However, I'm also thinking it would be nice to save myself 2 years and just start this year without going through post-bacc to better my chances of attending a US medical school. My question for you guys is to basically give me your opinions as to why you think I shouldn't do the off-shore MD programs. I'm thinking of applying to Ross, AUC, and St. George's University. If you guys have any knowledge or information of pros vs. cons for my situation, I'd greatly appreciate it! Hope I explained my question clear enough. Thanks in advance for your help 🙂
While it is an option, it should be your last choice. You should exhaust all other options before settling for the carribean. I vote for the Drexel program.
It would be good to know a bit more about your situation. What is your GPA and MCAT.
The Carribean is notorious for terrible attrition rates, poor board pass rates (after you take into consideration they make you pass an exam before they let you sit for the boards), and poor match rates. Furthermore, those that do match dont exactly get their choice residency. I have heard- "but look at SGUs match list. It is so strong."
So I looked at it and looked at competitive specialties
This years SGU match list includes:
0 derm,
0 optho,
0 uro,
0 vascular surg,
0 neurosurg,
0 plastics and
0 ENT. It only includes
1 rads,
1 rad onc and
3 ortho. It includes about
12 GAS (moderately competitive)
To compare a to a middle of the road Allo program (unranked):
2 uro, 1 optho, 2 neuro surg, 3 plastics, 3 ENT, 14 rads, 1 radonc, 4 ortho, 14 gas.
Side by side that is
0 vs 2 uro
0 vs 1 optho
0 vs 2 neurosurg
0 vs 3 plastics
0 vs 3 ENT
1 vs 14 rads
1 vs 1 radonc
1 vs 4 ortho
12 vs 13 gas
Keep in mind though that SGU graduates over 450 students. Those are pretty crappy match stats when 4/450 are matching into competitive specialties. For reference the allo school listed graduates about 1/3 that many students.
A difference of <1% get competitive residencies at SGU vs almost 20% get the most selective residencies at the US school.
Furthermore, even if you opt for internal medicine (relatively noncompetitive) your choices from the carribean will be much more limited when compared to your choices from a US school. This is impt if you have a specific location in mind.
So the carribean, while it is a pathway to becoming a doctor, is not a good option until you have exhausted all others.