is trying to get into a US school first a waste of time?

[IdoDrugs]

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Hi. I wanted to hear some opinions.

I just finished by junior year but will be a senior for two years. This is because I changed my major from General Biology to "Cellular and Molecular Biology-Biochemistry." I had some pretty crappy grades (I wasn't "pre med") my fres and sophmore years. I go to a quarter system school. I will apply to medical schools after I graduate. Thus there will be a year long gap, during which I have even considered doing an SMP to further amplify my current grade trends (which are way up there now).

Basically, I'm trying to get into US school. Sometimes the thought of applying to the one or more of the BIG FOUR crosses my mind, instead of spending time trying to get into a US school. I know that to schools like SGU, applying does not mean acceptances always.

What do you think, is trying to get into a US school first, even though it is going to take me an extra year...a waste of time?

 

[silas2642]

It is absolutely impossible for us to give you any advice without you giving us specific numbers such as mcat score and gpa.

 

[NREMTP]

Yes!

 

[bwells46]

Hi. I wanted to hear some opinions.

I just finished by junior year but will be a senior for two years. This is because I changed my major from General Biology to "Cellular and Molecular Biology-Biochemistry." I had some pretty crappy grades (I wasn't "pre med") my fres and sophmore years. I go to a quarter system school. I will apply to medical schools after I graduate. Thus there will be a year long gap, during which I have even considered doing an SMP to further amplify my current grade trends (which are way up there now).

Basically, I'm trying to get into US school. Sometimes the thought of applying to the one or more of the BIG FOUR crosses my mind, instead of spending time trying to get into a US school. I know that to schools like SGU, applying does not mean acceptances always.

What do you think, is trying to get into a US school first, even though it is going to take me an extra year...a waste of time?

I would not recommend applying to foreign schools until you have been rejected two or three times from US schools.

 

[Top Gun]

Hi. I wanted to hear some opinions.

I just finished by junior year but will be a senior for two years. This is because I changed my major from General Biology to "Cellular and Molecular Biology-Biochemistry." I had some pretty crappy grades (I wasn't "pre med") my fres and sophmore years. I go to a quarter system school. I will apply to medical schools after I graduate. Thus there will be a year long gap, during which I have even considered doing an SMP to further amplify my current grade trends (which are way up there now).

Basically, I'm trying to get into US school. Sometimes the thought of applying to the one or more of the BIG FOUR crosses my mind, instead of spending time trying to get into a US school. I know that to schools like SGU, applying does not mean acceptances always.

What do you think, is trying to get into a US school first, even though it is going to take me an extra year...a waste of time?

No. Absolutely not. You should definitely apply at least twice to US schools before even considering the Caribbean. The big four schools in the Caribbean are very good in terms of education, but a US grad will be favored when applying for residency. This is especially true if you want to apply to a competitive residency like derm, plastics, ortho, or ophtho. And you don't really know if you want to do them until you've gone through clinical rotations.
After you've applied to US schools at least twice and done everything you could to bolster your application (including an SMP), then think about the Caribbean. And when it comes time to apply to the Caribbean, definitely go for the big four schools first. They have a better track record of graduates getting residency positions.
On a side note, have you considered DO schools? Admission to those schools tends to be less competitive than for allopathic schools.

 

[McGillGrad]

It is if you continue to do drugs.

 

[IdoDrugs]

i honestly do not know what my overall GPA is. i just know i sucked freshman and sophmore year. i finished my junior year with a 3.6. i also have two senior years left. then i'll apply. thanks.

 

[McGillGrad]

i honestly do not know what my overall GPA is. i just know i sucked freshman and sophmore year. i finished my junior year with a 3.6. i also have two senior years left. then i'll apply. thanks.

You still have a chance if you really well the next two years. You will need a great MCAT score (32+) and research would help, too.

 

[Top Gun]

Get some great EC's in too, like volunteering, tutoring, part-time work in a health clinic, etc...
Med schools love to see stuff like that.

 

[IdoDrugs]

after thinking alot...i dont think it will be a waste of time.

i volunteer at a home for AIDS patients. i worked in a pharmacy part time freshman and sophmore year...but currently work (alot!) only during breaks.

 

[FutureDocDO]

i honestly do not know what my overall GPA is. i just know i sucked freshman and sophmore year. i finished my junior year with a 3.6. i also have two senior years left. then i'll apply. thanks.

Uhh transcripts always tell you what your overall is. If you're going ask for advice it would help if you're honest.

 

[oldpro]

Yeah its a waste if "YOU DO DRUGS"

 

[DiverDoc]

Yeah its a waste if "YOU DO DRUGS"

WoW
Um, im gonna go out on a limb here and think his name refers to the fact the he/she works in a pharmacy and enjoys doing so. Not actually shooting up.

 

[McGillGrad]

WoW
Um, im gonna go out on a limb here and think his name refers to the fact the he/she works in a pharmacy and enjoys doing so. Not actually shooting up.

