 states, but what about the others? Is there a list somewhere? Is it worth it to apply to any non-Big 3 schools?

Oh this is easy,

If you do not go to SGU,ROSS,AUC or SABA then the rest do not have California approval and that limits License to about 45 states.

States that make it hard for a non Cali approved school:

Texas
Indiana
Florida
Any state that uses the Cali list of approved schools

then Kansas has a 10 year rule, the school has to be opened and operating for at least 10 years.

It seems per my research that one could get a lic in about 45 or so states since most are case by case, but if you go to any school not approved by Cali, then you can never get a Lic in Cali, ever per the state.

good luck

 

[LadyK]

Thanks for your reply!

States that make it hard for a non Cali approved school:

Texas
Indiana
Florida
Any state that uses the Cali list of approved schools

Which states use the Cali list?

Just to be clear: If you can get licensed in about 45 states, then the states not included in your estimate are Texas, Indiana, Florida, Cali, and ?

And just out of curiousity, what school do you attend?

 

[oldpro]

Thanks for your reply!



Which states use the Cali list?

Just to be clear: If you can get licensed in about 45 states, then the states not included in your estimate are Texas, Indiana, Florida, Cali, and ?

And just out of curiousity, what school do you attend?

Texas is possible just very hard.

At this time I recommend highly to try to get into one of the big 4, I attend SJSM and there are problems with schools at this level, below the Big 4, while they may be legit still they have a lot to improve on. I do not regret going to medical school but I do not know if I would have gone to the same school anymore?

Listen to those of us who have attended these schools, it will help you.

BTW when trying to pick a school make sure it is not banned in a state a few of these schools are banned in some states, none of the Big 4 or even SJSM but some of the others are. Texas and Cali have banned a few schools I would start with that list.

 

[LadyK]

What MCAT score would I need to be competive for SGU, Ross, AUC, and Saba, considering my GPA? Mid 20's at least?

 

[McGillGrad]

What MCAT score would I need to be competive for SGU, Ross, AUC, and Saba, considering my GPA? Mid 20's at least?

With your GPA, you should be in good shape with an MCAT of 26-27. Anything less and the 2.8 science GPA may hurt you.

 

[oldpro]

With your GPA, you should be in good shape with an MCAT of 26-27. Anything less and the 2.8 science GPA may hurt you.

Yea something in the 2.8 range and higher and 24 and higher will get you accepted and if the MCAT is lower Like 22 then you want a 3.0 or higher GPA.
The Caribbean schools do like to accept if possible.

 

[mrjbb]

These constantly overlooked schools are approved in ALL 50 states, they are located in the Dominican republic:

*Dominican Republic:

* Autonomous University of Santo Domingo Faculty of Medicine-(Public School, too too many problems more than 167,000 students enrolled..)
* Central University of the East School of Medicine (UCE)-(good school, strong curriculum....fed loans)
* Mother and Master Catholic University (PUCMM)-(Good strong curriculum, some clinicals in US, and affiliations with med schools in US, fed loans)
* National University of Pedro Henriquez Urena-(Not a good school, sometimes referred to as horrible, lost federal loans in 98..but..English program...used to be the "Harvard" of the Dominican Republic)
* Nordestana University Faculty of Medical Sciences-(Ok... I would do some extensive research on this institution..)
* Technical Institute of Santo Domingo School of Medicine (INTEC)-(Good school, OK curriculum, nothing to be in "awe" about)

You can check the California medical board here:
California Medical Board

These are the other schools in the Caribbean (DR) that are approved by all 50 states. Some have US Federal Loans, only two have English program (UPNHU & UNIBE)....

There are more in the Dominican Republic, but these are the only ones that most likely "fit" your criteria... If you need anymore info on any of these just ask...and you shall..receive.....

