did bad 1st yr of college, should i apply to foreign premed program??

[shashmundar]

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so i am a 2nd year student in college. i went to a prestigous 4yr-University my freshman year, but failed miserably (not-focused) and was kicked out due to having a sub 2.0 gpa. Currently, I'm at a community college for two semesters (this entire sophomore year) and I'm taking classes that I'm sure can be transfered when/if I choose to transfer next year. My grades are incredible now (3.8 gpa 1st semester) but recently, I've had some family friends introduce me to an alternative idea:

Applying to a Premed Program in a Foreign Medical School such as Unibe, St. George's, St. Christophers, St. George's, etc...where I would be enrolled into a 6/7 yr program that will take me directly through Med School.

I've talked to doctors that have been through and completed that whole ordeal, and although the general populus says to stick with U.S. schools, I know that my chances of getting into a med school in the U.S. without doing postgrad work is VERY SLIM.

I don't want to spend another 7-8 years just preparing for med school with the high chances of me not getting in at all. Are there any people that have completed the foreign program or any that have insight on how well off I will (or will not) be by pursuing that route?

My main concerns: coming back to the U.S. with my foreign degree and how that will impact my chances of getting residency.

PLEASE do post back with solid information and not opinions. And seriously, thank you for helping out.

 

[Miklos]

so i am a 2nd year student in college. i went to a prestigous 4yr-University my freshman year, but failed miserably (not-focused) and was kicked out due to having a sub 2.0 gpa. Currently, I'm at a community college for two semesters (this entire sophomore year) and I'm taking classes that I'm sure can be transfered when/if I choose to transfer next year. My grades are incredible now (3.8 gpa 1st semester) but recently, I've had some family friends introduce me to an alternative idea:

Applying to a Premed Program in a Foreign Medical School such as Unibe, St. George's, St. Christophers, St. George's, etc...where I would be enrolled into a 6/7 yr program that will take me directly through Med School.

I've talked to doctors that have been through and completed that whole ordeal, and although the general populus says to stick with U.S. schools, I know that my chances of getting into a med school in the U.S. without doing postgrad work is VERY SLIM.

I don't want to spend another 7-8 years just preparing for med school with the high chances of me not getting in at all. Are there any people that have completed the foreign program or any that have insight on how well off I will (or will not) be by pursuing that route?

My main concerns: coming back to the U.S. with my foreign degree and how that will impact my chances of getting residency.

PLEASE do post back with solid information and not opinions. And seriously, thank you for helping out.

Are you prepared academically and mentally for the rigors of medical school? A real six year program is not any easier than a four year program. Medicine is not for the faint of heart.

If you go the foreign route, be sure to pick a medical school that fits your needs and investigate it thoroughly before making the final decision to attend. (Given the current circumstances -- the GMC investigation, IMHO, SC is a very poor choice.)

The downside of the foreign route is pretty straightforward. The supercompetitive and competitive residencies are very difficult to achieve as an IMG.

I would bet that the following specialties are and will remain super competitive (in no particular order):

• Dermatology
• Radiation Oncology
• Plastic Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Neurological Surgery
• Opthalmology
• Otolaryngology
• Urology

Why?

They offer great financial possibilities and/or are great lifestyle choices. (The more specialized the field, the fewer practioners -- demand usually outstrips supply.)

IMO, others that probably will continue to be competitive:

• Diagnostic Radiology
• Anesthesiology
• Emergency Medicine
• General Surgery

As to how things will look regarding other currently less competitive residencies (IM, FP, Peds) in six years time, no one really knows. Currently the number of residencies is capped and there is an increased output of DO schools and foreign schools. If I had to guess, there will be increased competition there as well in the future.

What does this mean to someone thinking about going abroad?

IMO, one must be ready to compete by working hard, doing well on the USMLEs, etc..

For a review of the statistics regarding IMGs, see this thread over at ValueMD.

 

[shashmundar]

Are you prepared academically and mentally for the rigors of medical school?

this sir, i'm sure of without a doubt. i've wanted to do medicine all my life, but just became overwhelmed with freedom in my first year of college

Given the current circumstances -- the GMC investigation, IMHO, SC is a very poor choice.)

Can you please explain this? I'm taking a wildshot saying SC stands for St. Christopher, but I couldn't find anythign while googling this topic.

 

[Miklos]

Can you please explain this? I'm taking a wildshot saying SC stands for St. Christopher, but I couldn't find anythign while googling this topic.

In the UK, the General Medical Council governs medical practice. On its website, you'll find the following regarding SC:

St. Christopher's College of Medicine, Luton
We are currently investigating this institution's affiliation to the St Christopher ‘s College of Medicine in Senegal. Until our investigations are complete we have suspended our acceptance of medical degrees awarded by this institution and/or any of it's affiliations. Please contact us for advice if you are currently studying or applying to study at this institution.

Until the investigation is resolved, SCs degrees are meaningless in the UK.

What precipitated this?

See the BBC news story and listen to the BBC Five Live Radio report.

 

[penguins]

For what it is worth:
I went to the carib for med school. Wish I had taken MCAT again, etc to try harder for US school. Carib is a means to an end, but the means are rough and the end isn't guaranteed.

I wouldn't do the 6 yr degree thing. For the US system... if you don't finish, don't like it, something happens... at least you have a degree to fall back on that is valid in the States.
There is often little ryme or reason to med school admissions. A classmate of mine spent his first 2 years of college stoned and was put on probation at our private school for being below 2.0. His 3rd year he straightened out and got great grades, got into med school first time around at first choice. Screwing up your first year doesn't eliminate med school. Just be prepared to explain yourself in your personal statement, etc.

 

[ZigZag]

I would not do it. You are on your 2nd year of college and have ample time to improve academically, do research, find connections, do an advanced degree. Coming from a foreign school will always be an uphill battle. Try the traditional route, if it doesn't work out - only then go for a foreign school. There are also DO schools that are much easier to get into. I would rather go to a DO school then to any of the foreign.
Good luck.