Interested in becoming an MD

[ImanTareenBajwa]

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Hello,
I recently immigrated from Pakistan after completing my high school studies and some undergraduate courses. I have decided that I would like to go into Medicine and would like to be an applicant to allopathic schools. I have taken some relevant science courses in Pakistan, could they be converted to those used by AAMC? Also, in the interest of time, could I take only the other required courses at a community college or a university near my residence like UC Irvine?

I don't want to spend a lot of time getting an undergraduated bachelors as I don't have the resources at the moment. I would rather complete all the coursework required and write the MCAT.

Thanks for any help.

Sincerely,
Iman Bajwa

 

[TriagePreMed]

You won't get a US MD or DO without a bachelors degree, so forget it. You might want to look into moving to another country like Mexico where they accept their students from scratch.

 

[EdLongshanks]

You won't get a US MD or DO without a bachelors degree, so forget it. You might want to look into moving to another country like Mexico where they accept their students from scratch.

That's not totally accurate. Some schools only require 80 U.S. hours and no bachelors. My two state schools are like that.

However, you have a problem with your foreign credits. Do a search on foreign undergrad credits and see what comes up.

 

[avatarftw]

Their official requirements may be only 80 credit hours, but what percent of matriculants are like that? I personally only know of two people that have been accepted to medical schools after 3 years in college.

Similarly, some schools advertise a required minimum GPA of 2.0. However, pretty much everybody has a much higher average. There's a difference between "required" credentials and the "REQUIRED" ones.

That's not totally accurate. Some schools only require 80 U.S. hours and no bachelors. My two state schools are like that.

However, you have a problem with your foreign credits. Do a search on foreign undergrad credits and see what comes up.

 

[allover]

how old are you? there are people in their late 20s and older just starting medical school. Go ahead and go to you UC Irvine pre health advisor. He or she will point you in the right direction. You should complete a 4 year degree, i promise you everyone else will have one.

 

[TriagePreMed]

That's not totally accurate. Some schools only require 80 U.S. hours and no bachelors. My two state schools are like that.

However, you have a problem with your foreign credits. Do a search on foreign undergrad credits and see what comes up.

Percentage of people like that? Probably 0 in all schools. I'm not kidding. He is wasting his time if he tries without a bachelors.

 

[ImanTareenBajwa]

Many thanks for the helpful responses. I am determined to get a spot in a US allopathic school, so I don't think I will entertain the idea of Mexico.

I know that some programs accept my foreign undergrad credits for undergrad, but I will check for medical schools specifically if they are applicable.

Right now, I am just doing volunteering at an urgent care clinic and working part time.

I know it look unlikely, but I am hoping I can find a way that I don't have to complete a bachelor's degree.

 

[glamqueen]

Many thanks for the helpful responses. I am determined to get a spot in a US allopathic school, so I don't think I will entertain the idea of Mexico.

I know that some programs accept my foreign undergrad credits for undergrad, but I will check for medical schools specifically if they are applicable.

Right now, I am just doing volunteering at an urgent care clinic and working part time.

I know it look unlikely, but I am hoping I can find a way that I don't have to complete a bachelor's degree.

Why did you post asking for advice if you were prepared to only listen to your preconceived ideas instead of advice from actual U.S. medical students or applicants more knowledgeable about the process over here than you? Why on earth waste your time? Obviously, you know best so further posts or questions are pointless, since you indicate you will do what you desire without taking into account the post responses you received.

And FWIW, you seem completely unfamiliar with the process of getting into American medical school. I would spend some time on the aamc website and understand why every post after your question recommends a bachelor's degree. The stats are there for you, but again - you seem to know more than those of us here actually IN American medical school. So why bother with researching the process, right?

 

[7starmantis]

Yeah, gonna have to throw in behind the bachelors degree crowd.

Look up the stats and research the MSAR, AMCAS website, etc. Not only will this show you the reality of American allopathic medical school requirements, but will educate you on the process which you seem sorely lacking.

 

[ImanTareenBajwa]

Yeah, gonna have to throw in behind the bachelors degree crowd.

Look up the stats and research the MSAR, AMCAS website, etc. Not only will this show you the reality of American allopathic medical school requirements, but will educate you on the process which you seem sorely lacking.

Thanks for the tips. I will look into purchasing an MSAR as soon as possible.

Please forgive me for sounding primitive and uneducated on the process. It is completely different system in Pakistan so that is why I am still adjusting to the educational system here.

