Help! Is it impossible to transfer?

[kattyboomboom]

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I made a huge mistake going to Mcgill--from the disorganized curriculum to the overcrowding to the bad student/admin/faculty relations to the new strike that has begun with in-province specialists meaning that specialists will not be teaching some of our lectures now (another local PBL school is totally shut down)--it's all been downhill...

I'm looking at transfering. Do you have any advice? Know anybody that's successfully transfered? Where are my chances best??

 

[Law2Doc]

I made a huge mistake going to Mcgill--from the disorganized curriculum to the overcrowding to the bad student/admin/faculty relations to the new strike that has begun with in-province specialists meaning that specialists will not be teaching some of our lectures now (another local PBL school is totally shut down)--it's all been downhill...

I'm looking at transfering. Do you have any advice? Know anybody that's successfully transfered? Where are my chances best??

There were several threads about transfering on this board a few months back, which contained some good info -- you should look for them. In general most schools require you to have finished second year and successfully completed Step 1 before transferring, though. A few take earlier transferees, if they have room. No matter when you transfer you usually need a stronger reason for transferring than that you have issues with the organization and staffing/crowding at your school. Best to check the school websites of the places you are interested in and see what their policies are.

 

[Phluffy024]

I transferred from SUNY Stony Brook to University of Maryland for a personal reason, namely my significant other is in my new class at UMD. The transfer process is not easy for many reasons, but the one factor that seems to be consistent in aiding ones ability to transfer is the reason for applying; for example, I was told by SB not to bother having my fiancee apply until she had a rock on her finger. I agree with the first response that organization and staffing/overcrowding probably would not be a sufficient reason for another school to consider you for transfer status. I would suggest developing a more personal reason for your decision...obviously don't lie, but is your family near a school that you would prefer to go or do you have a significant other in another city in which there is a medical school?

Also, keep in mind that if you do transfer, your new school will not allow you to begin until you pass Step I so you will be forced to take at least a month or so off before you start. Figure out what that means for your fourth year schedule. Is there sufficient vacation time fourth year so that this doesn't pose a large problem or will you have to sacrifice elective time? This could be a large factor, especially if you are interested in a residency program that you are not formally exposed to third year.

 

[deleted109597]

I imagine it is a lot tougher getting out of a Canadian school than a US school though. There is no harm in trying.

 

[Mixtli]

I find that amazing, UMDSOM overaccepted their class by 10 people and had a lot of OOS matriculants for the class of 2010 (22%).

 

[oompa loompa]

Me too. I am so depressed and unhappy at my med school and I'm even thinking of failing so I can go home and just repeat MS 1 at my state school...I don't know how else they would allow me to transfer.

What is the more difficult part--getting your current school to allow you to leave, or getting your future school to accept a transfer? I wouldnt' mind taking a bunch of summer classes to make up whatever difference there is in first year curriculi. Sigh...

 

[Phluffy024]

The most difficult part is getting a school to accept you. First, they have to have a spot in the class which is not a sure thing. Second, you have to be chosen from an unknown number of candidates. Again, the most important (at least for me) aspect of the transfer process is your reason. If you have a really good reason with solid credentials and pass Step I, you may have a good shot. I would suggest first finding out if the admissions staff expects a spot to be available and then I would schedule a discussion with the dean of admissions so that at least they can put a face/voice to the application.

My old school didn't make it ridiculously easy, so I would suggest that if you are going to apply elsewhere, talk to a dean at your school soon so that they can prepare the necessary paperwork in advance.

But, before you start searching this all out, realize that a fair number of students are unhappy the first two years of medical school because, well, the first two years suck! Things change a lot third year; talk with some third years and see how they are enjoying it before you drive yourself crazy with another application.

 

[physicsnerd42]

Me too. I am so depressed and unhappy at my med school and I'm even thinking of failing so I can go home and just repeat MS 1 at my state school...I don't know how else they would allow me to transfer.

A word of caution: I don't think that another med school will take you if you failed out of your first med school (because then you will have demonstrated that you can't handle med school), so I wouldn't suggest that as a tactic. If you are feeling depressed, you should think about taking advantage of your school's counseling center. It may help you to deal with some of the things that are making you so unhappy at your current school. Good luck!

 

[DeigoT]

I am currently a student at UMD, and I was told that they didn't over accept, but it was their intention to increase the class size in order to begin putting out more physicians. I think a few other schools did the same thing.

I find that amazing, UMDSOM overaccepted their class by 10 people and had a lot of OOS matriculants for the class of 2010 (22%).

 

[CatsandCradles]

Me too. I am so depressed and unhappy at my med school and I'm even thinking of failing so I can go home and just repeat MS 1 at my state school...I don't know how else they would allow me to transfer.