 

[LadyK]

These constantly overlooked schools are approved in ALL 50 states, they are located in the Dominican republic:

*Dominican Republic:

* Autonomous University of Santo Domingo Faculty of Medicine-(Public School, too too many problems more than 167,000 students enrolled..)
* Central University of the East School of Medicine (UCE)-(good school, strong curriculum.. English program...fed loans)
* Mother and Master Catholic University (PUCMM)-(Good strong curriculum, some clinicals in US, and affiliations with med schools in US, fed loans)
* National University of Pedro Henriquez Urena-(Not a good school, sometimes refered to as horrible, lost federal loans in 98..but..English program)
* Nordestana University Faculty of Medical Sciences-(Ok... I would do some extensive research on this institution..)
* Technical Institute of Santo Domingo School of Medicine (INTEC)-(Good school, OK curriculum, nothing to be in "awe" about)

You can check the California medical board here:
California Medical Board

These are the other schools in the Caribbean (DR) that are approved by all 50 states. Some have US Federal Loans, only two have English program....

There are more in the Dominican Republic, but these are the only ones that most likely "fit" your criteria... If you need anymore info on any of these just ask...and you shall..receive.....

For schools in the Dominican Republic wouldn't it be a problem not to know Spanish? I mean even considering the 2 schools that have English programs, how would you handle a Spanish speaking patient? How would you cope with day-to-day stuff like shopping?

 

[mrjbb]

For schools in the Dominican Republic wouldn't it be a problem not to know Spanish? I mean even considering the 2 schools that have English programs, how would you handle a Spanish speaking patient? How would you cope with day-to-day stuff like shopping?

If you're not proficient in Spanish, then you will take "intense" Spanish speaking courses integrated into your current curriculum... Thus if you *apply yourself, by the time you graduate I can GUARANTEE you will be proficient in the language.. Which will be a plus when applying for residency...😉

It isn't as difficult as it may seem, trust me I've met students that were extremely FOREIGN to the Spanish language.. But after taking a couple intense Spanish courses (offered at the school) they became proficient as can be...
Plus... This shouldn't be a detrimental factor when choosing to study medicine abroad, ESPECIALLY if the school can provide a means for you to learn the language...

 

[LadyK]

I'm not sure about that. I suck at foreign languages. And having to go through intense Spanish prep right before (or during?) med schools classes seems like adding stress to an already stressful situation.

But out of curiousity, which schools have an English program? Which ones have intense spanish prep?

 

[LadyK]

Also (I'm bad with geography) Dominica and the Dominican Republic are 2 different places right? Because Ross is on Dominica and they make no mention of knowing Spanish.

 

[mrjbb]

Also (I'm bad with geography) Dominica and the Dominican Republic are 2 different places right? Because Ross is on Dominica and they make no mention of knowing Spanish.

Yes..Lol Dominican Republic and Dominica are 2 completely different places...

In the Dominican R. The 2 schools with an ALL English programs are UNIBE (IberoAmerican University School of Medicine) & UPNH (Pedro Enrique Urena University).
*BTW Above web sites in English for all of these...

UCE (Central East University) Has a real good Spanish as a second Language program...

With the use of the word "Intense", I meant to say that it isn't a joke class that will teach you nothing... These Spanish classes will NOT take up most of your time, and in fact they will be very useful... You shouldn't and probably won't think of the Spanish Language class as another stressful course.... All I'm saying is learning Spanish and becoming fluent in it will ultimately only benefit you and your patients...

But of course thats only if you decide to go to an ALL Spanish speaking school.. There are the 2 mentioned above that have ALL classes in English....

This is another GREAT school, It is my first choice...Period... They will teach you Spanish and you will learn it: Pontifical Catholic Mother & Master School of Medicine-PUCMM

But of course the Dominican Republic isn't the only place for good medical schools within the Caribbean... Basically don't settle for a school until you "feel fit" for it....

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Do any of these schools in the DR post their residency placements? This would likely be the best measure of how successful the school is for those students wishing to complete their residency in the US. I looked on the above sites and was unable to find it, but perhaps it's in spanish.

