Foreign medschool or attempt to improve subpar gpa?

[AgainstAllOds]

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Would it be better to go to a foreign medical school for 4 years then test to get back into the country or try to improve my current standing by taking a post-bacc or smp and then applying to a med school in the country?

 

[487806]

Would it be better to go to a foreign medical school for 4 years then test to get back into the country or try to improve my current standing by taking a post-bacc or smp and then applying to a med school in the country?

Take the post-bacc/smp.

 

[AgainstAllOds]

Take the post-bacc/smp.

reasons?

 

[487806]

reasons?

Foreign med schools set you up for a disadvantage when you apply for residencies. That's why it's always the best idea to improve your GPA and matriculate into a US school if you plan to do residency in the US.

 

[deleted357625]

Would it be better to go to a foreign medical school for 4 years then test to get back into the country or try to improve my current standing by taking a post-bacc or smp and then applying to a med school in the country?

test back into the country? What if you want to stay in that foreign country? kidding, you will be at a disadvantage considering you will be graduating from a foreign medical university. Simple.
While a post-bacc or smp improves your app in order to stay here stateside. But, it depends what foreign country are you talking about? Do you have relatives there? Could you see yourself practicing there? Do they teach in English? etc etc.

 

[AgainstAllOds]

test back into the country? What if you want to stay in that foreign country? kidding, you will be at a disadvantage considering you will be graduating from a foreign medical university. Simple.
While a post-bacc or smp improves your app in order to stay here stateside. But, it depends what foreign country are you talking about? Do you have relatives there? Could you see yourself practicing there? Do they teach in English? etc etc.

Specifically the Philippines and i think it would be terrible living there. Would the Caribbean be any better?

 

[deleted357625]

Specifically the Philippines and i think it would be terrible living there. Would the Caribbean be any better?

Def not. Just the same.

 

[Spinach Dip]

What kind of GPA are we talking about? sub-3.0?

 

[IslandStyle808]

Would it be better to go to a foreign medical school for 4 years then test to get back into the country or try to improve my current standing by taking a post-bacc or smp and then applying to a med school in the country?

smp/post-bacc > than applying directly to foreign school

 

[Law2Doc]

Would it be better to go to a foreign medical school for 4 years then test to get back into the country or try to improve my current standing by taking a post-bacc or smp and then applying to a med school in the country?

If you want to end up practicing in the US you need to go to school in the US. Foreign educated people have a horrible time landing residencies. They have to survive high attrition, and if they do, they then end up with about a 40% chance of landing a US spot, which will generally be in an undesirable location in a less competitive specialty. And as the number of US matriculants increases each year, this 40% chance will drop precipitously. So if you want to be a doctor here, you need to fix things. There are no shortcuts.

 

[r1d1]

Would the Caribbean be any better?

I actually think they are, although I don't recommend it. Students at "the big 4" do clinical rotations in the States. That'll give you a leg up over other IMG's. Also at those 4, most of your classmates will be Americans and Canadians.

 

[Planes2Doc]

Only do an SMP if you're 100% confident that you'll get straight A's in it. Otherwise, it will be the kiss of death, since it's pretty much a last chance all or nothing option.

You might be better off trying to improve your worst classes and apply to DO schools. The AACOMAS has complete grade replacement. Good luck!

 

[NickNaylor]

If your goal is to be a practicing physician in the US, then you should do everything in your power to do your training in the US. While there are anecdotes of people doing their training abroad and returning for residency and the rest of their careers, it's a huge uphill battle and you're at a disadvantage from the start. IMO spending a year or two to strengthen your app and perhaps doing something to enrich your life is well worth it over going abroad for school.