What is the more difficult part--getting your current school to allow you to leave, or getting your future school to accept a transfer? I wouldnt' mind taking a bunch of summer classes to make up whatever difference there is in first year curriculi. Sigh...

Please don't fail out of your program. If you do that might be a red flag to your state school. By all means try to finnish year 1.

 

[hale-bopp]

I find that amazing, UMDSOM overaccepted their class by 10 people and had a lot of OOS matriculants for the class of 2010 (22%).

Also, that's not really a large percentage of OOS matriculants for UMD. Plus, the person was accepted as a transfer, so what's going on in the first year class has nothing to do with him.

 

[oompa loompa]

A word of caution: I don't think that another med school will take you if you failed out of your first med school (because then you will have demonstrated that you can't handle med school), so I wouldn't suggest that as a tactic. If you are feeling depressed, you should think about taking advantage of your school's counseling center. It may help you to deal with some of the things that are making you so unhappy at your current school. Good luck!

I don't know what brought this sudden onslaught of depression and self-doubt. The stress of exams combined with not having any real support network here...

I've changed as a person: much crabbier than before, always tired, just disliking everyone in general, being antisocial, etc. Yes, maybe its my fault I didn't socialize enough with my classmates so I have few friends now, but what can you do about missed opportunities? Everyone is too busy/crabby now to really care about their classmates.

Perhaps I do need counseling, but from past experience, I know counseling can only do so much. It would be best to return home, the familiar environment and friends would do so much for me.

 

[CatsandCradles]

I don't know what brought this sudden onslaught of depression and self-doubt. The stress of exams combined with not having any real support network here...

I've changed as a person: much crabbier than before, always tired, just disliking everyone in general, being antisocial, etc. Yes, maybe its my fault I didn't socialize enough with my classmates so I have few friends now, but what can you do about missed opportunities? Everyone is too busy/crabby now to really care about their classmates.

Perhaps I do need counseling, but from past experience, I know counseling can only do so much. It would be best to return home, the familiar environment and friends would do so much for me.

Just hang in there. It's almost Thanksgiving and Christmas!

 

[oompa loompa]

Just hang in there. It's almost Thanksgiving and Christmas!

i know...but 3.5 more years of this? I mean, I know it only gets worse.

Sorry to be such a pessimist (and I realize you are all just trying to help and cheer me up, but bear with me as I rant a little...)

I just really hate the kind of person I have become. Med school has made me feel so stupid, so inadequate, so completely socially ******ed (I am horrible at interviewing patients) and I just don't think I will make a very good doctor. I am so tired constantly, I almost ran into a wall the other day. I am forgetting people's names all the time. I feel like the constant studying has ruined my eyesight and my brain. But mainly, I just feel stupid. And I know I am in the bottom 5% of my class.

Most importantly, I don't want to go into medicine that badly. I just never had a plan B.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

i know...but 3.5 more years of this? I mean, I know it only gets worse.

Sorry to be such a pessimist (and I realize you are all just trying to help and cheer me up, but bear with me as I rant a little...)

I just really hate the kind of person I have become. Med school has made me feel so stupid, so inadequate, so completely socially ******ed (I am horrible at interviewing patients) and I just don't think I will make a very good doctor. I am so tired constantly, I almost ran into a wall the other day. I am forgetting people's names all the time. I feel like the constant studying has ruined my eyesight and my brain. But mainly, I just feel stupid. And I know I am in the bottom 5% of my class.

Most importantly, I don't want to go into medicine that badly. I just never had a plan B.

Your last sentence is perhaps the most alarming of your post. If you suck at your current school, you would likely suck at your state school too. Accredited schools (all in the USA) offer fairly standardized curricula. The only reason to go into medicine in my opinion is if you REALLY want to do it. There is no other field that requires 10-20 years of higher education only to put in 60 stressful hours of work in each week for the rest of your career, so I'd be pretty sure that I wanted to do it VERY BADLY.

I don't know if having a plan B has anything to do with it. I hate plan B's. Plan B is what you do when you don't get to do what you want to do, and I believe that no human should sell him or herself short in life especially in a land where your destiny is pretty much under your own control.

I'd talk with an advisor. Another semester's tuition will set you back a pretty penny.

 

[oompa loompa]

Your last sentence is perhaps the most alarming of your post. If you suck at your current school, you would likely suck at your state school too. Accredited schools (all in the USA) offer fairly standardized curricula. The only reason to go into medicine in my opinion is if you REALLY want to do it. There is no other field that requires 10-20 years of higher education only to put in 60 stressful hours of work in each week for the rest of your career, so I'd be pretty sure that I wanted to do it VERY BADLY.

I don't know if having a plan B has anything to do with it. I hate plan B's. Plan B is what you do when you don't get to do what you want to do, and I believe that no human should sell him or herself short in life especially in a land where your destiny is pretty much under your own control.