 

[LadyK]

Do any of these schools in the DR post their residency placements? This would likely be the best measure of how successful the school is for those students wishing to complete their residency in the US. I looked on the above sites and was unable to find it, but perhaps it's in spanish.

From what I can tell from the websites, they prefer that you do your rotations in the DR. There's no mention of residencies that I can see.

For that reason, I'm less than excited about these schools. I mean the whole point is being able to practice in the US right?

 

[oldpro]

From what I can tell from the websites, they prefer that you do your rotations in the DR. There's no mention of residencies that I can see.

For that reason, I'm less than excited about these schools. I mean the whole point is being able to practice in the US right?

Well funny thing about rotations that I understand is, if done in the USa then cores must be green book, if done in another country it does not matter, this is the strangest part of the Caribbean school experience, Green book verses if clinicals are done outside the USA then there is no greenbook.😕

 

[LadyK]

What is this Green book you speak of? 😕

 

[McGillGrad]

Greenbook = ACGME approved residency in a certain specialty.

What is this Green book you speak of? 😕

 

[mrjbb]

Well you have to check with the school to see how many rotations you can do in the US... Some will allow you no more than a couple. While some will allow a handful... You have to understand that even though these medical schools possess the ability to accommodate US Students.. Their main goal is to produce fully capable physicians for their country... But thats not to say that you won't receive a good medical education...

Yes the main goal or purpose is for you to come back to the US and practice... But just because you complete most of your rotations in a foreign country it doesn't mean that you won't get a residency, nor that you won't pass the boards... As I've said, no ones putting a gun to anyones head so that they go to any of these schools..

Think of it this way... Would you rather go to "X" school in the Caribbean that only advertises to have NY approval, but doesn't have 50 states, they allow you to complete all rotations in US...But you run the risk of by the time you graduate, them getting disapproved by Cali or any other state... PLUS some of these schools if they haven't, they are likely to loose their federal loans.... And bam! Your stuck!.. What happens then....?

I'm just "advertising" another way to look at things...

 

[oldpro]

Well you have to check with the school to see how many rotations you can do in the US... Some will allow you no more than a couple. While some will allow a handful... You have to understand that even though these medical schools possess the ability to accommodate US Students.. Their main goal is to produce fully capable physicians for their country... But thats not to say that you won't receive a good medical education...

Yes the main goal or purpose is for you to come back to the US and practice... But just because you complete most of your rotations in a foreign country it doesn't mean that you won't get a residency, nor that you won't pass the boards... As I've said, no ones putting a gun to anyones head so that they go to any of these schools..

Think of it this way... Would you rather go to "X" school in the Caribbean that only advertises to have NY approval, but doesn't have 50 states, they allow you to complete all rotations in US...But you run the risk of by the time you graduate, them getting disapproved by Cali or any other state... PLUS some of these schools if they haven't, they are likely to loose their federal loans.... And bam! Your stuck!.. What happens then....?

I'm just "advertising" another way to look at things...

DO you have to do the FIthPathway from one of these schools?

 

[mrjbb]

DO you have to do the FIthPathway from one of these schools?

No you do not... Fifth Pathway is rare... Anyways, I've actually spoken to students that have completed one entire year of the clinical portion (whether MS3 or MS4) in the US... SOMETIMES these schools will NOT allow you to do ANY clinical rotations in the US unless you have a 3.5 gpa at the time... That I know of there is only 1 in the DR (UNIBE). But thats 1 out of the 9 that exists...😀

You have to check with the schools, to see how many rotations they will allow in the US... Some of these schools will let you complete MOST of your clinicals in the US, BUT you have to complete the OB/GYN and Pediatrics rotations in their hospitals within their country; it happens but I have no idea why... You have to check with the school and be kept up to date, because these requirements for the clinical portions change sometimes... And it all depends on the school.

 

[JoeNamaMD]

Saba is the fourth school in the Caribbean to get California approval. I believe they are case by case in Texas. So far I know of only three Caribbean schools that have approval in all 50 States, SGU, Ross, and AUC.