International applicant to Caribbean

[Vernak03]

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Hi, bit of context- I'm an Australian student currently in 1st year biomedical Science. Recently I've come to the conclusion that I'm not interested in practicing medicine in Australia as all my close family has since moved elsewhere or back to our home country. Assessing my other options through ample research, I'm adamant on the US residency pathway. I understand the massive challenges that I will have to overcome and I'm ready to take them on.

Finally the purpose of my message is to ask, where I should attempt to practice medicine if I want the best chance for a successful US match in any field (not just primary care). For my case, Fees and relocation troubles are obviously considered factors, but not as important as appose to other criteria like USCE, networking, etc.

I'm currently assessing my options and have found the 5 year SGU pathway appealing (as it would allow be to start instantly from next year). Is this viable? If so, will completing med school in the caribbean have a positive effect on my US residency application as opposed to med school in Australia? I've heard horror stories about US IMGs but do these apply to FMGs also? Finally, are there other options like Ireland that I should consider over the carribean if my sole goal is a US match into a field other than primary care.

Thank you so much.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

I've heard horror stories about US IMGs but do these apply to FMGs also?

The answer to the above question is a resounding YES. If your goal is to practice medicine in the US, and you’re Australian, going to the Caribbean for medical school is NOT going to help in anyway at achieving this goal. The fact is residency training in the US is easiest to attain if you go to medical school in the US. Anyone else applying, including US IMGs and FMGs, comes after. Placement rate into PGY1 residency spots for US IMGs was 68% while for FMGs it was 58% this year. US students placement rates are usually 98+%. Additionally Caribbean medical schools like SGU are known for their predatory nature with high attrition rates. They tend to fail a good chunk of their students within the first 2 years in order to meet their quota for clinical rotations.

It might actually be better going to a good school in Australia with a track record of placing students into US residency programs. That way you also still have a chance to practice medicine in Australia if you do not manage to obtain a residency spot in the US.

 

[Vernak03]

The answer to the above question is a resounding YES. If your goal is to practice medicine in the US, and you’re Australian, going to the Caribbean for medical school is NOT going to help in anyway at achieving this goal. The fact is residency training in the US is easiest to attain if you go to medical school in the US. Anyone else applying, including US IMGs and FMGs, comes after. Placement rate into PGY1 residency spots for US IMGs was 68% while for FMGs it was 58% this year. US students placement rates are usually 98+%. Additionally Caribbean medical schools like SGU are known for their predatory nature with high attrition rates. They tend to fail a good chunk of their students within the first 2 years in order to meet their quota for clinical rotations.

It might actually be better going to a good school in Australia with a track record of placing students into US residency programs. That way you also still have a chance to practice medicine in Australia if you do not manage to obtain a residency spot in the US.

Thank you so much for the reply. I understand the low attrition rates and the horrible challenge as a FMG, but doing medical school in Australia is not appealing to me as I don’t plan on staying at all. I was just wondering if I were to make it through the gruesome course, wouldn’t the abundance of US rotations in year 3 and 4 help even in the slightest. Please correct me if I’m wrong but I heard something thats makes or breaks FMG applications to the match is US clinical experience and networking with US physicians. Could you please comment on this predicament. Also, if not the Caribbean are there any other country schools that might advantage my application.

Again, thank you so much for the reply.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Many of the AUS schools have US connections. UQ is the classic with their relationship with Oschner. I think the challenges and success rate for matching to the US will be equivalent whether you do school in the carib or AUS. But you might find living in AUS much more comfortable than the carib (depending upon island / school), and medical school their might be more affordable. Although perhaps the pathway to medical school there is longer.

Here's the thing: Don't plan on any of these pathways unless you'd be willing to be in primary care. Plenty of IMG's end up in other fields, and if you do well then you will have options. But everybody thinks they will do well, and not everybody does. And there are some fields that currently you would have almost zero chance in: Ortho / Urology (or any surgical sub), Derm, Ophthal, ENT, and some others.

 

[Vernak03]

Many of the AUS schools have US connections. UQ is the classic with their relationship with Oschner. I think the challenges and success rate for matching to the US will be equivalent whether you do school in the carib or AUS. But you might find living in AUS much more comfortable than the carib (depending upon island / school), and medical school their might be more affordable. Although perhaps the pathway to medical school there is longer.

Here's the thing: Don't plan on any of these pathways unless you'd be willing to be in primary care. Plenty of IMG's end up in other fields, and if you do well then you will have options. But everybody thinks they will do well, and not everybody does. And there are some fields that currently you would have almost zero chance in: Ortho / Urology (or any surgical sub), Derm, Ophthal, ENT, and some others.

Thank you for the reply. I was looking at the UQ oshner pathway, but they said that applicants without a non US/Canadian citizenship will only be admitted to the Australian school and won't allow for rotations to be done internationally other than 2x 4 week electives. I asked the other Universities like Flinders, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW etc. and they all gave me the same responses. Sorry if I sound like I'm defending the Caribbean pathway, by no means is that my intention. I just wanted to secure my options I commit to something. Also I plan on taking a reseach year after graduation, will the Caribbean help me network better to find a position (paid or unpaid)? Finally I heard Ireland is also a possible option as I sometimes caters the US system through affiliates, is this something I should consider?

Thank you all so much for the help.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I wasn't aware of those restrictions in the AUS schools, although it makes sense. If you don't have citizenship then you'll need a visa and that can be complicated for a whole year. As a 3rd year student you're not employed (so none of the employment visas make sense), but you're not a visitor really either. And I don't think you can just get an F student visa if the school isn't based in the US. And, these schools probably have a limited number of slots for the Oschner type program. Hence the limit of 8 weeks of electives.

It's possible you'll run into the same problem at a carib school. Exactly what visa will they help you get for your 3rd year rotations? If they tell you that you can just get a B visa -- that's not really true nor quite legal. And B visas are limited to 6 months anyway. If a carib school tells you it "will be fine, don't worry about it", you should absolutely worry about it. Remember that if you decide you were deceived and seek legal action, you'll be suing them in the court of the carib country which they are in -- not the US or AUS. Which will likely end badly. For you.

I think the best plan is to go to the "best" medical school you can, and then plan for 6-8 weeks of US experience. The goal is a SubI if at all possible. I agree with others that AUS makes the most sense, since if it doesn't work out in the US you can always stay in AUS - perhaps not ideal but better than nothing. And, after experience in AUS, you might be able to get a spot in the US as a resident, or more states are creating pathways such that those with non-US experience can come work.

My advice that you should be willing to be in primary care remains.