Indian Medical Student Situation

[anandrenga]

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Hey guys,

I am thinking of going to India to complete an MBBS degree ( a 5 1/2 year program). However, I want to practice in the US for sure. Does anyone know the steps in coming back to the US to practice? I have heard that you have to get into a residency when coming back, and to do that, you have to take the USMLE. Does anyone know specific steps on coming back to the US?

Thanks!

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of going to India to complete an MBBS degree ( a 5 1/2 year program). However, I want to practice in the US for sure. Does anyone know the steps in coming back to the US to practice? I have heard that you have to get into a residency when coming back, and to do that, you have to take the USMLE. Does anyone know specific steps on coming back to the US?

Thanks!

If you want to practice in the US for sure, why do you want to study in India? You'll be at a massive disadvantage when applying to residencies here.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

If you want to practice in the US for sure, why do you want to study in India? You'll be at a massive disadvantage when applying to residencies here.

+1

This would be a bad idea unless you're going to India no-matter-what. Like if your mom is dying in India and you'd go there for 5 1/2 years regardless of med school.

If you're going there only because it's easier to get into med school (is it even?) or because you think it'd be fun to get back to your roots and live in India for a few years, please reconsider. Go to a US med school (MD or DO), and do your residency here. That will give you much more flexibility.

 

[anandrenga]

Well I applied to the Indian Medical school and got in, so I was just wondering what my options would be. I go to a community college right now, and am not doing so well. I got into the Indian Medical School because they only look at high school grades. That's why I just wanted to look at my options, because I really want to become a doctor, but I feel I am already at a disadvantage coming from a community college, and because I am doing bad. I mean does anyone know the steps for coming back? I know it will be difficult but I guess I don't mind practicing in India if I can not come back to the US. However, my first choice is to come back to the US. Does anyone know what I will have to do, like step-wise?

Thanks guys for the feedback!

 

[Depakote]

Well I applied to the Indian Medical school and got in, so I was just wondering what my options would be. I go to a community college right now, and am not doing so well. I got into the Indian Medical School because they only look at high school grades. That's why I just wanted to look at my options, because I really want to become a doctor, but I feel I am already at a disadvantage coming from a community college, and because I am doing bad. I mean does anyone know the steps for coming back? I know it will be difficult but I guess I don't mind practicing in India if I can not come back to the US. However, my first choice is to come back to the US. Does anyone know what I will have to do, like step-wise?

Thanks guys for the feedback!

You're approaching the situation the wrong way.

If you're doing poorly in a US community college. I doubt you'll be successful in an Indian medical school. If you intend to return to the US, you'll need to be absolutely stellar, even then you'll be considered a FMG and be fighting an uphill battle.

I would figure out why you're having trouble in community college and fix that problem first. You have plenty of time to get your act together and apply to US schools.

 

[namethatsmell]

You're approaching the situation the wrong way.

If you're doing poorly in a US community college. I doubt you'll be successful in an Indian medical school. If you intend to return to the US, you'll need to be absolutely stellar, even then you'll be considered a FMG and be fighting an uphill battle.

I would figure out why you're having trouble in community college and fix that problem first. You have plenty of time to get your act together and apply to US schools.

This is spot on.

 

[anandrenga]

So my particular situation is that I am doing well in my biology classes and chem classes, but physics is just a subject that isnt coming for me. I failed it this past quarter, and I feel that by going to med school I can skip this class completely. I feel I am at a huge disadvantage by failing a physics class at community college, and there's no excuse for it. Physics just doesn't come for me I guess. But since I got into the Indian Medical School, I could have just the science classes I am interested in like anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, etc. That's kind of why I considered this route, but I understand what you guys are saying. My question is that if I choose the Indian Medical school route, what steps would I take in coming back to the US to practice.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback!

 

[McGillGrad]

University was some of the best times of my life. I highly recommend it.

 

[Perrotfish]

So my particular situation is that I am doing well in my biology classes and chem classes, but physics is just a subject that isnt coming for me. I failed it this past quarter, and I feel that by going to med school I can skip this class completely. I feel I am at a huge disadvantage by failing a physics class at community college, and there's no excuse for it. Physics just doesn't come for me I guess. But since I got into the Indian Medical School, I could have just the science classes I am interested in like anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, etc. That's kind of why I considered this route, but I understand what you guys are saying. My question is that if I choose the Indian Medical school route, what steps would I take in coming back to the US to practice.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback!

You are not at a huge disadvantage applying for a US medical school with a single failing grade on your record. Just retake the class and do better the next time. You will, however, be at a huge disadvantage applying for a residency from outside the US, and you need to do a US residency to practice in the US. In the US residencies have always matched US graduates first, and then given the leftovers to foreign grads. This was a pretty big hurdle even back when there was a very small number of foreign graduates relative to the number of residency spots left over, and now there are a horde of graduates for a handful of spots. Graduates of Caribbean schools (which have connections to US residencies that Indian schools do not) need USMLE scores way about the average for US medical student just to land a backwater community family medicine program. Do you really want to need to be a way better than average student just to get a shot at one of the worst residencies available in medicine?

