Military or China

[chinaman1800]

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My question is quite strange and thus I don't really know where to post it. First a little background

School: I am pushing 30 and so am closing in on the cut off age for active military duty in many of the branches. I have a BS in Biology (GPA 2.7), an MBA in Healthservice Admin. (GPA 3.3), and am currently in my final semester of a 4 year postbacc (GPA 3.5). Note I am not entirely certain what my cumulative sGPA is because I have MCBP classes from 4 different schools and have had classes on quarters, trimesters, and semesters systems but it should be approximately 2.6, rather dismal. The last time I took the MCAT was about 3 years ago so this is the last year for my scores before I have to retake them (highest was a 29R most recent was a 28R). Numbers wise I'm not looking too hot I know.

EC: I have experience working in a hospital as a transporter but it is very long ago (2007) and only lasted 3 months. Since 2007 I have always had work except for one semester (gotta pay the bills and what not). I was able to volunteer for 1 month at a hospital (was shooing for the whole summer but personal reasons forced me to leave way early). I have no shadowing experience but have some recent research experience.

Needless to say this last application cycle I have yet to hear any really good news. Still hoping for an interview but as it is almost February I'm not holding my breath. I now have two options and must choose one.

Option 1:
Currently I have a guaranteed position in the MBBS program at Fudan University in China as kind of a back up. Problem is I haven't really heard many good things about the Chinese medical education system and am also wary of the difficulties coming back into the states to practice. To top it off the program is 6 years no assurance of residency or ability to pass the USMLE. This opportunity doesn't last as I am also told that there is a maximum cut off age here which is supposedly 30.

Option 2:
Now the alternative is to enlist or commission as an active duty officer in one of the military branches for a minimum of 4 years (medical officer is preferable). If possible I would entertain the thought of taking classes while active, ideally simple MCBP classes for the sGPA. Obviously I would have to retake the MCATs at the end and then reapply and again hope. Here I would be giving up a guaranteed medical education for the hopes of a better one. Again like I stated earlier there is a cut off age here to, it differs by branch, but the median is 30.

I've sunk so much time into this path and feel that running away from medicine is akin to giving up, which is not in my nature. I've already set up an appointment with an AF recruiter and will definitely ask about the ability to take one or two classes per semester while active. Maybe you guys have some insight or know something that I don't about the MBBS program and nontraditional applicants. Thanks in advance.

 

[xffan624]

My question is quite strange and thus I don't really know where to post it. First a little background

School: I am pushing 30 and so am closing in on the cut off age for active military duty in many of the branches. I have a BS in Biology (GPA 2.7), an MBA in Healthservice Admin. (GPA 3.3), and am currently in my final semester of a 4 year postbacc (GPA 3.5). Note I am not entirely certain what my cumulative sGPA is because I have MCBP classes from 4 different schools and have had classes on quarters, trimesters, and semesters systems but it should be approximately 2.6, rather dismal. The last time I took the MCAT was about 3 years ago so this is the last year for my scores before I have to retake them (highest was a 29R most recent was a 28R). Numbers wise I'm not looking too hot I know.

EC: I have experience working in a hospital as a transporter but it is very long ago (2007) and only lasted 3 months. Since 2007 I have always had work except for one semester (gotta pay the bills and what not). I was able to volunteer for 1 month at a hospital (was shooing for the whole summer but personal reasons forced me to leave way early). I have no shadowing experience but have some recent research experience.

Needless to say this last application cycle I have yet to hear any really good news. Still hoping for an interview but as it is almost February I'm not holding my breath. I now have two options and must choose one.

Option 1:
Currently I have a guaranteed position in the MBBS program at Fudan University in China as kind of a back up. Problem is I haven't really heard many good things about the Chinese medical education system and am also wary of the difficulties coming back into the states to practice. To top it off the program is 6 years no assurance of residency or ability to pass the USMLE. This opportunity doesn't last as I am also told that there is a maximum cut off age here which is supposedly 30.

Option 2:
Now the alternative is to enlist as an active duty officer in one of the military branches for a minimum of 4 years (medical officer is preferable). If possible I would entertain the thought of taking classes while active, ideally simple MCBP classes for the sGPA. Obviously I would have to retake the MCATs at the end and then reapply and again hope. Here I would be giving up a guaranteed medical education for the hopes of a better one. Again like I stated earlier there is a cut off age here to, it differs by branch, but the median is 30.

I've sunk so much time into this path and feel that running away from medicine is akin to giving up, which is not in my nature. I've already set up an appointment with an AF recruiter and will definitely ask about the ability to take one or two classes per semester while active. Maybe you guys have some insight or know something that I don't about the MBBS program and nontraditional applicants. Thanks in advance.

This on the assumption that you are considering entering the US military. You need to do more research in the military option as many of your statements are somewhat inaccurate.

1. You don't enlist as a military officer. You commission as one. And yes there is a difference.
2. The cut-off age is not near 30 as far as I know. I knew several officers in my initial training that were approaching 40.
3. How do you commission? For the Army, you commission through ROTC, Officer Candidate School, and Direct Commission. The hardest to get and the only one that designates you position in the medical field is the Direct Commission option. OCS could put you in the medical field, but this is a crapshoot. If you are a male, you could end up as an infantry officer, armor officer, etc. If you speak to an Army recruiter, make sure to indicate you are interested in the medical field. There are specific medical recruiters.
4. It's technically a 8 year commitment, but 4 of those years can be on inactive reserve.

