Carib MD mow or D.O (may be ) later

[billydoc]

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Hi Guys!
Here's a dilemma: I'm 35 (to be 36 in June). Got tons of real clinical and administrative exp (RN), also have been in the private practice as an acupunctuist. About 2 yrs ago I made an unsuccessful attempt at the Carib med school (ROSS). I was out of school for almost 12 yrs when I went there (what the hell was I thinking 😱 ) Anyway, I went by myself, left my wife and dtr back in the States. Got really, really both mentally, and home sick, and it started to affect my academic performance. Long-story-short...I withdrew, and reapplied to another Carib school, where I was supposed to start almost a year and a half ago. But I was so sick that I defered my start date twice.SMU has been really good to me. This school is on the much better island (Grand Cayman), and I'm more prepared academically and psychologically (I think).Though not being with my family is likely to do a # on me again. I either have to go this May, or, probably, loose my accptance there. But I realize that I'm selling myself short. I've never even applied to U.S med schools (never took the MCAT).But I'm not a reject (don't really see a reason of why I should be). But here is a tricky part: if I applied in U.S 1) gotto take MCAT, 2) probably retake some pre-reqs (mine are over 15 yrs old 😱 ). So there is no garantee af acceptance to U.S (NYCOM is is my #1 choice), but I will loose the Carib spot (in that school), and will become even older .
What would you do guys in my place?
TIA to all!

 

[NewNick]

Hi Guys!
Here's a dilemma: I'm 35 (to be 36 in June). Got tons of real clinical and administrative exp (RN), also have been in the private practice as an acupunctuist. About 2 yrs ago I made an unsuccessful attempt at the Carib med school (ROSS). I was out of school for almost 12 yrs when I went there (what the hell was I thinking 😱 ) Anyway, I went by myself, left my wife and dtr back in the States. Got really, really both mentally, and home sick, and it started to affect my academic performance. Long-story-short...I withdrew, and reapplied to another Carib school, where I was supposed to start almost a year and a half ago. But I was so sick that I defered my start date twice.SMU has been really good to me. This school is on the much better island (Grand Cayman), and I'm more prepared academically and psychologically (I think).Though not being with my family is likely to do a # on me again. I either have to go this May, or, probably, loose my accptance there. But I realize that I'm selling myself short. I've never even applied to U.S med schools (never took the MCAT).But I'm not a reject (don't really see a reason of why I should be). But here is a tricky part: if I applied in U.S 1) gotto take MCAT, 2) probably retake some pre-reqs (mine are over 15 yrs old 😱 ). So there is no garantee af acceptance to U.S (NYCOM is is my #1 choice), but I will loose the Carib spot (in that school), and will become even older .
What would you do guys in my place?
TIA to all!

Just go to Carib. You don't have much more time since you're getting old. 🙂) If you love to be a physician, then do it. If I'm not mistaken, you'll be back to US to do rotations in the 3rd and 4th years. So you're only away from family for 2 years. You can visit them when you have a long break. Perhaps twice per year ? In short, just find a quite place and think to see if being a physician is your passion. Otherwise, forget about it. Just move on with your family. Good luck.

 

[ShyRem]

Take the MCAT and see how you do. 35's not bad - I'm 38 (soon to be 39) and heading to DO school in August (unless I get off one particular MD waitlist).

 

[TypeA]

Go to the islands. I know it will be rough, but it depends on how much you want it. In 5 years, if you haven't been accepted in the US, will you regret not having taken the Carib. route? It's a means to an end...not the end. Good luck - keep us posted.

 

[burntcrispy]

I'm a 4th year med student, previous RN, non-trad, etc. I would just go Carribian. Since your classes are so old, you may have to retake the prerecs for the US med schools to accept them. I would definately not take the MCAT after not having those classes in so long. I thought the MCAT was tough after just having physics, organic, etc and studying my butt off for it.

The main advantage to US med school: Bigger residencies. For instance, derm, Plastic Surgery, Ortho Surgery, most Anesthesia and most Gen Surg, etc. As a Foreign Medical Grad (FMG) you will most likely not be accepted into these more competitive residencies. So if you have a very burning desire to do something like this, it may be worth your while to take the extra time of taking the classes, MCAT, applying all over etc.

There are still lots of good residencies that take FMGs. Internal Medicine is one and it is the gateway to the specilities: GI, Cards, etc. I know several doctors that have gone the carribian route. I looked into it as a back up when I was applying 4 years ago. If you go there and study you will learn what you need to know to be a good doctor.

You have to stop and ask yourself how much time you're willing to put into this. I think going the US (MD or DO route )may take a few more years just to apply. You may want to check on this but I think most schools don't take classes over 7 years old, but they will factor them into your GPA. It's been a long time since I've applied and I've crammed a few million useless details into my brain since then so better check on this or ask around the forums 🙂

Well, good luck with your decision.

 

[jawicobike]

I'm curious to know how many of those advising to go the FMG path are married with kids.

