DOCTORS: Making the decision to begin med school in Mexico: Would you do it again???

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deleted690116

I do want to say** If it's necessary to move this threat to another forum I will do you, but please refrain from eye rolls or disqualifying doctors who study in Mexico. I've read a lot of that here and it really upsets me. Medicine is difficult anywhere and I am posting this here because I am making a big decision at this moment to pursue medicine in Mexico. Or an alternative career.

And my interest isn't only to hear from doctors who studied in Mexico but those who study and practice now everywhere.

I have been accepted into a good university. Yes I know passing the ENARM (specialities in Mexico is extremeley competitive), and doing well enough on the boards to get into a U.S. speciality even more. I know all of this.

But that is my plan. Study there, take the boards. And have dual practicing rights.

That being said, my question isn't about the exams. It's about the entire process that it is to become a doctor.

I'm confused because I have heard so many mixed responses, both from doctors in Mexico and those in the U.S. They all say (and I know this is true) that medicine is difficult anywhere, it requires a lot of sacrifices, sleepless nights, not eating, difficult treatment, the heirarchy... there is so much I don't know which is why I seek the opinions of those who are currently living it or have.

I've always wanted medicine. I have a background in psychology which I love, but the medical field has always drawn my attention more. I love being in hospitals. I love what I have seen shadowing physicians of all specialties. Here and there.

But I know medicine isn't glamorous. And many of the doctors have told me that. "It seems like you have an idea of what it is but you DO have to look at it as it is-- this isn't grey´s anatomy."

And it's true.

So I want to hear from you. Because some have said they would do it all over again, in an instant, despite the poor pay (especially in Mexico; of course med school doesn't cost the same but you can't compare the salaries). Others say to stop right now. That if there is anything that interests me more (psych, writing), to pursue that instead. That they have left "everything behind" for a career that has consumed them. Others disagree.

So I guess my last opinions that I want to hear are from you guys.

I don't know what it is until I do it, but the more information I can hear about the reality of it-- the better. Those of you in Mexico or foreign doctors, I would love to hear as well*

I am a U.S. citizen. Not sure if that would benefit me as far as residency in the U.S. , just something I'm throwing out there.

Thank you to all.
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Members don't see this ad :)
84 US IMG's who attended medical school in Mexico matched into a US residency in the 2013 match.
77 US citizens who attended school in Mexico and were eligible for the Match, did not. Chart 15: http://www.ecfmg.org/resources/NRMP...atch-International-Medical-Graduates-2014.pdf

One should only attend medical school in Mexico if the prospect of practicing there is pleasing. Even odds are that's exactly what may happen.

If you are willing to attend medical school in Mexico, why not apply to the 3 Puerto Rican schools that consider mainlanders?
 
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gonnif said:
Just to add to this, a decade ago or so, the odds were much better. However, the residency squeeze has made this a much larger gamble.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Mexico thing (especially UAG) was way more common back in my parents' generation. Today it might as well be the Caribbean.
 
WedgeDawg said:
Do you want to practice medicine in the US or in Mexico?
Click to expand...

I would like to in the U.S.

But due to financial reasons, I can't continue paying for college here (U.S. pre-med reqs). Long story short, everything considered, financially I can't make it work in the U.S. Bachelor's is done, a few pre-reqs but that's it.
 
pathtoMD said:
I would like to in the U.S.

But due to financial reasons, I can't continue paying for college here (U.S. pre-med reqs). Long story short, everything considered, financially I can't make it work in the U.S. Bachelor's is done, a few pre-reqs but that's it.
Click to expand...

If you have a 50% chance of not being able to ever practice in the US, would be okay spending 4 years getting what may amount to a worthless MD in Mexico?
 
gonnif said:
Just to add to this, a decade ago or so, the odds were much better. However, the residency squeeze has made this a much larger gamble.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the response.

I've heard it's gotten better in Mexico as far as the "treatment" of med students and residents goes, I'm not sure how this differs from the U.S.

I planned on pursuing medicine in Mexico if that is what studying in Mexico meant (obviously much more realistic). Now, I know medicine is not about making money. If that was my main interest I would do something else immediately.

But the pay is very poor for doctors in Mexico (sadly). Which is where I would like to be able to practice here.

I know you can't have the best of both worlds.

Med school in Mexico (they are offering good scholarships) with no debt vs. debt/loans in the U.S. but then terrible pay in the long run

Would I do the pre-med/med route in the U.S. instead of Mexico? Of course. I won't go into personal details but a lot of changes have happened in my life where I don't see that as an option anymore.

This isn't a pity party haha. Just want information.

The last two things doctors in Mexico told me were 1) "I would never do it again -- unless I get into a U.S. residency etc (basically desribed it as torture)... You are a U.S. citizen, you have job offers, love different things, do something different."

2) "I work at a great hospital. I love what I do. I don't care if the pay isn't well. I love it, it's my passion, and I would do it all again with the same enthusiasm and everything it entailed."

My family says I'm overthinking things. But this is a big decision. The only reason I would move to Mexico is to pursue medicine.
5 years, volunteer year, residency and specialty.

That's fine. But GAH. I have to decide now because schools need to hear back. And MOVE.
 
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gyngyn said:
84 US IMG's who attended medical school in Mexico matched into a US residency in the 2013 match.
77 US citizens who attended school in Mexico and were eligible for the Match, did not. Chart 15: http://www.ecfmg.org/resources/NRMP...atch-International-Medical-Graduates-2014.pdf

One should only attend medical school in Mexico if the prospect of practicing there is pleasing. Even odds are that's exactly what may happen.

If you are willing to attend medical school in Mexico, why not apply to the 3 Puerto Rican schools that consider mainlanders?
Click to expand...

BTW -- thank you for that info. Had not looked into Puerto Rico. Doing so now.
 
WedgeDawg said:
If you have a 50% chance of not being able to ever practice in the US, would be okay spending 4 years getting what may amount to a worthless MD in Mexico?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I am thinking and thinking (and rethinking).
 
pathtoMD said:
That is exactly what I am thinking and thinking (and rethinking).
Click to expand...

I do not think I would go to medical school in Mexico unless it was my goal to practice medicine for the rest of my life in Mexico. I certainly wouldn't do so with the intention to return to the US to practice.
 
NotASerialKiller said:
I only shadowed in the OR for 2 months, but I ended up having sex with Patrick Dempsey in an elevator several times. I know what you're thinking, small sample size, but all I'm saying is that I've yet to see how medicine is not like Grey's Anatomy.
Click to expand...
fcking /sdn. everyone go home and shut this place down.
 
NotASerialKiller said:
I only shadowed in the OR for 2 months, but I ended up having sex with Patrick Dempsey in an elevator several times. I know what you're thinking, small sample size, but all I'm saying is that I've yet to see how medicine is not like Grey's Anatomy.
Click to expand...
irrelevant comment
 
Alright. I don't care what I need to do. I don't care how many loans I need to apply for or what I need to do.

Not going to Mexico. Going to do whatever I have to do to get into med school here. And that is that.

Thanks again everyone.
 
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