I'd talk with an advisor. Another semester's tuition will set you back a pretty penny.

\

I'm talking to my advisor next week. I know med school requires a real commitment. I didn't write 20+ essays about "why medicine" and "why XYZ school" and "why should we pick YOU" for nothing. For a lot of us, it's hard to figure out what you're really interested in, esp. when you seem to be good at everything, and, from a slightly different perspective, not good enough at anything. I've never really failed at anything so I'm not used to quitting even if I dislike it, at the same time, I've never been super at anything so I have no idea what it is I really should be doing. that's all.

 

[Law2Doc]

Med school has made me feel so stupid, so inadequate, so completely socially ******ed (I am horrible at interviewing patients) and I just don't think I will make a very good doctor. I am so tired constantly, I almost ran into a wall the other day. I am forgetting people's names all the time. I feel like the constant studying has ruined my eyesight and my brain. But mainly, I just feel stupid. And I know I am in the bottom 5% of my class.

Transferring will solve none of the things described in this paragraph. At all schools you are going to feel stupid, tired, awkward with patients, and have to study a lot -- everyone does. That is the same in every med school. You are a med student and don't know anything or how to do anything -- that is normal. Eventually it gets better, and you get better at it. But there will always be many things you don't know or remember, and so it is a career where you will always to some extent feel stupid.

Not wanting to go into medicine that badly is a totally different issue and should have nothing to do with transferring. That you have to figure out on your own, with advice from the advisor, bearing in mind that you become more immersed in this stuff the further down the path you go, so you sort of have to like it.

 

[classof2011]

i know...but 3.5 more years of this? I mean, I know it only gets worse.

Sorry to be such a pessimist (and I realize you are all just trying to help and cheer me up, but bear with me as I rant a little...)

I just really hate the kind of person I have become. Med school has made me feel so stupid, so inadequate, so completely socially ******ed (I am horrible at interviewing patients) and I just don't think I will make a very good doctor. I am so tired constantly, I almost ran into a wall the other day. I am forgetting people's names all the time. I feel like the constant studying has ruined my eyesight and my brain. But mainly, I just feel stupid. And I know I am in the bottom 5% of my class.

Most importantly, I don't want to go into medicine that badly. I just never had a plan B.

Awww, Oompa Loompa


I actually feel really sad for you.....I think it'll get better as you go along, and I think you'll eventually realize why medicine was so interesting to you in the first place...But for now I think you should just "bob and weave" with the punches and just adapt.....To the People: We should all be aware that surviving medical school (or any professionally demanding schooling) has little to do with how intelligent you are, but instead how WELL YOU CAN ADAPT to an intellectually and socially challenging environment...think many would agree with me on this point....

Oompa Loompa, just stick in there, I have faith that you can do it!

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Awww, Oompa Loompa


I actually feel really sad for you.....I think it'll get better as you go along, and I think you'll eventually realize why medicine was so interesting to you in the first place...But for now I think you should just "bob and weave" with the punches and just adapt.....To the People: We should all be aware that surviving medical school (or any professionally demanding schooling) has little to do with how intelligent you are, but instead how WELL YOU CAN ADAPT to an intellectually and socially challenging environment...think many would agree with me on this point....

Oompa Loompa, just stick in there, I have faith that you can do it!

right, bu many psychologicts would define intelligence as the ability to "adapt to an intellectually and socially challenging environment."

 

[classof2011]

right, bu many psychologicts would define intelligence as the ability to "adapt to an intellectually and socially challenging environment."

Dawgonit, I should have used another term other than intelligent.....should I say "how well you can pass a test"....ah, thats better...thanks!

 

[indo]

Just hang in there. It's almost Thanksgiving and Christmas!

they don't celebrate thanksgiving and christmas in mexico or canada or wherever McGrill is located...suprised you didn't know that.

 

[ubcredfox]

To the OP:

I can completely relate to where you are coming from. I'm constantly tired, forgetting peoples names...just feel generally wasted all the time. Additionally, all I do now is study, and it feels like I'm just keeping up and not really retaining/learning the material effeciently at all. it all seems so very overwhelming.

It is getting better though (maybe) and there are those moments during the day that really make things worthwhile. I don't know how they run things at McGill, but here at UBC we've got some really early clinical exposure, and my recent experiences in family practice have really given me some hope (I'm an M1).

I'd stick it out. McGill is one of the best med schools we have in Canada - at least that's the impression out in BC - so stick with it. Enjoy Montreal! It's apparently amazing, and don't lose hope. You'll make it. Give it some more time. If you're still really unsure after first year, maybe then consider a change of career.

I think though, you should know what you've commited to and be completely realistic about it. Medicine will be your life, in every way shape and form. I thought I understood this before coming into medicine, but am only know beginning to understand the frightenining implications of that. But, if making a difference is what you want, then there isn't any better of a way.