Also, as many have said, the fact that you're failing CC courses doesn't exactly predict a great performance in medical school. You need to learn to study college level sciences BEFORE you jump into medical school or you'll fail right back out again and then you will be at a huge disadvantage for applying to US schools.

 

[Mean Muggin]

But since I got into the Indian Medical School, I could have just the science classes I am interested in like anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, etc.

Within each scientific discipline there will be things you're interested in and things you're not interested in. In medical school, you don't get to pick and choose what you like and what you don't like. It all gets crammed down your throat anyway. An important skill to develop is being able to master the boring, tedious stuff as well (or almost as well) as the exciting stuff. Med school makes no distinction between the two, as grades reflect overall performance. I'm not going to pass judgment on your work ethic, but your attitude when it comes to dealing with challenging material has to change.

I don't think you have good reason to believe that you've blown your chances at a US med school because you're getting an F in a community college physics course. If you retake physics at a 4-year university and do well in it, that F will be meaningless. On the other hand, if you get slaughtered in university, you'll be wishing you did the Indian program. If you can defer your acceptance for a year, your safest option would be to give university a shot, that way if you blow it you have India to fall back on. But, presently, if I were in your situation and felt that I didn't have a reasonable shot at a US med school (based on self-assessment of my academic ability), I'd roll the dice and do the Indian program. At least that way you'll have an MD (provided you don't fail out) and a chance at a US residency, regardless of how slim that chance is.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you can't do well at community college with some reworking of your study habits your chances of successfully getting back to the US as a FMG are 0.

 

[DepressedDoc]

I'd say go for it. I know plenty of people from India who just matched. One guy is doing a specialty in pulmonary and another is doing anesthesia. It's all possible with networking and a good usmle score. You'll save a lot of time and A LOT of money.

 

[itellitlikeitis]

So my particular situation is that I am doing well in my biology classes and chem classes, but physics is just a subject that isnt coming for me. I failed it this past quarter, and I feel that by going to med school I can skip this class completely. I feel I am at a huge disadvantage by failing a physics class at community college, and there's no excuse for it. Physics just doesn't come for me I guess. But since I got into the Indian Medical School, I could have just the science classes I am interested in like anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, etc. That's kind of why I considered this route, but I understand what you guys are saying. My question is that if I choose the Indian Medical school route, what steps would I take in coming back to the US to practice.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback!

Physiology has elements of applied physics. You can't run away from physics if you go into medicine- there's a reason why this fundamental science is required. If you want to practice in the US you should suck it up and learn what you're ultimately going to have to learn anyways (I guess albeit in a little more detail than necessary)

 

[Avoidthetiger]

I have one friend who got his MBBS in India, and he has been in the US the last 2-years just doing research to improve his application for US residencies. It sounds like he has gotten some really good interviews this year... so let's hope he matches.

Another guy has been getting his masters in anatomy [FGM applicant not from India). He scored extremely high on the USMLE but hasn't been getting any interviews from the residencies he wants... which is too bad... and really, the numbers given here aren't all that good if you aren't a US senior applicant hoping for a competitive specialty: http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf

I wouldn't go the Indian route until you atleast applied to US medical schools. The route for a US residency might be more difficult, especially if you want something competitive.

 

[4ksibe]

So my particular situation is that I am doing well in my biology classes and chem classes, but physics is just a subject that isnt coming for me. I failed it this past quarter, and I feel that by going to med school I can skip this class completely. I feel I am at a huge disadvantage by failing a physics class at community college, and there's no excuse for it. Physics just doesn't come for me I guess. But since I got into the Indian Medical School, I could have just the science classes I am interested in like anatomy, biochem, physiology, pathology, etc. That's kind of why I considered this route, but I understand what you guys are saying. My question is that if I choose the Indian Medical school route, what steps would I take in coming back to the US to practice.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback!

you would have to take the USMLE step 1 and 2 (if you specific residency requires you to have step 2) and applied for residency like everyone else. that is the answer to your question

 

[indianmaster04]

Okay guys well here's my situation, I would really appreciate some feedback. So first of all I go to a California Community College, hoping to transfer to a 4 year institution at the end of this year (my 2nd year at community college). My grades for the pre-reqs are (? meaning i havent taken the class yet):

Bio: B-, B+. ?
Chem: A, B, C+
Physics: F (going to retake at 4 year institution), ?, ?
O- Chem: ?,?,?
English: A, A+, ?

So basically my grades are ****ty as hell and I come from a Community college which already puts me at a disadvantage. Now lets just say, somehow I happen to do well from here on out, and get a decent MCAT. Do i have the slightest chance of getting into a US Medical school? OR should I take the Indian Medical School route?