Personally I would not advise anyone to leave their family for two years to go to med school it's hard enough with their support I can't imagine going without them. If you really don't want to take the MCAT I would say to move the family down with you.

 

[billydoc]

Thanks to all who repplied. I'm still puzzled, because as I said before I know what Carib school is like. I went to ROSS before. But I'm leaning towards trying U.S D.O (my preferance). Staying where my family is could make or brake the reality of me becoming a doctor.

Thanks

 

[chopstick1]

Thanks to all who repplied. I'm still puzzled, because as I said before I know what Carib school is like. I went to ROSS before. But I'm leaning towards trying U.S D.O (my preferance). Staying where my family is could make or brake the reality of me becoming a doctor.

Thanks

I am an ER/ICU RN supervisor and just got in to DO school. I've had many similar thoughts like yours thinking about medical school. where to go, who will take me, family/friends, moving...etc. if you think you're prepared for it, take the MCAT. the most that will happen is it'll give you the answer to either apply to DO school or stick with the islands. I have friends that scored crappy on the MCAT and are good physicians...and vice versa!!

has your family considered going with you to the islands? or plan visits every so often? in some sense it's works....you get put in the time without neglecting your family then take time off to just concentrate on them when they visit. it could be as much as once a month....or less. military people do it all the time, so it's definitely do able. but it costs a lot of money to fly back and forth.

for me, I love the aspect of learning "outside the box"...alt meds, OMM, holistic healing...etc. as well as traditional med, so DO school is a great fit for me. it's all about what you think you'll be happy with. academically I am not very competitive and I don't think I'd be happy in the islands so I didn't apply. I rolled the dice and took my chances on getting in. you've already said it...family is what may make the diff. talk to them, get their take on it. what kind of time frame are you talking about? the MCAT are in apr and aug. soon, rumor has it, they can be taken 4-6 times/yr.

 

[billydoc]

I am an ER/ICU RN supervisor and just got in to DO school. I've had many similar thoughts like yours thinking about medical school. where to go, who will take me, family/friends, moving...etc. if you think you're prepared for it, take the MCAT. the most that will happen is it'll give you the answer to either apply to DO school or stick with the islands. I have friends that scored crappy on the MCAT and are good physicians...and vice versa!!

has your family considered going with you to the islands? or plan visits every so often? in some sense it's works....you get put in the time without neglecting your family then take time off to just concentrate on them when they visit. it could be as much as once a month....or less. military people do it all the time, so it's definitely do able. but it costs a lot of money to fly back and forth.

for me, I love the aspect of learning "outside the box"...alt meds, OMM, holistic healing...etc. as well as traditional med, so DO school is a great fit for me. it's all about what you think you'll be happy with. academically I am not very competitive and I don't think I'd be happy in the islands so I didn't apply. I rolled the dice and took my chances on getting in. you've already said it...family is what may make the diff. talk to them, get their take on it. what kind of time frame are you talking about? the MCAT are in apr and aug. soon, rumor has it, they can be taken 4-6 times/yr.

Hey Chopstic1! Thanks for your response. I got accepted to at least 3 major Carib schools without much of a hussle. I now realize that there is a toll bridge at the end of that journey.Not being an AMERICAN med school graduate. It's true that occasionaly ppl get into good residencies as IMGs,but I'm not that young. Not even trying to get in U.S. will be absolutely ideotic. All ppl I've met in the Carib have tried their best to get in in the States, and did not. I know I will always be asking myself regretfully "what if" I just tried in U.S. I was in the state of neurosis, and "needed to be a doctor immediately" when I applied to Carib schools, because,OMG, I was already 34 y.o 🙄 . I'm glad I've caught on it before accumulating some major debt. No I'm not getting any younger, and I have a medical condition that gets far worse under stress, especially unneccessary stress of separation with my family.Draging them all over those islands is not fair to them. I don't want my dream to become their nightmare, especially when I never gave it a shot in the States. I don't want to be cavaleer about it, but I'll always have an option of geting FMG degree, if not Carib then Europe etc. But I'm already an RN for many years, and have been in the private practice as an Acupuncturist for a while....So it's not like I need
a J O B. Being a doc is what I always wanted, but when I was younger, kept on making excuses to avoid getting out of my comfort zone, and just being plain lazy. But now...I am husband, and daddy, and those are my first and formost priorities. The most difficult part was to make a decision and stick to it, no matter what. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't get in school here. D.O is my choice, it's much closer in its phylosophy to what I do now. So we some serious butt kicking, and a prayer I will be well on my way there.

Thanks all very much again.
Sorry about such a long post. 😀

 

[chopstick1]

I now realize that there is a toll bridge at the end of that journey.Not being an AMERICAN med school graduate. . So we some serious butt kicking, and a prayer I will be well on my way there.
. 😀

yeah there is defintely a stigma for IMG's. it sucks, and shouldn't be there but it is. absolutely you'll be there!! there's no reason why you can't get in. I'll be 33 when I start and I've also have a medical issue that is getting irritated. let me know if I can help....good luck and see you in DO school soon! 😀