Good luck!

 

[ubcredfox]

To Indo,

Mexico and Canada are nations that carry with them a number of christian holidays. This includes Christmas - which is widely celebrated here. Don't be a *******. There are only three countries on the North American continent proper, so there aren't too many "cultural" differences you have to bear in mind here....there's a lot outside of the US of A - you might want to take some more interest in that.

Also, we do have Thanksgiving in Canada, but it's in mid-October here. Once again, don't be a *******.

 

[espresso_lover]

To the OP:

I think you need to take some deep breaths and realize that you have only been in medical school for 2.5 months and that you cannot base a decision to transfer on such a short period of time in a curriculum (from what I have heard) that focuses almost solely on basic science in the first year. Again, from what I have heard, the strengths of McGill's program is only really evident after the first 1.5 years--once you hit the hospitals full-time...

Medical school is tough and students are going to be critical--no matter where you are. It is also not the fault of the administration that the specialists are on strike--something that you couldn't have possibly known when you made the decision to choose McGill. As well, were you not able to sit in on classes when you interviewed at all to get a sense of the student body and class size (two of your other complaints)?

McGill really does have a highly-regarded medical program...just have faith you made the right decision and try to enjoy things--it will make the process that much easier...

-espresso

 

[avenirv]

they don't celebrate thanksgiving and christmas in mexico or canada or wherever McGrill is located...suprised you didn't know that.

you should try to see your IQ !
catholics celebrate christmas.
canadians celebrate thanksgiving.
only m....s do not know this.

 

[indo]

you should try to see your IQ !
catholics celebrate christmas.
canadians celebrate thanksgiving.
only m....s do not know this.

It was a joke, you mooseknuckle.

 

[docbill]

To Op.

I would trade you in a heart beat. I have mentioned this many times before. Let me go into a Canadian school and take your place. ANY MEDICAL school in Canada, even the worse one.. and you can take my spote REALLY. It is a DO program.. so if you don't mind... talk to your dean and we can trade places. I can even take up your identity.. and you can take up mine. Mine comes with a PhD. No problem! Just trade places.

McGill is amazing school to go to. Don't think that many other schools are going to teach you much better. Something I quickly realized about medical school is students teach themselves almost everything.

AGAIN... PLEASE TRADE WITH ME.

 

[thesauce]

I, too, am trying to transfer from a U.S. MD school to another to be with my fiancee. A couple of things that I've had on my mind that I'd like to get some advice about are:

1. My fiancee is applying to PhD programs all over the NE and I'm applying to med schools in those same areas. So I'm filling out just as many applications as she is. Do you think that it will look bad to the schools that I'm applying to if my fiancee isn't totally set about where she's going to be next year?

2. My MCAT wasn't that great, but I'm at the top of my class at my current school (which has an average MCAT of a 30). Do you think my MCAT would still be a major factor for transfer at this point? I thought about re-taking it, but how much sense would that make after 2 years of medical school?

 

[Gut Shot]

I am so tired constantly, I almost ran into a wall the other day. I am forgetting people's names all the time.

Yep, that sounds like med school.

I feel like the constant studying has ruined my eyesight and my brain. But mainly, I just feel stupid.

Do you go to class? How do you study?

 

[DoctorFunk]

Do you go to class? How do you study?

I find that this factor is a huge determinant in maintaining a good self-esteem through the whole med school ordeal. When I study at home and only come out of hiding to take exams or attend mandatory group sessions, there is no one to compare myself, since I'm definitely the smartest med student in my apartment.

I'm pretty self-motivated at this juncture, so I don't find myself needing that outside motivation of other students nailing high scores and telling me about it to succeed. If you think you can pull the self-study thing off (and chances are you can), give it a shot and see if you feel a little less stupid.

 

[ssc396]

I made a huge mistake going to Mcgill--from the disorganized curriculum to the overcrowding to the bad student/admin/faculty relations to the new strike that has begun with in-province specialists meaning that specialists will not be teaching some of our lectures now (another local PBL school is totally shut down)--it's all been downhill...

I'm looking at transfering. Do you have any advice? Know anybody that's successfully transfered? Where are my chances best??

Hey - I feel for you. You have every right to want a transfer. The current specialist dispute is not your fault and it could definitely affect your training. My understanding is that things are quite messy at all of the Quebec schools right now, including McGill. The problem isn't just with clerks being thrown out of hospitals. Some of the residency programs may have some issues as well.

I've read that after the recent accreditation review the McGill Cardiac Surgery, Neurosurgery, Radiology residencies were all put on probation and ENT was put on ‘intent to withdraw’.

If you were accepted to other schools I might get back in touch with them and explain that you were not aware of the situation in Quebec when you took up your acceptance.