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Bacchus]

You could do grade replacement and apply to an osteopathic medical program. Your grades aren't horrific. You need to figure out what you're doing wrong. See a school psychologist trained in study skills or someone else with that skill set.

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

Those are not that ****ty grades. Obviously the F is not that great, but you are planning to retake it anyway so one small F will not hurt especially if you really do better the second time. Other than that the grades appear to be fine and not something that you should take drastic measures with by going to another country to study. Basically, it's not the end of the world.

I am surprised though at the part about "only requiring high school grades". Is that because they have higher standards of pre-college education or something?

 

[bucks2010]

Okay guys well here's my situation, I would really appreciate some feedback. So first of all I go to a California Community College, hoping to transfer to a 4 year institution at the end of this year (my 2nd year at community college). My grades for the pre-reqs are (? meaning i havent taken the class yet):

Bio: B-, B+. ?
Chem: A, B, C+
Physics: F (going to retake at 4 year institution), ?, ?
O- Chem: ?,?,?
English: A, A+, ?

So basically my grades are ****ty as hell and I come from a Community college which already puts me at a disadvantage. Now lets just say, somehow I happen to do well from here on out, and get a decent MCAT. Do i have the slightest chance of getting into a US Medical school? OR should I take the Indian Medical School route?

Thanks for all the help guys!

I think you're looking at Indian schools for the wrong reasons (because you think you can't cut it in the US system). To use a bit of your reasoning, if you can't get your grades together at a US community college, what makes you think that you will be able to (a) get through any medical schools, as others have said and (b) be able to do extremely well so you can get a decent residency placement here? If you don't correct your study habits now, they will only come back to haunt you later when you're lagging behind in a foreign medical school with 0 chance of practicing in the US.

Now for the good news: you are FAR from being capable of getting into a US medical school. You have 2 bad grades (the C+ and the F). Find out what you're doing wrong, change your study habits, and do well the next time around. None of us are born with the intricacies of VSEPR theory or the laws of magnetism ingrained into our brains. You have to find a way to comprehend the material and learn it for yourself. Those that succeed are the ones that are able to adapt to the differing requirements for learning the wide variety of material that we are faced with.

So, get your chin up and start thinking of what you can do to adapt and get your grades back in order. DO schools even have a grade replacement policy, so if you retake physics and get an A or B, the F won't even be factored into your GPA.

 

[indianmaster04]

yeah those are good points...i guess i can't expect to do well in a medical school without learning why i'm doing badly. Plus I have a situation with my physics class, that I need an opinion on. At my community college, there are two physics classes that students can take (one is calculus-based for engineers, and one is general physics). To transfer to the UC's from a community college, students use a website called assist.org to see what classes they have to take in order to successfully transfer into a major of their choice. So when I did this, the site said that I needed the calculus based physics for engineers..which is the one I took. However, after I took this class I looked again, and an updated version on assist.org said I could have taken the regular physics :/ which would have been MUCH easier. Do you think it would help me if I mentioned this situation to medical schools when I apply? I am thinking of just repeating the class when I transfer over to the four year UC.

Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks everyone for your input 🙂

 

[aspiringOSTEO]

1

 

[unhappytnt]

So I am guessing the OP and "indianmaster" are the same person? I heard they don't take kindly to people with multiple accounts in India. 😀

 

[drpierre]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of going to India to complete an MBBS degree ( a 5 1/2 year program). However, I want to practice in the US for sure. Does anyone know the steps in coming back to the US to practice? I have heard that you have to get into a residency when coming back, and to do that, you have to take the USMLE. Does anyone know specific steps on coming back to the US?

Thanks!

Just coming off residency interviews I ran into a physician from India who had issues even getting an interview because he didn't score 99's on both of his steps. apparently it is very common to score that way over there and if you do not it makes you very easy to weed out. Just things to consider not saying its impossible but you should know.

 

[iamcool]

If you do not have confidence that you will be able to get into US DO or MD program, then you should not have confidence that you will be able to graduate from Indian medical school.

There is no excuse for your F in physics. In medical school, if something just does not come to you, you will have to drop out. And you have no evidence that you will do well in anatomy, physiology, etc. Moreover, medical school is much more than that.

I would suggest that you try taking some science classes at a university. Work your ass off and maintain at least a 3.2 average. If you are unable to, then do something else with your life. It will save you a lot of pain later.

 

[Verbrandhathe]

If you have money and mediocre grades, you can get into an Indian Medical School. Trust me, it is NOT easy there, and it is way harder than it is here. They do have an MD, their MD comes after the MBBS and it is 2 years more. High schoolers go to get an MBBS then an MD, that evens out to be 8 years. The MD there and MD here are the same level. You have to take a test to practice here, though. Someone I know got a 98% on the test when she was applying to practice Neurology, and she obviously will go through some basic training regarding laws (unless that was on her test), but she is fully prepared when it comes to medicine.

 

[Mithril]

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