Caribbean vs. India

[jumpman23]

Any thoughts of advatanges/disadvantages? In 2nd year of college right now, GPA is at 2.7, bombed a few prereqs, looks unlikely to be accepted to US med. school. Unhappy at undergrad. institution right now. Visitied SRMC in person last spring and talked to the kids there, seemed like a good option. Would be able to go for Fall '06 if accepeted. Carib. needs 90 credits (specifically St. George's), won't be able to go until Fall '07.

Thoughts on how much harder residency is out of SRMC (India) vs. St George's (Carib.)? Interested in radiology or orthopedic surgery, but obviously don't know too much about each since I am still an undergrad.

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[priyanka]

Any thoughts of advatanges/disadvantages? In 2nd year of college right now, GPA is at 2.7, bombed a few prereqs, looks unlikely to be accepted to US med. school. Unhappy at undergrad. institution right now. Visitied SRMC in person last spring and talked to the kids there, seemed like a good option. Would be able to go for Fall '06 if accepeted. Carib. needs 90 credits (specifically St. George's), won't be able to go until Fall '07.

Thoughts on how much harder residency is out of SRMC (India) vs. St George's (Carib.)? Interested in radiology or orthopedic surgery, but obviously don't know too much about each since I am still an undergrad.

IMHO, you are giving up too soon. Not everyone gets the golden opportunity of doing their med school in the US. If you wanna practice in US, a US MD degree is what you need. Orthopedic surgery, for one, is the one of the MOST competitive residency in the US, only second to dermatology. IMG's do not get matched to these residencies 99.97% of the times.They have to take up family practice. If you are choosing to choose a very challenging residency like orthopaedic surgery, you should also challenge yourself and make yourself do better in the remaining of your undergraduate years. Its not over yet. You are only a sophomore and there's a lot of opportunity to increase your GPA. Ace all your classes here on...

However, if you are stubborn about it and you just dont wanna put in the work right now, I'd choose carribean over India for the following reasons.
1) higher match rates in residencies.
2) only two years needed to spend in the carribean, rest two years you get to rotate in US hospitals.
3) Indian education system is VERY different and you might have trouble adjusting to it, considering that you did your high school in the US.
4) It takes more than 4 years to get your MBBS from india, and its hard to simultaneously study for the USMLE's because not everyone is taking the damn exam and hence its hard to get yourself motivated, as opposed to, everyone in the carribean wants to go to US, so everyone is studying for it.

 

[RTQPCR]

However, if you are stubborn about it and you just dont wanna put in the work right now, I'd choose carribean over India for the following reasons.
1) higher match rates in residencies.
2) only two years needed to spend in the carribean, rest two years you get to rotate in US hospitals.
3) Indian education system is VERY different and you might have trouble adjusting to it, considering that you did your high school in the US.
4) It takes more than 4 years to get your MBBS from india, and its hard to simultaneously study for the USMLE's because not everyone is taking the damn exam and hence its hard to get yourself motivated, as opposed to, everyone in the carribean wants to go to US, so everyone is studying for it.

I agree. Unless you plan to settle in India, that is. If not, then go Carribean:

1) They prep you for the US boards and you take these exams during med school just as US students do.
2) US clinical exposure during 3rd and 4th years gives you letters of rec. from US faculty for your residency applications.

Ortho is hard to get, almost close to impossible for IMGs. Rads is still competitive but doable. I think the India route is great, but for motivated US kids who attend right after graduating highschool, and who don't plan on doing a super competitive field. They skip undergrad and go straight to medschool. I know some kids whose daddies decided their path, and sent them to India after HS. They're not too happy right now.

My advice, take it easy, do your best, have fun, but work hard. Make sure and get as much clinical exposure as you can. Really test your desire to enter medicine, and make sure its what you want to do. If you really want it, it'll happen.
Cool runnings!

Oh yeah, say you do go to India right now. Would you be motivated to kick ass. Its going to be much harder than any US undergrad, and if you're doing shi**y now, well...think about it.....Good Luck

 

[Energon]

IMHO, you are giving up too soon. Not everyone gets the golden opportunity of doing their med school in the US. If you wanna practice in US, a US MD degree is what you need. Orthopedic surgery, for one, is the one of the MOST competitive residency in the US, only second to dermatology. IMG's do not get matched to these residencies 99.97% of the times.They have to take up family practice. If you are choosing to choose a very challenging residency like orthopaedic surgery, you should also challenge yourself and make yourself do better in the remaining of your undergraduate years. Its not over yet. You are only a sophomore and there's a lot of opportunity to increase your GPA. Ace all your classes here on...