 

[ImanTareenBajwa]

Why did you post asking for advice if you were prepared to only listen to your preconceived ideas instead of advice from actual U.S. medical students or applicants more knowledgeable about the process over here than you? Why on earth waste your time? Obviously, you know best so further posts or questions are pointless, since you indicate you will do what you desire without taking into account the post responses you received.

And FWIW, you seem completely unfamiliar with the process of getting into American medical school. I would spend some time on the aamc website and understand why every post after your question recommends a bachelor's degree. The stats are there for you, but again - you seem to know more than those of us here actually IN American medical school. So why bother with researching the process, right?

I seem to have upset/offended you. I am very sorry if my tone sounding self-righteous or arrogant.

I was on the verge of finishing my undergraduate bachelors degree in Pakistan prior to getting my immigration approved. So that is why I was reluctant to start pursuing a bachelor's degree if I did not absolutely have to which is what is reflected in my posts.

I am aware that majority of matriculants do in fact have a bachelors degree complete. So I am aware that it might come down to me completing an undergrad degree.

thanks again,
Iman Bajwa

 

[AcclratngCharge]

It is not the best idea to be putting your name on here. It isn't necessary or helpful to you.

Also, I agree you do not need to get the bachelor's, just check with schools of interest first. Some say on website that BS/BA is required, you just will not be eligible at those schools (unless you get special permission or something...).

Good luck

 

[7starmantis]

Please forgive me for sounding primitive and uneducated on the process. It is completely different system in Pakistan so that is why I am still adjusting to the educational system here.

No apology necessary. We were all ignorant about the process until we started going through it. 😉

I was on the verge of finishing my undergraduate bachelors degree in Pakistan prior to getting my immigration approved. So that is why I was reluctant to start pursuing a bachelor's degree if I did not absolutely have to which is what is reflected in my posts.

I am aware that majority of matriculants do in fact have a bachelors degree complete. So I am aware that it might come down to me completing an undergrad degree.

I can understand not wanting to spend the time doing the bachelors when you were almost done, but the reality is you're going to have to do it anyway. It might be worth applying while you are working on a bachelors then you kind of kill two birds, etc.

Its more than the majority who have bachelors degrees, its the vast, vast majority. Not knowing your GPA and such its hard to tell, but it sounds like you are already working your way upwards, and adding to that the lack of a degree is going to hurt.

Also, take the classes you need and sit for the MCAT, but know that most people do worse than they planned and multiple attempts can hurt your application as well. Not to mention shadowing, clinical exposure, volunteer work, personal statement, etc. You may have time to fit in a bachelors while just fulfilling those other "requirements".

Good luck to you though, keep us informed.



Edit: I agree about not putting your real name online. 🙂

 

[avatarftw]

Amen to that; the less information known, the better. 👍

It is not the best idea to be putting your name on here. It isn't necessary or helpful to you.

Also, I agree you do not need to get the bachelor's, just check with schools of interest first. Some say on website that BS/BA is required, you just will not be eligible at those schools (unless you get special permission or something...).

Good luck

 

[Law2Doc]

Yeah, gonna have to throw in behind the bachelors degree crowd.

Look up the stats and research the MSAR, AMCAS website, etc. Not only will this show you the reality of American allopathic medical school requirements, but will educate you on the process which you seem sorely lacking.

Agreed. Your best bet is going to be to find a way to get into a 4 year bachelors degree program and start from scratch. Not having a bachelors and having most of your undergrad credits from a foreign university is going to be insurmountable. Find a college that will take you and do the 4 years -- there won't be any realistic shortcuts.

 

[ImanTareenBajwa]

Thanks for the additional response everyone. I am going to see what I can get credit towards and perhaps I will be able to finish a bachelor's degree at a nearby institution.

Also thanks for the information about the privacy, I am not too educated on internet ettiquette as I don't use it much. But I will refrain from putting my name in the future.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Be very careful with this. There are undergrad institutions that will accept your credits from Pakistan, but they will NOT count toward the semester hr requirement that needs to be fulfilled in order to apply to US M.D. programs.

You are going to need a bachelors degree and 90 semester hours from an institute in the US (or Canada) to have any hope at a US M.D. program. Sadly that is the reality of the situation. You are going to need at least 3 yrs of coursework (including all the pre-med pre-reqs) taken in this country to make yourself a viable applicant. You are then going to need mostly As and an MCAT in the 30s to make yourself a decent applicant.

Good luck.

Thanks for the additional response everyone. I am going to see what I can get credit towards and perhaps I will be able to finish a bachelor's degree at a nearby institution.

Also thanks for the information about the privacy, I am not too educated on internet ettiquette as I don't use it much. But I will refrain from putting my name in the future.