Or smoking them up

 

[NREMTP]

Look, if you can't get into a U.S. school to begin with, you aren't going to be able to get in after going to the Caribbean. If you would get a 32 on the MCAT like someone else proposed then you would get into a U.S. school the first time around. It is very rare that it actually happens so don't bet on it!!

 

[oldpro]

WoW
Um, im gonna go out on a limb here and think his name refers to the fact the he/she works in a pharmacy and enjoys doing so. Not actually shooting up.

Yeah I hope so but how in the heck can you ask a question without any information? I really think if one posts like this with this ID then I highly question the poster and the sincerity of the posts.............

Look if you have a record of any kind
Drugs
Stealing
Felonies
child abuse
assault

anything, it will show up if a background check is done.

I'm not saying the OP here is in this catagory but I read these posts "Can I get in or be Lic and I have a criminal record" the answer is DO SOMETHING ELSE with your life.

So when I see an ID that is "IdoDrugs" then I think "Really? and you want to go into medicine?" Sorry pick a better ID

 

[oldpro]

Hi. I wanted to hear some opinions.

I just finished by junior year but will be a senior for two years. This is because I changed my major from General Biology to "Cellular and Molecular Biology-Biochemistry." I had some pretty crappy grades (I wasn't "pre med") my fres and sophmore years. I go to a quarter system school. I will apply to medical schools after I graduate. Thus there will be a year long gap, during which I have even considered doing an SMP to further amplify my current grade trends (which are way up there now).

OK what are the stats?

Basically, I'm trying to get into US school. Sometimes the thought of applying to the one or more of the BIG FOUR crosses my mind, instead of spending time trying to get into a US school. I know that to schools like SGU, applying does not mean acceptances always.

OK what are the stats? GPA MCAT?

What do you think, is trying to get into a US school first, even though it is going to take me an extra year...a waste of time?

WHAT ARE THE STATS? How do you think we can answer this question? We have no idea how Competitive you are? We have no idea who you are.

SO you get a lot of flack from us cause its frustrating wasting time on a thread like this.

Do you do drugs or work around (legal) drugs

If you do drugs then stop.

 

[bulletproof]

So when I see an ID that is "IdoDrugs" then I think "Really? and you want to go into medicine?" Sorry pick a better ID

I think you might be quite surprised at the number of Med. students who either have in the past or continue to use illicit substances. I can think of a handful I know of personally right now. These individuals are for the most part very intelligent, and you would be very hard pressed to discern that they used from meeting them on the wards etc. Meet them out at 3am on a random saturday however, and it might be a different story.

I am not advocating or condoning the use of illicit substances, but please don't believe that somehow, Medicine tends to attract squeaky clean candidates devoid of dangerous vices. What would lead you to believe that behind the relatively innocuos screename of "DreasyE" is not a regular med. student with a weekend coke habit? Conversly, "Idodrugs" could well be an inside joke on the OPs part, or could be a reference to his current occupation ( pharm. rep, pharmacist, pharmacologist, CRNA.) At the very worst they are being honest on an anonymous forum. There are probably many on the boards that are less forthcoming...

 

[oldpro]

yes of course you are right but how does the statement

"Of good moral Character" play into being a Doc? Why do we have to bend to everyone and think it is ok to forgive everyone? At times I think we are too easy to think everyone has changed and everyone will make a good Doc, I would rather have some one who has never broken the law, has no indication they cheat and lie, have proven to care about others and less about themselves, worry about Knowing the material more then the grades or the Pay they will get............go to medical school and I like the possiblity of medical schools screening with background checks and not admitting those with major problems, How many are in medical school at the moment we shake our head and wonder how they are ever going to practice or are scared we may be starring up at them as our Doc when in an accident?

There is no "Right" to study Medicine.

 

[bulletproof]

There is no "Right" to study Medicine.

I would argue that there is a right to "study" whatever you goddamn please once you have jumped through the hoops demanded of you. Now the right to "practice" medicine is a whole other issue.
I am curious. Would you include drinking EtOH, and smoking tobacco as negatives amongst the admission criteria you listed?

 

[oldpro]

I would argue that there is a right to "study" whatever you goddamn please once you have jumped through the hoops demanded of you. Now the right to "practice" medicine is a whole other issue.
I am curious. Would you include drinking EtOH, and smoking tobacco as negatives amongst the admission criteria you listed?

While I do not like them, I think breaking the law ( and yes getting caught) is the big one so as long as it is legal and as long as someone does not get caught then they have a shot in my book, once caught and it is a record is when they sink the chance. As far as "Everyone gets to" they do not now, there are plenty of qualified students who do not get accepted every year to medschool, Why shouldn't "Of good moral Character" be taken seriously as it once was, when do we wake up and stop giving every one excuses and the feel it's ok to screw themselves up and maybe even hurt others in the process? Abuse is just not something that just hurts the abuser, of course all you in 3rd year know that right?

We should be the "Best of the Best" nothing less, I think that of most of my classmates ( most LOL)

 

[SabaMed]

I was you I would keep trying to get into a US school. I US school opens up more options.