However, if you are stubborn about it and you just dont wanna put in the work right now, I'd choose carribean over India for the following reasons.
1) higher match rates in residencies.
2) only two years needed to spend in the carribean, rest two years you get to rotate in US hospitals.
3) Indian education system is VERY different and you might have trouble adjusting to it, considering that you did your high school in the US.
4) It takes more than 4 years to get your MBBS from india, and its hard to simultaneously study for the USMLE's because not everyone is taking the damn exam and hence its hard to get yourself motivated, as opposed to, everyone in the carribean wants to go to US, so everyone is studying for it.

Pri, tu itki shahani kevha zhalis? Now suddenly you are dispensing good advice vagare.... 😛

 

[priyanka]

Pri, tu itki shahani kevha zhalis? Now suddenly you are dispensing good advice vagare.... 😛

haha (Thats all i got time to write right now😛)

 

[max_wannelius]

what is the cost of medical school in india per semester? and china as well, if anyone knows. and singapore/malaysia. i know caribb is $25000 USD per semester. 😱

 

[RTQPCR]

what is the cost of medical school in india per semester? and china as well, if anyone knows. and singapore/malaysia. i know caribb is $25000 USD per semester. 😱

I heard the public schools in India are around $200 USD tuiton per year.

 

[flash116]

Thoughts on how much harder residency is out of SRMC (India) vs. St George's (Carib.)? Interested in radiology or orthopedic surgery, but obviously don't know too much about each since I am still an undergrad.

I am a 4th year osteopathic medical student and i am currently applying for an MD residency. I was in your same situation my freshman year in college. I bombed my first year. I know it hurt me in my med school apps. But if you really try to improve your grades and have a competive MCAT score you have a good chance of getting in to med school. Also you can also try to a postgrad year. I know that georgetown offers one and there is one at penn.
Second, you can always try applying to DO school. I have enjoyed my four years and I think that I am getting a great education. I know people who have matched in Md Ortho programs who are DOs and there are several DO ortho programs. More than likely during your four years of med school you will change your mind on what you want to do.
Good Luck!! and don't give up

 

[dreamz912]

Hi! I agree with the previous post. I wasn't sure I wanted to take on medicine, but I decided my junior yr in college. My GPA was pretty average but a bit low to be considered competitive for MD programs in the US. Then I came across Osteopathic medical schools, read about the philosophy, shadowed a DO physician, and knew this was the route for me. I took my MCAT and did really well. I could've applied to MD and DO programs but I only applied to DO programs, and have acceptances already. It is an excellent medical education, and an excellent route if you want to go into primary care. There are great residency programs for Ortho since you mentioned you're interested in that. Try and bring your GPA up to at least a 3.3 and do well on the MCAT, with shadowing and good extracurricular activities, you would be a good candidate.

Making the shift to India or Carribean is a huge transition and not easy for anyone. Going the DO route gives you a great medical education in the US and allows you to compete for osteopathic and allopathic residencies.

If you want to know more about Osteopathic medicine, visit this website:
www.aacom.org

Hope this helped! You can PM me if you have any more questions.

 

[Souvik_Sen]

Any thoughts of advatanges/disadvantages? In 2nd year of college right now, GPA is at 2.7, bombed a few prereqs, looks unlikely to be accepted to US med. school. Unhappy at undergrad. institution right now. Visitied SRMC in person last spring and talked to the kids there, seemed like a good option. Would be able to go for Fall '06 if accepeted. Carib. needs 90 credits (specifically St. George's), won't be able to go until Fall '07.

Thoughts on how much harder residency is out of SRMC (India) vs. St George's (Carib.)? Interested in radiology or orthopedic surgery, but obviously don't know too much about each since I am still an undergrad.

I am an NRI from the Caribbean in the island of Antigua. My dad is an Anaesthesiologist and a faculty member at AUA (u probably know this one). Currently, I am in my second year of medicine at SRMC. My dad felt that the training in India was much better and besides he also felt that the patient interaction you will avail in India is neverending whereas when ure at a Caribbean med school, its practically zilch!...In which case u'll probably get fewer scoldings from ure head resident if u do come here.

But I am not saying that this should really have to motivate you into coming here. It was my dad's decision and so far I've like it here and hey!....our first generation Indian doctors know their ****!

You just have to get used to the Indian system which is basically the British system of examinations. Once you get to second yr, there's hardly any pressure on you so u can get ample time studying for your first step. The course load even in the 3rd year is low. The only really intense years as far as the college exams are concerned are the first and 4th years.

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

Hope this helps

 

[jaykav07]

what is the cost of medical school in india per semester? and china as well, if anyone knows. and singapore/malaysia. i know caribb is $25000 USD per semester. 😱

Manipal Medical is 150-200$ for 4 yrs, with only 2 yrs in India, and 2 yrs back here for clinicals. They are US accredited you should look them up.

 

[schandan13]

Manipal Medical is 150-200$ for 4 yrs, with only 2 yrs in India, and 2 yrs back here for clinicals. They are US accredited you should look them up.

Easy there....AUA is not 50 state approved.