MCAT of 20--->USMLE!

[Tyerat]

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Hello users of SDN, i am contemplating of going abroad for my medical education (not sure where, looking into europe where mcat might be overlooked) with the intention of solely coming back to the US. Do you guys think i will be able to well on the USMLE with the fact that my mcat scores in ESPECIALLY VERBAL IS LOW<5. I know the typical answer might be it depends on how much you study for the usmle.... BUt i was wonderig if you guys know or have been in a similar situation and have done well in the USMLE. My weakness is that i have to ready slowly to comprehand the passage, and i know the usmle like all standard tests is time based, so i am scared if i go abroad for med school and than not do well on the usmle, it would be no point for me! Please let me know what you guys think.

 

[Sage880]

Well, I don't know you or how much this will be a problem for you. But I get the feeling that, for whatever reason, you really struggle with standardized tests? If so, I would strongly advise you against coming to Europe for medical school since a low score on the USMLE exams will bury you as an IMG. I know this is just anecdotal evidence, but the people I know who have not done well on step 1 have had a real problem returning home after medical school. There are people who have found themselves graduated and pretty much unable to find any type of a job. They are royal screw-ups and everyone could see it coming but it does happen. P =/= MD coming from Europe.

I don't want to discourage you, I'm just not sure Europe is for you. If it is, make sure it's a place you might want to work in after you graduate to give yourself more options.

20 is quite low for the DO schools and the Caribbean as well but I would apply to every single one of those if I was you before taking a look at Europe. You might get lucky and if you get your clinical training in the US then the USMLE's are just "part of your application". They are still very important but I believe they're even more important if you're coming from a school in Europe.

The last option would to be to consider another career in the health services industry. There are a lot of other options that allow you to work with patients, be part of a team, and manage illness other then being an MD. They might not be for you but it's something to consider. Good luck!

 

[Tyerat]

Thanks for your reply mate appreciate it. I am wary of the fact that a low score of usmle will be a concern for me especially being a IMG. Would you rather suggest going to the caribbean and even with a low score on the usmle i could go to underserved areas and i am not looking into getting a high residency. The advantage i see with europe is that with the caribeean if u dont a residency in the states u cant do much, however with europe at least u can work in that country even if u dont get a job in the states. What you think? Let me know please.

 

[Terpskins99]

Hello users of SDN, i am contemplating of going abroad for my medical education (not sure where, looking into europe where mcat might be overlooked) with the intention of solely coming back to the US. Do you guys think i will be able to well on the USMLE with the fact that my mcat scores in ESPECIALLY VERBAL IS LOW<5. I know the typical answer might be it depends on how much you study for the usmle.... BUt i was wonderig if you guys know or have been in a similar situation and have done well in the USMLE. My weakness is that i have to ready slowly to comprehand the passage, and i know the usmle like all standard tests is time based, so i am scared if i go abroad for med school and than not do well on the usmle, it would be no point for me! Please let me know what you guys think.

The USMLE is not unmanageable to those that struggled on the MCAT's (plenty of students have went the IMG route and come back with flying colors), just make sure you understand what you're up against. You're aiming for AT LEAST the national average on the USMLE. To put it into perspective, imagine if the USMLE were the MCAT's... you'd have to get at least a 30 or bust (30 being approximately the national average of accepted US Medical Students). Thats the kind of competition you're facing.

Its not impossible, but you need to do some serious soul searching and figure out if you have it in you to accomplish this. If you have any doubt, then there are other less riskier avenues to explore (and I can suggest some if you like... PM me).

 

[MikeyLu2010]

it would be much easier ..to just improve that MCAT score...