logistics of transferring

[sunny66]

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I'm thinking of transferring and am wondering how this works. If I contact schools to inquire about possibly transferring in, will it get back to the school I am at? Should I talk to my own school first before I am sure I want to leave? Will my school be upset? (I am worried how this might will this might affect me if I should decided to stay.) Also, how do I know what my chances are of getting into a school I might want to transfer into? Any advice would be appreciated from people who know about these things. Thanks in advance.

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

This question has been asked many times (you may wish to do a search). The consensus is that you're SOL until the end of your second year, and then SOME few schools (none of which anybody's actually been able to name) MAY consider letting you transfer before third year. But, you have to have a fantastic reason (better than "I don't like my school") and it still probably won't happen.

EDIT: Yes, it will get back to your school eventually. No, you shouldn't talk to your school first; it probably won't work, and then you'll have already pissed your school off. Your chances of getting into any school are pretty slim (schools don't like to swipe students).

 

[Wizard of Oz]

This question has been asked many times (you may wish to do a search). The consensus is that you're SOL until the end of your second year, and then SOME few schools (none of which anybody's actually been able to name) MAY consider letting you transfer before third year. But, you have to have a fantastic reason (better than "I don't like my school") and it still probably won't happen.

EDIT: Yes, it will get back to your school eventually. No, you shouldn't talk to your school first; it probably won't work, and then you'll have already pissed your school off. Your chances of getting into any school are pretty slim (schools don't like to swipe students).

Agreed--stick it out, any accredited school will make sure that you get the exposure that you need.

 

[njbmd]

I'm thinking of transferring and am wondering how this works. If I contact schools to inquire about possibly transferring in, will it get back to the school I am at? Should I talk to my own school first before I am sure I want to leave? Will my school be upset? (I am worried how this might will this might affect me if I should decided to stay.) Also, how do I know what my chances are of getting into a school I might want to transfer into? Any advice would be appreciated from people who know about these things. Thanks in advance.

There are two parts to the transfer process: The first part is that you have to have a very good reason for making the transfer (ailing parent who needs you closer, ailing child, ailing spouse (SO) that needs you closer, extreme financial hardship (something not covered by financial aid) etc. The second part is that the school that you want to transfer to, has a space for you and is willing to accept you. Another part of this process is that you must be in good academic standing at your present medical school.

Reasons for transfer that will not work: You don't like your present school. You don't think your present school is good enough. You are unhappy with the location of your school.

Most transfers are made at the end of second year and require that you have a passing score on USMLE Step I. You will also need the advice and support of the Dean of your present medical school so that is the place that you make your first inquiries into the process. As you have mentioned in your post, there can be some negatives associated with the process of initiating a transfer but if you have a good reason, the positives will outweigh the negatives. Good luck with the process.

 

[vkhalsa]

Agreed--stick it out, any accredited school will make sure that you get the exposure that you need.

i'm not too sure if this is just people repeating what others have said on SDN or if it is really like that. I'm not saying they are wrong but from all the past posts i've read i haven't read any from people who tried and said they failed. There are a couple of people on SDN who have transfered. As far as doing it after first year there are several schools which allow it and that information can be found on the AAMC transfer search page. (i don't remember the link but people have posted it in the past. Obviously the location should be more important than the school if you are transfering for the right reasons.)

 

[Law2Doc]

i'm not too sure if this is just people repeating what others have said on SDN or if it is really like that. I'm not saying they are wrong but from all the past posts i've read i haven't read any from people who tried and said they failed. There are a couple of people on SDN who have transfered. As far as doing it after first year there are several schools which allow it and that information can be found on the AAMC transfer search page. (i don't remember the link but people have posted it in the past. Obviously the location should be more important than the school if you are transfering for the right reasons.)

You won't read many threads of people who tried and failed because it's such a low percentage play that few people actually go down this road. If you look at the AAMC transfer search page you suggested, it appears (if I'm reading it correctly) that fewer than 25 schools anticipate having a spot or two for transferees before third year, so we aren't talking about a whole lot of people in motion.
Also, while there are a minority of schools that may allow transfers first year if they have space, you had better be pretty sure your school does things in close to the same order as the target school or you will have huge gaps in your education come boards time.

 

[sunny66]

Thanks for the comments so far. To clarify: I know transferring is unusual, and difficult because there are few openings. I have a valid reason for wanting to transfer that I think most schools would view as legitimate. Just wondering about the logistics.