With the downsides in mind, there are some upsides,

5. Afghanistan is winding down, so you're likelihood of deploying drops greatly (that can be a bad thing too, lol, I made a ton of money over there, enough to pay off my student loans with help from the Army).
6. Possibility of loan repayment options for your college (see statement above)
7. GI Bill use for medical school (pays 100% for a state medical school where you are resident, plus a stipend-I'm doing this now and haven't taken a single loan out)
8. Most medical schools love veterans

Anyway, that's a brief snapshot of my experiences with the Army. I have met/heard of several officers who have done this so it's not unheard of. PM me for more specific questions, but as far as current recruiting questions you'll have to speak to recruiter.

I know nothing about Chinese medical schools so can't help you with that end of the question.

 

[Goro]

Option 1 is foolish. We have no way of assessing who good a foreign MBBS program is. Is it even accredited in the US?

Option 2: concur with the above post. However, if your sGPA is as poor as you think it is (you really need to calculate it as p[er AMCAS and AACOMAS), we'd be doing you no favor in accepting you, veteran status or no. But how did you do in your post-bac? What are MCAT scores by category?

Remember that AACOMAS has a grade replacement policy, so your numbers might be better than you think. A 28/29 MCAT is fine for any DO program, including mine.

 

[GreenBlade]

My question is quite strange and thus I don't really know where to post it. First a little background

School: I am pushing 30 and so am closing in on the cut off age for active military duty in many of the branches. I have a BS in Biology (GPA 2.7), an MBA in Healthservice Admin. (GPA 3.3), and am currently in my final semester of a 4 year postbacc (GPA 3.5). Note I am not entirely certain what my cumulative sGPA is because I have MCBP classes from 4 different schools and have had classes on quarters, trimesters, and semesters systems but it should be approximately 2.6, rather dismal. The last time I took the MCAT was about 3 years ago so this is the last year for my scores before I have to retake them (highest was a 29R most recent was a 28R). Numbers wise I'm not looking too hot I know.

EC: I have experience working in a hospital as a transporter but it is very long ago (2007) and only lasted 3 months. Since 2007 I have always had work except for one semester (gotta pay the bills and what not). I was able to volunteer for 1 month at a hospital (was shooing for the whole summer but personal reasons forced me to leave way early). I have no shadowing experience but have some recent research experience.

Needless to say this last application cycle I have yet to hear any really good news. Still hoping for an interview but as it is almost February I'm not holding my breath. I now have two options and must choose one.

Option 1:
Currently I have a guaranteed position in the MBBS program at Fudan University in China as kind of a back up. Problem is I haven't really heard many good things about the Chinese medical education system and am also wary of the difficulties coming back into the states to practice. To top it off the program is 6 years no assurance of residency or ability to pass the USMLE. This opportunity doesn't last as I am also told that there is a maximum cut off age here which is supposedly 30.

Option 2:
Now the alternative is to enlist or commission as an active duty officer in one of the military branches for a minimum of 4 years (medical officer is preferable). If possible I would entertain the thought of taking classes while active, ideally simple MCBP classes for the sGPA. Obviously I would have to retake the MCATs at the end and then reapply and again hope. Here I would be giving up a guaranteed medical education for the hopes of a better one. Again like I stated earlier there is a cut off age here to, it differs by branch, but the median is 30.

I've sunk so much time into this path and feel that running away from medicine is akin to giving up, which is not in my nature. I've already set up an appointment with an AF recruiter and will definitely ask about the ability to take one or two classes per semester while active. Maybe you guys have some insight or know something that I don't about the MBBS program and nontraditional applicants. Thanks in advance.

Look into USUHS (military medical school). You might be able to get in there. Its a 7 year obligation though, not including residency training. Once you complete residency, your 4 years in medical school count towards your retirement.

You can take college courses while you are on active duty, it just depends on your work schedule. I know the Army just started this thing where you cannot take classes until one year after technical training. Also, commissioned officers can only use TA if they add time to their service obligation for each year they use it. Not sure how the AF does it.

I just got off active duty; I don't suggest joining the military unless you plan on losing out on 4-6 years of life experience. Being enlisted sucks.

 

[Mad Jack]

If you're really desperate to go abroad for med school, I would encourage you to go to the Philippines rather than China. They teach in English and are four year MD programs that are of decent quality. The cost is also pretty negligible-2-3k per year, but often there is a "foreigner fee" that is a one time 10k. Cost of living is cheap as well, but so is China. Totally worth saving 2 years of your life IMO. There is a very good chance either way that you will not practice in the US eventually, however.

Can't say what is the better option for you. That depends on your personality.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

My question is quite strange and thus I don't really know where to post it. ...

Are you a US citizen?

Medical school in China would be a terrible idea if you want to do a residency and practice in the US. If you are 30, speak Chinese and have an MBA and interested in health care, I think I'd be looking at employment opportunities in China's developing healthcare space before I'd enlist in the military for four years or as a medical admin officer. Most US pharma company or medical device manufacturers are certainly looking for bilingual employees with a business background.

 

[NontradCA]

Tl;dr.

Retake classes you got a C or below in. Apply to DO schools.