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- Feb 7, 2005
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One thing seems certain: these schools are all constantly in a state of flux. Always changing their "marketing". With new ones cropping up all the time.
Note: ACER is a little like OPEC. Some years the schools cooperate; some years they cheat on the cartel (which has its consequences). Same UNCERTAINTY goes for their policies, curricula, internship, Australian immigration (which in the case of doctors is more or less, depending on the moment in time, directed by the medical colleges and the schools).
PGY1 and PGY2 are different here. There are lots of internships at non-teaching hospitals! The primary role of the intern and JMO1 (the next year) is to fill "workforce" needs. Not really any standards or expectations. Internship and JMO1 (in addition, internationals often have to do a JMO2 in order to get any sort of sponsorship for PR but it depends on the state and numerous other factors which evidently can not be predicted in advance) are like limbo years. You are not a student but you are not "training" in any sort of "specialty". They call it "prevocational" and your duties are probably quite similar to student "clerkships" in the US. Thus, you are generally PGY3 or even PGY4 before you can start specialty training! Note: you can not start training in many specialties unless you have PR/citizenship which of course depends on the policies at any given moment.
Little to do with your performance. And of course, there is the 10 year moratorium -- you can not get a Medicare number for TEN years after you get residency/citizenship or start internship whichever comes LATER. The exception, of course, being the dreaded rural leftovers. You haven't seen real rural until you've been to Oz. (In both 3rd and 4th year, we are forced to spend a month in these places -- which vary from fantastic to grim in terms of both education and living conditions. Check with each school.) PR is just the first hurdle!
If you are at all interested, apply and see what happens. It's very straight forward. But unpredictable. Nothing to lose, though. But be prepared to tolerate enormous uncertainty from start to finish.
For internationals in Oz, nothing is for sure. Tons of anecdotal info flying around but nothing solid. The system begs manipulation. But, it is also very manipulating of internationals.
Never take anything for granted. Maintain a healthy skepticism through out.
Good luck to everyone!
PS:There ARE people who finish these programs in December and start residency in the Canada or the US the following summer. However, they don't seem to be the majority of North American international students! (That's an understatement!)
PPS: Carib for more certainty; Oz for a helluva adventure.
Note: ACER is a little like OPEC. Some years the schools cooperate; some years they cheat on the cartel (which has its consequences). Same UNCERTAINTY goes for their policies, curricula, internship, Australian immigration (which in the case of doctors is more or less, depending on the moment in time, directed by the medical colleges and the schools).
PGY1 and PGY2 are different here. There are lots of internships at non-teaching hospitals! The primary role of the intern and JMO1 (the next year) is to fill "workforce" needs. Not really any standards or expectations. Internship and JMO1 (in addition, internationals often have to do a JMO2 in order to get any sort of sponsorship for PR but it depends on the state and numerous other factors which evidently can not be predicted in advance) are like limbo years. You are not a student but you are not "training" in any sort of "specialty". They call it "prevocational" and your duties are probably quite similar to student "clerkships" in the US. Thus, you are generally PGY3 or even PGY4 before you can start specialty training! Note: you can not start training in many specialties unless you have PR/citizenship which of course depends on the policies at any given moment.
If you are at all interested, apply and see what happens. It's very straight forward. But unpredictable. Nothing to lose, though. But be prepared to tolerate enormous uncertainty from start to finish.
For internationals in Oz, nothing is for sure. Tons of anecdotal info flying around but nothing solid. The system begs manipulation. But, it is also very manipulating of internationals.
Good luck to everyone!

PS:There ARE people who finish these programs in December and start residency in the Canada or the US the following summer. However, they don't seem to be the majority of North American international students! (That's an understatement!)
PPS: Carib for more certainty; Oz for a helluva adventure.